Blue Sedition

Midterms, Maps, and Maxwell

Nate Brady and Mike Smith open with the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show—Nate found it visually impressive and moving (Puerto Rico's power-pole imagery, messages of believing in oneself), while Mike thought it was merely fine. They unpack Republican lawmakers calling it "pornographic filth" and asking the FCC to step in; Mike notes conservatives seem to want to make it illegal for a brown person to succeed. They clarify Bad Bunny said "God bless America" while including all American countries, and laugh at Jake Paul wanting an "American" performer—and AOC's comeback that he moved to Puerto Rico for taxes (and his "account was hacked" response). They discuss AOC and Gavin Newsom as top 2028 Democratic contenders and a "progressives moment," then the NJ-11 race. The hosts dig into Trump's call to nationalize elections—Mike sees a plan to deploy ICE in heavily Democratic cities to intimidate voters—and the NGA scrapping its meeting because Trump wouldn't invite Democratic governors like Wes Moore. They turn to political accountability: the need for outsiders like "AOC types" to subpoena and hold power to account, and the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth for every question in her House deposition; Nate has mixed feelings that the only person in jail for the ring is a woman, and that her lawyer offered to speak if granted clemency (exonerating both Clinton and Trump). They dissect an absurd Epstein-file redaction where "don't" was redacted, and Nate's frustration that only six names were released—transparency means the public gets to see everything. Updates: grand jury won't go after Democratic lawmakers for the "don't follow illegal orders" ad; Wisconsin allows canceling and re-requesting mistaken absentee ballots; Supreme Court allows California's new congressional map (Nate is cautiously optimistic). They agree defeating lawless politicians may require playing dirty now, then strengthening checks and balances and pushing for algorithmic, non-gerrymandered map-drawing—and Nate announces his intention to run for Congress in California's 40th district to fight for exactly that.

The Epstein Files Don't End Here

Nate Brady and Mike Smith opened the episode discussing mental health amid a difficult news cycle before diving into the newly released Epstein files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which include three million pages, images, and videos. They examined emails from 2013 alleging Bill Gates had extramarital affairs with "Russian girls," contracted an STD requiring antibiotics, and was assisted by a Gates-associated doctor—allegations Melinda Gates confirmed on NPR as reasons for their divorce. The hosts discussed Trump's extensive connections to Epstein revealed in the files, including additional flights on Epstein's jet and unsealed allegations from women. They noted the "pizza" code word appearing in thank-you emails and questioned why the Biden DOJ never released the documents, suggesting both parties have donors implicated. The conversation covered Elon Musk's focus on the files while noting his own emails appear in them, including a deleted tweet claiming Trump wouldn't release the files because he was implicated. They analyzed the Texas special election where Democrats flipped a district Trump won by 17 points, representing a 31-point swing driven by independents. Nate criticized Democratic leadership like Jeffries and Schumer for prioritizing donors over working-class Americans, while praising Cat's grassroots campaign strategy. The hosts discussed the viral "pants event" video near Trump, French police raiding X's offices for algorithm misuse and AI-generated illegal content, and expressed support for the people of Minnesota while calling for accountability in the deaths of Alex Petty and Renee Nicole Good by federal agents. The episode concluded with breaking news: Rep. Ted Lieu announced the Epstein files contain allegations of Donald Trump raping and threatening to kill children, with Nate emphasizing this warrants impeachment and removal from office.

Tonight on Smackdown: Mamdani v ICE, Novak v Halligan

Nate Brady and Mike Smith opened episode 55 of the Blue Sedition Podcast, noting the show started on September 11th and addressing accusations that they forgot about 9/11 for supporting Zohran Mamdani. They discuss Mamdani's appearance on The View advocating for abolishing ICE, citing Cato Institute data showing over 75% of immigration detainees have no criminal record. The hosts examine ICE's controversial tactics, including an incident where agents allegedly dragged a naturalized citizen from his Minnesota home in 10-degree weather without a warrant. They analyze polling showing ICE's declining popularity and data indicating first and second-generation immigrants commit fewer crimes than citizens. The conversation shifts to Trump's obsession with buying Greenland, which Nate attributes to misunderstanding the Mercator projection, and the alarming escalation with Denmark deploying 200 additional troops to guard against potential American action. The episode concludes with Judge David Novak striking "United States Attorney" from Lindsey Halligan's signature and threatening disciplinary action, which the hosts see as another example of the legal system being made a mockery.

ICE Lies, People Die

Nate Brady and Mike Smith welcomed listeners to the inaugural 2026 edition of the Blue Sedition podcast, briefly discussing the holidays and their absence before diving into the latest news. Mike introduced the major story by referencing the United States performing a "coup" in Venezuela, reporting that the U.S. bombarded Venezuela's capital, Caracas, while a SEAL team captured President Maduro and his wife, bringing them to the U.S. to face charges, a move that violates UN policy. The conversation then shifted to the tragic murder of an American citizen, who was murdered by an ICE agent in Minnesota. The hosts discuss the ongoing investigation into the murder and the lack of accountability for ICE agents.

Start Spreading the News

Nate Brady and Mike Smith open by discussing the day after the 2025 election, celebrating Zoran Mamdani's victory as the "mayor of America" in New York City with approximately 50% to 41-42% over Cuomo, confirming a mandate for progressive policies like rent freezes. They analyze Spanberger's historic win as Virginia's first female governor, flipping the state from red to blue, along with Jay Jones' close victory in the Virginia Attorney General race despite a text message scandal. The hosts highlight Democratic victories across Mississippi, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, including flipping seats to break supermajorities and rejecting GOP-backed voter ID requirements in Maine. They discuss California's Proposition 50 for redistricting maps, which Mike notes could gain five Democrat seats and lock Gavin Newsom in as a frontrunner for 2028. The conversation shifts to the election being a referendum on Donald Trump, with polls showing him underwater on almost every issue except immigration, and the significant swing of Latino voters toward Democrats. They examine the anti-Trump sentiment evident in Virginia and New Jersey, the government shutdown's impact, and the GOP's attempts to downplay results. Mike and Nate discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene distancing herself from MAGA, the movement's lack of positive outcomes, and potential voter turnout fall-off in a post-Trump era. They critique the White House's $300 million golden ballroom plans while people lose SNAP benefits, and debate Democratic strategies for reopening the government. The episode concludes with excitement about new electoral maps, the "Mamdanii effect" for progressive candidates, improved polling accuracy, and the potential for a blue wave in the midterms if the Democratic establishment fully supports progressive movements.