Ruthless Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode Title: “Is Dem Leadership Collapsing? + The Fate of the SAVE Act”
Date: March 19, 2026
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode of the Ruthless Podcast dives into mounting dysfunction inside the Democratic Party’s congressional leadership amidst the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. The hosts, in their signature irreverent and ruthless tone, dissect how Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are managing unprecedented leftward pressure, why “moderate” Democrats are a myth, and how these dynamics are affecting policy on immigration and government funding. They also explain the high-stakes debate over the SAVE Act (election integrity legislation) and why real solutions in the Senate are harder than viral talking points suggest. In addition, there’s a wide-ranging interview with Georgia Senate candidate Buddy Carter, plus some trademark Ruthless games and laughs.

Dem Leadership Collapse & The “No Moderates” Thesis

Timestamps: 00:00–24:00

Key Points

• The episode opens with a blunt assessment of Democratic Party leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, who the hosts say are “basically driving their party directly into a ditch” (Josh Holmes, 00:00).
• Multiple hosts argue there are no real moderate Democrats left; “There is no such thing as a moderate Democrat. There just isn’t” (Josh Holmes, 00:31).
• The leadership’s problems stem from appeasing the party’s radical left, causing repeated crises — from healthcare to immigration policy – with little to show for it but internal discord.
• Spanberger’s Virginia as prototype: Abigail Spanberger’s so-called moderate campaign is lambasted as cover for radical left governance, particularly on immigration enforcement and redistricting (Comfortably Michael Duncan, 04:25). Her administration refused cooperation with ICE and immediately pushed significant tax hikes.
• The hosts highlight a high-profile Northern Virginia scandal: a 19-year-old illegal immigrant sexually assaulting girls in a high school, with local (Soros-backed) prosecutors refusing to cooperate on enforcement.
• The pattern is painted as national: “They're literally in every metropolitan area throughout this country” (Josh Holmes, 06:22).

Notable Quotes

• “You shut down the government over a healthcare crisis that you then forget about, then you shut down DHS. And what do you get for placating the radical left in your caucus? Nothing.” (Josh Holmes & Duncan, 00:44)
• “It’s all an act because these lunatics in their party are dragging them around, forcing them to act like theater kids.” (Duncan, repeated at 00:10, 12:15, 18:02)
• “They have hollowed out whatever seriousness was left within the Democratic Party. Burned it like bone marrow.” (Josh Holmes, 12:29)

DHS Shutdown: Dysfunction in Leadership

Timestamps: 24:00–44:00

Key Points

• The shutdown of DHS is heavily criticized, especially amid escalating security risks from terrorism and border chaos.
• Democratic tactics are framed as shortsighted: trying to “win” on optics by funding only parts of DHS and leaving out controversial agencies like ICE and CBP.
• Ashbrook: “Democrats will not allow those people to be investigated and deported. It makes no sense.” (22:15)
• Host contempt for grandstanding over policy: “Who gives a f*** whether you win it or not, just reopen it, right?” (Josh Holmes, 17:21)
• The hosts argue Dem leaders can’t cope with activist demands and are losing the center, noting abysmal polling with independents (Smug cites Harry Enten stat of minus 61%, 09:48).

Memorable Moments

• “They want to keep winnowing this thing down. So Republicans… have said: nope, you either fund it or you don’t. Like, you’re either funding our Border Patrol, our Homeland Security, our ICE and everything else, or you’re not gonna get off the hook.” (Josh Holmes, 20:57)
• Ashbrook retells stories demonstrating the tangible costs of lax enforcement, warning that Democrats’ priorities endanger citizens’ safety in favor of ideological “theater.”

GOP Dysfunction: Senate Infighting and the Mullen-Paul Clash

Timestamps: 44:00–56:00

Key Points

• The show pivots to Republican infighting, particularly a viral blow-up between Senators Markwayne Mullen and Rand Paul at a DHS confirmation hearing (26:54).
• Paul confronts Mullen about past remarks on the infamous Paul neighbor incident. The hosts are dismayed at the focus, with Holmes calling out the “Days of Our Lives” nature of the exchange in the middle of national security crises.
• Duncan: “Republicans are not currently meeting the moment” (30:57), stressing these distractions undermine the ability to contrast with left-wing excess.
• The group calls for more “normal human being… well-adjusted adult” behavior to defeat Democrats by offering clear alternatives rather than airing dirty laundry (32:04).

Quote

• “The Department of Homeland Security needs someone to lead it. President Trump picked Mark Wayne Mullen... We need to get things done, brother.” (Duncan, 30:43)
• “We can't fucking do it. If today's hearing is any indication, we can't fucking do it. That's really depressing.” (Josh Holmes, 32:04)

The SAVE Act: Voter ID, Filibuster Fights, and “The Tool Bag” Debate

Timestamps: 56:00–1:02:00

Overview

• The SAVE Act, Republican election integrity legislation (with voter ID and proof of citizenship), has passed the House. In the Senate, it's facing a filibuster blockade.
• Most Senate Republicans are united but can’t force passage thanks to Democratic opposition and filibuster rules.

Key Discussion Points

• Democrats’ opposition to the SAVE Act is depicted as purely “if Trump wants it, we hate it.” (Josh Holmes, 43:43)
• Voter ID is a “90/10 issue” according to the hosts, with broad public support—even from Democrats (Duncan, 43:43).
• The episode features an in-depth breakdown (led by Holmes) of the filibuster, the “talking filibuster," and why progressive (and some conservative) influencers misunderstand Senate rules.
  • Holmes warns that eliminating the filibuster would backfire and enable sweeping left-wing laws in future Dem majorities (51:15–55:17).
  • Smug and Duncan discuss the temptation to “just make Dems vote on voter ID over and over.”
  • Ashbrook emphasizes the filibuster’s unique protection for political minorities and why even many Democratic Senators won’t end it (52:51–60:09).

Memorable Quotes

• Holmes: “The founders built this country in a way to protect against that kind of thing. If you eliminate the filibuster... they could put Sharia law on the floor of the f***ing United States Senate and George Soros and Zora Mamdani can pass it on a 51 vote threshold.” (52:51)
• Duncan: “If you want 28 tax increases and open border and people sexually assaulting high school students, then vote Democrat in November because that is not an aberration.” (Josh Holmes, 23:40)
• “Soundbites are great, but if you want to know how to shape the future direction of your country... you ought to know.” (Josh Holmes, 60:23)

King of the Hill: Never Trump Pundit Hypocrisy

Timestamps: 1:04:00–1:13:00

A highlight for regular listeners: the “King of the Hill” game. This round features Max Boot vs. Steve Schmidt, with the panel reading and lampooning outrageously hypocritical or overwrought tweets from each.

• The judges (Duncan and Smug) weigh in, with Boot prevailing due to the theme of hypocrisy—pro-war until Trump, anti-war the moment Trump starts one.
• Duncan: “The whole game is predicated upon the hypocrisy of these Never Trumpers.” (68:17)
• Smug: “It is sort of fitting that Never Trump has been reduced to, like the reunion tour of an 80s hair band... Come to our show, buy the T shirt.” (68:02, 68:14)

Georgia Senate Race Candidate Interview: Buddy Carter

Timestamps: 1:17:04–1:33:45

Candidate Profile

• Buddy Carter, Republican Congressman, makes his case as most electable challenger to Democrat Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s Senate race.
• Stresses local roots, support for Trump’s America First policies, tough-on-border stance.
• Cites personal story—“My grandfather was a sharecropper... my father worked shift work in a paper mill. I was the first one to go to college in my family.”

Key Points

• Carter outlines Georgia’s “red” roots, blames low GOP turnout and bad candidate baggage for 2020/2022 losses.
• On Ossoff: “He does not represent the values of the state of Georgia... When the percentage is that high, even if you disagree with it, you had to vote to say, my people want me to.” (81:05)
• On differentiating from primary rivals: Cites his experience (mayor, state legislator, Congress), absence of “baggage,” and polling showing him tied with Ossoff, with others trailing.
• On motivating GOP turnout: Emphasizes his ability to draw out “low propensity” MAGA midterm voters.
• On immigration: Tells stories of Georgia citizens killed by illegal immigrants, ties this to his harder-line border stance.
• Personal touch: Last meal would be his wife’s spaghetti. If he had another profession, would be a professional golfer.

Listener Comments & Community

Timestamps: 1:38:00+

• Show closes with trademark limericks and jokes from the audience, blending inside political jokes with camaraderie among the hosts.
• Reminder to listeners to participate in “Hack Madness,” Ruthless’ annual “bracket” competition for worst political journalists (“hacks”).

FINAL TAKEAWAYS

• Democratic leadership, according to the hosts, is paralyzed between activist demands and the realities of governance, leading to spiraling dysfunction.
• Republicans, however, aren’t entirely capitalizing—Senate infighting and lack of discipline are called out repeatedly.
• On the SAVE Act: Despite overwhelming public support for voter ID, institutional and procedural dynamics in the Senate, including the filibuster, make passage unlikely. The hosts argue against blowing up Senate rules for policy wins, warning of long-term consequences.
• Georgia’s Senate race is spotlighted as a linchpin for 2026, with candidate Buddy Carter making the case for electability and steadfast support for conservative priorities.

Audience Guidance: If you’re looking to understand the right’s view of Democratic struggles, conservative skepticism about moderation in the Democratic Party, insider takes on policy and political process, and the GOP’s 2026 Senate battleground strategy, this episode offers both raw analysis and political theater.

SELECT NOTABLE QUOTES

• "There is no such thing as a moderate Democrat. There just isn’t." – Josh Holmes (00:31, repeated 07:16, 23:40, 61:53)
• “You have to be a relatively normal human being, a well-adjusted adult, in order to provide contrast with that [Dem dysfunction]. We can’t f***ing do it.” – Josh Holmes (32:04)
• “If you want 28 tax increases and open border and people sexually assaulting high school students, then vote Democrat in November because that is not an aberration.” – Josh Holmes (23:40)
• “The founders built this country in a way to protect against that kind of thing. If you eliminate the filibuster... they could put Sharia law on the floor of the f***ing United States Senate and George Soros and Zora Mamdani can pass it on a 51 vote threshold.” – John Ashbrook (52:51)
• “Republicans are not currently meeting the moment.” – Comfortably Michael Duncan (30:57)
• “It’s all an act because these lunatics in their party are dragging them around, forcing them to act like theater kids.” – Michael Duncan (00:10, 12:15, 18:02)
• “This isn’t f***ing a show. This is real stuff. We’re at war. Treat it like that.” – Josh Holmes (34:56)

For further details, policy breakdowns, and more candidate interviews, visit ruthlesspodcast.com