Mark Levin Podcast

Episode: John Bolton's SHOCKING Indictment Explained!

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Mark Levin
Network: Cumulus Podcast Network

Brief Overview

In this episode, Mark Levin tackles the recent federal indictment of John Bolton, former National Security Advisor under President Trump, for alleged mishandling and improper disclosure of classified information. Levin analyzes the details and implications of the case, drawing comparisons to current and past controversies about the handling of government secrets by high-ranking officials. He also delves into broader topics including media narratives, left-wing activism, problems with sanctuary cities, the use of the Insurrection Act, and rifts within American and Israeli politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Elise Stefanik, Media Narratives, and Accusations of Islamophobia

• [02:06–04:23] Levin opens by addressing breaking news about Rep. Elise Stefanik, highlighting her strong response to media attempts to equate her criticisms of Zoran Mamdani with Islamophobia.
  • Levin reads and critiques a New York Times inquiry to Stefanik, framing it as "part of the game" to silence criticism of "jihadist" politics.
  • Quote: “I call Zoran Mamdani a jihadist because he is... He supports Hamas terrorists, which he did as recently as yesterday.” —Mark Levin quoting Elise Stefanik ([03:41])
  • Levin: “She's not Islamophobic. He's an Islamist jihadist and a Marxist and a Jew hater. That’s the problem.” ([04:23])
  • Emphasizes the difference between legitimate criticism of individuals and blanket accusations against groups.

2. John Bolton’s Indictment Explained

• [05:41–16:29] Detailed discussion of the indictment:
  • Bolton indicted on 18 counts: 8 transmissions and 10 retentions of classified, national defense information.
  • Timeframe of misconduct covers from April 2018 to August 2025, covering his period as National Security Advisor.
  • Documents included intelligence at the top-secret SCI level, some transmitted to unauthorized individuals, potentially including family.
  • Sensitive material: details on foreign intelligence, missile launches, covert actions, and human intelligence methods.
  • FBI raid on Bolton’s Maryland home (August 2025) yielded multiple devices and classified materials.
  • Levin is critical of Bolton: “What he did here is inexcusable.” ([15:47])
  • Levin distinguishes his own ethical handling of classified information during government service: “I had access to all kinds of classified information... you've never heard me talk about classified information, ever.” ([06:20])
  • Quote: “John Bolton really had some nerve to attack Trump over his handling of classified information.” ([13:36])
  • Levin rejects the idea that the indictment is ‘retribution’: “No, this has nothing to do with retribution. This is not a small matter.” ([14:40])

3. Presidential Powers over Classified Information & Media Irony

• [20:14–22:48] Levin responds to Rep. Jamie Raskin’s comments about supposed irony in Trump’s team prosecuting Bolton.
  • Argues that the President has constitutional authority over classification; Trump cannot be compared to subordinates like Bolton.
  • Quote: “The President of the United States is the executive branch. He has the power to decide what is or is not classified. He doesn’t have to follow any procedures by any department.” ([18:19])
  • Levin’s colorful response to Raskin: “Shut up, you mealy mouth commie.” ([21:02])

4. Activist Funding, “Paid Protesters,” and Foreign Influence

• [28:45–32:17] Levin features a segment from Nate Friedman, exposing the network behind paid anti-Israel protesters.
  • Ties activists to the Canadian group Samidoun (a designated terrorist entity), funded through a chain involving George Soros and the Tides Foundation.
  • Argues that these protests are “not spontaneous,” but “all organized, it’s all funded.”
  • Quote: “Make no mistake, Soros is funding this.” —Nate Friedman ([31:22])
  • Levin stresses the need for IRS scrutiny of such funding streams.

5. IRS, Political Investigations, and Left-Leaning Groups

• [32:18–33:31] Levin critiques media reports characterizing IRS investigations under Trump as politically motivated.
  • Argues that left-leaning NGOs and activist groups finance subversive, even terror-linked activities.
  • “These aren’t left-leaning groups. These are terrorists and Marxist groups that it believes are helping finance protests.” ([33:26])
  • He calls for equal scrutiny as has been applied to right-leaning groups.

6. Insurrection Act, Sanctuary Cities, and Federal Authority

• [40:03–48:39] Levin addresses Democratic critics accusing Trump of authoritarianism for proposals to use the Insurrection Act to enforce immigration law.
  • Provides historical context: Insurrection Act triggered 28 times, often by Democrat presidents for varied reasons.
  • Describes open defiance of federal immigration law by sanctuary cities and states.
  • Quote: “The power of the federal government, those powers are few, but they are powerful.” ([42:52])
  • Repeatedly frames current Democratic leaders as practicing “nullification,” reminiscent of Confederacy ideology.
  • Blames open borders for crime and humanitarian crises, and upholds the federal role in enforcement.

7. Media and Democrat Figures Accused of Projection and Hypocrisy

• [48:43–50:33] Levin targets media figures (Michelle Goldberg, Rachel Maddow) for analogies equating Trump to abusers or authoritarians.
  • Calls out Democrats’ supposed double standards: “They call you what they are.” ([57:11])
  • Quote: “We're the ones who stand up for the Constitution. They're the ones who rip it up and burn it up.” ([74:02])

8. Constitutional History, Federalists v. Anti-Federalists

• [60:49–71:00] Levin provides an extended civics lesson:
  • Explains the misapplication of "Federalist" and "Anti-Federalist" terms, drawing lessons for today’s political debates.
  • Contrasts constitutional republicanism vs. the “alien ideologies” of the modern left (Marxism, etc.).
  • “Democracy was the enemy of the Founders. They wanted republicanism, representative government, not democracy.” ([68:42])
  • Emphasizes the Bill of Rights’ protections of individual liberties.

9. Israel, Hamas, and U.S. Middle East Policy

• [76:41–95:13] Levin updates on the aftermath of Trump’s peace plan, Hamas’s atrocities, and the realpolitik of Arab alliances.
  • Reads Israeli and Arab media reports, noting warnings from Gulf States about continued Hamas presence sabotaging reconstruction in Gaza.
  • Critiques U.S. mediators’ leniency vis-à-vis Hamas (Turkey, Egypt, Qatar).
  • Discusses Israeli domestic politics, noting rising approval for Netanyahu despite foreign commentary to the contrary.

10. American Political Rifts: Fetterman, Sanders, and the State of the Democrats

• [99:35–102:54] Levin plays clips from Sen. John Fetterman, praising his independence and authenticity, contrasting him with party-first leftists like Bernie Sanders.
  • “Country first, not party first. That’s why [Fetterman] is an outlier in the Democrat Party…” ([99:57])
  • Fetterman: “I would never compare anybody... to Hitler... and that kind of extreme rhetoric is going to continue, we’re going to be more likely and resulting in extreme kind of outcomes and political violence.” ([101:37])
  • Levin: “These are the people that make this country work... not radicals who were bartenders...” ([102:54])
• Further discussion on the need for responsible, rational debate across party lines, referencing Pennsylvania’s moderate tradition.

11. Callers & Listener Interaction

• [111:30–112:38] Levin takes a call from a Pennsylvania listener, who provides a historical rundown of presidential uses of the Insurrection Act.
  • Highlights that many of America’s “worst presidents” never employed it, suggesting that its use is not inherently “authoritarian.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bolton’s Indictment:
  “You’re not talking about one document, maybe that was mishandled, stuck in a briefcase or a small file? No, you’re talking about scores of documents here, lots of information. I don’t wish this on anybody... but what he did here is inexcusable.” —Mark Levin ([15:47])

• On Media Framing:
  “She’s not Islamophobic. He’s an Islamist jihadist and a Marxist and a Jew hater. That’s the problem. That’s the problem. I’m calling him out.” ([04:23])

• On Presidential Authority:
  “He has constitutional protections and immunities that nobody else has, including the vice president... President of the United States is the executive branch. He has the power to decide what is or is not classified.” ([18:19])

• On Ideological Currents:
  “Their perspective is Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels... Ours is the ancients, the Aristotle’s and the Ciceros, the Locke’s and the Montesquieu.” ([61:12], [66:38])

• On Philadelphia Political Culture:
  “I grew up with guys like this. You could talk to them, you could debate them. They weren’t out to destroy the country... that’s what works in Pennsylvania.” ([102:54])

Timestamps by Subject

• [02:06] Stefanik, NYT, and accusations of Islamophobia
• [05:41] Bolton indictment: facts, context, and ethical critique
• [10:38] Details from the indictment and FBI raid
• [14:40] Retribution vs. merit in the Bolton case
• [20:14] Levin’s rebuttal to Jamie Raskin on Trump/Bolton
• [28:45] Paid protesters, Samidoun, and Soros funding ties
• [32:18] IRS political investigations and double standards
• [40:03] Insurrection Act history and rationale
• [48:43] Media and Democratic projection on “authoritarianism”
• [60:49] Historical lesson: Federalists, Anti-Federalists, and the real American system
• [76:41] Israel policy, Gaza, U.S. mediation, and Netanyahu’s approval ratings
• [99:35] John Fetterman’s centrist Democratic stance
• [111:30] Caller: Presidential uses of the Insurrection Act

Tone and Language

Levin’s style is direct, passionate, and combative, frequently interweaving legal analysis, historical precedent, and pointed personal commentary. He deploys sharp, often colorful language when referencing political opponents (“mealy mouth commie,” “fat slob,” “freak and fraud”), and elevates listeners’ and allies’ contributions. He frequently invokes constitutional principles and Founding-era language to highlight ideological contrasts.

Conclusion

This episode provides a thorough conservative critique of John Bolton’s indictment, the politics of classified information, and wider cultural and political conflicts, from left-wing activism and media biases to the constitutional duty to enforce immigration law. Levin situates the specific news story within broader ongoing battles over governance, national security, and American national identity.