CNN’s NewsNight erupted into chaos Friday night as host Abby Phillip struggled to manage a heated debate over the FBI’s Friday morning raid on John Bolton’s Maryland home. The former national security advisor, a vocal Trump critic from the right, prompted speculation of political motives, with some linking the raid to Trump’s legal battles.
Panelists—podcaster Pete Dominick, radio host Ben Ferguson, GOP strategist Kristin Davison, and former FBI agent Asha Rangappa—clashed fiercely.
Ferguson urged calm, saying, “Let’s just let this system work,” but was interrupted by Rangappa, who referenced the Mar-a-Lago search. Cross-talk escalated, with Ferguson snapping, “It’s pretty rich from John Bolton tonight.”
"There is no evidence that there was some top down order of political retribution in either the Obama or the Biden administrations."
— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) August 23, 2025
I'm not sure how Abby Phillip said this with a straight face. pic.twitter.com/JEpdr5hz1b
Phillip tried to restore order, directing Davison to speak. Davison cautioned against rushing to judgment, citing past political retribution, including IRS targeting of Tea Party groups under the Obama and Biden administrations. Dominick dismissed this as “nonsense,” sparking another round of shouting. Ferguson and Davison doubled down, insisting the IRS actions were factual.
As the panel devolved into accusations, Phillip pleaded, “Everyone, just stop talking for a moment,” struggling to regain control.