Mark Levin Podcast — 1/27/26: The Truth Behind America's Immigration Battle
Host: Mark Levin
Date: January 28, 2026
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network
Overview
This episode centers on what Mark Levin characterizes as "America’s Immigration Battle," with an intense focus on the aftermath of a deadly ICE protest in Minnesota, broad issues of sanctuary cities, the constitutionality of immigration enforcement, and harsh criticism of both Democrat and (some) Republican politicians. Levin links recent events to broader concerns about the undermining of law enforcement, the U.S. Constitution, and national identity. The podcast also features calls from several listeners—liberals and leftists—whom Levin challenges on their views about America.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Frustration with Immigration Policy and Law Enforcement Opposition
- Levin expresses deep frustration with the lack of action on both national debt and especially immigration enforcement.
- He claims that left-wing organizations, politicians, and mayors/govs are “gaslighting” the public, undermining law enforcement, and creating unsafe environments.
- Point-by-point, he reviews what he views as the legal and moral obligations of citizens and leaders in the face of illegal immigration and law enforcement actions.
- He states federal law is clear, emphasizing that “the federal government has plenary power over immigration. It’s right there in the Constitution.” [10:40]
- Denounces sanctuary cities/states, calling them unlawful nullification and branding them as using “the same arguments used by the Confederate Democrats.” [08:20]
2. Critique of Political and Media Responses
- Levin accuses Democrats of enabling illegal immigration for political gain — to increase census representation and Electoral College votes.
- He asserts preventing deportation of illegal immigrants is part two of a deliberate Democrat strategy: “First, wide open borders, then ending deportations. This is, as I’ve said many times, revolution by immigration.” [11:40]
- Expresses that Democrat officials are more loyal to party than country and accuses them of projecting blame onto Republicans.
- Asserts that “the mob moves in one direction” and criticizes media for double standards (i.e., downplaying crimes by illegal aliens but focusing on incidents involving enforcement).
- “You did not see 1% of the outrage from the Democrats or their media when American citizens were murdered by illegal aliens. Where was the coverage?” [12:35]
- Directly challenges Democratic leaders: “...protecting illegal aliens and criminals, not you, Mr. And Mrs. America.” [06:40]
3. Legal and Practical Guidance for Citizens at Protests
- Strongly advises listeners: Do not bring firearms to protests, particularly those aimed at obstructing law enforcement—frames this not as a Second Amendment issue, but as a matter of judgment and legality. [04:50, 57:00]
- “Do not interfere with law enforcement...doing so is a crime. It has nothing to do with the First Amendment, free speech or the freedom of association.” [05:30]
4. Listener Call-In Segments: Debating Liberals/Leftists
- Levin invites left-leaning callers to express “what they love about America.” These segments include:
- A self-identified leftist real estate broker, whom Levin debates about capitalism, Marxism, and what constitutes love of country. Levin challenges the caller’s definition of leftism and repeatedly presses for specifics, arguing, “What do you love about America? Not your right to protest—the country itself?” [44:05–48:00]
- Shane from Kansas, a self-described liberal truck driver, who says he loves the Constitution. Levin tells him, “You’re not a liberal, you just don’t know it.” [53:10–60:00]
- A leftist from Ann Arbor, MI, argues it’s reasonable to show up armed at protests. Levin firmly disagrees, calling it “dumb.” [86:59–88:07]
- A leftist from Palm Springs, CA, tries to compare the ICE shooting incident with Kyle Rittenhouse and Waco, but Levin claims the comparisons are specious and the caller lacks focus. [100:19–104:00]
5. Broader Themes: Islamism, Marxism, and Threats to American Identity
- Drawing heavily on Christopher Hitchens’ warnings, Levin insists that both Marxist and Islamist influences are entwined in current American politics and warn listeners to “resist it while you still can.” [38:00–39:30]
- References to increasing Islamist presence and activism—Levin links it directly to leftist politics and claims “the overwhelming majority of Islamists vote Democrat, and that’s the way the Democrat party wants it.” [39:44]
- Uses Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan 27) to discuss historical lessons about totalitarianism, anti-Semitism, and the need for vigilance.
6. Iran, International Atrocities, and American Responsibility
- Shifts to foreign affairs, especially the violence in Iran, lamenting media and political silence on the regime’s atrocities.
- Urges U.S. action against the Iranian regime, linking inaction to broader reluctance to confront evil: “If an Islamo Nazi fundamentalist regime is willing to kill 100,000, 200,000, a quarter million of its own people, do you think it’s going to hesitate…to fire a nuclear weapon on the east coast of America?” [72:36–75:45]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Immigration Law & Sanctuary States
“Sanctuary states and cities are violating the federal Constitution. This is not about federalism. The federal government has plenary power over immigration. It’s right there in the Constitution. It has always, and that is as the framers intended.”
— Mark Levin [10:40]
On Democrat Party Strategy
“For the Democrat Party, the party is more important than the country. Which is why you see the fusion of the Democrat Party with the socialist and communist organizations that are behind these violent confrontations with ICE.”
— Mark Levin [11:55]
On Citizen Conduct at Protests
“Do not arm yourself with a gun and ammunition… when going to any protest… This is not a Second Amendment issue. How you conduct yourself with a gun or a car matters.”
— Mark Levin [04:50]
On Double Standards & Media Coverage
“You did not see 1% of the outrage from the Democrats or their media when American citizens were murdered by illegal aliens. Where was the coverage?…But the names of those who are murdered by illegal aliens, not just two, but scores and scores. Their names are not known or quickly forgotten.”
— Mark Levin [12:35]
On Leftist Callers Defining Love of Country
“What do you love about the country? We have Shane in Kansas City…
Shane: 'I love the Constitution.'
Mark: 'So you love limited government, is that correct?'
Shane: 'Absolutely.'
Mark: 'So you’re not a liberal. Did you know that, Shane?'”
[53:10–56:15]
On Ideological Drift in the West
“This is very urgent business, ladies and gentlemen. I beseech you, resist it while you still can, and before the right to complain is taken away from you, which will be the next thing…”
— Christopher Hitchens (audio clip, as introduced by Mark Levin) [38:00]
On Iran and Foreign Atrocities
“I am worried… If we were fighting Communist China and we were fighting a real army, would it take us this long to get our assets in place? The Iranian regime has never been weaker, never—militarily, economically…”
— Mark Levin [72:36]
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:19-12:52 | Point-by-point breakdown of the immigration battle, legal/constitutional arguments | | 14:59-16:00 | Sid Rosenberg interview with President Trump on ICE/Minneapolis | | 17:34-22:00 | Critique of Democrat arguments, media coverage, and discussion of anti-ICE protests | | 30:15-32:00 | Dialogue with self-identified liberal Mark, debate about leftism vs. American values | | 36:34-39:44 | Discussion of Islamism in US, Islamist activism clips, Hitchens warning | | 53:10-62:16 | "Why do you love America?" call-ins and debates; Second Amendment and protest conduct | | 65:52-72:36 | Holocaust Remembrance Day, anti-Semitism, lessons for today | | 72:36-85:27 | Iran atrocities, critique of Democrat/media response, foreign policy warnings | | 86:59-90:20 | Further call-ins, armed protests, law enforcement, leftist callers | | 97:10-98:23 | Retired law enforcement caller: details of Minnesota gun laws, legal analysis of case | | 100:19-104:15| Call-in with California progressive, comparisons to Waco/Rittenhouse, Levin’s rebuttals |
Tone & Style Notes
- Direct, combative, unapologetically partisan: Levin repeatedly says things others “won’t,” aggressively interrupts or redirects callers, and delivers rapid-fire critiques rooted in constitutional law.
- Heavy use of rhetorical questions and legal-historical references.
- Personal: draws on memory of conservative thought leaders, current events, and faith.
- Mixes references to current news, law, and recent history to make broader ideological points.
Summary Takeaways
- Levin sees the immigration debate as existential—about national sovereignty, law, and American identity—not merely policy.
- His position is that Democratic leaders, through sanctuary policies and media complicity, are deliberately undermining the rule of law, enabling criminality, and using immigration to secure political dominance.
- Levin’s exchanges with left-leaning callers are intended to expose (what he sees as) the hollowness of leftist patriotism and the practical contradictions of their positions.
- He warns of a convergence between Marxist and Islamist threats to American values, drawing historical parallels and invoking both constitutional principles and Holocaust remembrance as cautionary lessons.
- In sum: This is a polemical, passionate exhortation to resist what Levin characterizes as an orchestrated attack on American law, culture, and safety—from within and without.