LEO Round Table, March 20, 2026

LEO Round Table with Chip DeBlock S11E055, The Trump FBI Has Been Busy Disrupting Terrorism Plots Across The Country! The Trump FBI has been busy disrupting terrorism plots across the country. Trump lashes back at former counterterrorism chief who resigned. DHS funding freeze presents big trouble for airlines. Murder suspect fatally shot in fire fight at the end of a pursuit. Cop begs to escape fleeing vehicle as suspect grabs for his gun. LEO Round Table: 2025 Counterterrorism Milestones and National Security Shifts EO Round Table: Global Security & Frontline Crisis Briefing Date: March 20, 2026 • Law Enforcement Perspective Analysis Dashboard 2025 FBI Performance 707Arrests 640 Successful Disruptions •4 Holiday Plots:Thwarted in Dec 2025 (NY, CA, TX, PA). •Key Groups:ISIS sympathizers & Turtle Island Liberation Front. Intelligence Conflict Joe Kent Resignation NCTC Director quits over Iran strategy, citing "no immediate threat." Trump Response: Labeled Kent "weak on security" and "unfit." "Iran is a threat recognized by every country... only variable is who acts." Aviation Collapse TSA Paychecks$0.00 55% Call-out Rate: Houston Hobby Int'l. 366 Resignations: Security force depleting. Lead Time: 4-6 months to train replacements. Frontline Incidents • Pierce County: Murder suspect shootout; deputy saved by handcuff pouch. • Worcester: Officer trapped in moving car; struggle for weapon retention. #CounterTerror#TSACrisis#OfficerSafety Host: Chip DeBlock | Panel: Dr. Joel Schultz, Chief Ralph Ornelas This episode of the LEO Round Table features law enforcement veterans discussing the FBI's record-breaking year in counterterrorism, high-level resignations within the Trump administration, and critical tactical reviews of recent police shootouts and field engagements. The panel provides a professional perspective on the intersection of national security policy and boots-on-the-ground safety. Detailed Summary FBI Counterterrorism Successes and Domestic Threats FBI Director Kash Patel recently announced that federal agents disrupted four significant holiday terror plots in December 2025. These operations targeted diverse threats, including the "Turtle Island Liberation Front"—a far-left anti-government group planning New Year's Eve bombings in Southern California—and several ISIS-inspired individuals in Pennsylvania, Texas, and New York. The scale of these operations highlights a massive behind-the-scenes effort by the Bureau and local fusion centers to intercept threats before they manifest in public tragedies. The panel emphasized that local agencies remains the "lifeblood" of these federal successes, providing the initial intelligence "sparks" that lead to major disruptions. 2025 FBI Counterterrorism Impact 707 Total Arrests 640 Planned Attacks Disrupted Data reflects the most active period for security divisions in recent years. National Security Friction: The Iran Conflict The resignation of Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), has sparked a debate over the administration's strategy toward Iran. Kent stepped down citing an inability to support military conflict, claiming Iran posed no "immediate threat" and alleging influence from foreign interests. President Trump countered by labeling Kent "weak on security," asserting that Iran’s threat is a global reality. The discussion panel drew parallels between current Iranian aggression and historical appeasement, arguing that "pre-attack indicators" necessitate proactive intervention rather than waiting for an initial strike. Aviation Crisis and TSA Funding Major airline CEOs have issued a "Travel Apocalypse" warning as a partial government shutdown leaves TSA workers without paychecks. With call-out rates spiking to 55% at major hubs like Houston Hobby and over 360 resignations recorded, the aviation industry faces a potential collapse. The panel criticized the "immoral" nature of withholding pay for essential security personnel, especially since TSA operations are largely funded by passenger ticket surcharges rather than general tax funds. Tactical Review: Field Engagements 🛡️ Equipment: A deputy's handcuff pouch successfully stopped a round during the Pierce County shootout. 🚗 Positioning: Panelists advise against "ramming" suspects in close proximity; distance equals reaction time. ⚡ Technology: The use of conductive distraction devices (e.g., The Glove) is recommended to prevent suspects from re-entering vehicles. Critical Incident Analysis: Shootouts and Vehicle Struggles The panel reviewed bodycam footage from two harrowing incidents. In Pierce County, a DUI stop escalated into a shootout with a murder suspect where a deputy's life was saved by his handcuff pouch. In Worcester, an officer was partially trapped inside a vehicle while fighting a suspect who attempted to seize his weapon and OC spray. The veteran chiefs noted that these incidents underscore the dangers of "complacency" during routine ...