Episode 11 - January 6th, Birthright Citizenship, and the Fight for Nationalist Resistance

In this episode of The Backlash, host Rebecca Hargraves, joined by co-hosts Vincent James, Dave Reilly, and Cameron Macgreor, dive deep into Biden's unprecedented clemency actions, Donald Trump’s historic pardons of January 6th prisoners, and the complexities of U.S.-Israel relations amid the Gaza conflict. The team analyzes Trump’s immigration policies, including his plans for ending Birthright Citizenship and mass deportations, while reflecting on his symbolic gestures such as withdrawing from the WHO and backpaying unvaccinated soldiers. The hosts critically examine systemic injustices, the moral failures of both political parties, and the broader need for organized resistance in the conservative movement. With frank, thought-provoking debates, this episode is packed with insights for listeners seeking to understand the political and cultural crosswinds of our time.

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
Rebecca Hargraves introduces the episode alongside Dave Reilly, Vince, and Cameron, sharing personal updates and preparing for a packed discussion.
00:02:27 - Biden's Clemency Actions
The hosts analyze Biden’s historic 8,064 clemency actions, including pardons for family members and controversial figures like Fauci.
00:08:05 - January 6th Pardons
Emotional reflections on Trump’s decision to pardon 1,500 January 6th defendants, along with the political implications.
00:11:32 - Ross Ulbricht Pardon
A breakdown of Trump’s pardon for the Silk Road founder, discussing legal precedents, corruption, and implications for justice.
00:19:18 - Systemic Injustice in U.S. Politics
Cameron discusses the imbalance of power and justice between right- and left-wing movements in America.
00:27:03 - U.S.-Israel Relations and Gaza Conflict
An in-depth discussion on Trump’s policies toward Gaza, the humanitarian crisis, and the larger geopolitical consequences.
00:36:52 - Trump’s Executive Orders: Deportations and Foreign Students
The team debates Trump’s new executive orders, including the deportation of foreign students supporting Hamas and the suspension of foreign aid.
00:42:18 - Birthright Citizenship and Mass Deportations
Rebecca and the hosts dissect Trump’s announcement to end Birthright Citizenship, his aggressive immigration proposals, and their potential societal impact.
00:46:57 - WHO Withdrawal and Vaccine Backpay
The panel explores Trump’s symbolic withdrawal from the World Health Organization and his decision to backpay soldiers fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccines.
00:50:47 - COVID-19 Policies and Vaccine Projects
A look into Trump’s COVID-19 policies, mRNA vaccine funding controversies, and possible motivations behind his actions.
01:22:31 - Middle East Geopolitics and Iran
The conversation shifts to Iran as the “final boss” in the region and how U.S. foreign policy aligns with Israeli strategic goals.
01:40:02 - Organized Resistance vs. Populism
The hosts examine the conservative movement’s need for grassroots organization and why populist leadership like Trump’s falls short.
01:55:20 - Closing Remarks
The team shares final reflections on the episode’s topics, emphasizing the importance of moral courage and sustained political engagement.