Guests - Stephen Mundt
Weather Challenges Across the East Coast
The recent winter storm has wreaked havoc along the East Coast, leaving hundreds of thousands without power amid freezing temperatures. In Virginia and Washington, D.C., airports are struggling to reopen after heavy snow followed by freezing rain created treacherous conditions. Temperatures have dipped to eight or nine degrees at night, with wind chills pushing them to minus 15. This isn't typical for the region—unlike South Dakota, where minus 40 or 50 is more common—but the heavy, ice-crusted snow has downed power lines, complicating recovery efforts. The cold is expected to persist for at least a week, delaying melting and exacerbating issues in states like West Virginia, Tennessee, and even Nashville. Host Kathleen Winn shared a contrast from her sister in a less-affected part of Tennessee, where snow melted quickly at 40 degrees, highlighting the storm's uneven impact. Stephen Mundt emphasized the need for thoughts and prayers for those affected, noting his own fortune in retaining power.
Anti-ICE Protests and Law Enforcement Tensions in Minnesota
In Minnesota, organized anti-ICE groups are actively resisting federal immigration enforcement, leading to dangerous confrontations. Independent journalist Cam Higby infiltrated signal chat groups revealing sophisticated organization, divided by Minneapolis city council districts and funded partly by a Canadian donor named Johnny Sopotiuk, who kickstarted crowdfunding efforts. These groups, led by figures like Minnesota State Representative Alex Falconer, who admits his role and provides personal contact info upon joining, are accused of orchestrating an insurrection. Elected officials such as Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey are implicated, alongside journalists like NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran, who has since locked his X account after being exposed. Amanda Cole is another name mentioned in encouraging what are termed "protests" but described as insurrections.
Stephen Mundt called this anarchy, funded by figures like George Soros, and questioned why protesters arrive armed at supposedly peaceful demonstrations. He highlighted a case where a protester, Alex Preddy, was killed while obstructing federal officers, noting Preddy carried a concealed weapon without declaring it, violating protocol. Mundt stressed that if you have a carry-and-conceal permit, you must inform law enforcement immediately upon interaction. He criticized media narratives that ignore context, like Walz's own law authorizing deadly force if a vehicle is aimed at officers, yet condemning ICE actions.
Kathleen Winn drew parallels to January 6, urging the use of similar arguments against these officials. She noted Trump's deployment of Tom Homan to Minnesota, uncovering doxxing and foreign involvement. Both agreed this resistance extends beyond ICE to local law enforcement, citing an incident where Minneapolis police failed to back up ICE agents at a hotel. They warned of a "genie out of the bottle," where anti-law sentiments could spread to cities like Chicago and California, protecting criminals and eroding public safety.
Arizona's Attorney General and Resistance to Federal Law
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has stirred controversy by interpreting laws in a way that suggests individuals can ignore federal immigration enforcement. Kathleen Winn described this as dangerous, emboldening resistance similar to Minnesota's. Stephen Mundt agreed, calling it egregious and anti-law enforcement, extending risks to local police. Winn pointed out Mays' background as a former Republican on the Corporation Commission, criticizing her for lacking prosecutorial experience and values aligning with Republicans.
A recent statement from Mays expressed outrage at interpretations of her words implying violence against law enforcement, such as the right to shoot if agents arrive without a warrant. Mundt found this hypocritical, questioning how such leaders function. Winn affirmed Mayes stands by her statements, labeling her a threat that Arizona must stop. They connected this to broader Democratic leadership promoting non-compliance, which they see as irreversible.
National Defense Strategy and Global Priorities
The newly released January 2026 National Defense Strategy under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth prioritizes threats to American interests through peace through strength, America First, warrior ethos, and burden-sharing. Stephen Mundt outlined its focus on homeland and hemisphere defense, neglected for decades amid adversaries like China's encroachment in South America. Key elements include securing borders, countering narco-terrorists, missile defense via the "Golden Dome," nuclear modernization, cyber defense, and counter-terrorism.
On China, the strategy shifts from viewing it as a pacing threat for conventional war—deemed irrational given China's potential 50% share of the global economy—to deterrence along the first island chain, open trade, and negotiating from strength in AI and cyber. Mundt argued invading China would be futile due to its size. For Russia, NATO must lead on deterrence, as it's Europe's "back door" with the world's largest nuclear arsenal. He noted the U.S. can't fight two major conflicts simultaneously anymore, given reduced force sizes.
Iran's nuclear program was addressed via Operation Midnight Hammer, but Mundt warned of potential reconstitution. He condemned Iran's killing of 30,000 protesters, urging global isolation and holding enablers accountable. In Korea, South Korea should take primacy, with the U.S. in support, given their growing forces.
The strategy sets a global standard from the 2025 NATO Hague Summit: 3.5% of GDP on military and 1.5% on security. Mundt praised Trump's accountability, calling out allies like Netanyahu when needed. Kathleen Winn agreed, noting Trump's negotiations, like potential Russia-Ukraine deals, could free resources, though she worried about Russia-China alliances.
Strategic Importance of Greenland and the Panama Canal
President Trump's interest in Greenland stems from national security, not conquest, to counter Russian and Chinese Arctic ambitions. Stephen Mundt explained its military significance for missile defense over the North Pole, noting Denmark's inability to secure it—evident from World War II when the U.S. maintained it after German occupation. China claims no Arctic presence but seeks it for strategic reasons. Trump has reiterated since 2019 that Greenland is vital, stating it will belong to the U.S. for security, whether liked or not.
The Panama Canal is crucial for U.S. Navy mobility between oceans and vital shipping. Mundt revealed Chinese infiltration of U.S. ports via cranes with emitters capable of shutdowns, underscoring vulnerabilities.
Rebuilding the Defense Industrial Base
Trump demands mobilization of the defense industrial base, with companies investing more rather than relying on government funds. Stephen Mundt highlighted cost-prohibitive systems, pushing for reshoring production, empowering innovators, and supporting AI. Non-traditional vendors are encouraged to avoid squeezing small suppliers. Kathleen Winn noted factories returning, like autos and appliances, creating jobs despite skepticism.
Fugitive Arrests and Border Security
Recent arrests mark progress in border security. Canadian former Olympian snowboarder Ryan Wedding, compared to El Chapo for brutality, was captured in Mexico facing drug trafficking and witness killing charges. Stephen Mundt noted Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum extraditing fugitives under Trump pressure. Another, Alejandro Rosales Castillo, on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted, was arrested after nearly 10 years, linked to a 2016 North Carolina murder; he fled through Arizona into Mexico.
Kathleen Winn praised Kash Patel for hailing these as historic, with three off the list early in 2026. They tied this to Minnesota fraud investigations involving Somali daycare centers, subpoenaing Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Ilhan Omar, amid evidence of ties and massive unexplained wealth gains.
Arizona Elections and Accountability
Sergio Arellano's election as Arizona GOP chair was congratulated by Kathleen Winn, a former colleague, who pledged support to unite Republicans and end internal squabbles. She criticized Secretary of State Adrian Fontes for withholding voting records from the federal government, claiming privacy concerns over Social Security numbers, and announced her role as plaintiff in a lawsuit. Alex Kolodin, an election attorney, is challenging Fontes.
Winn reflected on her own unsuccessful run, relieved to focus on Southern Arizona issues like Pima County's eroding quality of life. She thanked precinct committeemen for a grueling 13.5-hour meeting and committed to constitutional service, calling out wrongdoing regardless of popularity.
On voting, Stephen Mundt advocated limiting mail-in ballots to deployed or international voters, counting them pre-election, and questioned prolonged certification periods. Winn criticized Arizona's "voting month" enabling corruption and urged voter action beyond complaints.
Virginia's Governor Abigail Spanberger was lambasted for blocking ICE on day one, taxing deliveries and high earners, and pushing casinos against 78% voter opposition. Mundt called her a tax-and-spend liberal who ran as a moderate, criticizing her ban on hand recounts and push for extended vote incubation.
Sports and Community Notes
Arizona's basketball team stands 20-0, ranked number one nationally. Kathleen Winn expressed pride in Coach Tommy Lloyd's heartfelt squad, predicting a deep March Madness run, potentially to the Final Four in Chicago. Stephen Mundt noted the tournament's unpredictability, with sites including Greenville, Portland, and Buffalo.
In football, the Super Bowl will feature the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, both conference wins decided by three points. Mundt recounted Denver's loss amid a blizzard affecting kicks, and a humorous New York Empire State Building lit in Patriots colors, confusing locals. Winn mentioned family ties to both teams.
Winn promoted an event with Fox News' Joe Concha at the Tucson Country Club, via azgop.org, including a book.
Reflections on Leadership and Service
Stephen Mundt, a retired Brigadier General with 32 Army years retiring in 2007, then from Airbus in 2017, shared his background. Kathleen Winn invited him to her husband's 80th surprise party in July, noting ties to Betsy and family.
Both emphasized accountability in leadership, from Trump's global negotiations to local officials. Mundt urged reading the National Defense Strategy for future insights, warning it's a long-term effort beyond Trump's term. They decried unelected influencers under Biden and media indoctrination fostering hate.
In Tucson, Winn criticized free bus services amid RTA funding votes, predicting rejection due to mismanagement. Mundt questioned reelecting ineffective leaders, advocating performance-based accountability like in military or business.
Winn concluded optimistically for the week, teasing tomorrow's guests including Joe Concha.