Transcript

This Republican ELECTION SCAM Just Got EXPOSED

From MeidasTouch · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 19 min · 3,133 words · 32 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "This Republican ELECTION SCAM Just Got EXPOSED", an episode of MeidasTouch published February 12, 2026 (19 min, about 3,133 words). It mentions 9 people, works and ideas, including Jim Harbaugh, Mike Lawler, Kate Connley, Donald Trump, Battle Buddies.

What this episode is about

The discussion highlights the complicity of moderate Republicans, like Congressman Mike Lawler, in supporting controversial policies and actions of the Trump administration, particularly regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the alleged political quid pro quo involving infrastructure funding. Despite their moderate image, many of these representatives consistently align with Trump's agenda, demonstrating a reluctance to criticize his more extreme demands and actions.

Key takeaways

  • Moderate Republicans: the unicorns of the GOP—mythically elusive yet surprisingly always seen supporting Trump.
  • ICE’s dual role: protect children or terrorize citizens? The answer is as muddled as our political landscape.
  • Congressional hostage-taking: renaming stations for cash? Even retail therapy doesn't stoop that low.
  • Renaming infrastructure to honor a president? Even dictators blush at such blatant self-promotion.
  • Military veterans on the front lines question ICE's tactics; justice for all or just for some?

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 3:00: Donald Trump, Mike Lawler, Jim Harbaugh, Chuck Schumer
  2. – 6:00: Kate Connley, Jim Harbaugh, Mike Lawler, Donald Trump
  3. – 9:00: Mike Lawler, Donald Trump, Tish James
  4. – 12:00: Delete Me, Battle Buddies, Jim Harbaugh
  5. – 15:00: Jim Harbaugh, Kate Connley
  6. – 19:13: Jim Harbaugh

Notable quotes from "This Republican ELECTION SCAM Just Got EXPOSED"

  • Kidnapping children. My question for you, what is your line? What is the line that you won't cross? WHAT CAN Trump do that you will say that's wrong?
    about Donald Trump · at
  • It's Ken Harbaugh with the Midas Touch Network. That was Republican Congressman Mike Lawler from New York's 17th Congressional District. unable to acknowledge the obvious truth about ICE, one we have seen with our own eyes. We.
    about Mike Lawler · at
  • President Trump told Chuck Schumer, the Senate leader, that he would be willing to unfreeze $16 billion in funding for a major infrastructure project in New York and New Jersey if the president I if.
    about Chuck Schumer · at
  • Trump's excesses. When a moderate good guy Republican has a viable Democratic challenger, we need to go allin. Kate Connley is a West Point grad and Army combat vet who served…
    about Kate Connley · at
  • Our very own attorney general here in New York, Tish James, is under investigation because she you know tried to hold this administration accountable. And so when you see the.
    about Tish James · at
  • The reasons the New York Times wire cutter named Delete Me their top pick for data removal services. Take control of your data and keep your private life private by signing up for Delete Me now at a special discount for our listeners.
    about Delete Me · at
  • Hold the kind of hearings with subpoena powers, broad investigative authority to hold ICE and CBP and DHS at large accountable and to impose consequences on those agents of the…
    about Jim Harbaugh · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Jim Harbaugh — Person · Host · 5 mentions · first at
    Narrates the segment, frames Mike Lawler as a 'fake moderate,' and interviews Kate Connley about ICE, executive-branch weaponization, and accountability.
  • Mike Lawler — Person · Referenced political opponent / subject of critique · 4 mentions · first at
    Republican congressman whose town-hall comments and voting alignment with Trump are used to argue he enables abuses by ICE and the executive branch.
  • Kate Connley — Person · Main guest (candidate/challenger) · 3 mentions · first at
    Democratic candidate positioned as the viable challenger to Mike Lawler; argues ICE/DOJ/FBI are being weaponized and calls for investigations and leadership resignations.
  • Donald Trump — Person · Referenced political figure (administration leader) / target of criticism · 5 mentions · first at
    Presented as driving executive-branch abuses and coercive tactics (e.g., naming infrastructure sites, deploying ICE at polling stations).
  • Chuck Schumer — Person · Referenced government leader (context for alleged demand) · 1 mention · first at
    Cited as the Senate leader allegedly pressured by Trump to endorse renaming Penn Station/Dulles in exchange for infrastructure funding.
  • Tish James — Person · Referenced official (example of alleged retaliation/weaponization) · 1 mention · first at
    Used as an example of the DOJ allegedly targeting political opposition; described as being under investigation after holding the administration accountable.

Companies & orgs

  • Midas Touch Network — Company · Affiliation · 1 mention · first at
    The network hosting the podcast, mentioned as part of the host's introduction.
    It's Ken Harbaugh with the Midas Touch Network. That was Republican Congressman Mike Lawler from New York's 17th Congressional District. unable to acknowledge the obvious truth about ICE,.

Products & tech

  • Battle Buddies — Product · Secondary owned · 2 mentions · first at
    A weekly show hosted by Ken Harbaugh, focusing on civil conversations with conservatives.
    Battle buddies is my latest weekly show where I try to find common ground with a conservative who I consider a true friend. David Bellavia, the only surviving Medal of Honor recipient from.

Sponsors

  • Delete Me — Product · Sponsor · 3 mentions · first at
    Promoted as a service for removing personal data online, highlighted for its effectiveness in privacy protection.

Full transcript with timestamps

I have uh watched your comments on the current administration and your support for ICE and your inability to uh criticize ICE for murder and for kidnapping children. My question for you, what is your line? What is the line that you won't cross? WHAT WHAT WHAT CAN Trump do that you will say that's wrong? SO

AGAIN, my my point with respect to Minneapolis is let the investigations actually take place. You've all you've all clearly prejudged everything. You all know better than the people on the ground.

Folks, please make sure we give him a chance to answer the question. But the fact is, like for instance,

the 5-year-old boy that was detained, that father left his child. He ran away from his trial and the ICE agents the ICE agents were actually protecting the child.

It's Ken Harbaugh with the Midas Touch Network. That was Republican Congressman Mike Lawler from New York's 17th Congressional District. unable to acknowledge the obvious truth about ICE, one we have seen with our own eyes. We hear a lot about supposed moderate Republicans like Mike Lawler. They're typically from swing districts where they need to appeal to independents to get reelected. They are supposedly the Republicans who are keeping the torch of sanity alive for the party. But here's the thing. Even if temperamentally these so-called moderates don't look like MAGA extremists, almost every one of them votes with Donald Trump almost every time. Mike Lawler is nominally one of those moderate Republicans. But here, he cannot even bring himself to criticize the president for demanding that Doulles Airport and Penn Station be named after him in exchange for releasing already approved infrastructure funds.

President Trump told Chuck Schumer, the Senate leader, that he would be willing to unfreeze $16 billion in funding for a major infrastructure project in New York and New Jersey if the president I if Schumer were willing to endorse the idea of renaming Penn Station, and by the way, Dallas airport after Donald Trump, how how is that okay?

This is not new. Renaming uh I know but but But it's not a new concept. But but if I can say, let me just finish John.

Okay. But I mean, he he he's holding the money hostage for having the these things named after him. I mean, this is not like part of a, you know, let's let's honor somebody. He wants it named after himself and he's saying he he'll freeze the the money if if they'll do it.

John, at at the end of the day, to me, I I really could care less what the name of a building is. a a critical infrastructure project is I care that it gets done. Uh and ultimately in my from my vantage point, you know, work it out. The bottom line is this. Congress is supposed to be a separate branch of government. But today's Congress controlled by Republicans aids and abetss and excuses every one of Donald Trump's excesses. When a moderate good guy Republican has a viable Democratic challenger, we need to go allin. Kate Connley is a West Point grad and Army combat vet who served 16 years with six deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan where she earned three bronze stars. She later held senior national security roles including director of counterterrorism on the National Security Council and she can beat fake moderate Mike Lawler. Kate Connley, thanks so much for joining the show.

I've been watching these town halls with Mike Lawler. And on one hand, credit to him, I guess, for holding them, but it seems like he's not getting the assignment. And for all the talk about economic issues, and I know that's a huge focus of yours, the ICE issue, the fundamental civil rights issue seems to be breaking through in a way Republicans never anticipated. What's the feeling like there on the ground in New York 17 when it comes to something that that looks to be happening, you know, many states over, but gets at the the heart of what justice for all is really about.

And it is such an important question and so thanks for having the discussion today and and talking about these issues that truly impact every American regardless of where they live, what state they're in to include everyone here in New York 17. What you are seeing is people who do believe in the values right of of liberty and justice for all who can believe in in national security and border security and also believe that people deserve to be treated humanely and with dignity and you know you and I both wore the uniform. We went overseas, did multiple combat tours.

This is something where we're sitting here watching federal agents wearing the same kit, the same combat equipment that we went overseas to fight in to make sure Americans were safe here at home out there on American streets, terrorizing American citizens, the people that they are sworn to serve and protect. They are failing in their mission. And the American people are paying the price. And so, yeah, people here are fed up because not only is Mike Lawler part of the problem where we are not holding DHS leadership accountable for the failures that are happening, again, he's covering it up. This guy had the audacity to write an op-ed two weeks ago that tried to justify the killings as a failure of bipartisan policy reform. No, man. This is about the weaponization of the executive branch. This is about abuse of power. And if you don't have a spine to stand up and call it out, then move on.

But that's what's happening. And rightfully so, people are outraged because they demand more of America. They demand more of the American government.

What do you make of the argument? You just talked about weaponization of the executive branch. There has been talk uh just this week of using ICE, talk from the executive branch. We've been sounding the alarm about this for months, but the executive branch is now talking about potentially deploying ICE to polling stations come November. The press secretary refused to disavow that. Some of the closest advisers to President Trump said this has to be done. Now the president is talking about nationalizing voting in 15 key areas. It does seem like I is becoming more of a regime protection force than any kind of enforcement mechanism that it was advertised to be.

And I I go beyond that in my concerns. I think we are seeing that out of the DOJ and FBI too where when you look at how the DOJ is directing FBI investigations into political opposition. our very own attorney general here in New York, Tish James, is under investigation because she she you know tried to hold this administration accountable. And so when you see the weaponization of the executive branch that we are seeing, we just had the director of national intelligence at a domestic I I will use quotes law enforcement operation in Fulton County, Georgia. Like this is absurd. trying to take election records and and voting records and voting machines.

So, I am with you. I am incredibly concerned about the utilization of ICE and what is happening and the abuse of power. And that is why I will tell you I'm calling for the resignation of Christy Gnome. Any individual who is in leadership oversight of the operations in Minneapolis should be put on administrative leave as we thoroughly and transparently investigate what happened. But Ken, we've got to check this, right? And say, "Look, these folks, we need better hiring protocols, better screening of who we're letting into these agencies. We need to make sure that there are better protections for the American people, things like body cameras, and better training. I mean, when you see how these individuals are conducting themselves, I started my military career as a military police officer. So, when you weren't downrange, we were back home doing domestic law enforcement.

I I am embarrassed of the the lack of quality and professionalism that we are seeing on the streets. That is not law enforcement. That's not even immigration enforcement. That's just recklessness. That has no place here in any official capacity. And so to your point, yeah, I'm concerned about ICE. I'm concerned about DOJ. I'm now concerned about OD and I. You know, when does it stop? Delete Me makes it easy, quick, and safe to remove your personal data online at a time when surveillance and data breaches are common enough to make everyone vulnerable. I spend a lot of time online. And because of the work I do, privacy isn't abstract for me. It's personal. If you've ever worried about how much of your information is floating around out there or know someone who's dealt with harassment or doxing, you know how exposed all of us really are.

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Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeme.com/ken and use promo code ken at checkout. The only way to get 20% off is to go to jointdeme.com/ken and enter code ken at checkout. That's joined me.com/ken. Code Ken. It's Ken Harbaugh with a quick break to tell you about something new. Battle buddies is my latest weekly show where I try to find common ground with a conservative who I consider a true friend. David Bellavia, the only surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the war in Iraq. a Navy vet, an Army vet from opposite ends of the political spectrum, engaging in a civil conversation like we used to have. From the ICE immigration crackdowns to Trump's takeover of Venezuela, David and I take on the toughest issues of the day with genuine respect for each other in spite of our very different perspectives. They're not always easy conversations, but they're always important. And that's something we need

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I usually save this question for the end. You probably were briefed that it's coming. Uh we ask every elected and every candidate about their commitment once the House flips, which it will and God willing once the Senate flips to hold the kind of uh hearings with subpoena powers, broad investigative authority to hold ICE and CBP and DHS at large accountable and to impose consequences on those agents of the federal government from the top to the bottom from Christ down to that mass agent who right now thinks he's acting with impunity, hold them accountable and impose consequences for their violations of their oaths to the Constitution. Can you commit to supporting that kind of inquiry, those kinds of hearings in the House?

Absolutely. I am happy to lead the charge because the American people deserve better. And here's the thing, in the military, can we live this? These are the normal standards of professionalism and expectation that people have and should have of national security organizations and it is wrong. It is unamerican what we are seeing and it must be fixed.

Thank you. I want to unpack your comments about OD and about Tulsi Gabbard appearing at the uh Fulton County Courthouse, the head of our national intelligence apparatus raiding a a local elections office to please the president. We've got a a former covert CIA operative on this afternoon, but I would love your perspective on what happens to our national security when our security apparatus begins to turn inward against the American people. It's obviously a huge threat to civil liberties, but al also exposes us. And you spent 16 years in the military. You spent time in in special ops. I mean, this has got to worry you. It certainly worries me and and my buddy still in the military that the real threats are being ignored while the American people are being uh are being targeted.

I am incredibly concerned over what we are seeing which is truly unprecedented in our lifetimes with the weaponization of the executive branch to suppress political opposition and interfere with the democratic process. So after I left Uniform, I was a senior executive at the cyber security and infrastructure security agency. And so I was actually the lead senior executive overseeing election infrastructure security for the 2024 election cycle. And so I will tell you, I've had the privilege of working with state and local election officials across this country because per the constitution, the administration of elections is a state responsibility. The federal government's role was to help provide them the tools to ensure the security of that process. What we are seeing now is the federal government being a threat to the security of the process. And I I am concerned beyond words. I think what we can expect to see

is if there are elections that don't have the outcomes that this administration or this cowardly Republican controlled Congress wants, for them to use every tool possible to try to question the legitimacy despite being completely unfounded. And to your point earlier, we're already seeing how this administration is trying to suppress the vote through scare tactics, right? Which again is like the most unAmerican thing out there. If you want to win over the American people, then win over the American people, you know, but these people can't hack it. And I think this goes back to the American people, regardless of how they register to vote, are seeing through the They're seeing through this, and they know they deserve better.

You've got a crowded primary. at least it's crowded on paper. Uh you are a clear front runner, but can you give us some some insight as to how you're conducting yourself within a crowded field realizing that the real threat is the Republican who is making excuses for ICE and covering up for the president? How do we keep from turning the guns on each other when all of our fire should be aimed outward?

I mean, Ken, that's the whole thing, right? seeing the forest through the trees and and understanding these are not normal times. These are not normal stakes. And when you look at the Democratic party and our performance in 2024, we lost the popular vote, every battleground state, the House and the Senate, and nearly 90% of counties across the country. As the party of the big tent, we are failing to bring people in who don't pass these ideological purity tests. And this is what is breaking and and what is forcing people to choose others instead of feeling a home within our party. And I think we need to stop focusing on the things that we disagree on, which in context is so small compared to the things we do share and agree on, right?

like can we focus on what unites us, what brings us together and that is how do we fight for a better future ensuring America's best days are still ahead of us in staying true to our values and that is where when we look at look the biggest fight right now is we cannot allow this administration to go unchecked for another political cycle. We have to win and that is going to be hard and we have to focus on who is the best athlete to get in the arena today to fight and win for this community, for our district, for our country. And with that, it's like look uh these brothers and sisters in the arena with me now, like I appreciate them. I think competition is good. I think it makes us better. But we have to remember that at the end of the day, the real fight in November is for our future and not just our communities, but the country. When you talk about the stakes of New York 17, we were one of only three districts

in the entire country that split the ticket in 2024 going for Kla Harris and Republican member of Congress. So when we talk about the path to winning back the House majority, it runs through New York 17. We can't screw this up. We've got to win, you know. And I think to your point, we need to focus on this is about service. This is about making sure that we can get in there and do the incredibly important work right now. These are not normal times. These are not normal stakes. We cannot afford to lose.

We're going to end on that note. Thanks so much, Kate. Uh for the outro, I really want to share the launch video. And for those watching, you got to wait until the end. It's worth it. Thanks so much Kate.

Thank you, man. Appreciate it, kid. In the special ops community, there's a saying, "Run to the sound of the guns." That's what I've done my entire life. Joining the army after 9/11, combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, hunting down brutal terrorists, protecting what makes this country great is why I'm running now. Because the politicians who created this mess are not going to be the ones who fix it. How do you tolerate what's being done to our country, to New York? The answer is you don't. I fought for my country, fought to protect our democracy, and I'm ready to fight for New Yorkers.

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Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "This Republican ELECTION SCAM Just Got EXPOSED"?

Ken Harbaugh (Host), Mike Lawler (Guest), Kate Connley (Guest).

What is "This Republican ELECTION SCAM Just Got EXPOSED" about?

The discussion highlights the complicity of moderate Republicans, like Congressman Mike Lawler, in supporting controversial policies and actions of the Trump administration, particularly regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the alleged political quid pro quo involving infrastructure funding. Despite their moderate image, many of these representatives consistently align with…

What is mentioned in this MeidasTouch episode?

9 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Jim Harbaugh, Mike Lawler, Kate Connley, Donald Trump, Battle Buddies, Midas Touch Network. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "This Republican ELECTION SCAM Just Got EXPOSED"?

The episode runs 19 min; the transcript is about 3,133 words in 32 timestamped sections.

More from MeidasTouch

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated February 15, 2026.