[music] [music] [music] [music] [sighs] Well, Brian, you made it. >> I made it. Thank you. >> Hey, man. I really appreciate you coming out here and uh taking the time to fly out here and um I'm really interested for everybody to hear your story. Um I guess real quick, what we'll do is just a quick introduction of you. Uh, for people that don't know you, Brian Harpool served as a police officer in Texas for 14 years. During his career, Brian was assigned to many different areas, including patrol, tactical unit, criminal, and narcotic interdiction, bicycle unit, training, and administration. While assigned to these units, Brian received over 25 accommodations for exemplary service to include recognition for valor, meritorious service, meritorious conduct, life saving, and officer of the year. Uh, in 2008, you know what? I'll stop right there because I kind of want to hear how you kind of got into the security world and, you know, we'll just we'll just kind of take it from there. So, >> as far as your career goes, anything that uh I didn't cover right there, let us know and just kind of introduce yourself to the public from kind of that standpoint. >> Yeah. And first, I'd like to say thank you for having me. Um I uh [clears throat] some the way I got here and and it's kind of a good story and and so I wanted to share it. Um, a couple of my guys actually from the team came to me after the assassination and and watched some of the videos you'd been putting up [snorts] and and we had grown accustomed at that point to just being obliterated with lies and and then they came to me and they were like, "Hey," or they were sending it to me and they were saying, "Hey, look at this. This guy's like really out there trying to find the facts." Mhm. >> And so we watched it and then um and so they they were like, "Wow, this this is this is close." I mean, like the closest anybody's got and and closest to the truth. And then um um my fiance actually she uh during this whole thing she developed this a thing where everything that came on the internet uh she would look at it and because she didn't want me looking at it and so she basically ran the hard guard and saw all the ugly stuff and and but and and if it was really bad she'd bring it to me and she said hey I think you need to watch this and then but then she brought me your stuff And she's like, "Man, this guy, you know, and she said, he's really trying to put the right stuff out there, the truth." >> Yeah. >> You know, and so, [clears throat] and she's like, "You need to call him. You need to call him. You" And I was like, "Okay." And at the time, you know, I'm literally 20, 22 hours a day, um, just trying to do everything. And she was on me like, "You need to call him. Did you call Gary? Did you did you call him?" And I was like, "No, no." And finally, I mean, um, I sat down and she I think she texted you. >> She did. >> And and so, um, [clears throat] she sat me down on the in the bed and she said, "Call in right now." And then, and she goes, "This behavior that's true like this deserves that." And so that's how we got here. >> Well, I appreciate that. Yeah. You know, one of the things and we we'll kind of hit some of these too, but what [clears throat] I you know, the reality is that people were taking this information vacuum and things that they couldn't see. And we'll get into like for instance, you know, you guys behind the table working on Charlie >> and in that void of information, they were filling it in with the most horrific. And look, I said it at the time on the video, I'll say it now. I don't know exactly what you were doing, but what I had a pretty good idea of what was taking place behind there. And I think the story deserved some balance, right? It's okay for people to go out there and speculate and you know and I think there's some when when you when you start accusing people of some of the horrific things that you and your men have been accused of without at least giving some balance saying okay this is what could be happening but also here's another option and you need to weigh both of that information and what I was seeing was a channelization of information that was just nothing but demonization character assassination and convicting you guys in the public eye things that to me was like I I feel like I'm watching a different video than everybody else that's that's saying these things. And I think that number one, that's the American way to do this. like that's the moral ethical way to do this and saying hey look that's fine if we want to highlight some things that maybe should be investigated or hey I'm suspicious of this person or this person but to go from hey I don't have any information to filling that information with just hey they're guilty of murder conspiracy assassination it's just it's it's it's actually disappointing to see Americans in general do it but especially when we have very prominent social media people out there doing it, too. And it it's it's you know, it is what it is. And one of the things I I'll tell you, you know, when you called me, [snorts] man, I got to be honest with you. Number one, you know how you you talk to somebody on the phone and then you kind of have this expectation? Of course, I've watched a lot of video of you. Um like it was it was you're a different person talking to you on in person than you were on the phone. And I could tell you were just you were I don't know, you know, I don't want to say broken, but >> I was going to say beaten. >> Yeah. Like you you were clearly you had clearly had enough >> and uh you know I mean I just heard the pain in your voice and you know we had a great discussion last night. um you know, we went out to eat, you me and my wife and [clears throat] you know, when you're when you're talking to me and you're telling me about um your family and you know, we weren't even talking about any any of this and and like all this stuff as I'm sitting there talking to you, all the stuff that I've heard said about you, you know, flashing through my mind [clears throat] and and seeing the reality of who you are as a person and thinking about your family and your kids, you know, I I I well that was when I got up and used the restroom and I I was about to start crying and I feel emotional about it now. Um I don't think people understand the human fallout of some of the things that have been being said about you, your team, and everything else. And you know, we'll get into that for sure. But what I do want to do is I want to start this out on a high note. Um I did get you some gifts and I got one for your fiance as well. It's just a shirt. >> But >> it's unnecessary. Thank you. But I will I will wear it proudly. >> But given your line of work and I've [clears throat] done a lot of traveling, these two products are things that I literally use every single day. We carry them. Um and uh I just want to give you these to you. This is an aura stock flex bag. It's a great personal carry bag. Concealed carry off body. Allows you to keep med gear in it. And I don't know if I bet my life on it, but it is a level 3A panel in there as well. Really? Yeah. gives you some ballistic protection and one of my favorite items I've carried all over the world. This is a >> corambit uh high desert >> corambit. >> And hopefully, you know, when you're out there doing God's work and traveling, you know, hopefully that'll uh serve you well and you'll think about us. >> That'll become my everyday carry. >> There you go, >> man. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um, one of the things I kind of wanted to just kind of throw some context into the beginning of this interview is we have definitely lost faith in our American institutions. We've lost faith in the media because of all the lies that we've been exposed to. And look, government conspiracies absolutely are real. We [clears throat] saw that with CO 19. We saw that with January 6. I think to some degree at least felt like a cover up from July 13th, the assassination, the attempted assassination of of President Trump. And you know, going back in history, our government has lied to us time and time again. And there's many factual uh things that we can point to and say, "Hey, this is why we don't trust the government." And I completely get it. And then the media is even worse. you know, it's they omit information. They it's it's they're pushing an agenda and give you just the information that they want you to see so that you believe the agenda that they're trying to fulfill. And [clears throat] you know, there's this been there's this big call. And one of the things that I wanted to get in here and start talking about current events and politics was because of a complete lack of trust in the media and these government institutions. And there's no doubt that all of those entities lie. But what we're seeing is a lot of the social media and these folks that are claiming to be these citizen journalists are out fake newsing the fake news. And what I wanted to kind of go through to set the context and almost establish a historical record on this is let's talk about the media source lies that we've seen for the beginning of this. First thing that came out was Tyler Robinson was a right winger. Uh it was also said that the event was only advertised 2 days prior to on September 9th. So only an insider would have time to plan for that. Uh the truth is TPUSA announced this event on August 27th and on that day or shortly thereafter um it was announced it was going to be held in the UVU courtyard. I've also heard from locals at UVU and in Oram that there was buzz about it and people knew about that event and where it was going to be held even long before there. So there was a good [clears throat] two weeks, week and a half advance of people knowing about where this this event was going to be held. And the other thing about that is like there's not a lot of space at UVU. >> Yeah. >> You know, there there's kind of only one place where they're going to be. I believe the Sorenson Center can hold like about a thousand people in an indoor venue. >> Mhm. >> Um so if you know that event is being held at UVU, it's not you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out where it's going to be held in the courtyard. And then obviously you can look at that courtyard and say, "I wonder where they're going to put the main speaker." It's pretty obvious. >> And you're right to that. I kind of likened it once to um you if you took an overhead of thermopoly, you you know where it was going to go down. >> Yeah. >> And so um yeah, it it's where we were going to be. Yeah. you know, so >> um it was also said right at the beginning there was no access to the roof and it had to be an inside or professional hit. Um I was shocked to see at UVU you can walk right up to and and really from the courtyard area you basically have a covered and concealed way to get up there. I mean it's it's easy access and all you have to do is is jump the railing. Um, some other things we heard right off the beginning, and we'll talk more about him specifically, but Rick Cutler used a palm gun to kill Charlie. An iPhone gun was from someone in the crowd killed Charlie. TPUSA had a camera gun behind him and that's what killed Charlie. Exploding microphone or exploding cross is what killed him. Uh, there was an assassin in the trap door beneath the table. Both of those utility hatches were far to the left, were exposed to the public the entire time throughout that event. That was ridiculous. Uh they said there was a shooter that looked like a bush on the balcony of the Brandon Fugal building at Charlie's 4:00. Um not plausible due to the visibility of everyone. That that is going there. One of the things I immediately noticed was everything is so much closer than it looks on TV. Like the idea that somebody would be up on that balcony that is like 100 feet away and people not see them. I mean it's just it's insane. Uh there was a shooter on the roof of the Brandon Fugal building at Charlie's 4:00. There was no line of sight to that spot. We we've proven that. The wound that we see is an exit wound and that Charlie was actually shot from the rear. Uh Charlie faked his death and what we see is a hologram that's been going around. Um also that he faked his death and that was all special effects. Uh the FBI footage was AI because people disappeared behind trees. I proved that was not true at UVU. Uh they said Tyler Robinson was never at UVU. Both of his parents identified him through the surveillance footage at UVU. And there's a lot of other evidence that proves that he was there. Uh we heard that the landscaping work was done by Matt Robinson, Tyler's father. That was not true. That is a lie. That there were flying drones that no one could see that shot and killed Charlie and was using some sort of IR laser to target them. Uh you the security team. Uh, another lie was that you, the security team, drove him to the hospital that was further away to intentionally delay his treatment. That takes a quick Google search. It's not true. Charlie was taken to the Tempanogus Regional Hospital, which had a level three trauma rating and was 5 to 8 minutes drive depending on the time of day. The next nearest one that had a trauma rating was Utah Valley Hospital, which had a level two trauma rating, but it was 10 to 12 minute drive depending on the time of day. Uh there was said that there was no autopsy and you know there was no medical examiner's report. That was a lie. Everyone said there was no blood on any of you after you were treating Charlie. Um I posted pictures and I had a whole video on that and said that was a lie. You know all of these and and I could list 20 more but all of these are lies and not a single one of these lies were put forward by the government. This was all generated by social media and I think there's lots of different reasons for it. I do think that we are in the middle of some sort of psychological operation. I think people both uh foreign adversaries are capitalizing on this moment and they're exploiting people's distrust of our government and I do think there's [clears throat] political and other ideological entities that are planting these seeds and pushing this for more division here in the United States and within the Conservative party and just creating chaos. I don't think they care to be honest whether you're conservative, you're left and I think we end up being manipulated on all sides of the political aisle by these agendas that use our own biases and and our own vulnerabilities because of what we believe. >> I agree. And and this didn't happen overnight. >> No. So if and you go back [clears throat] I kind of I came from a law enforcement family and and remember you know my dad just going to work right and and then and then so I was like well I I never and maybe he hid it well but I never uh remember him talking about which he he didn't talk about business at home but uh you know like what's the media saying or what people are chattering about because we didn't have online back then access >> and and then and and then I entered into this in the early 90s and um it didn't exist but um I watched it progress right [snorts] and then and through law enforcement career into the private security career career and you see things that it's like the boiling pot syndrome right where it kind of happens and then people are like yeah it's not me though or it doesn't affect us and then and then we're just surrounded by at now where people you have to worry about perception. >> Yeah. >> And we I talk to the guys about that a lot that um we have to make sure that our operational operational tactics and procedures obviously um we're there to protect the client, but I tell them all the time, you know, we're also out there to protect their reputation. So, if you say something bad or you look bad or you have something that that brings a derogatory look towards your client, it's just as bad. And then the the people out there are going to run with it. >> And and so, um, there's that out there now that >> and there's no way to control it. It's like a forest fire of stupid that has no ability to be put out and we won't and and to the point of the Constitution and the First Amendment and and you fought for it >> and and and so I believe in it and and so but these people are just abusing and abusing that and so we're in this we're literally in a boiling pot now and it's boiling around us and uh and So, how are we going to fix it? And um and there's an insatiable thirst for information. And I don't blame people for that, >> right? >> We have been lied to by our government. Mhm. >> Um I was talking to a after dinner last night, I was talking to one of my buddies from Canada and um and we were just kind of chatting back and forth and and you know he how do we get how did you how do we get here and um we have been lied to? >> We've been lied to about things that >> it's it's unbelievable and by our government. Yeah. And then he and I travel the world together and and go to places and do kind of sketchy things and for adventure. And a lot of the time the only difference between these third world countries leaders and our leaders or the brand of the suit that they're wearing. They're stealing. So are they. They're lying. So are they. >> You know, and so acquisition of money and power. What's the difference between them and us? >> Just >> we're we're smarter at figuring out how to do it legally. still it's still just as corrupt and we're doing the exact same things >> and then we sat back and watch it and so and that's something like I said it's progression and you know we we had it at local levels and you you saw that but now it's like this is a global level because it's the internet it's the worldwide web and you're right why would you not if you're a foreign adversary of the United States feed that narrative >> you know one of the things that came to me and was kind of disart heartening was [clears throat] um it was a guy who uh government official retired uh had some really good insight uh for me on this and he said you got to know that you're on the radar for the Chinese and the Russians now they've got a full workup for you and I well why would I'm nobody oh you're somebody you're you're a privar you're a catalyst and he said they have a full work up on you now. Not [snorts] such a big deal at home, but when you travel abroad, it could be valuable, you know, man. [snorts] >> Yeah. You know, and that's the thing, you know, our enemies are looking at the long game. And this is one of the things, you know, I used to teach teach people security, situational awareness, and part of that was, you know, their electronic footprint. And we have Russia, China, and all these other state sponsored elements. They're monitoring all of these people that have government ties and everything else. And just like people like you, you're saying, "Hey, I'm nobody. Why would they be monitoring me? You're nobody today, but five years from now, you could have direct access to people. You could be running for office. You could be somewhere in a position of power." And they're thinking about that and they're figuring out ways to exploit you in the future. And that's, you know, like these types of things that are taking place are so much more strategic and so much more engineered than people realize. And and that's the thing that I just hope people can take away from this. Yeah, the government lies, but we have to be just as suspicious of all these other sources of information. And when you're constantly getting from that source of information, they're proven wrong, proven wrong, proven wrong, and or they jump from one thing to another. Like, you know, some of these some different social media outlets out there have pushed these exact like four or five of these and these are all mutually exclusive theories, right? And when they're pushing four or five of these at the same time or they're jumping from one to the next to the next to the next, you know, hopefully and you know, the reality is some people are out there just looking for clicks. They want something sensational, salacious, and then I think there's a much more sophisticated side of that that we're being fed as well. >> I agree. And and and so here's my question to [clears throat] um the big platforms uh the leaders, the owners of the big platforms. It's like, you know, this is going on. >> Yeah. >> And then you're complicit in it. And you're complicit in it to the fact that you know where it comes from and you just let it. >> Yeah. >> And so, and why are you letting it? Well, obviously money. They're monetizing that stuff, you know. And so, at what point does somebody step in and go, "Hey, you can't do this." The last thing that I want is, you know, YouTube or any of these platforms to um I don't know, censor more than they do. With that being said, I think this comes back to an American principle of personal responsibility. Because if you if your argument is, look, I have to step up and report this stuff because government's corrupt and they're not telling the truth or mainstream media is not telling the truth. You can't combat lies with lies. And you know the the answer is we hold ourselves to a higher standard of ethics of honesty and make sure that you know it's okay for us to um it it's okay for us to editorialize and to you know say what we think's going on but we need to make sure that that is very clear when we do that and separate fact from speculation and it's like here's the facts here's how I interpret them just so you No, this is how I I do this. And you know, I'm a I'm I'm a great example of this. Like, when I first saw Charlie was shot, I genuinely thought that he had some sort of ballistic plate. What I saw was that, you know, it looked like he was shot in the chest and we had a deflection. Um, and I made it, but I made it very clear like, hey, I'm speculating on this. Even when I was talking about what you guys were doing behind the table, I said, hey, look, I don't know what's going on behind the table. I'm speculating on this, but I think it's important to have this counternarrative. And I was definitely wrong on on on one of those. And soon as I had information, I was like, "Hey, I just want you guys to know there's additional information to come out. I think I'm wrong on this." And finally, I was able to confirm through you once you started talking to me. That's one of the first questions I asked you was, you know, was was Charlie and I because I want to prove my own theory wrong. And that's how we that's how we investigate ethically. And as far as everyone else out there, there was a time in America where like you would be condemned if you started saying someone was guilty of something without a shred of evidence. And now not only is it not condemned, it's encouraged and it's monetized like you said. So there's huge incentive to lie about people and there seems to be no ramifications. And I do think that people need to realize defa defamation laws are still a thing. We shouldn't liel people and we shouldn't need a a you know a a legal system to like people should be able to self-regulate. And you know the first amendment like the second amendment is a is a right of ours and it's a tool that can be used for good or it can be used for harm. And as Americans like you know we just need to hold ourselves to a higher standard. I think that's going to be hard because I agree. I mean, we we as Americans can't even regulate what we put in our mouths, >> much less what comes out of it. >> You're not wrong. >> And so, I mean, look at us when we walk around. You You want to get a judgment of not a judgment, but a like a a full view of what we are as Americans. Walk around an airport and realize how people struggle just to walk. >> Yeah. and and to see that their body makeup then how many people that of of age should be just trucking along. And so we can't reg we can't even self-regulate what we put in much less something so easy is what we can throw out. And that there's no accountability either way. And I I think people should know and I know you feel this way. I'm not saying we're for the conspiracy theorists, but I'm I'm not a conspiracy theorist per se, but I do believe that there's always and has been historically stuff that's going on in the background that we don't know about. >> Yeah. >> And and but I'm on their side. >> Yeah. >> Ask questions, man. >> Yeah. >> Ask hard questions like to you today. No softballs, you know. This is not, you know, a Biden era press deal where they just, you know, ask him what kind of ice cream he eats. You know, hard questions need to be asked and answered. And if you and if they can't, then maybe we need to go with somebody else. >> And that's not something that again happen overnight. This has been a trend uh for a while. And then you take something like the internet and it makes it so easy to be an expert. people to really think in their heads, well, let me Google this real quick. And then they come back with this expert opinion. And I'm like, man, you didn't even And you can kind of even do a track back and look at, oh, he he he didn't go past the first page, you know. [snorts] And so I I just look at this and and you know, you're a trainer and and have a range and we do too. We have guys that physically come to the range and I see them manifest the things in their physical actions with a handgun that they see there that are absolute, you know, third world idiocy. And I'm like, "Hey, you can't do that." And that's their training. And they think they're an expert because they watched it on some, you know, social media channel. >> It's like they're seeing and there's doing, you know, and and so people inherently we are as a species physical learners. >> Yeah. And um we've dropped that to the wayside. Online school during COVID, you think those kids grasped the concepts of what they were learning by watching on the internet while they're looking at their phones, >> right? >> It's not happening, guys. >> And so I I agree with them and I understand, but at some point there there has to be some self-regulation and heavens know I don't want any more government regulations. >> Yeah, agreed. But none because you know why we do need them but if we I can't trust them. >> Yeah. >> We can't trust them. >> Yeah. >> To to do the right thing with it. >> Well, I I you know I think we saw that whole thing play out and it probably took longer than we wanted it to. But we saw that the you know mainstream media continued to ruin its credibility, continue to go down this path of clearly pushing an agenda over the truth. Um, and unfortunately, I think this is just going to be another phase where we see these people out there trying to say that they're looking for the truth while they're pushing lies. And it's shortsighted, you know, and it's a shame because there's some people out there in the media that I've respected for a really long time that I think have I I don't know, they they've took a hard left turn somewhere that they shouldn't have and I think are they maybe experiencing some short-term money, fame, uh, popularity. I think when when everything comes out, you know, they're going to wish they'd kind of done things with a little bit more of a guided by a moral compass. >> You see that now, though, and it's funny. Somebody will prove them wrong like you, and it literally it's like anyway. >> Yep. >> That's their response. Anyway, >> it's it's cognitive dissonance >> and and so it's like, well, wait a second. I want to pull them in and go, "No, >> I want an apology." >> Yeah. >> I want something right here, right now. I want you to go back out and it doesn't happen anyway. Dismiss. Dismiss you. You know, and that's a learned skill. >> Yeah. It takes reps. >> Absolutely. And and and they watched people do it that are above them or our media or our leaders. Anyway, move along, peasant. >> Yep. >> And so, >> yeah. And that's the thing too is like everything that people are so upset about the government like being dismissive of people's competing ideas they're doing it at a at a much more rapid rate. Um and that is one thing that you know whether we're talking about Butler whether we're talking about even some of the co things or even going back to uh the Las Vegas shooting with Stephen Paddock. One of the things that I think people are really disgusted with is the fact that these government institutions when we're like, "Hey, we want answers to some of these things." Like they almost it's like they hold the American people like you don't deserve like who do you think you are? >> I mean there's there's there's a prime example of that right now and and Charlie was an adamant voice for it was the Epstein files. Mhm. >> I mean, you've got >> talk about a conspiracy for that that >> a vast majority of the American people. I mean, I don't know anybody. Let's let's go to DC right now, you know, down the road and say, "Hey, what do you want to know about the Epstein files?" And how many people out of a hundred would go nothing? >> Yeah. >> And so, why don't we know more about that? Why didn't that just like here you go? >> Yeah. and and and so when stuff like that happens and then January 6th and all these things, do you blame people? >> Nope. >> And so for the people out there that are just shotgunning stuff against the wall, it's wrong, but I understand the catalyst for it. >> The American people are thirsty for information. They're thirsty and they're craving um oversight on the government and that's why and in that desperation they'll fill the cup with just about anything and I think that's that's >> and that's a human condition. It is. >> It It's so I again, no blame. It those people out there, they're in the media doing it. Um I understand the catalyst that you think you're serving. >> Uh but um don't be part of the problem, be part of the solution. >> 100%. Couldn't agree more. You know, one of the main reasons that uh you know, after we talked, one of the main things that I I wanted to do was get you on here to hear your side of the story. And one of the things you really conveyed to me and and you said, you know, look, I've been doing this a long time, I'm okay. It's not about me, it's about my men. You know, so many of the guys in your team, they're younger guys. They still have careers ahead of them. And obviously, this is going to affect them in ways that you can't imagine. And there are so many things outside of their control. And we'll get into some of those things. But one of the one of the people that I wanted to bring up, um, let's talk a little bit about Rick Cutler. >> The way that he has been targeted multiple times and the information that's been put out by so many people, you know, again, they said he had a palm gun. Later that changed to like a detonator. Um the the moment I saw this there there's a screenshot that they took from when you guys were back there after Charlie was was shot. If you play the video, you never even see this moment in time. And when you're looking at it in context, but somebody took a screenshot that shows Rick quote unquote smiling. It never looks like a smile to me to begin with. It looks like he's grimacing. You know, I'm sure as we've talked there's very few times that we've smiled, but if you catch us in, you know, our mouth articulation and take a screenshot of it, you can put that up there. And the problem is is somebody takes that says, "Oh, this guy's smiling and laughing and then it turned into laughing and joking behind that table and then you play the actual video and like that's just a quick moment time." That's like he's it looks like it looks like it's clearly to me that he's grimacing and and I can understand you know you're seeing something shocking that you weren't expecting. So tell us a little bit about who Rick is and you know I don't know how much I'm sure you've talked with him multiple times but you know give us give us some background on on Rick. >> Rick is um you know I look at Rick and I'm like and Rick and I are are kind of strange. We share the exact same birthday. Same year, same day, same month. >> And so um he he fared a little better on the hair game than I did, but uh um uh and and I look at him and I'm like, I need to be more like this guy, you know, past, present, and future. And so when that those attacks started, I was like, of all the people, of all the people, and then the people that attacked him, it's almost like some sociopath woke up that saw some woman on TV and just like, she's my person. And these people just took to him. >> Yeah, they did. >> Rabbid dogged tore him up for no substantiable reason at all. >> And so, you know, first of all, speak to Rick. Um, and again, as a person, he's a phenomenal person. >> How long have you known Rick? >> Gosh, well over 20 years. >> Wow. >> And and and not just that, but Rick Rick was a legendary police officer. You walk around Texas and and and ask about Rick Cutler. And a large amount of people, especially in in the SWAT realm, know who Rick Cutler is because he served with absolute distinction on what he did. And then he was also the with the TTPOA uh as like training and s making sure people got good training. And he's the reason why that I got good training. He he I benefited from his professionalism and dedication to community and state and craft. And so um he did a career on that. And then you know when when his career when he retired he's like my service isn't done here. He went to South America and was an active part in rescuing sex traffic children and people that were held against their will at his own peril. He's like in in in service of the Lord, you know, and that was a big thing for him. And and Rick is one of our truly spiritual leaders. And so, I mean, he prays for us constantly. He's constantly putting prayers up for us. He's pro constantly putting biblical guidance up for us [snorts] because, you know, it is the way. That's the only way, you know, he he he's trying to bring that truth and the light to us, especially in a time in a lot of darkness. And so, you see, you know what he's been, you know what he's done, you know what he is doing, and then all of a sudden, you see this atomic flash of evil. And and here's my deal on that. For no reason besides some sociopath out there wants to attack him. And then me personally, the the weak part of me wants to be like, "Hey, Rick, whose car we gonna take?" >> Yeah. >> You know, and he's like, you know, just [snorts and clears throat] let's ask God what we should do about this, you know, and and he's hurt by it obviously because he's a human being. >> Sure. >> But it's like the weak part of me wants to know whose car we going to take. Well, I I mean the the fallout and it's not just uh you know when you're accused wrongly. Um it's not just you, you know, it's your family, your kids that that go through that. It's reputational destruction. >> Grandkids, >> grandkids, kids. people that that are haven't [cough] they're young, but they're old enough to hear, access, and and see that stuff, but not old enough really to separate truth from reality. >> Yeah. >> How how does that weigh on them? >> Yeah. >> And so that's that's one of those things. It's like you then I have to look at logically from a psychological standpoint, too. I'm not going to reason with that guy because if he was reasonable, he wouldn't have put that up in the first place. >> Sure. you know, you go to um um hostage negotiation school and one of the first things they tell you is don't try to reason with people doing unreasonable things. And so it's like I don't I'm not going to call that guy up and and try to re Hey man, >> this is he's unreasonable. That's why he's putting that up in the first place. And it's evil stuff. >> Yeah. >> And so to that I I would say I'm not going to give them any chatter. I'm not gonna I'm not going to listen to it. I I struggle with it. Still struggle with it, but not as bad. And it was due to um one incident where uh after Charlie was uh assassinated, uh man, the our world was upside down and uh I couldn't even get home for a long time. Got home, was home temporarily, boom, right back up there trying to assist um the family, the the organization with anything they needed. you know, you're literally just like a sprinter waiting in the blocks. What What can we do? And um uh I remember I came home on a and I I told my fiance I had I got a really nice letter from um a uh guy who heads the security at a church up called Denton Bible. And this it was just like, man, we're praying for you. We know what you're going through. and uh and and Clint made sure to to get me that. And so I was like, man, he didn't need to do that. He didn't need to do that, but it was it lifted me up. And so [snorts] um he made sure I got it. They handd delivered it. And so I got home and I said, "Hey, I want to go up to that church and tell them thank you." You know, I want to personally say thank you to these people for what they've done. So I'm sitting out in the service and they didn't know I was coming. The pastor didn't know I was coming. And so we're sitting there and uh he starts preaching and he brings up the assassination and and and Erica's response and all this and he said uh you know he doesn't he said man I I don't know how many times we're told in the Bible to to be still and trust in the Lord and he starts quoting you know it just over and and and so that that kind of hit me. It's like, hey, it's bad now, but there's a process and and and and he knows what the process is and it's not for us to question it. And so I was sitting there and then that kind of tamped me down a little bit. And then he he he followed that up with [clears throat] he said um uh when Christ was on the cross um I think it was his fifth saying, he said, "Forgive them, father, because they don't know what they do." And so he's these people that are out there casting that stuff that are chattering and and spewing the lies. Uh he said, "Forgive them, father." And so I was like, so that's me now. I'm like, "Forgive them, father. They don't know what they do now." That we're not laydowns. >> Yeah. >> That's why we're in this industry. >> Yeah. >> You know, that's why we you that's why you joined. Well, you know, I think it's also like this is what Charlie did. [clears throat] When when lies were being told, he got out there and forcefully and courageously told the truth. And yeah, we're going to get hit on this. You are going to get hit. People are going to take even this interview and and twist it around. I've already seen what a great interview you did with Sean. And I've already seen people taking snippets of that and completely twisting that around. But I think our obligation as Americans, as Christians, as just trying to be good men, is get out there and tell the truth. And even when the truth's unpopular, even when the truth is detrimental to your mental, physical, whatever else. And that's what Charlie did. He knew the risks. And we'll we'll we'll definitely get into some of that stuff. >> We're commanded to stand up and stand through. >> Absolutely. and and and but every year the [clears throat] amount of people willing to do that gets smaller and smaller. Churchill said it best, never and and and it was then, but it's now never has so much depended on so few. >> Yeah. >> And we're there. And at some point that breaks. >> Yeah. >> And then that's how Rome fell. >> And and and look, [clears throat] they know the tactics for that. They're trying to shut truth down. The moment you get out there and you're like, "Hey, look, this is the evidence. This is the logical assessment of this, you know, it goes to personal character assassination. You're a fed. You're paid by Israel. Uh, you know, they want to shut you down." And, you know, whether I know for me, I know for you and men like us, it's not going to work. Matter of fact, all I do is use that for fuel. Like you, that means that I'm telling the truth. If you want to shut me up, if you want to attack me personally as opposed to argue what I'm saying and and meet logic with logic, facts with facts and have that discussion uh have that discourse that between difference and you know that's that's the other thing that's really disappointing. There are definitely many people on you know from a look I'm I'm extremely conservative. I believe in the constitution. Um, I don't even want to there's there's some elements of the conservative party or movement that I don't want to associate with. There's elements of the Republican party. I don't really I'm all about this country and the Constitution. And you know, unfortunately, something like the assassination of Charlie dying for his right to speak his mind and exchange ideas peacefully. Somehow instead of that being a come together moment, it has been exploited to be something that's more fracturing than ever before. >> That's purposeful though. >> Oh, I I I am very aware of that. Yeah, >> it is purposeful. And [clears throat] >> I mean the Chinese philosophy is a death by a thousand cuts and and and that that they know that. We know that. We our military's practiced that since Vietnam, World War II. We we all know that. Yeah. >> It's just the level that they're doing it makes ours looks like child's play. >> And so and and that's fine if they want to do it from over there. They're doing it here. >> Yeah. >> And that's something that's known. And it's like, hey, if if our government knows that, why aren't they attacking it like they are the drug boats coming across, you know, the Pacific? >> Well, you know, the Chinese have an agenda and obviously lots of other foreign adversaries have an agenda and even political elements and ideological elements and even elements within our government that clearly have no oversight, have an agenda. And I think I think >> they're part of it. Don't don't dis >> They're a part of it. >> Yeah. And I don't I just don't I think part of this is just sitting back and seeing what damage can be done. And it doesn't even have to make sense. It's definitely strategic and engineered, but they'll throw anything out. And right now, people are just, you know, kind of >> Yeah. And and Charlie was a champion for that. Yeah. You know, uh you know, a lot of people don't know, but we've been with him for a while, and he started out as a a pretty strong, you know, independent. >> Yeah. >> And then and then when and then moved more to the right through the years, but but at the same time, he was a pretty equal basher of the right side. >> Yes, he was. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I mean, and that's our job to point out corruption and things that are not right. [clears throat] regardless of affiliation. Like we can't just protect our own when they're doing the things that that >> and and one of the things that he bashed him for was non-action, empathy of non-action. Like, hey, no, this is when you're to stand strong and firm in the Lord. >> And and and and take this to people. This this is the United States. This is not what United States was. And then we're going to let people do things here that are not American. And and and so and why are we letting that happen? Why? Why are we letting that? Why? And he was adamantly opposed to this and I and I oppose it too. Why are we letting pockets and pieces of our country become what where they came from? >> I agree. >> Hey man, you left there for a reason. >> Yeah. >> Don't come here and reinvent that piece that you left. >> And so I don't understand that. Historically, that's not what happened when all the when this nation was built, >> right? >> They they came here and they called it the American dream for a reason. >> Yeah. >> They didn't call it, you know, the Italian, German, English dream. And then, you know, it it was the melting pot that become America and >> we assimilated into something new. >> Absolutely. And um >> if you look around the world though and other countries, that's the way it is. >> Yeah. Yeah. You don't really have a choice. >> And and and there's a reason for that. We're proud people and they're proud people. And you know, and so I I think that at some point we need to start emulating other people and what they're doing. And then if our people won't do it, then we need to have find some that will. >> Yeah. No, I I agree. you talked about um being with Charlie for a long time. How how long have you been? uh 2018 I think I don't have the exact you know times but we were working for another company uh pretty much a lot of the the guys that are on it now were working for another company and we started we were working for that company which how that's how we garnered that contract and um and so um uh eight eight years basically and we've watched that organization grow uh into what it is now. There was a rumor going around and I never could find an answer to it that actually Charlie owned the security company. >> No, I mean Turning Point's its own entity. >> Yeah. >> And so, uh, I always tell people we own that company. You know, there's not a guy that that doesn't work for our company that couldn't run it. I mean, yeah. I I I look at your stuff and you know only you know the the stuff that nobody thinks is cool like the billing and the invoicing and the day-to-days and the compliance and the insurance and the taxes and I wouldn't wish that on them. >> I wouldn't wish that on them. But there's not a guy that doesn't work for me that couldn't step up and lead from the front. Not we do not have one person that couldn't run this company. Not one. They can do it because one um they wouldn't be there if they couldn't. are professionals >> and then at the same time there's an overwhelming aspect I guess you could say when they come in that's the way this is if if you don't get on the program that it's we and not you you're not going to work you're not you're not going to be part of this team and so no you know he didn't own any part of it uh he he he didn't you know he used turning point USA so Um [clears throat] there's a lot of misconceptions about corporate security, uh close protection, executive protection, whatever you want to call it. Let's talk a little bit about making sure that people understand the capabilities, the scope of what you do, what you can do. Uh, and kind of go through a little bit about, you know, un making sure that people have a clear understanding of of what the expectations are of a close protection detail. >> It is just that, you know, PSD, close protection, whatever you want to call it, it's close personal security detail. Yeah. >> Right. And so um and and it's a lot of it is about prevention, making people nonaccible through movement, creating, you know, we call it septed, crime prevention through environmental design. You know, you design things that so people can't get access to your guy andor if they do have access, they've been vetted. And so that's that's one of those things that you do. So you're you're responsible for the logistics getting them in and out uh me and then into and safely out of that event. receiving them so you don't show up blind anywhere. You're always going to from a known to a known. And so um that that that's executive or personal protection and and you know and so and then you have assigned areas and then those those areas when you assign them out you you have to have you know statuto authority for you can't just come in and make it. And it's hard because our team makeup is extremely professional. >> Mhm. >> You know, on that detail that we had um you know, career SWAT officers, uh Navy Seal, Marine, um you know, jiu-jitsu professor, globally renowned, uh former professional athlete, security guy. I mean, he just and and these guys have skills that are unbelievable because they're required, >> right? >> And then the amount of, you know, crap they eat because of they can't go do what they've done previously or what they know they can do because, you know, when that's not our job. >> Yeah. So they have to turn it over and a lot of times you have to turn it over to people of lesser capability and that's a hard one. They they they understand hey this is this is what their tasking is and so we do that on a regular basis and it's that personal close p close security and then you're tasked with little things that people don't even think of. like hey um the way we have to not have to but with the way we speak to people that's you know appropriate and and then the way we look and the way we act and the way we even intermingle with each other because we know somebody's always watching and so we have to be cognizant of we have to protect the reputation of our client not just the physical part of it. >> Yeah. And so it's close protection and then and and generally it's private you know and so the statuto authority uh for private security does not carry over from state to state >> you know it's different from stateto state and so and so that's why we we relinquish through premeings through logistical management meetings through area of responsibility assignments to the people of local authority that have uh jurisdictional authority and then we work on that together >> similar to a police department or somebody works. Not everybody that works at the police department's a sworn officer. The FBI that's an agent because there's a co-mingling of those assets to to make the big machine work. And that's that's a personal security detail right there in especially in a public event. And you know, people need to understand like as far as if we go down the whether you want to call it the chain of command or just the ascension of authority, like you guys are right there at the bottom. When it comes to the venue for instance, [clears throat] you can't just come into a venue and do whatever you want. >> I saw that, you know, it's like they never should have been there in the first place. And I'm like the the security is not worth their weight and salt because they let them go there. And I'm like, man, >> well, I'm I'm even, you know, you guys you guys have to work with whether it's UVU or and and whether they have, you know, campus police or whatever else. Like, you guys have to work with them. You can't just tell a venue manager, we're going to do X, Y, and Z. >> Oh, yeah. I'd much rather been inside the stadium. >> Yeah. >> You know, Yeah. and and controlled access and but you know the school says I mean and and look at it this way that's why they created the amphitheater for a venue stuff like that and so we get told that that hey this is where you have it and because there's an aspect control and don't forget this this was a student activity and that's where the students gather and so we we we don't have that to say over that that that's where they say we do it we do it >> and and [snorts] andor were the permit allowed and uh and to speak to that you know Charlie liked that he he liked that openness of it because that allowed people of dissenting views to come in and exchange information with and so uh that that wasn't something under our control. We just um are given that and then we work around it. We we do the best we can for it. >> And you know corporate security is is very unique in that you guys don't have veto power over the the client. The client is well I'll let you explain that relationship with the boss. It's like you can't just go, you know, a lot of people said come in there and say, "Well, you know what? I don't like this venue, Charlie. We're not doing it." >> Right? >> Uh what would happen to you about that long, you know? And and um >> here's the way that works, too. You reserve that when something pops up. It's like, "Hey," and and there's not discussion. Then you grab the back of their head and you push them out against their will if necessary. And so you you reserve that to when it's absolutely articulable, needed, justifiable, and so that the way there's no question to it. Um and but if you did that every time, and this is me, if we did that every time, I would be like, "No, we're staying here in this room and we're only letting people come through mags and I'm going to strip search you and then you're going to come in in a swimsuit and and talk to him if if that's the way I would have wanted to run something." But since that's not re real or reality, we have to do what they tell us to do >> from every level down, >> right? >> Uh our input is the last input. >> And that input comes from uh what we're seeing in real time. And so if we have to step up and override every piece of input that came through us to through them to get to us, it better be a reason that you're willing to bet that entire job on. And that's every day. >> Yeah. >> Every single day. >> And you know, with with a with executive protection or really with any corporate protection, and this really goes into even government. I've seen this. You know, when you're dealing with dignitaries and ambassadors, they're going to do things that you know is unsafe that you would advise, highly advise against. >> Oh, absolutely. >> And your job is to they're going to do it. Your job is to try to make it as safe as possible. Even though potentially, I'm not saying this with Charlie, but I'm just saying this is the environment that even though that person and that decision is putting not only them at risk, but other people at risk, your job is to get out there and ready to eat bullets if you have to. >> And that and that was a risk that we knew. We brought that on. It's like and and especially when we had guys that transition in from, you know, the military or whatever and they're like, "This is insane. this we need to call this off and or call do a call off here and move because why these 3,000 people in front of us aren't vetted. And I'm like that's not an option. That's not an option for us. We had to be able to articulate that down to 100% certainty before that could happen. Uh otherwise Yeah. That's a no-go. And so we >> It's not something under our control. >> Yeah. >> I wish it was. >> Yeah. >> All right. The other thing I want to ask you about or at least make people understand the limitations of the capabilities of PSD. >> Yeah. >> Like there's some things that you guys do not have the power, the resources to mitigate, deter, or even detect. Like, you know, if someone decides to fly a plane into your client out of the sky, you can't I don't want to say that. It's almost too ridiculous. You know, there's definitely some things that with given the scope of your capabilities, the manpower that you have, there's some things that you just can't mitigate deter detect. And being a close protection, long-distance threats are a challenge, especially when you have a large crowd in there. You know, people expect you to have this counter sniper team, and that's not within your scope. Now, if a client asks, "Hey, I want a a a close protection team and I want a counter sniper team." Those additional resources, advanced specialized training, those things cost money. Did Did TPUSA were they ever asking for that level of capabilities from you guys? No, because I mean it was nice because um TPSA had their asset management director Dan and so Dan knew the capabilities and so Dan would never come in and go hey could you guys go and set up a you know an observation point with um you know sniper capability sniper observer because he knew that would be outside the statuto authority and capability. So you wouldn't ask something that you know you couldn't do. And I have clients, other clients ask us all the time to do things that we can't do. Yeah. And I have to tell them, hey, we can't do that. >> That's and they never even came to you and said, hey, look, we would just want like five, six guys that are just dedicated. Because that's the thing that people don't realize when you have a crowd in front of you. Yeah. You're going to scan the rooftops, but like you can't do one, you can't do all things. Well, >> yeah. I mean, and and I can kind of build that out for you if you will. you know people started let's just start with the you know we had the site why did they pick the site and it's like okay well that's not our option >> right >> and whether whether from the college or from the client >> right >> you know we we danced with what rung us and that was that and so um and then it's like why didn't you have drones so let's start with that I mean I know that you have your own experience with the college and the drones >> I do >> and I mean you from what you said you had to worry almost a little bit about getting arrested Well, what I said specifically was I wasn't going to have that argument because they they don't just so people understand when I went out to UVU, I went out there to get a 3D scan and that required uh we had a a specialized surveying drone that did exactly that. And we launched that drone from basically right on the top of the roof, right on the walkway portion before you jump over the rail where the alleged shooting position was. We [clears throat] started our scan. I walked downstairs. I was going to go. I had a professional drone surveyor with drone license, all the stuff. He he already cleared everything with the FAA. Everything was good to go. Our paperwork was good, all the stuff. So, I was walking back down the stairs and law enforcement officer approached me and said, "Hey, is that your drone?" I said, "Yes, it is." He's like, "I need you guys to to bring that down." I'm like I was like, "Listen, man. That's FAA airspace. like you don't really have the authority to do that. He's like well the the [clears throat] UVU has a policy against drones and you got to get it cleared through them. I was like policy is not law you know. He was very professional very nice. Um I was pushing back and he's like yeah that's you know you have to get permission from them. I was like man that's not really how that works. I was like listen I have a professional drone pilot up there. It's his drone. Go talk to him. and you know they went up there and long story short number one we could be perfectly in the right and I wasn't going to push back cuz I I also think number one it's public space that is a public university that is FAA airspace uh I think that's a first amendment violation amongst other things. Um, so I could have we could have played that out and ended up in handcuffs and later on figured out we were right. Like, oh yeah, after six years in a Supreme Court case, we might have we might have won, right? >> Hundreds of thousands of dollars. >> Hundreds of thousands of dollars. >> There there's probably a more expeditious way of going about that. So, we tried to play their game and they wanted us to fill out paperwork and apply for this and doing this and we had one day to be there. um even if we extended our time there that we we had a good weather window that that was closing in on us. So long story short, we just went off went off campus and end up flying that drone. So they clearly believe that they have authority to do that. And you know, that's the other thing, too, like there's laws on the books and then there's this new thing, UAVs. And a lot of people don't, you know, law enforcement sure isn't getting training. Like, how do I like, you know, a lot of people think that you can shoot a drone above your property? They're on my property, brother. That's FAA airspace. You have that's a federal offense if you shoot that drone. >> I just I you know, we saw that these guys could have ended tragedy if they had bought a $300 drone. And it's like I I I spent thousands of dollars out of my own pocket last year for drones for the guys. >> Yeah. >> And and and and got they got licensed, but I I still can't go in and break the rules. And and then that's primarily. And secondarily, you have to understand that's the PD's job. >> Yeah. >> That's their assignment. That's their job. That's their statuto authority. They can operate that. That that's their job. that that's not a private security PSD around the bubble's job. And so what is if if it were up to me 100% I'd had our guy there with the drone and and the capability to do it and and but again if if that's your job and that's your assignment then then then do it or don't harass people that are doing it. >> And so that's an easy one. uh you know and we had the same overwatch >> and you and and you all did talk to UVU and ORM police or campus police because there is a I've even when I was there I was because I can tell you the all the law enforcement there which was probably and there's probably 8 to 10 uh officers on campus while I was there. This is you know weeks after Charlie was killed. Um, so they had security there and but I didn't see they were all >> more than they had the day of. >> Oh, definitely. Without a doubt. And and and by the way, they all actually knew who I was. Uh, and we were there. I was there with Gray Hughes, Steven Gardner. Um, I told them I was going. Steven Gardner is another, for people that don't know, another YouTuber. Uh, I told Gay Hughes I was going. He's like, you know, I was thinking about going. So, you know, we we ended up meeting up and linking up and it was great to meet these guys in person. But the point is they knew who we were. They were watching us. Every time we turned around, they were waiting for us to do something and I made contact with them, tried to build some rapport and like, "Hey, I'm not here to break rules." Matter of fact, I sent UVU multiple emails trying to coordinate this visit and I tried calling and I got crickets. So, I was trying to, you know, head this up and make sure that we, hey, what are your rules as far as drones? And uh anyways, long story short, what I'm asking you, there is UVU campus police, correct? >> Correct. And then there's ORM >> ORM PD. And you you and I talked to some ORM guys afterwards and I and I I'll be first to tell you that >> ORM PD um was after the incident an unbelievable help in in in areas that I can't disclose for non-disclosure reasons, but some of the things that they did for us to help us is well beyond the scope of post >> event post event. Unbelievable. Like personal things and attributions and follow-ups and hey guys, how's your mental health? These are men that care. >> Yeah. >> And that cared then and care now in women. And so it's like, man, some of the things they did. And so I asked one of them, um, you know, you guys have drones and they're like, yeah, yeah, yeah. And so I said, they said very active. He's explaining the drone unit. They're proactive usage them. And I said, you have anou or a mutual aid agreement with the school? And obviously they did because they showed up and they were there when you were there. >> Now was this this discussion >> same night? >> Okay. >> Same night. >> So still after he was he was >> afterwards. And they were like, "Yep, we got it." >> I was like, "Man." And I mean that's something for listeners and go do a foyer to either UVU or or say, "Hey, was there official request ever made for a mutual aid agreement or anou assistance the use of the drone?" >> And if so, why not? and and it it just I get it. It's the path of least resistance to blame the security team, but I don't think people understand that scope of work, assignments, capability that or statue authority and and you saw it firsthand and and so I I have guys that could have done that and and so and then the same goes for sniper or observer. Uh it's like I if I would have and our our guys have been trained that whole their whole careers, right? That's part of what they can do. And and so >> if I were to show up with my guys and went up and and and pulled out the tripods and put the stuff out and you know started glassing >> Yeah. >> they'd went to jail. >> Yeah. >> We'd have put hardship. It would have scrambled people. uh they have put hardship and negativity against the Turning Point brand. Sure, >> that's not things we can do. There are people that can do that though that have statuto authority. Again, it falls back to that UV says, "Hey, we only have six people that they gave us." >> Yeah. >> Okay. ORM, do they have people capable? They have a SWAT team with that. Do you have a mutual aid agreement? If something bad happens at the school, who comes and who shows up? We all saw them. >> Yeah. >> It's like, okay, you you'll you'll take them when it happens bad, but you won't take them when you just need to ask. >> Yeah. >> And so at here's my question to that to the people that didn't do that. Did you intentionally not call them with indifference? Did you not call them? Why did you intentionally say me? And is there a bad relationship there that we're not aware of? Is there history? I don't know. I I think you know there's always a little bit of I'm sure they've had hundreds of events there and you know nothing's happened until something happens. I think, you know, there's always >> complacency isn't always a factor in one of in some of these issues and sometimes it's just like, >> yeah, we can talk
