Podcast Summary: Trump Goes All-In on SAVE America Act | VINCE Episode 241

Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), Chairman, House Intelligence Committee
Date: March 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the most recent and aggressive push for the SAVE America Act, a sweeping piece of Republican-led legislation aiming to overhaul election integrity, women’s sports, and child protections. Vince Coglianese unpacks former President Trump’s enthusiastic endorsement, navigates the party’s internal legislative maneuvering, and lambasts Democrat opposition, focusing on Senate gridlock and filibuster strategy. Later, Vince hosts Congressman Rick Crawford for an in-depth national security update on the U.S.-Iran conflict (Operation Epic Fury), oil/gas repercussions, and emerging intelligence concerns including Havana Syndrome and UFO-related declassifications. The program closes with coverage of a terror incident in New York City and media/political reactions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Full-Throated Endorsement of the SAVE America Act

• President Trump’s Position:
  Trump declared he would refuse to sign any legislation until the SAVE America Act passes in full. He insists on a “go for the gold” version—voter ID/proof of citizenship mandates, drastic curtailment of mail-in ballots, bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports, and prohibitions on “mutilation” procedures for minors.

  “I as president will not sign any other bills until this is passed. And not the watered down version. Go for the gold.”
  — [03:25] Vince quoting Donald J. Trump

• Bill’s Expansion:
  What started as a voter integrity measure has swelled to encompass a conservative wishlist: election restrictions, women’s sports regulations, and a ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

• Trump Responds Directly to His Base:

  "This is a clear sign that he's seeing all your comments on Truth Social...that this is what we really want."
  — [05:00] Vince

2. Democratic Pushback & GOP Filibuster Strategy

• Chuck Schumer’s Critique:
  Sen. Schumer denounced the legislation as “Jim Crow 2.0,” arguing it would disenfranchise tens of millions.

  “‘If Trump is saying he won’t sign any bills until the SAVE Act is passed, then so be it. There will be total gridlock in the Senate. Senate Democrats will not pass the SAVE act under any circumstances.’”
  — [07:10] Vince summarizing Schumer

• Vince’s Rebuttal:
  Vince paints SAVE America as "the single most important piece of civil rights legislation this century" ([08:02]), contending that the bill would only disenfranchise illegal voters—not citizens.

• Historical Flip-Flop:
  Vince highlights a clip of Schumer supporting voter ID in 1996:

  “They can get jobs and benefits and break our laws because of fraud. You know would stop that? Photo ID identification.”
  — [09:49] Chuck Schumer, 1996

• Republican Whip Count:
  Vince presents Mark Meadows’ inside tally on GOP senators for/against using the “speaking filibuster”:

  • Supporters: Jim Banks, Marsha Blackburn, Ted Cruz, Katie Britt, etc. (see [12:18])
  • Holdouts or Opponents: John Barrasso (majority whip), Susan Collins, Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, Tim Scott, and others.

• Sen. John Barrasso’s Hedge:
  Barrasso uses ambiguous language, sparking Vince's skepticism about true support for the “speaking filibuster.”

  “That’s one way to do it. Members are having meetings right now to say, what’s the best way we can actually get this passed?... I am a full supporter.”
  — [14:09] John Barrasso
  "[That's] Washington speak for we're not doing it that way."
  — [14:32] Vince

• Mike Lee’s Urgency:

  “So let’s give it a shot now...our ability to win a fair election may well depend on passage of the Save America Act.”
  — [16:36] Mike Lee

3. GOP Infighting: Immigration & Cabinet Personalities

• Thom Tillis Critiques Stephen Miller:
  Tillis calls Miller a problem and advocates for “quality over quantity” in deportations ([20:13]), prompting Vince to mock his constitutional knowledge and view on the White House–DHS relationship.

  “He’s a big problem in this administration…But Noem is a Senate confirmed Cabinet member. She should have been independent. I believe that Markwayne [Mullin] will be independent…he’ll leverage law enforcement resources…to get things right.”
  — [20:13] Thom Tillis

  • Vince’s reaction: “This guy’s a total dork. He has no idea what he’s even talking about…The DHS Secretary...works for the President" ([21:13]).

• Concerns Over Markwayne Mullin:
  Vince voices worry that Mullin may slacken Trump-style enforcement on immigration if he listens to “Thumbelina” Tillis.

4. National Security Update: Operation Epic Fury (U.S.–Iran War)

• Congressman Rick Crawford’s Briefing ([27:19–41:49])

  • Transparency & US Progress:

    “Maybe one of the most, if not the most, transparent administrations...The precision of the US military is just unmatched.” — [27:25] Rep. Rick Crawford

  • Iranian Missile Capacity & US Strategy:

    “We've gone in there in a very short span of time and reduced their launch frequency by some estimates as much as 90%...We’re taking out the archers, as opposed to the arrows.” — [29:46] Rep. Crawford

• Oil Prices & Global Impact:

  • Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz spike oil prices. Lloyd’s of London suspends insurance after Iranian missile attack on a sanctioned vessel. Trump administration organizing escorts and insurance to keep shipping lanes open.
  • “The president…is organizing insurance and escorts to reopen the strait.”

    — [31:31] Rep. Crawford

• Israeli Strikes on Tehran Oil Depots:

  • White House uneasy about Israel’s attacks potentially harming civilians and raising global oil prices.

    “We want to make sure…[we're creating] optimal [conditions] for the Iranian people to operate, so they can reclaim their country...If we are being indiscriminate in our targeting, that could create a problem.”
    — [34:49] Rep. Crawford

5. Emerging Intelligence Threats

Havana Syndrome (Energy Weapons)

• Recent ‘60 Minutes’ Reporting & Ongoing Investigation:

  “For the Biden administration to have essentially dismissed them as being crackpots or gold bricks…that’s false. These are legitimate concerns.”
  — [36:29] Rep. Crawford

  • Ongoing House Intel investigation; strong suspicion of possible Russian state (or proxy) involvement but no official attribution yet.

UFO/E.T. Declassification

• Rep. Crawford:

  “Nothing that was presented to me rose to that level…But the president has higher clearance than I do…”
  — [40:58] Rep. Crawford

6. NYC Gracie Mansion Attack: Media & Political Fallout

• Incident Recap:
  Muslim terrorists threw IEDs at an anti-Islamic protest; NYPD arrested two suspects, both U.S. citizens with recent immigrant parents.

• On-Scene Quote:

  [Police radio as IED incident unfolds] “Stay back. Stay back, please.”
  — [44:20] NYPD footage

• Media & Political Spin:

  • Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s Response:
    Deflects to “white supremacy” with no mention of Islamic terrorism.

    “What is white supremacy [to do] with an Islamic terror attack?...This is demented.”
    — [47:44] Vince

  • NBC/New York Times Coverage:
    Downplays “IED” as “smoking jars of metal and fuses;” blames right-wing/protesters.

    “How about bombs? How much more information do you need…?”
    — [47:44] Vince

• Ari Fleischer’s Commentary:
  Ongoing problem of left-wing violence, media obfuscation, and lenient response from city authorities.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Priorities:

  “[The SAVE America Act] supersedes everything. It must go to the front of the line.”
  — [03:25] Trump, as quoted by Vince

• GOP Infighting on Immigration:

  "If I’m Markwayne Mullin right now, I want to establish as much distance as possible from Tom Bolina [Tillis]." — [22:57] Vince

• Oil Market Context:

  “When Joe Biden was in office… it was $5.07 a gallon. It was a lot higher even than it is right now...That was his policy that drove that price increase.”
  — [34:09] Vince

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:50] Trump’s SAVE America Act statement/reaction
• [07:10] Schumer denounces SAVE Act as “Jim Crow 2.0;” Vince’s rebuttal
• [09:49] 1996 Schumer audio advocating photo ID
• [12:18] Mark Meadows’ whip count for “speaking filibuster”
• [14:09] Barrasso hedges on filibuster
• [16:36] Mike Lee pushes for immediate action on SAVE Act
• [20:13] Thom Tillis attacks Stephen Miller; Vince responds
• [27:19] Rep. Rick Crawford: Iran war briefing, oil updates, intelligence issues
• [36:29] Havana Syndrome, House Intel Committee investigation
• [40:58] UFO/E.T. records request
• [44:20] Audio: NYPD handles IED attack at Gracie Mansion
• [47:44] Vince’s critique of media/political reactions

Tone & Language

The episode features Vince’s hallmark blend of populist advocacy, sharp sarcasm, and exasperation—especially towards political opponents and the media. Language is direct, partisan, and confrontational, keeping with the style of conservative talk radio.

Who Should Read This Summary?

• Listeners seeking an in-depth, right-leaning analysis of the current legislative fight over election security, immigration, and culture-war issues
• Anyone interested in insider updates on U.S. military operations abroad and related geopolitical consequences
• Those monitoring the evolution of U.S. domestic security, terrorism threats, and media framing of high-profile incidents