Podcast Summary: What A Day

Episode: Bondi's DOJ Fails Again

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Jane Coaston
Main Guest: Representative Jason Crow (D-CO)

Overview

This episode focuses on the growing concerns about the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi, highlighting its recent failures to secure indictments against Democratic lawmakers and its controversial handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Host Jane Coaston digs into how these DOJ missteps reflect broader trends of political retaliation, erosion of democratic norms, and lack of accountability at the highest levels. The episode also covers shifting economic data from Trump's first year in office, the ongoing use of tariffs, military leadership concerns, and more.

Key Discussion Points

1. DOJ's Failed Prosecutions and Political Retaliation

• Opening Context:
  Jane Coaston opens by referencing Attorney General Pam Bondi’s failed attempt to celebrate the Trump administration's economic record, which is overshadowed by persistent questioning about the DOJ’s ineffectiveness and handling of high-profile cases, notably Jeffrey Epstein (00:00–01:34).
• Failed Indictment Attempt:
  The DOJ unsuccessfully sought an indictment against six Democratic members of Congress (including Rep. Jason Crow) for a video reminding military personnel of their legal obligation to refuse illegal orders (01:34–03:17).
  • Trump characterized their actions as “seditious behavior, punishable by death” and called for investigations.
  • The grand jury refused to indict—another DOJ miss in a pattern of failed attempts to prosecute perceived enemies of the Trump administration.

Notable Quote

“Donald Trump’s definition of sedition or treason is somebody not doing what he wants them to do...He thinks that weaponizing the Justice Department against his political opponents is going to get us to back down from obligation, he is dead wrong.”
– Rep. Jason Crow (03:41–04:20)

2. DOJ Accountability and Political Resistance

• Call for Evidence and Accountability:
  Crow's legal team demands the DOJ preserve all evidence related to the failed indictment, aiming to impose consequences for the abuse of prosecutorial power (04:20–05:23).
• Crow’s Personal Commitment:
  Rep. Crow highlights his military service and vows not to retreat in the face of intimidation or political bullying, framing the administration’s actions as a broader threat to democracy (05:23–06:50).

Memorable Exchange

“I’m taking names, I’m making lists. And people cannot outrun ultimate accountability. The tide is turning in this country. Americans are speaking up. They’re standing out. They’re retaking our democracy.”
— Rep. Jason Crow (04:36–05:23)

3. Pam Bondi’s DOJ, Epstein, and Misplaced Priorities

• Bondi’s Testimony and Distraction Tactics:
  Bondi’s congressional testimony is criticized for dodging questions about Epstein by boasting about the stock market, indicating misplaced DOJ priorities (06:50–07:27).

• Crow on DOJ and Epstein:
  Crow calls out Bondi as a “defender of pedophiles and sexual abusers,” pushing for release of the full Epstein files, emphasizing that victims and America deserve transparency and justice (07:27–08:25).

Quote

“Pam Bondi's place in history is going to be one of the greatest defenders of pedophiles and sexual abusers in the history of the world…America deserves names. And more important than anything, the victims deserve names. And accountability.”
— Rep. Jason Crow (07:27–08:15)

4. The Possibility of Impeachment

• Democratic Calls for Bondi’s Removal:
  Some House Democrats urge Bondi’s resignation and even mention impeachment. Crow supports using all accountability tools, noting his experience as an impeachment prosecutor (08:25–09:05).

5. Protecting Troops and Military Leadership Concerns

• On US Troops and Trump’s Leadership:
  Crow, drawing on his service, accuses Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of violating the principles of servant leadership and being self-serving (09:05–11:26).
  • He denounces military “adventurism” and vows to reinstate Congressional authority over war.

Notable Analogy

“When I was a paratrooper, the leader of the unit jumps first because courage is contagious…[Trump administration officials] push us out of the plane first and then don’t jump at all. They eat first and leave nothing for us. This is a self-serving, corrupt administration.”
— Rep. Jason Crow (09:29–10:18)

6. How to Protect Troops and Democracy

• Grassroots Leadership and Renewal:
  Crow points to a new generation rising up across the country to defend democratic values—“red areas, blue areas, rich areas, poor areas”—remarking that Americans are increasingly fed up with the current administration (11:59–13:18).

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:34] DOJ fails to indict six lawmakers over “seditious” video.
• [03:41] Rep. Crow responds to DOJ’s failure and Trump’s accusations.
• [04:36] Crow on pursuit of accountability for weaponized prosecutions.
• [06:50] Pam Bondi’s testimony and focus on stock market over Epstein case.
• [07:27] Crow calls out Bondi’s complicity in Epstein cover-up.
• [08:33] Crow supports potential impeachment if Democrats retake House.
• [09:29] Crow critiques Trump-era military leadership.
• [11:59] Crow on American grassroots and the spirit of resistance.

Additional Headlines Covered

• Trump’s Tariffs:
  House votes to rescind tariffs placed on Canada; a sign of waning Trump influence, with 6 House Republicans joining Democrats (16:28–17:42).
• Revised Jobs Data:
  Trump’s first presidential year saw almost no employment growth, contradicting his administration’s claims of economic success (17:42–18:25).
• El Paso Airspace Closure:
  Sudden closure linked to anti-drone activity by Customs and Border Protection; local leaders report no prior warning (18:25–19:15).
• Trump-Netanyahu Meeting:
  Private White House exchange provided little news—Trump claims “nothing definitive reached” except an insistence on continuing Iran negotiations (19:28–20:10).

Notable Quotes

• On DOJ’s effectiveness:
  “The effectiveness of Bondi’s DOJ has been, thankfully, questionable at best.”
  — Jane Coaston (01:34)
• On military leadership:
  “This president doesn’t see a problem he doesn’t think he can bomb his way out of.”
  — Rep. Jason Crow (11:05)
• On national attitude:
  “The rising tide of Americans who are standing and at great personal costs, in some instances, showing courage to take to the streets...we're gonna take our country back.”
  — Rep. Jason Crow (12:30–13:18)

Tone & Style Reflections

Jane Coaston maintains a wry, incisive, and urgent tone, blending humor with a serious look at the erosion of democratic norms. Jason Crow’s language is combative, personal, and determined, providing a sense of urgency and resistance.

Conclusion

This episode of What a Day details an administration increasingly willing to use federal power against political opposition—and a determined counteroffensive from those targeted. Crow’s testimony underscores the stakes, both for individual lawmakers and for broader American civil-military relations. The episode closes with developments on tariffs, jobs, and global politics, all contextualizing a turbulent, transformative period in American governance.