Ep. 561 - What In The Everloving Hell?

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on the DOJ Inspector General’s report on the FBI’s Clinton email investigation, arguing it revealed political bias, procedural misconduct, and poor judgment by senior FBI figures like James Comey and Peter Strzok. Shapiro contends the report damages trust in the FBI, while also covering audience mailbag topics and broader commentary on affirmative action, North Korea diplomacy, technology for children, and current political/media controversies.

Main Topics: DOJ Inspector General report on the FBI (Priority: 5/5): The bulk of the episode dissects the 528-page report on the FBI’s handling of Hillary Clinton’s email case, emphasizing bias, delays, and internal misconduct. Peter Strzok and Lisa Page texts (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues the leaked texts show explicit anti-Trump bias and a willingness to use official power to affect the election. James Comey’s Clinton decision-making (Priority: 4/5): The show claims Comey had effectively decided not to prosecute Clinton early and later made the public announcement for self-protective and political reasons. FBI credibility and institutional trust (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro argues the report demonstrates a broader culture problem at the FBI, including leaks, media relationships, and soft political bias. Mailbag: affirmative action, morality, and family questions (Priority: 3/5): Listeners’ questions cover affirmative action, the role of religion in morality, how to handle a violent parent, and how to raise children around technology. Current politics and media criticism (Priority: 3/5): The episode critiques Trump, Democrats, CNN, and the press over immigration, North Korea, and media theatrics.

Key Arguments: The IG report shows several FBI officials held explicit anti-Trump views that may have affected investigative priorities and public decisions. Shapiro argues Comey’s public exoneration of Clinton was not neutral and was altered to soften legal language and protect political figures. The delay in pursuing the Wiener laptop was significant and potentially tied to prioritizing the Russia investigation and anti-Trump bias. The report suggests the FBI engaged in a culture of leaks and inappropriate media contacts, undermining its neutrality. Shapiro claims affirmative action often disadvantages Asian applicants and that disparities alone do not prove discrimination against women or minorities. He argues moral systems based only on minimizing suffering are incomplete without God or objective teleology. He contends North Korea is deterred by U.S. military power, not by flattering rhetoric from a president. He says the family-separation controversy is driven by legal constraints and media misrepresentation rather than simple presidential intent.

Data Points: Report length: 528 pages - The DOJ Inspector General report on the FBI’s Clinton email investigation Key text message: "We'll stop it" - Peter Strzok texting Lisa Page about Trump becoming president Date FBI learned of Wiener laptop emails: September 26-29, 2016 - IG report timeline for discovery of Clinton emails on Anthony Weiner’s computer Date FBI acted on Wiener laptop lead: October 28, 2016 - Delay before reopening/acting on the email investigation Number of FBI employees with pro-Clinton, anti-Trump texts: Five - Agents/attorneys whose messages suggested bias or improper considerations Annual subscription price: $99/year - Daily Wire subscription promotion during the episode Monthly subscription price: $9.99/month - Daily Wire subscription promotion during the episode ExpressVPN promo: 3 months free with a one-year package - Sponsor promotion in the episode Zeal promo: $25 off first massage - Sponsor promotion in the episode PolicyGenius milestone: Over 4 million people - Insurance comparison service promotion PolicyGenius coverage placed: Over $20 billion - Insurance comparison service promotion Men’s vs women’s tennis viewership: 973 million vs 395 million viewers - Used to argue women’s sports generally draw smaller audiences Australian Open viewership gap: 25% higher male viewership - Cited to discuss sports ratings and pay differences Harvard admissions dataset: More than 160,000 student records - Referenced in discussion of Asian American admissions bias

Pivotal Quotes: "No, no, he won't. We'll stop it." — Peter Strzok: Text message to Lisa Page regarding Trump becoming president "Nothing in this report impugns the integrity of our workforce as a whole or the FBI as an institution." — Christopher Wray: FBI director’s response to the Inspector General report "But my emails." — Hillary Clinton: Tweet reacting to criticism of Comey’s use of a personal email account

Implications: The episode argues the report severely damages FBI credibility and strengthens claims of institutional political bias. It also suggests future reforms, tighter media rules, and greater scrutiny of government agencies, while warning listeners to question official narratives and media framing.