The Josh Hammer Show

Episode: Schumer and Jeffries Versus We the People

Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Josh Hammer
Guest: Rachel Bovard, Conservative Partnership Institute

Episode Overview

This episode of The Josh Hammer Show dives deep into current U.S. political turmoil, focusing prominently on Democratic congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and their alleged disconnect with the American people, particularly in the context of the Save America Act, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, and broader partisan battles. Josh is joined by Rachel Bovard to break down the procedural twists and political maneuvers surrounding election security legislation and government funding, and offers blistering commentary on foreign policy and media coverage. The episode concludes with lighter reflections on March Madness and the emotional power of sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Democratic Leadership’s Low Approval & Party Divisions

Main points discussed:

• Hammer claims Schumer and Jeffries represent an "unpopular" Democratic brand with poor polling (00:36–01:40).
• Recent primaries in Illinois saw left-wing "Squad" and Democratic Socialists losing, cited as evidence of Democratic voter dissatisfaction with the far left.
• Hammer frames this as both a problem and an advantage for establishment Democrats: "The AOC winning, the squad lost up and down the ballot...good news for Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer because they are not particularly well liked by the insurgent radical left" (01:25).

2. The Save America Act & Voter ID Debate

Highlights:

• The Save America Act, branded as a key Trump-supported bill, aims to secure elections with voter ID and citizenship proof requirements (02:00–05:00).
• Hammer emphasizes its bipartisan support: "Gallup, for instance, found 84% support across the board for voter ID, 98% Republican approval, 67% of Democrats approve. Pew...83% of Americans, including majorities of every racial or ethnic subgroup" (03:56).
• The current Senate debate involves whether to force Democrats into a “talking filibuster” to block or delay the bill.

Notable Quote:

• "This bill really, really, really ought to pass. And the only reason that we're even having this debate ... is because Democrats don't support this." — Josh Hammer (05:50)

3. DHS & TSA Shutdown: The Blame Game

Highlights:

• Democrats are resisting DHS reopening unless Republicans make immigration concessions, but Hammer claims "the immigration components are already funded" and the crisis is over other parts like TSA (06:00–08:00).
• Reports of severe TSA delays nationwide (Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston, etc.).
• Testimony highlighted of Adam Stahl, TSA Deputy Administrator: "People are hurting every single day. We have individuals sleeping in their cars drawing blood to afford to pay for gas to get to work." (07:31)
• Democrats accused of making Americans suffer to create leverage: quoting Rep. Don Beyer, "it's not forcing any change. In the meantime, we're making people hurt. The long lines can’t make us more popular..." (08:24)

Notable Quote:

• "They are literally admitting that the Democrats are currently making people hurt." — Josh Hammer (08:35)

4. Media Coverage & Political Chaos

Highlights:

• Hammer criticizes the media for inadequate, biased coverage of the gridlock: "Why is the media seemingly not covering this in anything remotely resembling an objective perspective?" (09:56)
• He accuses Democrats of "chaos for the sake of chaos" and of blaming Trump for problems they've engineered (10:00–12:00).

5. Foreign Policy: War with Iran & Administration Discord

Operation Epic Fury & Criticism:

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirms U.S. war aims against Iran: “Destroy missiles, launchers and Iran’s defense industrial base... Iran never gets a nuclear weapon” (24:21).
• Hammer supports Trump’s aggressive Iran stance but is critical of dissent within the administration, especially DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard for allegedly refusing to call Iran an imminent threat (25:30–26:10).
• The resignation and FBI investigation of Joe Kent (ex–National Counterterrorism Center director) is dissected as a national security story with media intrigue, links to conspiracy, and foreign propaganda elements (27:00–33:00).

Notable Quote:

• "[Kent] essentially had nothing to do with [national security]. ... Joe Kent was leaking like a sieve...these leaks found their way to less than fully savory actors." — Josh Hammer (29:50)

Debunking Iranian “Fatwa”

• Joe Kent on Tucker Carlson claims Iranian Ayatollahs have a "fatwa" against nuclear weapons, which Hammer swiftly rebuts:
  • "This alleged fatwa literally does not exist. It was spread as regime antiprop and was picked up by people like Max Blumenthal... It’s just not true." — Josh Hammer (32:08)

6. Senate Procedure Deep Dive (with Rachel Bovard)

Senate Moves on the Save America Act:

• Bovard explains unique Senate procedures allowing debate on the bill with 51 votes due to “House Message” rules (14:11).
• Key development: Chuck Schumer signaling possible openness to voter ID, a "shocking concession" according to Hammer (16:50).
• She warns that Republicans must sustain the pressure: “The expectation should be this is not over. We are going to continue to work on this bill... We are not going to let a single failed cloture vote just decide how this is going to be handled.” — Rachel Bovard (18:30).

Internal GOP Maneuvering:

• John Thune hesitant on the talking filibuster, fearing internal divisions (20:12–20:40).
• Rachel emphasizes that a deliberative, old-school Senate negotiation is needed, not just a show vote.

Predictions:

• Bovard cautiously optimistic for bipartisan breakthrough but expects GOP leaders may want to move on quickly after a failed cloture vote (22:16).

7. Polling Data and the MAGA Base

Latest Polls Highlight:

• Overwhelming MAGA and GOP base support for Trump and for the ongoing Iran operation (34:23–35:24).
• MAGA GOP support of Trump at a "mathematically impossible" 100% (35:24).

Notable Quote:

• "If you are a member of MAGA and the GOP, you approve of Donald John Trump, 0% say that they disapprove. ... He is the 1972 Miami Dolphins." — Harry Entin via Josh Hammer (35:24)

8. Lighter Moments: March Madness and Sports Fandom

Josh Gets Personal:

• Closing with nostalgia and joy for sports, especially March Madness (36:08–end).
• Insightful reflection on why college sports matter ("pure unmitigated joy"), and the impact of changes like NIL (Name-Image-Likeness) money.
• Personal story about becoming a Duke basketball fan and Final Four adventures offers a humanizing signoff (40:45–44:23).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "The only saving grace really for Republicans at this time is that the Democratic brand embodied by people like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer is really, really, really stinking low. It is not just in the toilet. It is frankly, in the sewer." — Josh Hammer (00:50)
• "This bill really, really, really ought to pass. ... The only reason that this debate's even happening is because Democrats don't support this." — Josh Hammer (05:50)
• "People are hurting every single day. We have individuals sleeping in their cars drawing blood to afford to pay for gas to get to work." — Adam Stahl, Deputy TSA Administrator (07:31, quoted by Hammer)
• "They are literally admitting that the Democrats are currently making people hurt." — Josh Hammer (08:35)
• "It is chaos for the sake of chaos. ... They are essentially just throwing trash everywhere then blaming the younger sibling or blaming someone else." — Josh Hammer (10:22)
• "So if Chuck Schumer is now conceding that even his own party... actually poll(s) in favor of voter ID... that's frankly, a shocking concession." — Josh Hammer (16:50)
• "This expectation has to be given to the Republican Senate. ... This is a concerted effort that you need to put in for the rest of the year until this bill is passed." — Rachel Bovard (22:46)
• "Destroy missiles, launchers and Iran's defense industrial base... Iran never gets a nuclear weapon." — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War (24:21, quoted by Hammer)
• “If you are a member of MAGA and the GOP, you approve of Donald John Trump, 0% say that they disapprove... He is the 1972 Miami Dolphins.” — Harry Entin (35:24, via Hammer)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:36 | Overview of Schumer/Jeffries’ leadership and party troubles | | 02:00 | Explanation of the Save America Act, polling data | | 05:30 | Filibuster tactics and the GOP internal debate | | 06:00–07:43| DHS, TSA shutdown, impact on travel, Adam Stahl quote | | 08:24 | Rep. Don Beyer’s “making people hurt” quote | | 09:56 | Critique of media coverage | | 13:11–19:22| Rachel Bovard: Senate maneuvers and filibuster debate | | 24:23 | Pete Hegseth’s war objectives on Iran | | 27:00–33:00| Joe Kent, leaks, Iran media/manipulation | | 34:23 | Polling: MAGA GOP support and sports as cultural identity | | 36:08–44:23| March Madness, personal sports fandom, sign-off |

Summary Flow & Tone

• Direct, combative, and sarcastic at times: Hammer does not mince words when criticizing Democrats, the media, or his own party’s establishment.
• Procedurally detailed: Conveys behind-the-scenes Senate maneuvering, with Bovard offering technical explanations and predictions.
• Populist/emotive language: Frequent references to “we the people”, “red-blooded Constitutionalists,” and American patriotism.
• Personal/Nostalgic: Hammer closes with personal stories about college basketball, emphasizing the cultural and emotional dimension of American life.
• Memorable moments and quotes are highlighted throughout, with direct attribution and timestamps for context.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode serves as both a detailed procedural explainer and a polemic against Democratic congressional leaders, supported by polling, recent events, and sharp critique. Senate gridlock, election security, DHS shutdown, and the evolving politics of the New Right dominate the agenda, buttressed by a fiery tone and occasional humor/personal anecdotes. The conversation with Rachel Bovard provides rare process clarity, and references to real-time news keep the content current and urgent for Hammer’s largely conservative audience.