The following was adapted from a monologue by KVI host Ari Hoffman while filling in for The Morning Ride
On Saturday night, President Donald Trump addressed the nation flanked by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth—just hours after launching one of the boldest military operations in modern history: Operation Midnight Hammer.
WATCH: The US bombing Iran is great news
However, because Iran can't attack US military facilities, they retaliate against Israeli civilians
We need to watch for terrorists on US soil pic.twitter.com/MbgLA2ZWas
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) June 22, 2025
The U.S. military targeted Iran’s most fortified nuclear facilities—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—with B-2 stealth bombers, nuclear submarines, Tomahawk missiles, and over 125 aircraft. In a stunning first, 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—our most powerful bunker-busting bombs—were deployed. The mission was clear: after over 40 years of provocation and terror, the United States is done negotiating with the Iranian regime.
These aircraft flew an incredible 37-hour round-trip mission, with multiple midair refuelings, F-22s and F-35s escorting them through Iranian airspace. Israel, in perfect coordination, cleared the path by neutralizing Iranian air defenses. And perhaps most stunning—no leaks. No press reports, no anonymous sources, just a masterclass in modern warfare.
But then… the usual suspects lost their minds.
Here in Washington State, Democratic Rep. Darya Farivar—an Iranian-American progressive who somehow supports the regime that would persecute her—condemned the strike. Let that sink in. She claims to stand for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, democracy—yet supports a theocratic regime that executes dissidents, throws gay people off rooftops, and stones women. The only thing she seems to admire is Iran’s authoritarianism—and its hatred of the West.
Joining her, of course, was our own Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Hamas), who slammed the operation as expected. Frankly, if you’re on the opposite side of Jayapal, you’re probably on the right side of history.
And then you had the woke right doing their best political yoga. People like Rep. Matt Gaetz tried to have it both ways—praising Trump while claiming this was a one-off move. Look, we’re not stupid. Either you’re for confronting the world’s leading sponsor of terror or you’re not.
Meanwhile, Democrats cried foul over “congressional authority.” Funny—we didn’t hear that when Obama took out Bin Laden, Gaddafi, or ran tens of thousands of operations during his presidency. But Trump does one mission—a strike that could reshape the entire Middle East—and suddenly it’s unconstitutional? Spare me.
As for my synagogue, we found out just after Shabbat ended. The mood? Elation. We immediately offered a prayer of thanks—for our soldiers, for the president, for justice. And we weren’t alone. Iranian Americans rallied alongside Jewish communities in Bellevue, cheering freedom and American strength. Most local outlets covered it, even KING 5. But not the Seattle Times. No, they found a bunch of white socialist activists waving Hamas flags in Westlake and made that their front page. The Times is either deliberately deceptive or painfully ignorant. Either way, it’s disgraceful.
Let’s remember: Iran is the central threat to peace in the Middle East. The Obama-Biden Iran Deal didn’t stop their nuclear ambitions—it funded them. Iran used that cash to arm Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis—you name it. But here’s the twist: the threat became so overwhelming that even Arab nations began aligning with Israel. That’s how we got the Abraham Accords.
Now we’re potentially watching the final collapse of the regime Obama and Carter empowered. The Ayatollah has vanished from public view. Rumor has it he’s holed up somewhere, getting briefed through slipped paper notes like a coward. Iranian leaders are threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz—but they won’t. Only 5% of U.S. oil runs through there, but over half of China’s does. Iran’s not ready to make an enemy of Beijing.
You know what would be amazing? Trump announcing a ramp-up in U.S. energy production, telling the world: “You don’t need Iran. You don’t need Russia. Buy from us. We’re the reliable partner.” That’s how you realign geopolitics without firing another shot.
But don’t let the success of Midnight Hammer lull us into complacency.
According to new data, 1,504 Iranian nationals have crossed our southern border illegally since Biden took office. Nearly half—729 of them—were released into the U.S. No intel, no vetting, no tracking. When Fox News asked DHS for details, they were denied—due to “privacy concerns” and “minimal public interest.”
Excuse me? Minimal public interest?! These are nationals from a terror-sponsoring regime, and you’re more worried about their feelings than our safety?
Let’s not forget: just last year, a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was arrested, along with two U.S. nationals, for plotting to assassinate President Trump and another American critical of the regime. This isn’t a theory. This is reality.
And we still have active threats. A judge recently released Mahmoud Khalil, a terrorist sympathizer who held Black and Hispanic janitors hostage at Columbia University while targeting Jewish students. What did he do after release? Returned to lead protests—wrapped in terrorist insignia.
Folks, this is insanity. Our institutions are failing us. Our borders are porous. Our leaders are asleep at the wheel. And while we’re blowing up F-14s overseas, we may already have sleeper cells operating here at home.
So yes, Operation Midnight Hammer was a massive win. It was a moment of clarity, of strength, of purpose. But it’s not over. Not by a long shot.
My dream? A photo of Khamenei surrendering on the White House lawn, with Trump standing over him, American flags waving behind him. Just like the deck of the USS Missouri.
Will it happen? Probably not. But a guy can dream.
In the meantime, we must stay alert. Stay frosty. If you see something, say something. Our victory abroad must be matched by vigilance at home.
You’re not just witnessing history. You’re living it.
Listen to The Ari Hoffman Show 3 to 6 p.m. Pacific on Talk Radio 570 KVI, KVI.com and the KVI app. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform.
