The David Pakman Show 9/29/25: Right wing violence hits church, White House scrambles
Sep 29, 2025
Rahm Emanuel, former U.S. ambassador to Japan and Chicago mayor, discusses the Democratic Party's future and the 2028 presidential race. He highlights the economic pressures families face, advocating for a focus on restoring the American dream. Emanuel identifies key political moments that eroded public trust and stresses the importance of education reforms to improve competitiveness. They also analyze the impact of right-wing violence and Trump's political narratives, emphasizing the need for authentic Democratic messaging.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Michigan Church Shooting Details
- A Trump-supporting Marine veteran, Thomas Sanford, rammed a pickup into a Mormon church and opened fire, killing four and wounding eight.
- He was killed in a shootout with police within ten minutes of the attack.
Right-Wing Bias In Political Violence
- Political violence in the U.S. overwhelmingly skews right-wing across decades.
- Also, roughly 25–30% of mass shooters have military experience, versus ~6% of adults who are veterans.
Trump's Christian Persecution Framing
- Donald Trump's Truth Social post framed the Michigan attack as a targeted attack on Christians without mentioning partisan cues.
- That framing lets his allies imply religious persecution while avoiding acknowledgement of the shooter's pro‑Trump ties.