Holding The Line

We're crossing the finish line on our first season of Holding the Line and are so grateful to all our new listeners for the community and support you've grown to be—and to all our incredible guests for sharing their stories, insights, and experiences. From Dennis Spaulding exposing the Obama DOJ's war on cops, Rob Quick offering resources for struggling first responders, Loudoun County Sheriff Mik...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Rob Quick, Executive Vice President and COO of Harbor of Grace Recovery Center, to talk about the hidden mental health crisis facing first responders. With over two decades in law enforcement, Rob shares his own journey—from a high-performing police officer struggling with alcohol and cumulative stress, to becoming a leader in recovery...

Rafael Mangual knows crime.  As a criminal justice policy analyst, legal commentator, and author, he has become a household name for his work on policing, public safety, and crime policy. He is the Nick Ohnell Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, where his research focuses on crime trends, prosecution, bail reform, and the broader impacts of criminal justice policies on communities. His commentary a...

How often do law enforcement officers actually use force? After digging into the data, it turns out violent encounters are incredibly rare.  Over a million 911 calls, only 0.1% involve ANY use of force. This episode debunks common myths about police use of force, highlighting the gap between public perception and reality. Sean and Jason analyze survey data, media reports, and real-world cases to c...

This week Sean sat down with his old friend Patrick Kenneally, former states attorney for a county outside Chicago who, as he says, was “mugged by reality” by his wild experiences with the criminal justice system and the radical policies and practices he saw up close - and their deadly outcomes. This was a highly entertaining episode - Patrick is a great storyteller and we know you'll really enjoy...

Consent decrees: what are they, when did they start—and what has the impact been on law enforcement and crime?  Our guest, Bob Scales breaks down the political, financial, and social ramifications of these agreements and discusses why they often fail to achieve meaningful reform. Key Topics: The history and legal background of consent decrees, starting from Rodney King and the 1994 pattern of prac...

Doug O'Connell is a former special forces officer and retired Army Colonel (Jason apologizes for mistaking him for a former JAG officer) with a passion for defending innocent military members and law enforcement officers. Based in Austin, Texas, Doug and his team have gone toe to toe with the radical Soros-backed DA in Travis County many times in defense of wrongfully-charged law enforcement offic...

Part 2: After the Verdict This is the second part of our in depth interview with former East Haven police officer Dennis Spaulding—one of four officers indicted by the Obama DOJ in 2012 after he and his team uncovered a massive illegal immigrant fraud network using illegal license plates and insisted on doing their jobs—enforcing the law—in their small Connecticut town. Last week the first part of...

Former East Haven, Connecticut police officer Dennis Spaulding joins us to share his horrifying story—and it's one you’ve likely never heard. In 2012, the Obama DOJ indicted four officers from the East Haven Police Department—Dennis Spaulding, John Miller, David Cari, and Jason Zullo—after a federal investigation into allegations that members of the department had violated the civil rights of Lati...

Leftwing activists have been targeting Sheriff Mike Chapman of Loudoun County, Virginia over his support of School Resource Officers for elementary schools in the district... but the slogans they're screaming don't make any sense. The Sheriff joins the podcast to discuss the unique aspects of law enforcement in his jurisdiction, give insights on school security and safety, and so much more. Sherif...

This episode discusses the impact of false narratives and misinformation on public perceptions of law enforcement—specifically regarding use of force. We address the prevalence of myths and misconceptions about police violence and the influence of these narratives on public opinion and policy. The truth? Fatal police shootings are unlikely and uncommon. In fact, police shootings are incredibly rar...

What really happens when innocent law enforcement officers are wrongfully charged with crimes? In 2022, Special Agent Mark Wagner confronted a violent career criminal who resisted arrest. Acting lawfully to protect himself and his partner, Mark did exactly what he was trained to do. A full investigation confirmed his actions were justified. A radical prosecutor charged him anyway. Mark joins the p...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Holding the Line— cutting through myths, media narratives, and political rhetoric to explore the realities facing law enforcement today. What is the “war on cops” and when did it begin? In this episode, hosts Jason Johnson and Sean Kennedy lay the foundation for the podcast by tracing the history and evolution of the anti-cop movement in America. They examine ke...