The Looming Threat That Nobody Is Talking About (Ep. 2445)

Summary of The Looming Threat That Nobody Is Talking About (Ep. 2445)

by Cumulus Podcast Network | Dan Bongino

1h 40m•February 4, 2026
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Overview of The Looming Threat That Nobody Is Talking About (Ep. 2445)

Dan Bongino opens Episode 2445 with show-format news, media criticism and a long warning about several national threats—most urgently a child‑grooming network dubbed “764” and a growing drone threat. The episode mixes reporting, insider context from Bongino’s FBI experience, policy commentary (border security, the SAVE Act), media‑framing critiques, and practical advice for parents and citizens. He also announces the new two‑hour daily format (10am–noon ET) with guests in the final half hour.

Key topics covered

  • The 764 network: an online grooming/violent‑extremism ring targeting kids in gaming/chat rooms.
  • Drone threats: asymmetric cost, rapid tech cycles, rising danger to U.S. forces and domestic targets.
  • Surveillance vs. civil liberties: trade‑offs in monitoring chat rooms and public spaces.
  • Border security and deportation operations (Minnesota case, ICE/CBP enforcement).
  • SAVE Act and national election integrity measures.
  • Media framing & gaslighting: how media narratives shape public reactions.
  • Don Lemon church protest arrest: balancing First Amendment protections (speech vs. free exercise).
  • Medical community pushback on gender‑transition surgeries for minors and legal/insurance implications.
  • FBI/local law enforcement cooperation (evidence response, drone training center).
  • Show format changes, platform asks and sponsor mentions.

Main takeaways

  • 764 network is real and dangerous: authorities say 350+ subjects under investigation tied to 2,000+ cases; the material is described as horrifying. Parents must actively monitor kids’ online activity.
  • Drone attacks are a “level 10” national security risk: inexpensive adversary drones vs. costly countermeasures, short tech cycle for counter‑workarounds, and need for scalable interdiction and training across federal, state and local partners.
  • There’s no easy solution: more surveillance could help catch predators and threats but risks civil‑liberties erosion—Bongino urges careful guardrails and investigative predicates, not blanket monitoring.
  • Border numbers have improved (encounters at lowest since 1970 per cited Pew data; charted declines), but enforcement operations will be transactional and messy; media framing can misrepresent tactics or targets.
  • SAVE Act (national standards for federal elections) is presented as reasonable and broadly popular (voter‑ID polling cited), while Democrats will try to frame it as racist—Bongino contends voter ID is widely supported across races.
  • Courts and litigation will shape medical practice: lawsuits by “detransitioners” and liability/insurance pressures are already driving medical associations to oppose some pediatric gender‑transition interventions.
  • Media framing matters: Bongino repeatedly accuses mainstream media pundits/writers of "gaslighting"—lying/confident repetition and isolating audiences from truth—which fuels public outrage and risky behavior (e.g., interfering with ICE raids).
  • Practical law‑and‑order point: interfering in lawful arrests (ICE, police operations) is unsafe and ill advised—use complaint boards/DOJ inspections if you object.

Notable facts & figures

  • “764” network: referenced FBI activity—more than 350 subjects under investigation, connected to 2,000+ cases; messaging encourages self‑harm, violence and sexual abuse.
  • Minnesota fraud investigation (local reporting cited): 78 indictments and 57 convictions referenced (Bongino notes those numbers may have risen).
  • Border encounters: claimed to be the lowest level since 1970 (visual chart cited from Pew Research/Caroline Levin tweet).
  • Drone response: FBI started a drone training center (Redstone, AL) to train state/local/territorial/tribal (SLTT) officers; some police departments now operate drone first‑responder programs with transparency dashboards.

Practical recommendations / action items

For parents

  • Monitor your child’s online gaming and chat access: set chat rooms to “friends only,” place devices in common areas, and involve a tech‑savvy friend if needed.
  • Watch for behavioral red flags (self‑harm, animal cruelty, extreme secrecy) and seek professional help or report to authorities if you suspect grooming. For communities & officials
  • Advocate for robust but narrowly tailored investigative tools—support predicate‑based investigations rather than blanket monitoring.
  • Push for transparency, clear policies and civil‑liberties guardrails around drone and surveillance deployment (e.g., transparency dashboards, limited use rules). For listeners
  • Stay informed about SAVE Act developments and local election‑security measures; understand the difference between federal standards for national elections and municipal election administration.
  • If you follow the show: follow rumble.com/bongino for live alerts and guest updates; Haley (noon) and Vince (8am) shows were promoted as part of the channel.

Media criticism & framing (Bongino’s argument)

  • Bongino argues mainstream media repeatedly resorts to a four‑step “gaslighting” playbook: lie, lie often, lie confidently, and isolate audiences from the truth—examples cited include Philip Bump, CNN commentators and congressional rhetoric.
  • He warns that careless or dehumanizing rhetoric (examples: comments by Jerry Nadler and Rep. Delia Ramirez) can inflame people and encourage dangerous interference with law enforcement.

Security & technology notes

  • Drone threat specifics:
    • Asymmetric economics: cheap attack drones vs. expensive countermeasures.
    • Rapid adaptation: countermeasures are often bypassed within weeks.
    • Response strategy requires aerial interdiction or drone‑to‑drone solutions and broad SLTT training.
    • Drones also have beneficial uses (police first‑responder programs), so policy must balance utility and privacy.
  • Other vulnerabilities: undersea cable damage and other infrastructure threats are noted as serious risks that could have catastrophic national impacts.

Legal and policy perspective

  • Law enforcement: FBI generally supports local police on missing‑persons/assault cases but doesn’t automatically “take over” unless federal jurisdiction applies (FBI provides ERT, digital/cellphone forensics at request).
  • Constitutional balance: Bongino emphasizes that speech and press rights don’t override other rights (e.g., free exercise of religion or safety of congregants) and that courts/juries should sort disputes after due process.

Show logistics & sponsors

  • New format: live daily, 10am–noon ET; guests added for the final half hour at ~11:30am.
  • Platform call: follow rumble.com/bongino for live notifications; Haley (rumble.com/haley) and Vince (rumble.com/vince) shows promoted.
  • Sponsors briefly mentioned: Patriot Mobile, Brickhouse Nutrition, Chapter Advisory, CarShield, Cozy Earth.

Bottom line

Bongino’s episode is a mix of urgent public‑safety warnings (particularly about the 764 grooming network and drone risks), political commentary (border enforcement, SAVE Act), and media criticism (framing and gaslighting). The practical takeaways for listeners are to protect children online, push for carefully constrained surveillance/counter‑drone solutions, and pay attention to election‑security legislation and local enforcement practices.