Ep. 1221 - "If You Don't Back Gun Control, It's Because You Don't Care"

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on three themes: the Boulder, Colorado mass shooting; the Biden administration’s border policy and migrant surge; and Democratic efforts to reshape federal power by ending the filibuster and adding new states. Shapiro argues media reactions are emotionally manipulative, the border crisis is self-inflicted by Biden, and Democrats are using tragedy and institutional changes to advance a broader progressive agenda.

Main Topics: Boulder mass shooting and gun control backlash (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro opens with the Colorado supermarket shooting, mourns the victims, and argues the media will quickly weaponize the tragedy to push gun control while dismissing dissent as indifference to victims. Media framing and emotional manipulation (Priority: 5/5): He criticizes CNN, NBC, and other outlets for treating mass violence as a uniquely American moral failing and for implying that anyone who resists gun-control proposals is unsympathetic or complicit. Biden border policy and migrant facility crisis (Priority: 5/5): The show argues Biden’s loosening of border enforcement has created a surge in crossings, overcrowded facilities, and a lack of transparency, with media now belatedly noticing conditions they previously ignored. Federal spending, inflation, and union politics (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro attacks Biden’s proposed multi-trillion-dollar economic package as reckless spending that will fuel inflation, expand federal control, and funnel benefits to labor allies. Efforts to end the filibuster (Priority: 4/5): He warns that Democratic calls to abolish the legislative filibuster would enable one-party rule and accelerate passage of aggressive policy changes without bipartisan support. DC statehood and voting reforms (Priority: 4/5): The episode argues that proposals to make D.C. a state and federalize election rules are part of a partisan power grab framed by Democrats as racial justice and democratic reform.

Key Arguments: Mass shootings are horrific, but the media use them as hooks for pre-decided gun-control agendas rather than evidence-based policy debate. Most proposed federal gun-control measures are unlikely to have stopped the Boulder shooting or materially reduced mass shootings. The Biden administration’s border policy has incentivized illegal crossings, producing overcrowded facilities and prolonged detention of minors. The administration’s claim to follow COVID precautions at the border is inconsistent with other restrictions imposed on American schools and businesses. Biden’s planned multi-trillion-dollar spending surge will worsen inflation and expand an already unsustainable federal budget. Democratic attacks on the filibuster are meant to clear the way for sweeping legislation, including voting-law changes and statehood for D.C. D.C. statehood is presented as a partisan move for Senate seats, not a civil-rights necessity, and Shapiro rejects the claim that opposing it is racist. Media and Democratic leaders allegedly portray disagreement as moral depravity to silence opposition and expand institutional power.

Data Points: Deaths in Boulder shooting: 10 - Associated Press-reported number of people killed at the Colorado supermarket, including one police officer. Police officer killed: 1 - The first responder who died in the Boulder shooting. Mass killing count this year: 7th - AP database classification of the Boulder attack as the seventh mass killing of the year in the U.S. AP/USA Today/Northwestern mass-killing definition: 4 or more dead, not including the shooter - Used to explain why totals vary across databases. Family border expulsions during March 14-21 period: 13% - DHS data leaked to Axios showing the share of nearly 13,000 family members returned to Mexico under Title 42. Family members attempting border crossing: nearly 13,000 - Cited in the Axios/DHS discussion of border enforcement. Unaccompanied minors projected for the month: more than 17,000 - Washington Post estimate of minors Border Patrol is on pace to take in. Average number of unaccompanied children/teens crossing per day: 550 per day - Washington Post figure referenced in the border segment. U.S. border/facility crowding example: 400 people in a space for 260 - Used to argue that the Biden administration is not actually following CDC distancing guidance. Corporate income tax rate: 21% proposed increase - Biden tax plan detail discussed as part of the spending proposal. Top marginal income tax rate: almost 40% - The rate Biden reportedly wants to raise as part of the new tax package. Federal pandemic and post-pandemic spending cited: $2 trillion, $3 trillion, $4 trillion, $7 trillion, $9-$10 trillion - Figures used to argue federal spending is accelerating toward inflationary levels. Unemployment rate before the pandemic: 3.5% - Referenced as evidence the economy was strong before Biden’s new spending agenda.

Pivotal Quotes: "You are not better than this." — Casey Hunt (quoted by Shapiro): NBC reporter’s reaction to the Boulder shooting, which Shapiro cites as emotionally manipulative framing around gun control. "We need to bring back a real legislative process." — Hillary Clinton: Clinton’s argument for ending the legislative filibuster, which Shapiro rejects as politically naive. "Help is here." — Kamala Harris: Harris’s Florida visit and tweet are used sarcastically to criticize her handling of the border crisis.

Implications: Listeners are urged to expect intensified fights over gun control, border enforcement, federal spending, and Senate procedure. The episode predicts Democratic use of tragedy and procedural change to expand power, while states and voters may increasingly resist federal directives.