VINCE Podcast – Episode 152
"The Process Is The Punishment, John Brennan Edition"
Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Amber Duke (Editor, Daily Caller)
Release Date: October 22, 2025
Episode Overview
On this high-octane episode, Vince Coglianese dives into the criminal referral of former CIA Director John Brennan, examines ongoing prosecutions of high-profile Trump antagonists, and skewers the latest "scandals" emerging from the left about Trump and his administration—particularly the controversy over Trump’s lawsuit against the DOJ. Vince is joined by Amber Duke for a candid discussion on prosecutions, the weaponization of the DOJ, mass deportations, and New York City’s fraught mayoral race. Laden with Vince’s trademark wit and candor, the episode offers critical insights for navigating the chaos of Washington, D.C.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. John Brennan Criminal Referral
[05:43–11:45]
- The House Judiciary Committee has referred John Brennan for criminal prosecution for allegedly lying to Congress on three occasions related to the Steele dossier and the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Russian interference in 2016.
- Vince’s Take:
- Vince frames Brennan’s alleged lies as habitual, comparing him to someone “being accused of breathing.”
- The criminal referral is detailed, listing three specific alleged falsehoods about the CIA’s involvement with the Steele dossier.
- Vince reads Brennan’s exchanges with Congress, highlighting contradictions between Brennan’s 2017 and 2023 testimony and declassified House Committee intelligence reports.
Notable Quote:
“John Brennan being accused of lying would be like the rest of us just being accused of breathing. Yes, he does it easily and reflexively.”
Vince Coglianese, [05:32]
- Vince anticipates that Brennan could face indictment soon, contextualizing this within ongoing DOJ actions against other former officials: James Comey, Letitia James, and John Bolton.
2. The Ongoing ‘Lawfare’ Against Trump
[13:15–15:44]
- Vince shifts to discuss the pattern of legal attacks targeting Trump, beginning with his criminal prosecution during the 2024 campaign and Trump’s subsequent lawsuits against the DOJ, alleging persecution and civil rights violations.
- Trump’s unprecedented position: now, as President, he is technically “suing himself”—i.e., his DOJ—for damages relating to those prosecutions.
Notable Quote:
“When I became president, I said, I'm sort of suing myself. I don't know what. How do you settle the lawsuit? I'll say, give me X dollars. Right… But that was a lawsuit that was very strong, very powerful. They raided illegally, my house in Florida. Mar A Lago.”
Donald Trump, [15:12]
3. Trump’s Proposed DOJ Settlement
[15:44–20:40]
- Reporting from The New York Times claims Trump is demanding $230M from the DOJ as settlement for “wrongful prosecutions.”
- Vince rejects the idea that settling the suit or Trump receiving money would be corrupt—arguing instead that Trump is entitled to restitution.
- Trump has stated he would donate any settlement back to the American people, for example, for White House renovations.
Notable Quote:
“If I get money from our country, I'll do something nice with it, like give it to charity or give it to the White House while we restore the White House… but I'm not looking for money.”
Donald Trump, [20:03]
Vince’s Analysis:
- Points out the media and political double standard: Obama and Biden used DOJ settlements as political slush funds, yet the left is outraged at Trump donating a settlement back to the public.
- Mocks the left’s claims of “corruption” if Trump were to donate the settlement to a public cause.
4. On Accountability and Media Narratives
[20:40–28:31]
- Vince satirizes the left’s outrage over White House renovations, contrasting their concern about “historic preservation” with left-wing riots that damaged public property during previous years.
- Points to media hypocrisy and the politicization of criticisms:
“Remember when they tried to burn St. John's Church down across the street from the White House? …That's the left trying to preserve our nation's history.”
5. Guest Segment: Amber Duke on DOJ Accountability and Immigration Enforcement
[31:43–43:36]
a. Brennan’s Referral and Patterns of DOJ Weaponization
- Amber asserts this is not “politicizing” the DOJ, but actually correcting past abuses by holding officials accountable.
- Emphasizes the need for justice for Trump and for all who were targeted by politically motivated prosecutions during previous administrations.
Notable Quote:
“People are being held accountable for their weaponization and politicization of the DOJ and the intelligence community that took place all throughout Trump's first term.”
Amber Duke, [32:11]
b. Trump Prosecutions and Selective Law Enforcement
- Amber ties the 2024 prosecutions of Trump to attempts to prevent him from regaining office, citing Letitia James’ explicit campaign pledges to “stop Trump.”
- High-profile intelligence officials like Brennan and Clapper, she notes, “got six-figure cable news contracts” to continue attacking Trump publicly after leaving government.
c. The Trump DOJ Settlement “Scandal”
- Amber debunks media claims that Trump is self-dealing, clarifying he started the lawsuits before winning the presidency.
- She supports the settlement going to a public cause and challenges the claim that the arrangement is corrupt.
6. Immigration Enforcement: Mass Deportations and Political Messaging
[36:29–39:41]
- Vince and Amber discuss Trump’s accelerating deportations—half a million “and counting”—and the administration’s increasingly aggressive approach to illegal immigration.
- Amber argues for expanding enforcement beyond only “the worst of the worst,” supporting raids and full removal of all illegal immigrants.
- Critiques sanctuary city policies for forcing ICE to conduct public raids:
“If they wanted to avoid that problem… all they had to do was cooperate and hold the criminal so that ICE could come pick them up.”
Amber Duke, [38:44]
7. New York City Mayoral Race & Sanctuary Politics
[39:41–46:20]
- Examines how Andrew Cuomo’s independent mayoral run, despite losing the Democratic primary, could be detrimental to Republican Curtis Sliwa and highlights Cuomo’s opposition to ICE enforcement in NYC.
- Vince and Amber ridicule comparisons between deporting illegal immigrants and welcoming legal immigrants via Ellis Island.
- Both criticize Cuomo’s record, especially his mishandling of COVID-19 in nursing homes, pointing out how media and Democrats ignore or minimize that scandal.
8. Antifa, Portland, and Federal Enforcement
[47:54–52:55]
- Reports on criminal referrals for protestors inciting violence against ICE agents and fresh clashes between Antifa and federal law enforcement in Portland.
- Vince describes local police enabling Antifa, including shielding rioters and even taking police reports against DHS agents.
- Vince calls for invoking the Insurrection Act to restore order, criticizing local governments for dereliction and federal passivity.
Notable Quote:
“Time for the Insurrection Act in Portland. And the same should be true in Chicago… What you're doing is an insurrection.”
Vince Coglianese, [53:23]
9. Left-Wing Rhetoric and 2028 Election Preview
[56:45–58:00]
- Vince plays audio of Jen Psaki painting possible 2028 GOP contender JD Vance as “scarier than Trump,” noting the cyclical Democratic strategy of demonizing GOP candidates.
- Vince comments on how voters are tiring of these exaggerations, stating the left’s tactics are backfiring.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On John Brennan:
“Lie after lie after lie after lie. They've got this guy dead to rights.”
Vince, [11:46] -
On Double Standards:
“Obama and Biden are among the most corrupt figures in American history, either stealing money for themselves or using Justice Department settlements as a means… to create slush funds for the American left.”
Vince, [22:44] -
On Insurrection in Portland:
“If you enforce the law, things will get better. If you slap handcuffs on rioters, things will get better… Time for the Insurrection Act in Portland.”
Vince, [53:12]
Section Timestamps – At-a-Glance
| Segment | Timestamps | |----------------------------------------|-------------| | John Brennan Referral & Analysis | 05:43–11:45 | | Trump DOJ Lawsuit/Settlement | 13:15–20:40 | | Amber Duke on DOJ/Trump Prosecutions | 31:43–36:29 | | Mass Deportations & Sanctuary Cities | 36:29–39:41 | | NYC Mayoral/Immigration Debate | 39:41–46:20 | | Portland Antifa/Insurrection Act Call | 47:54–53:23 | | Left Rhetoric/JD Vance “Scandal” | 56:45–58:00 |
Tone & Style
Vince is unapologetically combative, often sarcastic, and leans into vivid analogies and direct critique. The conversation is peppered with indignation at perceived double standards, humor at the left’s expense (“step on rakes every day”), and a throughline of advocating for accountability and restoring law and order.
Amber Duke brings incisive clarity and reinforces Vince’s central themes, adding concrete examples and succinct analysis of both policy and political theater.
Final Thoughts
This episode delivers a rapid-fire breakdown of the latest legal and political maneuvers in Washington, with particular emphasis on DOJ accountability and the shifting landscape of law enforcement under Trump’s administration. Vince and Amber offer both granular detail and colorful commentary, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking to make sense of contemporary political drama.