RealClearPolitics Podcast What the FBI Knew About Thomas Crooks
Nov 18, 2025
Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center, sheds light on the Cook County property-tax crisis and the looming threat of a tax revolt. He discusses how downtown commercial declines are impacting residential neighborhoods, particularly in Black areas. The conversation dives into the proposed head tax, its potential negative effects on investment, and the unexpected pushback from the City Council. Additionally, they analyze the political consequences for Mayor Brandon Johnson amidst the fiscal turmoil, offering a glimpse into the intricate world of local governance.
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Discrepancy In Crooks Social Media Narrative
- Tucker Carlson and Miranda Devine uncovered social-media activity that contradicts the FBI's public account of Thomas Crooks' online presence.
- The revelations raise questions about what the FBI knew and why Congress and the public lack clear answers.
Stonewalling Breeds Suspicion
- The hosts weigh incompetence versus conspiracy to explain the investigation's gaps, leaning toward incompetence but acknowledging unanswered questions.
- Stonewalling by agencies invites public suspicion and fuels conspiracy theories.
Foreign Alias And Bedroom Target Practice
- Carl notes an online interlocutor named 'Vlad Tepes' linked to Crooks, observing the foreign-looking alias and possible influence.
- Tucker's footage also showed Crooks practicing shooting at his parents' house with graphic online posts.