VINCE Podcast — Episode 141: "Who Else Were They Spying On?"

Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Haley Caranilla
Date: October 7, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into major breaking stories involving threats to U.S. immigration enforcement by gang members, the collusion alleged between gangs and Democratic city leadership, and an explosive revelation: members of Congress—including sitting U.S. senators—were allegedly surveilled by Jack Smith and the Biden Department of Justice. Vince brings his usual sharp-witted, irreverent perspective, and is later joined in studio by Haley Caranilla, who shares her unfiltered insights and career journey in political media.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Threats Against Immigration Officers and Political Response

[03:00 - 18:00]

• Vince details escalating threats faced by ICE and Border Patrol officers, most notably a $10,000 bounty allegedly placed on an officer by a Latin Kings gang leader (“Monkey,” Juan Espinoza Martinez).
• Chicago’s Democratic leadership, specifically Mayor Brandon Johnson, is slammed for enacting “ICE-Free Zones,” which Vince equates to insurrection against federal law enforcement:

  “We fought a civil war over this issue... Law enforcement can go in and enforce the law whether you like it or not, Brandon Johnson, and what the hell is wrong with you?” (Vince, 14:15)

• The refusal of city police to assist ICE officers during a recent terror attack is discussed, with Vince suggesting deliberate political interference with law enforcement.
• Democratic officials, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, are accused of spreading misinformation (such as viral “zip-tied children” TikTok videos) about ICE, further endangering officers' reputations and safety.
• Vince connects lenient city policies to increased gang violence and accuses Democrats of aligning with criminal elements:

  "Democrats are all in with the Latin Kings… Brandon Johnson puts a target on the back of Immigration Enforcement. And then Monkey tries to pull the trigger. That’s the one-two punch…" (Vince, 28:15)

Notable Moment

• Vince reacts to the arrest of “Monkey” and the absurdity of his public persona (“high-vis shirt,” “peeing his pants”):

  “It does kind of look like he peed his pants. Monkey peed his pants? Look at that... Good.” (Vince, 26:15)

2. Senators Spied On: ‘Spygate’ Revelations

[31:15 - 34:30]

• Dan Bongino briefs U.S. Senators about surveillance: The key reveal is that Jack Smith and the Biden DOJ, via an operation called “Arctic Frost,” spied on nearly a dozen Republican senators during the January 6 probe.
• List of alleged targets includes: Lindsey Graham, Marsha Blackburn, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, Cynthia Lummis, Bill Hagerty, Dan Sullivan, Tommy Tuberville, and Rep. Mike Kelly.
• Vince contextualizes these revelations within prior governmental abuse scandals, stating:

  “You could take any number of American political scandals and combine them all. And this is bigger than all of those.” (Vince, 32:15)

• Sen. Ron Johnson calls the surveillance “completely outrageous”, emphasizing the timing—occurring after Trump’s Mar-a-Lago raid and indictment, suggesting partisan motivation.

  “This memo was dated September 2023... This doesn't surprise me, but it should shock every American.” (Sen. Ron Johnson, 33:10)

• Vince speculates that, had Democrats maintained unified control of government, these activities would have escalated uncontrollably.
• He credits voters for “stopping further injustices” by shifting congressional control:

  “Every one of these Republican senators have you to thank for stopping further injustices... Were it not for that fact pattern right now, we would not know about the extent of the surveillance.” (Vince, 34:05)

Memorable Quote

• “Dan Bongino himself personally gets this information from the FBI and he hand walks it over to the United States Senate... This is a massive, massive story.” (Vince, 34:15)

3. In-Depth Interview: Haley Caranilla’s Origin Story

[34:30 – 57:50]

First Impressions of DC

• Haley notes a marked reduction in homelessness since her last visit:

  “I'm seeing less homeless people... Honestly impressed with how clean it is.” (Haley, 35:00)

• She recounts attempting man-on-the-street interviews around the monuments, noting most passersby weren’t native English speakers.

Career Path in Media

• From local Long Island news intern to Fox News promotions writer, then to booking and producing for Hannity:

  “I interned maybe four or five times... My first internship was in local news... but I need to think a little bigger. I'm more interested in politics.” (Haley, 37:19)

• Transition from off-camera roles to digital and new media:

  "I started getting work nightmares... we had a rule: no matter the time, you answer your phone if the network calls." (Haley, 44:06)

• Describes intense competition—even between Fox shows—and the importance of concise writing and adaptability in news.
• The pivotal role Dan Bongino played in mentoring her podcasting ambitions:

  "If you're not under contract, you're coming with me." (Dan Bongino, as quoted by Haley, 56:01)

“Nightly Scroll” and New Media Innovation

• Vince highlights the difficulty of breaking into on-camera work when standard is “you can’t do TV unless you’ve done TV.”
• Haley describes her jump to new media, creating “proof of concept” via her own podcast, which caught Bongino’s attention and led to her current platform.
• Discussion on the evolving audience and experimentation in right-leaning digital media.

4. Show Wrap-Up: Inside the Silverlock Network

[57:50 – End]

• Friendly banter about show producing, guest appearances, and Andy (Nightly Scroll’s recurring character).
• Plug for Sean Spicer’s Navy promotion event that both host and guest are attending.
• Vince teases a future, deeper interview with Dan Bongino about surveillance and political abuses.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On ICE Officer Threats:
  “These are bounties for the assassination of the guys who you and I are entrusting… I lift up a prayer for men and women of law enforcement… And then two, in case you’re wondering… Latin King’s gang member has been arrested. They got Monkey. They got him.” (Vince, 25:10)
• On Democrat City Policy:
  “Brandon Johnson may not be familiar with this, but we fought a civil war over this issue. It’s called the Supremacy Clause… If the feds want to go in and enforce law… they are absolutely not just entitled to do it, but constitutionally protected to do it.” (Vince, 13:45)
• On Media Competition:
  “There was a lot of internal competition. It was a lot of Fox bookers fighting with FOX bookers to get the best guests. So we were working 24/7.” (Haley, 44:48)
• On Breaking Into Podcasting:
  “It's one of the cruel but definitely real things about media... you're not allowed to do TV unless you've done television before, right?” (Vince, 53:07)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Gang Threats to ICE Officers and Chicago Politics: 03:00 – 30:00
• “Spygate 10.0” / Senate Surveillance Revelation: 31:15 – 34:30
• Haley Caranilla Interview (Media Career & "Nightly Scroll"): 34:30 – 57:50
• Show wrap-up, network talk, and event teasers: 57:50 – End

Final Notes

This episode offers a compelling—and at times provocative—look at ongoing battles between federal immigration enforcement and Democratic city officials, woven together with breaking news about DOJ surveillance of Republican senators. Vince’s commentary is sharp and deeply critical of Democratic leadership, while the interview with Haley Caranilla provides both levity and insight into the rapidly shifting landscape of political media.

Listeners seeking a bracing mix of news, outrage, inside baseball, and media industry talk will find this episode densely packed with revelations and personality.