In a Wednesday War Room interview, Naomi Wolf and Dave Brat discussed Steve Bannon’s incarceration and its implications for the America First movement, the political suppression framed in lawfare, and the difference in attitude about Community Organizing- of the left and right.

“It’s because of our silence that we will be next,” Wolf warns.

Wolf begins by highlighting her essay on Bannon’s imprisonment, emphasizing that the conditions at Federal Correctional Institute Danbury are designed to silence him. She draws parallels to historical instances where opposition figures were physically removed or silenced, such as in Nazi Germany, where critics and dissenters were beaten, disappeared, or informally imprisoned. Wolf argues that the silencing of Bannon is a strategic move to stifle dissent and warns that such actions threaten the freedoms of all citizens. She repeated that if they can target someone as prominent as Bannon, they can target anyone, instilling fear and compliance within the populace.

Wolf criticizes the relative silence surrounding Bannon’s imprisonment, attributing it to a misguided belief that staying silent will protect individuals from similar fates. She warns against this complacency, arguing that silence only encourages those in power to continue their oppressive tactics. Wolf draws a stark comparison to the early stages of Nazi Germany, where the initial silencing of opposition led to widespread fear and compliance, ultimately resulting in the erosion of civil liberties.

Wolf touches on the troubling aspects of FCI Danbury, particularly the alarming responsibility placed on prisoners to comply with medical protocols. She argues that Bannon’s situation is not just about him but represents a broader threat to political freedom in the United States. Wolf calls for vocal and unified opposition to the concept of political prisoners in America, stressing that the country’s system is not supposed to work this way.

Responding to Wolf’s points, Brat praises her logic and the way she generalizes the threat to any individual as a threat to all. He reflects on the moral fiber that has historically made America special despite its imperfections. Brat introduces a classical liberal perspective, mentioning Milton Friedman and the Enlightenment, and acknowledges that conservatives sometimes struggle to see their flaws.

Brat questions why conservatives seem less effective at organizing and mobilizing compared to liberals. He notes that historically, the ACLU and classical liberals were vocal in defending minority communities, a role conservatives have not always filled. He wonders if conservatives are inherently less noisy and less adept at protesting injustices.

Wolf offers insights into this disparity, noting that liberals and the left tend to be better organized partly because they are not as philosophically committed to individualism. Conservatives, valuing individual decision-making, often find it harder to coordinate collective action. Wolf suggests that conservatives’ boundless faith in America can sometimes be naively optimistic, failing to recognize the potential for significant erosion of freedoms. She stresses the importance of learning from 20th-century European history to understand what could happen in America if people do not actively defend their liberties.

Wolf also shares her personal experience of public prayer for Bannon and his family, highlighting the emotional and moral support for those facing political persecution. She emphasizes the need for tangible actions to support Bannon and oppose political imprisonment.

The conversation shifts to the pharmaceutical industry, where Brat criticizes monopolistic practices and the lack of a true free market. He praises Wolf for her work exposing industry issues and calls for continued vigilance.

Wolf and Brat discuss the dangers of political suppression, the need for collective action, and the organizational differences between the left and right. They stress the importance of defending individual freedoms and remaining vigilant against threats to political liberty. Wolf’s arguments highlight the urgency of speaking out against political imprisonment and the broader implications for American democracy.

For more context, watch the full segment with Dave Brat and Naomi Wolf: