Mark Levin Podcast — “Defending Our Troops Against Political Sabotage”

Episode Date: March 7, 2026
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network
Host: Mark Levin
Featured Guest: Lee Smith

Episode Overview

This episode is a full-throated defense of the U.S. military campaign against the Iranian regime, with Mark Levin sharply criticizing what he sees as political sabotage and disunity orchestrated by the Democratic Party, certain media figures, and some voices on the political right. He argues that national unity and unambiguous support for American troops and leadership are critical—and accuses specific politicians, journalists, and commentators of demoralizing the country and aiding the enemy, whether intentionally or not. The episode features an in-depth discussion with journalist Lee Smith, who provides historical and political context for the war effort and responds to the claims that “Trump’s war” is a betrayal of his base.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Historic Unity vs. Current Divisions

[02:00 - 10:00]

• Levin contrasts the current domestic political climate with past American wars, noting, “I don't believe we've ever had a political party, a major political party that roots against our troops, against the commander in chief and roots for defeat as a means for gaining power."
• He singles out Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer for allegedly undermining the war effort.
• Levin chastises Democrats for invoking the War Powers Act and claiming illegality or a lack of clarity in the mission, calling such arguments politically motivated distractions.

"The Democrat parties giving aid and comfort to the enemy through its statements, through its actions." (Mark Levin, 08:10)

2. Minimizing Sacrifice, Amplifying American Ingenuity

[10:00 - 18:30]

• Responding to media focus on increased gas prices, Levin argues that most Americans are not being asked to sacrifice in any comparable way to previous wars, and technological superiority has thus far removed the need for ground troops or rationing.

"We're not making great sacrifices here. 25 cents a gallon. We're not making great sacrifices here. World War II, there was strict rationing... We don't have any of that going on. Nor should we." (Mark Levin, 13:05)

3. Media, Political Opposition, and “Operation Sabotage”

[18:30 - 28:00]

• Levin critiques media figures like Chris Matthews for their constitutional arguments and for framing the war as being “pushed” by personalities like himself, Ben Shapiro, and Lindsey Graham.
• He ridicules the persistent demands from journalists and Democrats to outline the exact mission and timeline, arguing that uncertainty is a reality of war.

"The point is their mission. Which is? Operation Sabotage. That's the mission. Operation Sabotage." (Mark Levin, 46:10)

4. Defending Trump and the War Effort

[28:00 - 43:00]

• Levin recounts recent Trump statements calling on the Iranian military to lay down arms and promising immunity or destruction.
• He details so-far-claimed successes: destruction of Iran’s navy, anti-aircraft weapons, and missile/drone capabilities, celebrating the partnership with Israel.

"[Trump] is not only one of the greatest presidents in history already, he's one of the greatest commanders in chief in American history. No question about it." (Mark Levin, 37:25)

5. Historical Case: Iran’s Longstanding Hostility

[43:00 - 50:50]

• Levin reads from a Lee Smith Tablet article detailing Iran’s attacks on Americans since 1979. He positions the current war as the culmination of decades-long calls, by both Democrats and Republicans, for military action to curb Iran's threat.

6. Interview Segment: Lee Smith on Demoralization and Historical Context

[50:57 - 68:44]

Key Themes:

• Demoralizers on Left and Right: Smith claims that anti-war voices blaming “the Jews” or “Israel” for the conflict are spreading antisemitic and defeatist narratives.
• Polls Show Overwhelming MAGA Support: Levin and Smith discuss new polling (93% of “MAGA” support the operation, 90%+ support US-Israel alliance) refuting claims that Trump is “betraying his base.”
• Trump’s Consistency: Smith: “The President ran on this in 2016, 2020, and 2024... He was talking about Iran and how Iran had to be stopped.”
• Democrats’ Relationship With Iran: Smith asserts that the Democrats are invested in the 2015 nuclear deal legacy and are acting in Iran’s interest out of political self-preservation.
• Technological Edge and Limited Sacrifice: Both agree the operation’s success and limited impact at home are testaments to American ingenuity.

"The really scary thing that a lot of people are afraid to confront is we're talking about corrupted souls. We're talking about very, very dark people." (Lee Smith, 56:40)

7. Geopolitical Ramifications: Russia, China, and Ukraine

[65:00 - 67:30]

• Smith explains how China’s reliance on Iranian oil makes Trump’s campaign a direct challenge to Chinese interests, describing it as a “pincer movement.”
• Levin notes Ukraine is currently aiding the US against Iranian drones, contrasting with Russia’s support for Iran in targeting US forces.

"I believe the number one foreign policy threat is still China, and Iran is very, very important to China... Their main asset in the Persian Gulf, losing Iran as they're about to. This is a very big deal." (Lee Smith, 65:02)

8. Condemning Democrat and Media Disunity

[60:00 - End]

• Levin questions why Democratic leaders, and media personalities echoing enemy lines, are attempting to create disunity, asserting these actions actively undermine the military.
• He highlights various media and political rivals (AOC, Newsom, Mehdi Hassan, among others) as aiding the Iranian regime “by demoralizing America from within.”

"They're giving aid and comfort to the enemy. They know they can rely on the Democrat Party..." (Mark Levin, 48:00)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Levin, on media gas price obsession:
  "We should be celebrating what's going on, celebrating this incredible achievement, celebrating our technology and our, and our industries that can bring us these kinds of weapons. Nobody has this." (22:10)

• Trump, per Levin’s excerpt:
  "I'm once again calling on all members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the military and the police to lay down their arms. They're only going to be killed. And now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people..." (35:14)

• Smith’s diagnosis of anti-war attacks:
  "The president's been saying this for years now. You're lying. You're lying when you blame it on. When you start trying to blame it on the Jews or Israel..." (55:12)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 02:00: Intro; attack on Democrats for lack of support
• 10:00 – 15:00: Sacrifice in war; gas prices debate
• 18:30 – 25:00: Criticism of media and Democrat “Operation Sabotage”
• 35:00 – 40:00: Trump’s calls to Iran, successes against regime
• 50:57 – 68:44: Lee Smith interview—history, antisemitism discussion, China/Iran insights
• 65:00 – 67:30: China, Ukraine, Russia analysis
• 72:00 – 75:00: Modern technological edge; condemnation of political/media sabotage
• 83:00 – End: Calls for unity; closing patriotism

Conclusion: Tone and Takeaways

Mark Levin’s tone is passionate, combative, and unwaveringly supportive of the war campaign. He urges listeners to see recent domestic criticism as a deliberate attempt to weaken the country internally (“Operation Sabotage”) and exalts American military and technological capability. The featured interview with Lee Smith adds historical depth, links current events to decades of policy, and pushes back hard against claims that Trump’s actions are betrayals of his supporters or the country.

Final Note:
For listeners seeking a rah-rah defense of the Trump administration’s approach to Iran—along with a historic, partisan, and polemical takedown of critics on both the left and the right—this episode offers a sweeping, detailed argument, complete with patriotic rhetoric and contempt for “demoralizers” at home.