Mark Levin Podcast — January 6, 2026

Episode Title: The Constitution and War: Who Holds the Power?
Host: Mark Levin
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network

Overview of the Episode

Mark Levin returns from a holiday break for the inaugural 2026 show, focusing on urgent constitutional questions surrounding war powers amid America's recent military intervention in Venezuela. Against the backdrop of America’s approaching 250th anniversary, Levin launches into a passionate defense of constitutional conservatism, American exceptionalism, and the proper roles of Congress and the president in making war. The episode is also marked by sharp criticism of both the political left and isolationist factions on the right, as well as an announcement of Levin's upcoming video podcast: "Liberty's Voice."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A New Platform for Conservatism: "Liberty's Voice"

[00:01–09:00]

• Levin announces a new independent video podcast, "Liberty's Voice," set to launch soon.
  • Four days a week, ~30 minutes each, designed to counteract the toxic turn he sees in much of online video and podcasting.
  • No investors: "I've always prided myself on my independence and this project will be no different." (06:11)
  • Focuses on real history, the Founders, and countering anti-American narratives in mainstream and social media.
  • "There will be no F words. There will be no smoking dope. There will be no fake historians and fake economists, no weird comics." (06:56)
  • It's a response to what he calls the “enemy within”—Marxist left, radical neo-fascist right, and big teacher's unions.
  • Will not debate or give exposure to "Nazis, white supremacists, racists, or foreign agents."

2. Assessing the Opposition: Left & 'Woke Right'

[09:45–18:30]

• Strong condemnation of the Democratic Party and online influencers he views as spreading “racism and bigotry”.
  • "Those of you who continue to trash our country...I am at war with you. You mean nothing to me." (11:43)
• Critique of conservative media personalities, including Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon, whom he accuses of betraying American values.
• Complains about the lack of platforms interviewing real victims of left-wing or authoritarian regimes, and says his aims include giving a voice to "real patriots."

3. Venezuela, Regime Change & Trump’s Actions

[19:00–35:30]

• Details Venezuela’s collapse under Maduro, the regime's ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and the humanitarian crisis.
• Praises Trump’s recent action in Venezuela as “the action of a great leader, a statesman, a commander in chief.” (21:55)
• Frames current events as a test of American resolve against both Marxist and authoritarian threats.
• Sees Venezuela as a modern extension of the Monroe Doctrine: "President Trump is instituting the Monroe Doctrine or what he now calls the Donroe Doctrine. And I like that—the Donroe Doctrine." (01:38:13)

4. War Powers and Constitutional Authority

[35:30–55:00]

• In-depth review of the U.S. Constitution’s war power clause (Article I, Section 8).
  • Explains that Congress has the power to "declare" war, NOT to "make" war—a deliberate change by the Founders.
  • Levin reviews the framers' debate, quoting Madison and others, to show the president retains the power to repel attacks and conduct military action in emergencies.
  • Historical context: Only 11 official declarations of war ever, none since 1942; most wars/military actions have lacked formal declarations (e.g., Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, Iraq).
  • Criticizes the view, popular among some Democrats and isolationists, that every military action requires a formal declaration from Congress.
  • Quote: “You now know more...about the declaration of war provision in the Constitution than virtually every senator and congressman in the Capitol…” (01:14:34)

5. The Monroe Doctrine and U.S. Foreign Policy

[1:38:13–1:41:30]

• Historical summary: Monroe Doctrine (1823), Roosevelt Corollary, Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Supports continued assertion of hemispheric primacy; defends U.S. interventionism in the Americas as essential for security.

6. Deep Critique of Political and Media Opponents

[1:41:45–2:00:00+]

• Holds up Trump as an “iconic, historic figure,” compares him to Reagan and Jackson for his courage and leadership.
  • “He is a red blooded American.” (01:07:53)
• Contrasts Trump’s decisiveness with what he sees as the fecklessness and hypocrisy of Democrats (Schumer, Chris Murphy, etc.), and the “neo-fascist woke right.”
• Plays and critiques TV and podcast clips from politicians and media figures who have shifted their positions on Venezuela and war powers to suit partisan needs.
  • Highlights hypocrisy: "How do you flip from opposing Maduro and wanting him removed and blaming Trump for not removing him and then Trump removes him and then attacking Trump..."

7. Celebrating Victory and Defending American Power

[2:07:00–End]

• Plays reactions of Venezuelan expats in Washington, DC, praising Trump’s actions.
  • “What President Trump did today—oh my goodness. This is gonna run for the books of history.” (02:12:45)
• Laments that mainstream and alternative media do not interview victims of communist or Islamist regimes.

8. Warning Against "Collectivist" Ideologies and Celebrating Private Property

[2:18:00–2:22:00]

• Criticizes “collective good” rhetoric on property, tying it to Marxism and the erosion of private property.
  • “Private property. For centuries, it’s been viewed as an individual right, not a collective.” (02:19:47)
• Accuses new New York City officials of anti-Semitism and totalitarianism.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On launching a video podcast:
  "I've always prided myself on my independence and this project will be no different… The Name of the show is Liberty’s Voice. Because that’s what we’re about here. Liberty. Individual liberty." ([06:11–07:51])

• On war powers:
  "Could it be clear now that I've explained it... They take the word 'make' out and they replace it with 'declare,'" ([01:12:50])

• On opposing fake debate:
  "No, I will not debate and give any other platform of legitimacy to Nazis, to white supremacists, to racists, to bigots, to foreign agents... This will not be effectively the Jerry Springer show as a video podcast..." ([08:05])

• On Trump as commander-in-chief:
  "Donald Trump is a great president... He is a red blooded American." ([01:07:53])

• On hypocrisy about Venezuela:
  "How do you flip from opposing Maduro and wanting him removed and blaming Trump for not removing him and then Trump removes him and then attacking Trump. He didn't go to Congress... It's so craven." ([01:51:55])

• On Americans’ readiness:
  "I’ve always had faith in you, Mr. and Mrs. America. I know we the people crave real knowledge, information and learning." ([08:53])

• On media and elite distortion:
  "They lie about the Constitution, they lie about the law, they lie about what they said a year before. Then on the Internet, you’ve got these insane neo fascist woke right isolationist buffoons..." ([02:15:42])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01–09:00 — Levin’s comeback, announcement of "Liberty's Voice" video podcast.
• 09:45–18:30 — Critique of Democrats, "woke right", and the state of online media.
• 19:00–35:30 — Venezuela deep dive; historical context, Trump’s intervention characterized as historic.
• 35:30–55:00 — Constitutional war powers analysis; history of U.S. declarations of war.
• 1:38:13–1:41:30 — The Monroe Doctrine: Past and present applications.
• 1:41:45–2:00:00 — TV/media hypocrisy, reactions from senators, criticism of partisanship.
• 2:07:00–2:12:45 — Venezuelan-American reactions; celebrating Trump's actions as historic.
• 2:18:00–2:22:00 — Critique of collectivist property ideology and NYC governance.

Conclusion

In this episode, Mark Levin combines constitutional exposition with combative media critique and personal storytelling to frame 2026 as a pivotal year for the country and for conservative activism. He fiercely defends presidential latitude in foreign affairs, urges conservatives to reclaim the cultural narrative, and launches a new multimedia initiative. He seeks to galvanize his audience for what he sees as a fight for America's future, insisting, "America’s best days are yet to come."