Ep. 2165 - National Security Bombshell & The Case For Derek Chauvin | The Autopsy

Summary of Ep. 2165 - National Security Bombshell & The Case For Derek Chauvin | The Autopsy

by The Daily Wire

54m•March 24, 2026
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Overview of Ep. 2165 — National Security Bombshell & The Case For Derek Chauvin | The Autopsy

Host: The Daily Wire (Ben Shapiro)

This episode covers two headline topics: (1) a major national-security leak reported by Jeffrey Goldberg in The Atlantic — an accidental inclusion of Goldberg in a Signal group chat among senior Trump-administration national-security officials about a U.S. strike on Houthi targets — and (2) the third episode in the show’s ongoing “The Case for Derek Chauvin” series, which examines autopsy reports, toxicology, and prosecutorial conduct and argues Chauvin’s conviction was unjust. The show also touches on economy/foreign-policy developments, immigration enforcement, and multiple sponsor messages and calls to action (including a petition asking for Chauvin’s pardon).

National-security Signal leak — timeline, content, reactions

  • What happened

    • Jeffrey Goldberg reports he was accidentally included in a Signal group chat labeled “Houthi PC small group” that included senior Trump-era national-security figures (participants named in the transcript include: National Security Advisor Mike Waltz; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth; VP J.D. Vance; Stephen Miller; John Ratcliffe; Marco Rubio; others).
    • The apparent mistake: someone selecting the wrong JG contact (Jamison Greer vs. Jeffrey Goldberg) when creating the group.
    • The chat contained operational-level discussion in the days before and during the March 15 U.S. strikes on Houthi targets — planning language, a “high-side” reference (classified inbox), a March 15 11:44 a.m. message from Pete Hegseth with details about weapons, targets, and sequencing, and follow-up messages after strikes began.

  • Key messages and debate in the chat

    • Internal policy disagreement: JD Vance expressed hesitation about immediate action (raising economic/message risks, arguing for delay/messaging), while Hegseth, Waltz, Miller and others argued for immediate action to restore freedom of navigation and reestablish deterrence.
    • Discussion about costs and whether Europeans should pay/contribute.
    • After the strikes, participants exchanged congratulatory messages.

  • Issues & implications emphasized by the host

    • Security breach/OPSEC problem: accidental inclusion of a journalist in a principals-level chat discussing imminent military action is a “major mistake.”
    • Legal/record concerns: debates about whether Signal auto-delete or classification rules were violated; host argues the criminality question is overstated and references the president’s ability to declassify.
    • Political fallout: public criticism from Democrats (Schumer, Jeffries), Republican internal debate about whether Mike Waltz should be disciplined or fired, and broader interest in which internal foreign-policy voices (hawkish Hegseth/Waltz/Miller vs. more restraint-oriented Vance) will shape Trump administration policy going forward.

  • Host framing

    • The leak is presented as a serious self-inflicted security problem but not, in the host’s view, criminally comparable to past classified-material controversies (invokes the Clinton-email precedent).
    • The host highlights the tape as illuminating competing foreign-policy philosophies inside the administration.

The Case for Derek Chauvin — autopsy analysis & legal argument (Part 3)

  • Purpose of the segment

    • The host argues Chauvin’s conviction was unjust and presents a detailed review of medical evidence, autopsy findings, and alleged prosecutorial misconduct to support clemency/new-trial calls. Listeners are asked to sign a petition (PardonDerek.com) and may be directed to a Chauvin legal defense fund.

  • Two autopsies, different conclusions

    • Hennepin County official autopsy (Dr. Andrew Baker; released June 1, 2020)

      • Cause of death: listed as “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement restraint and neck compression”; manner: homicide (medical term meaning death at hands of another, not a criminal finding).
      • Important findings emphasized by the host:
        • “No life‑threatening injuries identified” (no visible neck trauma, no hemorrhage, no petechiae in eyes).
        • Severe preexisting cardiac disease: cardiomegaly (heart weight ~540 g), arteriosclerotic disease with up to 90% coronary blockage; two arteries 75% narrowed.
        • Toxicology: fentanyl (11 ng/mL), norfentanyl, 4-ANPP, methamphetamine (19 ng/mL), cannabinoids — host emphasizes fentanyl level as significant (notes that some fentanyl deaths certified at much lower levels).
        • Lungs: pulmonary edema consistent with drug-induced respiratory failure.
      • Baker testified that the fentanyl level could, in isolation, be consistent with an overdose and that restraint and stress could exacerbate cardiac risk.

    • Independent (family‑commissioned) autopsy (Dr. Michael Baden and Dr. Alicia Wilson)

      • Conclusion: death due to asphyxia from neck and back compression; stated no underlying medical problems contributed.
      • Host’s critique of Baden/Wilson report:
        • They lacked access to toxicology, tissue samples, medical records, and the full bodycam footage when drafting conclusions.
        • The host questions Baden’s credibility and track record in high-profile contested autopsies.

  • Additional medical/forensic points discussed

    • “Excited delirium” — the host reviews that Floyd showed signs (agitation, strength, sweating, perceptual disturbance) and that drug intoxication plus agitation could indicate excited delirium (a controversial diagnosis). The host notes Minneapolis PD removed the term from training materials after the incident.
    • Post-mortem COVID-19 positive test is noted; host suggests potential impact on cardiac/respiratory function when combined with severe heart disease and intoxication.
    • DOJ/Armed Forces Medical Examiner review agreed with Baker’s findings but added that subdual and restraint had elements consistent with positional/mechanical asphyxia (introducing another possible contributing mechanism).

  • Allegations of improper influence & withheld Brady material

    • The host cites a memorandum alleging that former D.C. chief medical examiner Roger Mitchell pressured Dr. Baker to change his initial findings (Baker’s draft reportedly found “no evidence of asphyxiation”), and that Hennepin County prosecutors met with Baker on drafts without detectives or agents present.
    • The host claims these developments and failure to disclose exculpatory material (Brady material) justify a presidential pardon and/or new trial.

  • Legal standard & host’s conclusion

    • The host argues that, under “beyond a reasonable doubt,” competing plausible causes of death (severe heart disease, drug intoxication, positional asphyxia, excited delirium) should have created reasonable doubt.
    • The show asserts political pressure, pretrial statements by officials, and alleged suppressed evidence undermined Chauvin’s ability to receive a fair trial; the host will continue the series and invites listeners to the pledge/petition.

Economy, policy, and other news items covered briefly

  • Tariffs and trade

    • Trump may temper planned reciprocal tariffs; markets responded positively to indications some countries might be exempt.
    • Trump also announced threatened 25% tariff on countries buying Venezuelan oil; Treasury extended Chevron license for Venezuela operations through late May.

  • Deregulation & industrial policy

    • Host highlights deregulation (EPA under Lee Zeldin), claimed cancellation of government contracts, and credits deregulatory moves for business reshoring.
    • Hyundai announced a large U.S. investment (referenced as $5.8B steel plant in Louisiana in the episode).

  • Immigration

    • Administration claims low illegal immigration levels and strong enforcement; officials reiterate “do not come here illegally” message and enforcement of MS‑13/TDA members.

  • Miscellaneous

    • Host contrasts perceived bureaucratic “deep state” resistance (e.g., NEA complaint about Department of Education downsizing) with the administration’s reforms.

Sponsors, calls to action, and production notes

  • Sponsors mentioned: Trust & Will; Pure Talk; Balance of Nature; Quo; Tax Network USA; PragerU (partnership).
  • Calls to action:
    • Tip submission for Chauvin-related leads (instructions in episode description — include host’s name and “Derek Chauvin”).
    • Petition at PardonDerek.com and link to Chauvin legal defense fund promised in description.
    • Promotion for DailyWire+ membership.

Key takeaways

  • A Signal chat including senior national-security officials discussing the March 15 strikes on Houthi targets accidentally included Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg; the leak exposes both an operational OPSEC failure and internal policy debates (hawkish vs. restraint voices).
  • The episode presents a medically detailed, pro‑Chauvin argument that centers on the Hennepin County autopsy’s findings of severe heart disease and fentanyl/methamphetamine in George Floyd’s system, contrasting those with the family‑commissioned autopsy that concluded asphyxia; hosts argue these medical facts, alleged prosecutorial pressure, and withheld materials should justify clemency or a new trial.
  • The host frames both stories within broader partisan narratives: the national-security leak as a serious but not criminal OPSEC failure and the Chauvin case as a miscarriage of justice due to political pressure and incomplete disclosure.

Context and caveats

  • This episode is opinion/advocacy media from The Daily Wire; it selectively highlights sources, medical interpretations, and allegations favorable to the host’s argument. The autopsy/forensic debates referenced are legally and medically complex and contested by multiple expert reviewers and official investigations.
  • The Goldberg/Atlantic report is primary reporting on the Signal inclusion; the episode discusses it with partisan framing and commentary about legal consequences and internal administration politics.