Mark Levin Podcast

Episode: The Truth About the Democrat Party's War on America
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Mark Levin
Guest: Selena Zito (journalist, author)
Producer: Cumulus Podcast Network

Brief Overview

Mark Levin’s January 8, 2026, episode is a passionate, wide-ranging indictment of what he frames as the Democrat Party's assault on American values, traditions, sovereignty, and security. Levin contends that the party works deliberately to dismantle the nation’s foundational principles through open borders, attacks on law enforcement, and the enabling of what he labels as Marxist and Islamist movements. The episode includes detailed discussion of recent violence in Minneapolis between ICE and protestors, the rise of parallel, Sharia-oriented community organizations in Florida, and the distortion of American reality by online influencers and left-wing media. Guest Selena Zito provides a “Main Street” perspective, emphasizing that real Americans are far removed from social media outrage and influencer narratives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Democrat Party as an Existential Threat

[02:22] – [18:00]

• Levin argues that, when in power, the Democrat Party operates "as a criminal enterprise," subverting and rewriting immigration law for political gain.

• He suggests the Party encourages illegal immigration and fails to assimilate newcomers, resulting in potential national security risks and social fragmentation.

  "The Democrat Party has really, as in so many ways, a criminal enterprise when in power, has taken our immigration laws and rejected them... trying to find ways to import aliens, foreigners from all over the world, even if they're out of terrorist states into our country who they know will not assimilate." (Mark Levin – 02:37)

• Links the party’s historical roots to destructive ideologies: from slavery and segregation to “embracing Marxism and Islamism.”

• Calls attention to what he describes as unassimilated immigrant clusters (e.g., Somali community in Minneapolis), accusing them of "ripping us off" and reinforcing that the critique is cultural, not racial.

2. Immigration, Assimilation, and the Law

[02:22] – [18:00]

• Levin maintains that true reform requires congressional approval and adherence to law, not covert executive action or local sanctuary policies.

• He alleges that left-wing judges thwart enforcement and that Democrat leaders prioritize party loyalty over national loyalty.

  "The Democrat Party believes that you must have allegiance not to the country, but to the Democrat Party." (Mark Levin – 16:55)

3. The “Civilization Jihad” and Sharia Parallel Societies

[25:29] – [36:24]

• Levin brings up a report from Amy Mek alleging that Tampa, FL, is experiencing the rise of Sharia-compliant, parallel Muslim community institutions designed for long-term separation from American society.

• Describes "Itampa," a medical and educational network allegedly prioritizing Muslim-only service and using taxpayer money via school vouchers.

• Warns that such strategies follow the “Muslim Brotherhood's own doctrines... for building parallel Islamic institutions inside Western societies until Islam becomes a viable civilization alternative.”

  "This is not integration, it's separation by design... It's a segregationist movement that has as its purpose the destruction of our society and every society it's in." (Mark Levin – 30:12)

4. Recent Minneapolis Incident: ICE, Protest, and Violence

[19:59] – [25:29], [38:55] – [41:30], [75:11] – [99:56]

• Guest statement from Kristi Noem (19:59) on the ICE operation and confrontation that resulted in a protestor’s death.

  • Describes hostile environment for ICE, large increases in assaults and death threats, and blames local leadership for increasing crime and failing to cooperate.
  • Emphasizes that the protestor “weaponized her vehicle” against agents and that law enforcement acted defensively.
  • Critiques “domestic terrorist attacks on federal officers by the ramming of vehicles” as an increasing phenomenon.

  "We've seen over 100 of these vehicle rammings happen in just recent weeks. And this must stop. ICE alone is facing a 1300% increase in assaults against them and an 8000% increase in death threats against all of them." (Kristi Noem – 22:51)

• Levin echoes and expands, lambasting local Democrat officials for fostering a “militant environment” against ICE:

  • Plays clips of Democrat politicians, including Chuck Schumer, decrying ICE as Gestapo-like.
  • Blames media and Democrat leaders for violence and poisoned public discourse.
  • Conflates anti-ICE rhetoric with historical authoritarian regimes and current anti-American activism.

  "They have blood on their hands today and every damn day. They've created a militant environment against ICE agents, smearing them as stormtroopers..." (Mark Levin – 36:12)

5. Critique of Influencers, Media, and Online Discourse

[50:00] – [71:25]

• Joined by Selena Zito, Levin shifts focus to media and “influencer” culture:

  • Asserts that “real America is not online”—that everyday people focus on family and community, not divisive social media debates.
  • Zito’s on-the-ground reporting from Pennsylvania, among other places, reveals a public detached from online echo chambers and influencer self-promotion.

  "When I grew up, [the people] that influenced were people that I looked up to, like really good teachers or community leaders... Not someone that has this on social media or has a podcast or has a microphone." (Selena Zito – 53:50)

• Both criticize podcasters and online personalities who resort to vulgarity and shock to attract attention, arguing this damages American values and youth.

• Zito draws connection between the Tea Party's grassroots and the current MAGA movement: a coalition of faith-driven, working-class Americans.

  "It's my theory... that the old Tea Party is MAGA in many respects." (Mark Levin – 62:08)

  "Absolutely. The coalition that formed around the Tea Party... is very much reflective of what the MAGA coalition is." (Selena Zito – 62:22)

• Discussion on anti-Semitism emerging from new media voices and their lack of resonance with “real America.”

6. The Media, "New Right," and Foreign Policy

[87:11] – [94:00]

• Levin refers to mainstream and international media scrutiny (e.g., The Guardian) of conservative support for Trump’s foreign policy, defending the principle of “peace through strength.”
• Mocks and rebuts criticism from media figures and online commentators regarding Trump’s doctrine and recent military actions, particularly regarding Venezuela.
• Reaffirms the difference between “constitutional conservatives” and what he dubs the “woke right.”

7. Call-In Segment: Listener Reflections

[94:28] – [108:07]

• Several callers reinforce themes from earlier, including distrust of social media, support for ICE, and the importance of activism against Marxism and Islamism.
• Discussions of American revolutionary history (e.g., Haym Salomon’s funding of Washington’s army).
• Warnings against complacency with radical takeovers of major cities, and advocacy for confronting political enemies rather than using leftist failures as cautionary examples.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (With Timestamps)

• Mark Levin:
  • “Democrats first, Americans second. That’s right, I said it.” [16:57]
  • “They use our liberty, our electoral system, our constitutional protections to destroy all three.” [25:43]
  • “The Democrat Party... has been nothing but a cancer on the body politic. Nothing but from slavery to segregation to eugenics to Jim Crow, now to embracing and promoting Marxism and Islamism. Never Americanism, never Americanism.” [13:30]
• Kristi Noem:
  • “ICE alone is facing a 1300% increase in assaults against them and an 8000% increase in death threats.” [22:52]
  • “Since President Trump took office, Governor Walz has released over 470 violent criminals back onto the streets here in Minneapolis... This city has burned before, and your mayor and your governor let it happen. President Trump is not going to let that happen.” [23:44]
• Selena Zito:
  • “What is happening online is not real America. Real America does not spend their days and nights... doomscroll[ing] on social media. They care about things like, you know, being able to pay for their kids to be on a travel team.” [51:08]
  • “The word ‘influencer’ is so insulting... When I grew up, [real] influencers were people I looked up to, like really good teachers or community leaders...” [53:41]
• Caller in San Antonio, TX:
  • “The poisonous social media... causes many to have a distorted view of reality. For instance, me, I only get my news from the Levin podcast or like the Vince Colonnades, you know, podcast from Bongino." [95:03]
• Levin on “civilization jihad”:
  • “This is not integration, it’s separation by design.” [30:12]
• Levin on activism:
  • “I am so blessed to have this microphone and I’m so blessed to have people like you, brother.” [104:41]
• On assimilation and Islamism:
  • “We’re talking about the most radical elements, Islamists. Google the word Islamist, read it, learn what it is.” [33:50]

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [02:22] – Levin’s opening thesis on the Democrat Party’s threat to America
• [19:59] – Kristi Noem statement on ICE, Minneapolis incident, and national security
• [25:29] – Deep dive into “civilization jihad” and parallel Islamic communities
• [36:12] – Democrat rhetoric fostering anti-ICE violence, audio montage
• [50:00] – Selena Zito on real America vs. online culture
• [62:08] – Parallels between Tea Party and MAGA
• [75:11] – Levin’s critique of Chuck Schumer, Schumer’s anti-ICE quotes
• [79:51] – Response to CARE’s statements post-Minneapolis incident
• [87:11] – Analysis of The Guardian’s reporting, conservative media’s foreign policy
• [94:28] – Listener call-ins: social media distortion, ICE support, history anecdotes
• [104:41] – Warning against complacency in face of political radicalism

Tone and Style

Mark Levin’s tone is urgent, unsparing, and deeply personal. He freely admits his activist stance, favoring impassioned argument over evenhanded debate. The episode features repeated calls to action, moral clarity, and invocation of historical context. His language is combative, direct, and, at times, polemical—frequently naming political adversaries and deriding online influencers and media personalities. Exchanges with guest Selena Zito and listeners bring out conversational, anecdotal, and at times, warmly nostalgic moments amidst the otherwise high-octane pace.

Conclusion

This episode of the Mark Levin Podcast delivers a full-throated, multi-faceted critique of the modern American left, positing an existential struggle against Marxist and Islamist encroachment abetted by Democratic Party leaders. Levin calls for unity, grassroots activism, and a return to constitutional principles. Selena Zito’s perspective highlights the disconnect between online narratives and the lived reality of “Main Street America.” The show ends with listener engagement and renewed appeals to patriotism, history, and personal responsibility in the battle for American identity.