Mark Levin Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Unalienable Rights: The Founding vs. Modern Thought
Date: September 5, 2025
Host: Mark Levin
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network

Overview

In this episode, Mark Levin centers the show around a contentious Senate hearing where Senator Tim Kaine asserts that rights come from government, not the Creator—a position Levin vehemently argues is antithetical to America's founding principles. The topic serves as a springboard for a deep dive into the concept of unalienable rights, natural law, the American founding, and contrasts with modern progressive and Marxist thought. The episode also covers news on the Supreme Court, legal issues related to John Bolton, ongoing debates about illegal immigration and representation, antisemitism, and closes with a revealing interview with Trey Gowdy about his new novel and his life in public service.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Senate Hearing: Tim Kaine vs. the Founding Principles

• [01:54–20:13]
  • Mark Levin replays and analyzes statements from a recent Senate hearing where Senator Tim Kaine argued against the idea that rights are endowed by the Creator. Kaine compared this foundational American belief to theocratic Iran, suggesting government is the source of rights.
  • Levin expresses shock, calling Kaine’s remarks “preposterous” and “stunning”:

    “This is stunning. Anybody who's listened to the show for 30 seconds knows how preposterous [this is].” – Mark Levin [05:35]

  • Senator Ted Cruz’s rebuttal is highlighted:

    “That radical and dangerous notion, in [Kaine’s] words, is literally the founding principle upon which the United States of America was created… Government exists to protect those rights.” – Ted Cruz [07:03]

  • Levin emphasizes that America's system is based on the concept of “unalienable rights” from the Creator, not from government, as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.

2. Levin’s Analysis: The Founding vs. Progressive/Marxist Thought

• [13:00–20:13] + [20:18–39:02]
  • Levin accuses Kaine and many in the Democratic Party of embracing Marxist ideology, rejecting the country’s founding values.
  • He draws distinctions between Judeo-Christian values, natural law, and Sharia law—arguing Kaine’s comparison to Iran is a deliberate conflation to undermine the American founding.
  • On unalienable rights:

    “Individual and human rights, liberty and equality predate governments because they do not originate from governments.” – Mark Levin [24:40]

  • Levin asserts the divide: two “irreconcilable worldviews” about the rights of individuals—American founding vs. Marxism.

3. Judiciary News and Critique

• [39:02–52:01]
  • Levin discusses an NBC News article where federal judges—anonymously—complain that the Supreme Court isn’t protecting them from criticism and isn’t sufficiently explaining its decisions, especially in cases involving the Trump administration.
  • He characterizes lower court judges as “activists” and defends the Supreme Court’s authority to overrule them.
  • Critique of judicial activism and continued emphasis on defending constitutional principles.

4. Immigration and Representation

• [52:01–66:43]
  • Levin spotlights a Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona who refers to illegal aliens as her “constituents,” expressing disdain for her views.

  • “Illegal aliens are not supposed to be anybody's constituents. They're supposed to be out of the country. Out of the country. That's federal law.” – Mark Levin [55:40]

  • Argues that the Democratic Party wants to expand rights and representation to non-citizens, undermining federal law and American sovereignty.

5. News: John Bolton FBI Raid & Department of Defense Renaming

• [66:43–71:34]
  • Levin examines the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home, the apparent double standard in how cases are handled depending on political alignment, and the threat posed by politicized law enforcement.
  • He also reports on the Biden administration’s planned executive order to restore the “Department of War” title, using the story to highlight divisions in Republican and Democratic reactions.

6. Antisemitism, Israel, and Media Critique

• [71:35–75:44]
  • Levin reacts to accusations and misinformation about the Israeli military, condemning Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, and others for perpetuating antisemitic narratives.
  • He shares recent remarks from Israeli PM Netanyahu thanking American support against international legal attacks.

  • “These arrest warrants and false charges against Israel are a travesty of justice.” – Benjamin Netanyahu (as quoted by Levin) [71:47]

7. Hearing with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

• [76:05–84:05]
  • Levin covers moments from another hearing featuring RFK Jr. and Trump officials, focusing on government transparency and the politicization of pandemic data.
  • Debates about the influence of pharmaceutical companies with Bernie Sanders:

    “The pharmaceutical industry is a greedy institution which is charging us the highest price.” – Bernie Sanders [84:24]

8. Interview: Trey Gowdy on ‘The Color of Death’

• [87:13–104:39]
  • Trey Gowdy joins for a candid discussion about his new legal thriller, personal experiences as a prosecutor, faith, motivation, and his transition from law to writing.
  • On writing:

    “I am motivated by a fear of failure. I just don’t want people to think I failed.” – Trey Gowdy [94:46]

  • On faith:

    “I had to leave the courtroom because it was ruining my faith… How can you let this happen?” – Trey Gowdy [98:18]

  • A deep, honest conversation about handling trauma, doubt, and the search for purpose.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mark Levin [about Tim Kaine, 09:55]:

  “He is a coward. He's a fraud. He's a low IQ moron who's been in government forever… He either does not know or does not believe in the most fundamental core founding principle of our country, that your rights come from him.”

• Ted Cruz rebutting Kaine [07:03]:

  “That radical and dangerous notion… is literally the founding principle upon which the United States of America was created.”

• Levin [about judicial activism, 46:20]:

  “They are overruling these lower courts because these lower courts, in many instances, are out of control. It’s not a matter of throwing them under the bus.”

• Levin [on progressive/Marxist ideology, 28:25]:

  “Tim Kaine is a Marxist. He's an American Marxist and he ascribes to Woodrow Wilson's view.”

• On illegal immigration [55:40]:

  “Illegal aliens are not supposed to be anybody's constituents. They're supposed to be out of the country. That's federal law.”

• Trey Gowdy on faith and trauma [98:18]:

  “I had to leave the courtroom because it was ruining my faith. Just to be really candid with you… I found myself asking God a lot, 'How can you possibly let this happen?'”

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic | |------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:54 | Levin introduces the Kaine/Cruz Senate rights debate | | 05:35 | Levin’s reaction to Kaine’s comments | | 07:03 | Ted Cruz’s Declaration of Independence rebuttal | | 13:00 | Origins of rights: Founders vs. Progressive/Marxist worldview | | 20:18 | Judeo-Christian values and the American founding | | 46:20 | Judicial activism and Supreme Court critique | | 55:40 | Immigration, constituents, and Democratic strategy | | 66:43 | John Bolton FBI raid and Department of Defense name change | | 71:47 | Benjamin Netanyahu thanks America for opposing ICC charges | | 76:05 | Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. hearing—debate about pandemic data | | 84:24 | Bernie Sanders denounces “greedy” pharmaceutical industry | | 87:13 | Trey Gowdy interview—on writing, faith, and public service | | 98:18 | Gowdy on leaving courtroom to preserve his faith |

Tone & Language

• Tone: Combative, unapologetic, and passionate—Levin asserts strong positions and sharp critiques.
• Language: Direct, often polemical, laced with historical references and rhetorical questions.
• Notable Style: Frequent exclamations, repetition for emphasis, and pointed personal critiques of political opponents.

Conclusion

This episode uses a high-profile Senate hearing to highlight the ongoing battle over America’s philosophical foundations: government as the source of rights versus the founding principle that rights are unalienable and granted by the Creator. Levin applies this debate broadly—to education, the judiciary, immigration, and current events—arguing that Marxism and modern progressivism are incompatible with the nation’s origins.
He closes with a rare, thoughtful interview with Trey Gowdy, bringing introspection and humanity into the conversation about justice, faith, and public life.

For listeners looking for a comprehensive, strongly opinionated breakdown of contemporary ideological battles—with constitutional analysis, political critique, legal news, and an in-depth author interview—this episode provides a potent snapshot of the modern American conservative worldview.