Podcast Summary: The Dan Bongino Show - In Due Time (Ep. 2486)

Date: April 2, 2026
Host: Dan Bongino | Cumulus Podcast Network
Theme: In-depth conservative analysis of current political and cultural events, with a focus on Supreme Court developments, U.S. national security, government accountability, and the ever-evolving American political landscape.

Episode Overview

In “In Due Time,” Dan Bongino covers pivotal legal, political, and economic developments shaping the U.S., zeroing in on the Supreme Court’s upcoming birthright citizenship decision, the ongoing challenge of government corruption and fraud, significant developments in Iran, and America’s role on the world stage. Bongino critiques media narratives, government overreach, and what he sees as intellectual failings at the highest levels–particularly targeting Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson for her role in the recent oral arguments. Throughout, Bongino stresses the concept of “due process,” American resilience, and the importance of factual analysis over media or political hype.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Supreme Court and Birthright Citizenship: A Constitutional Crisis

• Opening Rant & Main Legal Focus (00:02-17:45)

  • Bongino sharply criticizes Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, labeling her as “intellectually insufficient” and accusing her of misunderstanding basic constitutional concepts.
  • The primary legal issue: whether the Supreme Court will uphold or strike down birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants—an outcome Bongino says could fundamentally alter the United States.
  • Notable Quote:

    “If the Supreme Court rules against President Trump, you understand, right, that the whole world's going to get the message... just come here illegally, have babies, invade the country. Do you understand how crazy this is?”
    (A, 00:03)

  • Bongino worries a negative ruling would amount to a new, de jure constitutional right for illegal entrants, undermining national security and American sovereignty.

• Dissection of the 'Jurisdiction' Clause (37:44-39:15)

  • Argues the Fourteenth Amendment’s phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” means a person must have legal domicile in the U.S. to confer citizenship.
  • Plays a clip of Solicitor General John Sauer, who asserts that “reside” in the amendment equates to “domicile” — implying that illegal entrants’ children should not be considered citizens.
  • Notable Quote:

    “If the authors of the 14th Amendment did not want any exceptions... why put ‘and subject to the jurisdiction thereof’ in it? Why not just say ‘all persons born in the United States’?”
    (A, 39:00)

• Viral Moment: Ketanji Brown Jackson’s courtroom analogy (33:30)

  • Bongino mocks Justice Jackson’s analogy comparing legal jurisdiction for tourists in Japan to birthright citizenship in the U.S.
  • Quote Highlight:

    “If I steal someone’s wallet in Japan... the Japanese authorities can arrest me and prosecute me.”
    (Ketanji Brown Jackson, played at 33:30)

  • Bongino’s reaction:

    “Is this woman like an npc? ... She’s actually making the opposite point.”
    (A, 34:12)

2. Trump, Due Process, and Political Witch Hunts

• Defending Legal Process (14:00-17:00)

  • Emphasizes commitment to rule of law and due process against what he calls “Star Chambers” and “trial by Twitter.”
  • Calls out members of Congress (e.g., Rep. Massey) for undermining proper legal processes during ongoing trials.

• On Trump’s Legal Fights and Media Narratives (17:45-24:00)

  • Details political maneuvers against Trump, arguing adversaries often indirectly attack his surrogates rather than Trump directly.
  • Trump encourages legal action against misinformation:
    • Quote:

      “I think you should sue him. ... Sue their ass off.”
      (Donald Trump, recounted by Bongino, ~23:15)

3. Birthright Citizenship — National Security and Foreign Influence

• Monologue & Will Cain Segment (27:50-33:00)

  • Raises national security concerns, warning that children of foreign nationals—not always raised with American values—could gain U.S. citizenship and access sensitive positions (military, CIA).
  • Cites reports of foreign wealth exploiting the system—e.g., Chinese billionaires using surrogacy in the U.S.
  • Quote:

    “Some clients, by the way, request up to 100 babies via multiple surrogacies... babies born here are automatically U.S. citizens.”
    (Will Cain, 29:41)

• Aisha Hosny’s Observation (31:58)

  • Bongino references Fox’s Aisha Hosny:

    • “Someone like me... will never be able to run for president. But a child born here through birth tourism... somehow can.”
      (Aisha Hosny, cited at 32:00)

4. The 'Trump Effect': Shifting the Overton Window

• Bongino credits Trump with turning once-taboo political topics, such as reexamining birthright citizenship, into mainstream debate.
  • Quote:

    “Nobody moves that window better than Trump...”
    (A, 41:00)

5. Economic 'Wins' and the Media Narrative

• Economic Positives & AI Progress (50:00-53:00)
  • Highlights job and wage growth, arguing these achievements are ignored or downplayed by mainstream media to cultivate a sense of crisis.
  • Details technological advancements (AI, material science) and Trump-era deregulation as major drivers of U.S. productivity.
  • Quote:

    “... you’re living through the golden age of being an American citizen.”
    (A, 52:25)

6. Tackling Government Fraud and Corruption

• New Developments in Government Accountability (53:15-56:56)
  • Praises recent arrests and investigations for government fraud at state and federal levels (e.g., New York and California).
  • Predicts a coming wave of independent journalism exposing welfare fraud, driving the left towards Universal Basic Income as a fallback argument.
  • Quote:

    “We show you stuff that’s happening and you move on to another thing you say isn’t happening. That happens. Wash, rinse, repeat.”
    (A, 54:49)

7. U.S. Foreign Policy: Iran, War, and Nuclear Threats

• Why Attack Iran Now? (Rubio Clip Explained) (47:57-49:42)

  • Details the rationale behind recent U.S. strikes on Iran—preventing the mullahs from establishing a “conventional shield” of drones/missiles that would deter action against their nuclear program.
  • Memorable Rubio Quote:

    “Under no circumstances can a country run by radical Shia clerics... ever possess nuclear weapons. And under no circumstances can they be allowed to hide and protect that program... that was an intolerable risk.”
    (Rubio, 48:47)

• The Broader Strategic Implications (51:08-55:00)

  • Notes how Iran’s defense failures (against stealth tech) are being closely watched by China and Russia.
  • Insists U.S. military action is preventing much greater long-term risks.

• Trump and the ‘Forever War’ Myth (56:56-58:45)

  • Trump dismisses claims of another "forever war" in the Middle East, specifying that key objectives are nearly met and a timeline for reevaluation is set.
  • Trump Quote:

    “We’re going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong. … Regime change was not our goal. … The new group is less radical and much more reasonable. They’re all dead.”
    (Trump, summarized by Bongino, 58:10)

8. Rethinking NATO and U.S.-Europe Relations

• NATO’s Limits and American Burden (59:05-59:58)

  • Rubio and Bongino strongly criticize NATO allies for refusing the U.S. access to military bases, questioning the future relevance of the alliance when allies don’t reciprocate support.
  • Quote:

    “If we can only use [NATO bases] in their time of need, but not ours … then why are we in NATO?”
    (Rubio, 59:25)

• American Sacrifice and European Dependence (62:00-63:50)

  • Bongino admonishes European leaders for repeatedly failing to defend themselves, relying on American blood and resources.
  • Quote:

    “How many times are we going to save Europe? ... Wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking German.”
    (A, 62:24)

9. Comic Relief & Domestic Politics

• Voter ID ‘Self-Own’ (67:40-69:00)

  • Bongino plays a viral video of a Democrat politician asking a church audience how many lack IDs (expecting many hands)—no one raises their hand.
  • Quote:

    “Everybody has an id, right? So my thoughts on it – a little bit different.”
    (Shamari Figures, played 68:40)

• California Political Theater & Government Fraud (69:00-71:58)

  • Roasts California Democrats who, facing constituent complaints about crime/homelessness/taxes, reflexively blame Trump while refusing to critique Gov. Gavin Newsom.
  • Highlights a Wall Street Journal op-ed by Kim Strassel and tweets from Christopher Rufo about California’s massive Medicaid fraud—coincidentally punctuated by federal raids announced on the show.

Notable Quotes & Highlights (w/ Timestamps)

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |-----------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Bongino | “If the Supreme Court rules against President Trump... Everybody is just now going to have a constitutional right that did not exist before...” | | 23:15 | Trump (paraphrased) | “I think you should sue him… Sue their ass off.” | | 29:41 | Will Cain (@Fox) | “Some clients, by the way, request up to 100 babies via multiple surrogacies…” | | 32:00 | Aisha Hosny (paraphr.) | “Someone like me… will never be able to run for president. But a child born here through birth tourism… can.” | | 34:12 | Bongino | “Is this woman like an npc? ... She’s actually making the opposite point.” | | 39:00 | Bongino | “...why put ‘and subject to the jurisdiction thereof’ in [the 14th Amendment]?” | | 48:47 | Marco Rubio | “Under no circumstances can a country run by radical Shia clerics... ever possess nuclear weapons.” | | 52:25 | Bongino | “...you’re living through the golden age of being an American citizen.” | | 54:49 | Bongino | “We show you stuff that’s happening and you move on to another thing you say isn’t happening. That happens. Wash, rinse, repeat.” | | 59:25 | Rubio | “If we can only use [NATO bases] in their time of need, but not ours... then why are we in NATO?” | | 62:24 | Bongino | “How many times are we going to save Europe? ... Wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking German.” | | 68:40 | Shamari Figures | “Everybody has an id, right? So my thoughts on it – a little bit different.” |

Memorable/Lighter Moments

• Viral Video “Self-Own”: Democratic politician’s attempt to show lack of voter IDs in the black community backfires when zero hands go up in a packed church—Bongino’s “video of the day.”
• Mocking media/Democratic excuses: Repeatedly lampoons California Democrats blaming Trump for their state’s woes while dodging criticisms of their own policies and leadership ("Trump did it").
• Ongoing theme: “In due time”—the truth will inevitably emerge, and those misrepresenting facts will be exposed.

Conclusion

This episode weaves together sharp analysis of constitutional law, contemporary geopolitical threats, economic optimism, and domestic political theater. Bongino frames the U.S. as facing existential challenges both from within (via legal and constitutional interpretations, corruption, and media spin) and without (Iran, foreign exploitation of citizenship laws, and unreliable allies). Always combative and unapologetically pro-Trump, Bongino urges listeners to stay vigilant, trust the process, and remember America’s historical and present-day strengths—even as he warns of the dangers posed by both adversaries and what he deems an intellectually and morally compromised political-legal elite.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – Introduction, Supreme Court critique/birthright citizenship
• 14:00 – Due process, media and political spin
• 23:15 – Trump’s call to sue (speech excerpt)
• 27:50 – Birthright citizenship and national security
• 33:30 – Justice Jackson’s analogy & Bongino’s reaction
• 39:00 – Fourteenth Amendment legal analysis (Solicitor General clip)
• 47:57 – Rubio on Iran and conventional shield
• 51:08 – Economic/AI advances
• 53:15 – Government fraud and new arrests
• 56:56 – Trump’s Iran strategy and rebuttal of ‘forever war’
• 59:05 – Rubio on NATO and U.S.-Europe relations
• 67:40 – Voter ID “self-own” viral video
• 69:00 – California politics and government waste

For more, listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.