Mark Levin Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: 2/3/26 - Why Do Democrats Fear the SAVE Act?
Date: February 4, 2026
Host: Larry O’Connor (filling in for Mark Levin)
Podcast: Mark Levin Show

Overview

In this episode, guest host Larry O’Connor dives into the controversy surrounding the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act—legislation that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to vote in federal elections. O’Connor explores why Democratic leaders staunchly oppose even debating the bill, despite enormous bipartisan and multiracial public support. Through polling data, analysis, and passionate listener calls, the episode unpacks the political, cultural, and legal implications of election integrity, voter ID, and citizenship requirements. The latter half transitions to the cultural fight around transgender procedures for minors, celebrating recent conservative victories in the courts and medical community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is the SAVE Act?

• [03:00] O’Connor: The SAVE Act (HR22) mandates that individuals show proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and provide photo ID at the polls.
• Why It’s “Controversial”:
  • The bill’s requirements are framed by opponents as “restrictive,” but O’Connor challenges this, quipping:

    “That’s what’s controversial? You have to prove you’re a citizen to register to vote, and show ID to vote? You need ID to do just about anything in civilized society.” [05:15]

2. Public Opinion Overwhelmingly Favors Voter ID

• [06:00] CNN Pollster Harry Enten (clip):
  • Consistent, growing support for voter ID:

    “All of it, all north of 75%. 76%, 76%, 81%. And then 83% in the last year of Americans agree… They favor photo ID to be able to vote.”

• [07:00] O’Connor notes the rarity of such consensus:

  “When was the last time 83% of Americans agreed on anything about government or politics?” [07:20]

Bipartisan & Racial Breakdown

• Enten reports:
  • 95% of Republicans
  • 71% of Democrats
  • 85% of White, 82% Latino, 76% Black Americans

  “The bottom line: voter ID is not controversial in this country.” [13:20]

3. Democratic Leaders’ Hostility: Why the Disconnect From Voters?

• O’Connor distinguishes between Democratic voters (many of whom support Voter ID) and party leaders (who block the bill):

  “It’s not your grandma with a JFK photo on the wall—Democrat leaders like Schumer, Pelosi, and AOC oppose this.” [09:20]

• Standard Critique: Dem leaders claim photo ID laws are racist and liken them to “Jim Crow 2.0.”
• [15:23] Clip of Sen. Chuck Schumer:

  “The SAVE Act is an abomination. It’s Jim Crow 2.0 across the country, we are going to do everything we can to stop it.”

• O’Connor’s Rebuttal:
  • Calls out the “racist lie” that people of color can’t get IDs, pointing to polling where support is even higher among Black voters than Democrats in general:

    “76% of black Americans want it… more than the Democratic Party writ large.” [13:20]

4. Why Would Democratic Leaders Block a Hugely Popular, Bipartisan Bill?

Listener Theories

• [19:29] Brian (PA) [Caller]:
  • Suggests Democrats fear the bill would expose their platform’s flaws and their disconnect from mainstream Americans.

  • “They’re so out of touch with reality. Every American who loves the country wants propriety… Democrats would be shown for who they are.”

• [22:47] Dan (IA) [Caller]:
  • Says it’s all about enabling cheating:

    “It’s so they can cheat. It really is. I grew up in Chicago… you needed ID to vote in Iowa, and it lets you accept results.”

• [29:08] John (KS) [Caller]:
  • Attributes opposition to “pathological liberals” who crave power at any cost. Shares a story about his wife being registered to vote as a Democrat by default.

O’Connor’s Central Question:

“If 84% support it, why not even a vote?” [16:22]
He urges listeners to contact their senators and demand the bill be brought to the floor [56:45].

5. GOP Culpability: Weak Republican Leadership

• [39:32] O’Connor criticizes Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune for not making election integrity a priority:

  “If you’re a Republican and you have the chance to pass this and you give a mamby pamby answer about the housing bill, I’m kind of speechless…” [43:56]

  • Plays clip of Thune downplaying urgency for SAVE Act floor action.

6. Broader Election Integrity Concerns

• O’Connor highlights inconsistencies—how US citizenship is required for Social Security, passport, and legal entry, but not for voter registration [16:22].
• Stresses the importance of ensuring that “every American can at least know the election was run fair and legal, win or lose.” [20:31]

7. Cultural Flashpoint: The Transgender Debate

Recent Developments and Conservative Victories

• [60:35] O’Connor pivots:
  • Jury awards $2 million to a woman who detransitioned after surgery as a minor.
  • The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends against “gender affirming” surgeries for minors—the first major professional body to do so.

  “We are winning. Common sense is winning. Sanity is winning. Our children are winning. And the demons who support this are losing…” [70:16]

Key Questions for Democrats

• O’Connor’s “Three Questions” for any Democratic 2028 presidential hopefuls [73:12]:
  1. Will you reverse Trump’s border policies and go back to Biden’s?
  2. Will you tear down the White House ballroom and restore the East Wing? (satirical reference to White House changes)
  3. Can a man get pregnant?
• Mocks inability/unwillingness of progressive politicians or experts to answer the third question directly:

  “You need an advanced degree from an American liberal arts university to not be able to answer that question.” [84:06]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “83% of Americans agree.”
  —Larry O’Connor repeatedly, emphasizing the unique consensus ([07:20]).

• On Democrat leadership:

  “They’d rather tick off 71% of their own party than make 95% of Republicans happy… I mean Democrat leaders, not your grandma with a JFK photo.”
  —Larry O’Connor [09:20]

• Schumer on the SAVE Act:

  “The SAVE act is an abomination. It’s Jim Crow 2.0 across the country. We are going to do everything we can to stop it.”
  —Sen. Chuck Schumer [15:23]

• Caller Dan from Iowa:

  “You ask people, people of all races—everyone I’ve ever asked says, ‘Well, yeah [we need ID], so we know who’s here.’” [25:17]

• O’Connor on Republican leadership:

  “There’s your leadership again—leader—it’s actually in the title… He wanted this job. So lead!” [43:56]

• On Trans debate:

  “If you dare say men can’t get pregnant, or maybe children should be protected from these procedures, you could get canceled…” [86:51]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [03:00] – What is the SAVE Act?
• [06:00] – CNN data: overwhelming support for voter ID
• [12:56] – Racial/party breakdowns on support for voter ID
• [15:23] – Schumer’s “Jim Crow 2.0” statement
• [19:29], [22:47], [29:08] – Key caller opinions on why Democrats oppose the bill
• [39:32] – GOP leadership criticized for lack of action
• [60:35], [70:16] – Transgender debate, legal and medical shift
• [73:12] – O’Connor’s “Three Questions” for Democrats
• [82:01]–[86:51] – Testimony from a doctor refusing to answer “can men get pregnant?”; O’Connor’s take

Tone and Language

• Sarcastic, passionate, direct, and combative—Larry O’Connor channels Mark Levin’s winner-take-all rhetorical style.
• Frequent jabs at Democratic leadership (“elites”, “pathological liberals”, “power at any cost”), and frustration with establishment Republicans.
• Candid, sometimes humorous asides (e.g., ethnic names at polling places, quips about Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, culinary metaphors).

Summary for New Listeners

This episode delivers a hard-hitting, fast-paced look at why Democratic Party leaders oppose the SAVE Act’s common-sense voting safeguards when most Americans—including Democrats and minorities—are overwhelmingly in favor. O’Connor exposes party elites’ motivations, calls out feckless Republican leadership, and gives listeners a platform to voice their concerns. The show also marks a cultural turning point in the battle against transgender procedures for minors, celebrating recent legal and medical victories as evidence that perseverance pays off. Throughout, O’Connor urges listeners to stay involved and vocal, reminding them that hope and active participation are essential for America’s future.