Real Time with Bill Maher Ep. #716: Sen. John Kennedy, Kasie Hunt, Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton
92 snips
Jan 24, 2026 
Sen. John Kennedy, a blunt conservative senator from Louisiana. Kasie Hunt, TV journalist and CNN anchor. Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, retired Army leader and military advisor. They tackle troop use in U.S. cities and civil-military norms. They debate ICE tactics and protests. They discuss immigration reform, Iran policy, and political accountability in high-profile prosecutions.
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Defusing Tension With A Simple Gesture
- Paul Eaton recounts ordering soldiers to kneel and point rifle barrels to the ground to defuse a tense Iraq crowd.
- The gesture calmed the Iraqis and prevented violence, showing de-escalation works in combat zones.
Military Presence In Cities Undermines Trust
- Eaton argues U.S. troops weren't recruited to police American streets and their presence is intimidating.
- Deploying military forces domestically risks civil-military tension and harms democratic norms.
Iraq Crowd Calmed By Officer's Order
- Eaton describes Iraqi civilians moving toward U.S. forces and the commander's de-escalation order.
- The troops' compliance prevented casualties and diffused the riotous situation.
