The Save America Movement Podcast

We’re going from defending the Capitol to running for a seat inside it. Steve Schmidt sits down with former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, author of Standing My Ground, who spent more than 15 years on the force and became nationally known for defending the Capitol on January 6th before later testifying before Congress about the violence he and his fellow officers faced that day. Since leaving the Capitol Police, Harry has stepped into the political arena himself, running for Congress in Maryland and continuing his advocacy around democracy and political accountability. Harry talks January 6th, his decision to trade policing for politics, what he learned from running for office, and how his view of public service has changed after seeing Washington from both sides of the Capitol doors. Live on Substack and YouTube.

FIGHTING AMERICANS is live today at 12pm ET, and we’re heading west to cowboy country. Steve Schmidt sits down with Brian Bengs to talk about his Independent run for U.S. Senate in South Dakota. A retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and JAG, Navy veteran, and National Park ranger, Brian talks corruption, restoring the power of individual voters, ethics and accountability in the military, putting people in charge who actually know how to do the damn job, and putting loyalty to the Constitution above any party or person. Washington may be treating South Dakota like a flyover race, but with Bengs taking on incumbent Senator Mike Rounds, this rodeo is far from over. Saddle up — live on Substack and YouTube.

https://bengsforsouthdakota.com/

DEAD AIR is back again today at 12pm ET, and Steve and Dean are taking on the psychosis unfolding at the RNC—or BRO-LIGARCHAPALOOZA, whatever you want to call it—in front of a crowd you could practically count by hand. They’re breaking down the circus, from Tim Scott having a whole lot to say about weirdos while seemingly forgetting to look in the mirror, to Donald Trump telling voters to “pretend that I’m on the ballot,” dangling cash payments to Americans, and suggesting his plans might take “a little bit longer than the midterms.” Turns out, there’s a lot to unpack when the circus comes to town. Watch LIVE on YouTube and Substack. 

The separation of church and state is not a secondary political debate—it is the foundational defense of American democracy against authoritarian theocracy.

Today at 12pm ET, California Representative Jared Huffman joins Steve Schmidt on SAM LIVE for a crucial installment of the Fighting Democrats series. Congressman Huffman breaks down the internal mechanics of how Christian nationalism has infiltrated the halls of power, drawing directly from his new book, No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism.

As the only openly Humanist member of Congress and co-founder of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, Huffman brings a unique insider perspective to the Capitol. He exposes how religious extremists operate inside federal agencies, target public education, reject scientific consensus, and fuel conspiratorial politics to erode constitutional safeguards. Huffman and Schmidt discuss why reclaiming a secular democracy requires a broad interfaith and non-religious coalition willing to challenge these tactics directly.

On today’s broadcast:

• Inside the Capitol: Rep. Jared Huffman on witnessing the influence of Christian nationalist groups in Congress firsthand.
• The "No Prophets" Playbook: Unpacking the myths, tactics, and money funding the effort to dismantle church-state separation.
• Defending Public Institutions: How the movement targets public schools, science-based policy, and voting rights.
• Building a Secular Defense: Strategies for organizing religious and non-religious citizens to protect democratic norms.

When service members are pushed past human limits during record-breaking deployments while leadership dismisses mounting warnings, military accountability breaks down completely.

Today at 12pm ET, Steve Schmidt and Dean Blundell return for DEAD AIR to confront the growing crisis aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. With the aircraft carrier logging over 250 consecutive days at sea without a port call, families and military news outlets are raising alarms over severe mental health struggles, water supply issues, and reports of sailors attempting to go overboard. As Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon officials downplay the situation and claim conditions are "misrepresented," Steve and Dean examine the catastrophic leadership failures leaving thousands of service members stranded in high-stress combat deployments.

The panel also dives into a wild slate of political unraveling and public stunts:

Election Denial Redux: Mike Lindell drops another election loss and, true to form, refuses to accept the official vote tally.

DHS Surveillance & Transport In-Fighting: Federal agencies turn inward with domestic surveillance concerns while grounding controversies drag on.

Karoline Leavitt's Quick Exit: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt abruptly resigns just 48 hours after being stranded on a grounded government aircraft.

Sky Banners Over Florida: A banner towing the message "Donald Trump Hates You" flies along the Florida Panhandle all weekend long, signaling a new wave of direct political pushback.

On today’s broadcast:

The Carrier Deployment Crisis: The human cost, operational strain, and administrative indifference facing sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Hegseth’s Pentagon Response: Why downplaying service member welfare damages military readiness and public trust.

High-Profile Resignations & Agency Chaos: Unpacking Karoline Leavitt's sudden departure and federal transit disputes.

The Political Spectacle: Mike Lindell's unending election challenges and aerial banners taking political satire directly to the skies.

When a high-profile criminal case built on propaganda completely falls apart, the political spectacle quickly turns into a game of finger-pointing and bureaucratic scapegoating.

Steve Schmidt and Dean Blundell return for DEAD AIR to break down the absurd collapse of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalism prosecution. After months of hype, grand jury indictments, and media attacks targeting 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office was forced to move to dismiss all felony charges. Justice Department filings conceded that the widespread damage was actually caused by a botched, rushed contractor installation—not left-wing sabotage. Steve and Dean dissect the Oval Office fallout as federal leadership threw Pirro under the bus for "folding," exposing how executive weaponization of law enforcement operates when reality catches up to political theater.

Then, the panel turns to the chaotic political landscape across the border and in the states:

Montana's Messy Senate Race: Unpacking the latest political infighting, primary maneuvering, and campaign tactics throwing Montana's critical Senate seat into turmoil.

Toronto's Mayoral Scramble: Examining the circus atmosphere surrounding Toronto's upcoming mayoral election as a massive field of 37 candidates competes in a wild political free-for-all.

On today’s broadcast:

The Reflecting Pool Fiasco: How a $16 million botched renovation resulted in false arrests, media smears, and a embarrassing DOJ retreat.

Pirro in the Crosshairs: Dissecting the fallout between executive leadership and DOJ prosecutors after the vandalism narrative dissolved.

Montana Senate Turmoil: Analyzing the escalating political battles shaping the balance of power in Congress.

The 37-Candidate Mayoral Race: Why Toronto's sprawling candidate pool reflects broader trends of political fragmentation and voter fatigue.

Tune in live for an unfiltered, hard-hitting breakdown of institutional chaos and political accountability.

Using the federal budget as a weapon to punish political opponents is a direct violation of constitutional principles and a failure of public trust.

Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee joins Steve Schmidt on SAM LIVE for a hard-hitting discussion on executive overreach, energy costs, and defending democratic governance.

Governor Inslee pulls no punches, calling out executive moves to selectively slash federal grants for states based on political orientation—labeling the policy "unconstitutional, abusive, and immoral." Drawing on his experience leading Washington State through federal funding standoffs, Inslee breaks down how withholding infrastructure, emergency, and municipal aid hurts everyday Americans regardless of how they voted.

The panel also dives into the practical economic fallout for consumers nationwide. With gas prices climbing back over $4 a gallon while major oil companies post record profits, Inslee and Schmidt dissect how policy shifts and foreign policy entanglements are directly driving up energy and living costs for working families.

On today’s broadcast:

The Weaponization of Federal Aid: Former Governor Jay Inslee details the legal and constitutional dangers of withholding state grants over political differences.

Gas Prices & Energy Policy: Breaking down why pain at the pump is returning for working families while corporate energy margins skyrocket.

Defending Blue State Governance: How state executive leadership can protect local economies, infrastructure, and public services from federal retaliation.

The 2026 Strategy: Why pro-democracy coalitions must highlight tangible economic impacts to hold federal leadership accountable at the ballot box.

Join us live for an urgent, unfiltered briefing on federal accountability and economic strategy.

From missing missile stockpiles and late-night social media meltdowns to mounting public skepticism over Capitol Hill health disclosures, institutional transparency is taking another massive hit.

Today at 12pm ET, Steve Schmidt and Dean Blundell return for DEAD AIR to break down a bizarre week of executive unravelling, public health claims, and economic disconnects.

First, the panel dives into "Missiles Gone, Wig On." Between getting booed by crowds in Las Vegas, midnight rants on Truth Social, and severe questions surrounding U.S. missile inventory levels amid Middle East escalations, executive leadership seems focused on late-night personal branding changes—including dropping long-time hair-loss medications. Steve and Dean bring their trademark satire to the spectacle, breaking down what happens when serious national security issues compete with personal vanities.

Then, they address the latest chapter in "The Mitch Sitch." Following an official announcement that 84-year-old Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has been discharged from a rehabilitation facility after a nearly two-month absence, public skepticism remains at an all-time high. With no public sightings or video proof of his return home, lawmakers and constituents continue to question the true state of leadership and representation in the U.S. Senate.

Finally, Steve and Dean confront the disconnect between White House declarations that the affordability crisis has been solved and the daily economic reality facing working families—from rising energy prices to the viral outrage over $20 burritos and soaring grocery bills.

On today’s broadcast:

• Missiles Gone, Wig On: Analyzing the strategic implications of depleted missile stockpiles alongside late-night executive social media meltdowns.
• The McConnell Discharge Reality: Unpacking the lack of public transparency surrounding McConnell's home recovery and the legislative gridlock in Congress.
• Economic Disconnect: Why official claims of an economic turnaround clash directly with everyday consumer prices and inflation fatigue.
• Media and Accountability: Why holding political leaders accountable for basic facts remains the most vital job of independent broadcasting.

Tune in live on Substack and YouTube for an unfiltered breakdown of the stories dominating the news cycle.

Governing effectively means cutting through partisan noise to deliver real accountability and tangible results for working families.

Today at 12pm ET, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joins Steve Schmidt on SAM LIVE for a critical conversation on democratic leadership, transparency, and the future of the national Democratic strategy.

First, Governor Beshear addresses "The Mitch Sitch" in his home state—a mounting crisis of oversight as senior U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell remains out of public view following his hospitalization. With no public appearances in weeks, constituents and lawmakers across the political spectrum are raising serious questions about leadership, transparency, and basic representation in Washington. Governor Beshear and Steve discuss what this unprecedented absence means for the people of Kentucky and why demanding basic accountability from public officials is essential for a functioning democracy.  

Then, Governor Beshear outlines his approach to leadership in a deeply divided state, sharing lessons from winning across party lines in Kentucky. He delivers a direct message to national party leadership: drop the political jargon, focus on the day-to-day realities facing working-class Americans, and show up everywhere—for Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike.

On today’s broadcast:

The McConnell Accountability Crisis: Governor Beshear addresses the public disappearance of Kentucky’s senior senator and the demand for transparency in Congress.  

Governing Beyond Partisanship: Lessons from leading a state across political divides and prioritizing economic results over ideological fights.

Winning Back Working Families: Why national Democrats must dump corporate messaging and communicate directly on the issues that matter.

Protecting Democratic Institutions: How state leaders can stand up for accountability, ballot access, and public trust.

Join us live for an unfiltered, forward-looking strategy session with one of the nation's most successful Democratic governors.

Restoring the old political status quo is no longer enough to protect democratic institutions.Today at 1:30pm ET, progressive commentator, podcast host, and bestselling author Brian Tyler Cohen joins Steve Schmidt live on SAM LIVE to discuss his new book, "The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World."  

Together, Steve and Brian confront a hard reality: American democracy is not merely teetering on an edge, but dealing with the fallout of systemic democratic backsliding. They dissect the contrast between how conservative political strategists have systematically tested and expanded executive and judicial authority over several decades, and how Democratic leaders have repeatedly hesitated to exercise governing leverage even when holding congressional majorities.  Brian outlines a strategic framework for how progressives and pro-democracy coalitions must prepare to govern. The discussion dives into concrete structural reforms, overcoming legislative gridlock, and developing the political resolve required to protect voting rights, reform the courts, and deliver lasting structural change.  

On today’s broadcast:

The Abuse vs. Hesitation Dynamic: Analyzing how political power has been wielded differently across party lines and the long-term impact on democratic norms.

Beyond the Status Quo: Why simply attempting to return to pre-2016 norms fails to address underlying institutional vulnerabilities.

The Post-Trump Playbook: Strategic priorities for a pro-democracy governing coalition, from court reform to legislative procedure.  

Preparing for 2026 and Beyond: What it will take for progressives to organize effectively and exercise governing power decisively.

Join us live for this crucial discussion on the future of American governance and political power.