Ep. 1752 - The Schiff Hits The Fan

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on House Republicans censuring Adam Schiff for allegedly abusing his intelligence role to amplify false Trump-Russia claims, while Ben Shapiro frames John Durham’s congressional testimony as evidence that the FBI, Obama officials, and Hillary Clinton’s campaign coordinated around the Crossfire Hurricane narrative. The show also covers the Titan submersible tragedy, Biden’s China gaffe, falling student test scores, and a culture segment on trans sports and Nicki Minaj.

Main Topics: Adam Schiff censured by the House (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Schiff repeatedly misled the public about Trump-Russia collusion and should have been censured, while also noting the move may boost Schiff politically in California. John Durham’s congressional testimony (Priority: 5/5): Durham’s report and testimony are presented as proof that the FBI ignored red flags, withheld Clinton-related intelligence from investigators, and advanced an investigation shaped by political bias. Titan submersible search and tragedy (Priority: 4/5): The episode discusses the missing Titan submersible, the dwindling oxygen window, the rescue effort, and the ethics of wealthy people engaging in high-risk deep-sea tourism. Joe Biden’s China diplomacy setback (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro criticizes Biden for calling Xi Jinping a dictator after trying to ease tensions, arguing it undermined the administration’s diplomatic strategy. Education decline and Randy Weingarten (Priority: 3/5): The show cites steep drops in teen test scores and criticizes the inclusion of teachers-union head Randy Weingarten on a DHS school safety board. Trans sports hearing and gender definitions (Priority: 3/5): A hearing on women’s sports is used to highlight what Shapiro sees as Democratic refusal to acknowledge biological differences between men and women. Culture and vulgarity critique via Nicki Minaj (Priority: 2/5): Shapiro mocks Nicki Minaj’s response to his critique of 'Pound Town 2,' using the exchange to argue that modern pop culture is degraded and crude.

Key Arguments: Adam Schiff used his congressional role to promote false Trump-Russia narratives and deserved censure, even if the vote may politically help him in California. Thomas Massie was right to oppose the original censure draft because the fine component was constitutionally problematic and set a bad precedent. Durham’s testimony supports the claim that the FBI opened Crossfire Hurricane on flimsy information while ignoring evidence tying the Steele dossier to the Clinton campaign. James Comey withheld key intelligence from the agents actually handling the case, contributing to misleading FISA applications and investigative bias. The Obama administration’s public posture on Russian interference appears, in Shapiro’s view, to have been politically coordinated rather than purely defensive of election integrity. The Titan mission was portrayed as a foreseeable disaster because the vessel had few redundancies and relied on improvised components. Biden’s offhand 'dictator' comment undercut a carefully staged China reset and exposed the weakness of the administration’s diplomacy. Democrats on the committee largely attacked Durham personally rather than addressing the report’s substance, which Shapiro sees as proof of partisan kayfabe. The left’s refusal to define sex clearly in the sports hearing is presented as ideological denial of observable reality. Modern pop music, in Shapiro’s view, rewards vulgarity and sexual explicitness rather than artistry or cultural value.

Data Points: House vote on Schiff censure: 213-209, with 6 present - The revised censure resolution passed the House after earlier procedural complications. Duration of Durham testimony: Over 5 hours - Durham testified before the House Judiciary Committee about his report. Durham report length: 360 pages - Referenced as the basis for his testimony on Crossfire Hurricane origins. Titan diving depth: 12,500 feet / about 13,000 feet below sea surface - Used to describe the extreme depth of the submersible mission. Titanic location: 900 miles off Cape Cod, Massachusetts - Location of the wreck and search area. Risk of death waiver mention: At least 3 times - The waiver signed by passengers reportedly warned of death multiple times. OceanGate controller: Logitech F710 gamepad / earlier Sony PlayStation 3 controller - Mentioned as evidence of the sub’s improvised design. Test score decline: Largest drop in 50 years - National test scores for 13-year-olds, especially math, were said to have fallen sharply after pandemic disruptions. Weingarten board size: 22 members - DHS was creating a school safety board that included Randy Weingarten. Schiff censure fine in original version: About $16 million - Shapiro said the earlier draft was unconstitutional because it included a monetary penalty. OceanGate CEO donation headline: Donated to GOP candidates - Referenced as a New Republic headline about Stockton Rush.

Pivotal Quotes: "You honor me with your enmity. You flatter me with this falsehood." — Adam Schiff: Schiff’s response after the House voted to censure him. "There is nothing in this motion, this resolution that is true." — Daniel Goldman: Goldman’s defense of Schiff during the House debate. "What is required is accountability... for violation of laws and policies." — John Durham: Durham’s testimony about the FBI’s failures and need for consequences.

Implications: The episode argues that elite institutions—from Congress to the FBI to media and schools—are driven by partisanship and denial, while tragedy and culture wars are increasingly filtered through political tribalism.