Timcast IRL · September 17, 2020 · 2h 0m

Timcast IRL #135 - Barr Told Feds To Charge Antifa With SEDITION, Man ARRESTED Defending Home From BLM

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Episode Recap

Timcast IRL episode #135 from September 17, 2020, featured Tim Pool and co-hosts discussing Attorney General William Barr's directive to federal prosecutors to consider charging violent protesters with sedition. The episode opened with Tim discussing the decrease in Antifa riots in Portland and crediting federal intervention. The main discussion centered on Barr's conference call with U.S. attorneys encouraging aggressive prosecution of violent demonstrators, including use of the rarely-invoked sedition law. Tim argued that Antifa's revolutionary rhetoric and violent actions against police constituted seditious behavior, while co-host Ian Crossland provided counterarguments. The show also covered the skyrocketing crime rate in Minneapolis following city council's attempts to abolish the police, a sympathetic BuzzFeed piece about BLM protesters facing charges for throwing Molotov cocktails, and the controversial practice of journalist Andy Ngo posting mugshots of arrested protesters. The episode addressed the case of a Wisconsin man arrested for brandishing a weapon at a BLM mob that had previously set fires and shot two teenagers. Tim emphasized the legitimacy of self-defense concerns while noting the man's arrest. The debate continued throughout the episode with Ian challenging Tim's perspectives on Antifa and the appropriate legal responses to political violence.

TL;DR

  • →Attorney General Bill Barr instructed federal prosecutors to consider sedition charges against violent protesters, particularly those connected to Antifa, marking a rare use of the 19th-century sedition statute.
  • →Tim argued that Antifa's open advocacy of revolution, combined with violent attacks on police, constitutes seditious conspiracy requiring federal intervention rather than merely state-level charges.
  • →The show discussed Minneapolis' crime surge following city council's police abolition efforts, with Tim criticizing officials for complaining about crime they helped create through defunding police.
  • →A Wisconsin man was arrested for defending his home with a weapon against a BLM mob that had previously set fires and shot two 14-year-olds, raising questions about self-defense rights during mob violence.
  • →Journalist Andy Ngo's practice of immediately posting mugshots of arrested protesters was debated, with concerns about potential damage to innocent people's reputations versus public interest in accountability.
  • →Co-host Ian Crossland challenged Tim's characterizations of Antifa, providing counterarguments about the nature and intent of leftist protest movements throughout the episode.

Key Moments

  • 0:00
    Opening and Antifa Context
    Tim opened with analysis of why Antifa riots decreased in Portland, crediting federal intervention and OSP deputization.
  • 30:00
    Main Story: Barr's Sedition Directive
    Primary discussion of Wall Street Journal reporting on Attorney General Barr's instruction to prosecutors about sedition charges.
  • 60:00
    Revolution Debate
    Tim and Ian debated whether Antifa's stated goals of revolution constitute seditious intent and imminent threat.
  • 90:00
    Andy Ngo Mugshot Controversy
    Discussion of journalist Andy Ngo's practice of posting arrestee mugshots and questions about legality and ethics.
  • 120:00
    Self-Defense and Closing
    Analysis of the Wisconsin home defense case and closing remarks encouraging viewer engagement.

Notable Quotes

“We could be facing the end of the Antifa riots, although for the most part, they've kind of stopped in Portland. And many people are asking why.”

— Tim Pool · opening segment discussing federal intervention

“According to the Wall Street Journal, it basically means there's a conspiracy to attack government agents or officials that pose an imminent danger, essentially insurrection, trying to overthrow the government. And I mean, they kind of are doing that.”

— Tim Pool · explaining the sedition charge and arguing Antifa fits the criteria

“is it the wrong thing to do? Because if they turn out to be innocent and he's basically slandered, ruined, not slandered, but ruined their lives. It's kind of like printing a fake news article and then printing a retraction the next day.”

— Ian Crossland · challenging Andy Ngo's mugshot posting practice

“They're throwing bricks at cops and screaming revolution. So now there's context. Yeah, they're throwing bricks at cops and screaming revolution. Okay, they're targeting. Maybe they want a violent political revolution. If that's the case, yeah, then that's what we got to prevent.”

— Tim Pool · arguing that Antifa's actions demonstrate violent revolutionary intent

“Build it up, Tim. Build it up. He was like, Antifa's the best. And I was like, how dare you in my home? I've been playing contrary a little bit just because I like the debate.”

— Ian Crossland · describing his role as contrarian voice on the show

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