Skip to content 7/17/2026 The Root and a Solution to American Election Interference and the Christian’s Role in Politics Jul 17 · 54 min ...more
7/17/2026 The Root and a Solution to American Election Interference and the Christian’s Role in Politics
July 17, 2026 · 54 min
Today, we analyze President Trump’s speech and DHS Secretary Mullin’s press conference about election interference by the Chinese Communist Party, efforts to secure U.S. elections through the SAVE America Act, the U.S. Strikes on Iran’s infrastructure, declining public trust in U.S. institutions, and research on how Americans engage in religion and politics.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Audio
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July 17, 2026 · 54 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Audio
Today, we analyze President Trump’s speech and DHS Secretary Mullin’s press conference about election interference by the Chinese Communist Party, efforts to secure U.S. elections through the SAVE America Act, the U.S. Strikes on Iran’s infrastructure, declining public trust in U.S. institutions, and research on how Americans engage in religion and politics. ...more Show the full description Show less Today, we analyze President Trump’s speech and DHS Secretary Mullin’s press conference about election interference by the Chinese Communist Party, efforts to secure U.S. elections through the SAVE America Act, the U.S. Strikes on Iran’s infrastructure, declining public trust in U.S. institutions, and research on how Americans engage in religion and politics.
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In this video 0:00 Election Security Crisis Exposed12:10 Congressional Response and Reforms23:22 Deep State and Foreign Threats41:40 Empowering Local Church Action
Election Security Crisis Exposed 0:01 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington, DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and sound bites into conversations with our nation's leaders and0:12 newsmakers, all from a biblical worldview. Sitting in for Tony is today's host, Jody Heiss.0:19 Tonight, I'm announcing the immediate declassification and release of critical intelligence revealing shocking vulnerabilities in our election infrastructure. This0:31 evidence shows that the election system we have dangerously exposes and really exposes, like, levels never thought possible.0:43 That was president Trump last night delivering his prime time address to the nation. Welcome to this July 17th edition of Washington Watch. I'm your Friday host, Jody Heise.0:55 Thank you so much for making us part of your day. Coming up on the program in the next hour, we'll discuss what the president shared last night with the American people. In particular, how1:07 China may have acquired some 220000000 US voter files. West Virginia congressman Riley Moore will be joining me in just a few moments to give his reaction to all of1:19 that. And then later, former FBI agent Jonathan Gilliam will also join us to go deeper into the president's claims that he shared last night. Then later in the1:31 program, Gallup has released a new survey showing how Americans' confidence in major US institution remains near historic lows. And this includes a number of
1:42 institutions. So what did the survey reveal about America's confidence in the church? Well, we'll be discussing that a little bit later on in the program with FRC's doctor David Clawson.
1:55 That will come during our Biblical Worldview segment. So all that and much more is coming straight ahead on Washington Watch.
2:08 Let's begin with news coming from the White House. Last night, President Trump addressed the nation and announced the declassification of intelligence that he says showed the largest compromise
2:20 of election data in history. Well, joining us now to get us kicked off and discuss this is Washington Watch reporter Mary Stackhouse. Mary, this is, creating quite a buzz
2:32 throughout the news today. What did the president have to say last night?
2:36 Jody, president Trump said he was declassifying sensitive information that showed that China had illicitly acquired 220000000 US voter files. Now those files included names, addresses,
2:48 and other data used to register to vote. He said that members of the US intel intelligence community deliberately suppressed that information about the extent of China's activities. President Trump said that this
3:00 vital information has been covered up and hidden from the American people. Here's president Trump on the compromise of election data.
3:07 Over a period of years starting during the 20 20 election cycle, the People's Republic of China carried out what is believed to be the largest compromise of election data
3:19 in history, resulting in China's illicit acquisition of 220000000 US voter files.
3:29 During the speech, the documents were posted on the White House website. President Trump did not claim that Beijing altered the results of the 20 20 presidential election. He instead said that China ran information
3:40 campaigns to try to shape public perceptions in the US. Jody?
3:46 Very, very interesting. We'll see what comes of all of this in the weeks ahead. But speaking of elections, I I know Department of Homeland Security secretary Mark Wayne Mullen also held a news
3:57 conference, today discussing what his department plans to be doing as it relates to election integrity efforts. What did he have to say?
4:06 Jody, secretary Mullen shared some shocking numbers of noncitizens who are registered to vote here in the US. He promised that his department would hunt down anyone voting illegally and prosecute them. Here's a clip
4:18 where he explains just how vast of an issue this is.
4:21 The Department of Homeland Security, we've identified 250000 noncitizens registered to vote in just 4 states. Mind you,
4:34 we have 46 other states and just 4 states.
4:40 Secretary Mullins said that those states where they found massive numbers of noncitizens registered to vote include California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Nevada. He went on to say that his department has worked with
4:52 23 proactive states to identify 28000 noncitizens on their voter rolls. He also said that they found 400000 individuals registered to vote who are deceased. He promised
5:03 that any states who don't use DHS's updated tool for identifying noncitizen voters will become a priority for investigations. Jody.
5:13 Stunning, stunning information. Thank you, Mary. Let me shift to the conflict in the Middle East. The US has certainly intensified the, attacks taking place there in Iran, now hitting some
5:25 civilian infrastructure. What's the latest in the developments there in Iran?
5:31 Jody, this really is a significant escalation. Footage released on social media shows what the US military says are its latest strikes against Iranian targets. This marks the 6th consecutive night of strikes by the
5:43 US against Iran. Iranian state media released footage that shows destroyed bridges in southern Iran. They report that at least 5 bridges have been struck in the south. Now Iran retaliated by
5:54 attacking its neighbors' civilian infrastructure and US military bases. Iran said that it had struck US bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, as well as a US radar station in
6:06 Oman. Explosions were heard in the Qatari capital Doha where the interior ministry said a child was wounded by shrapnel. Iran also said it fired at Syria apparently for the 1st time in the conflict
6:18 targeting what it described as a US special forces base in Tanf, which Damascus and Washington say US force forces vacated earlier this year. Jody?
6:30 Alright, Mary. Thank you so much for these updates. We will most definitely be keeping an eye on all the latest developments as they unfold. I want to now turn our attention, to get
6:41 a congressional perspective on the president's prime time address last night. And joining me now to discuss this and more is congressman Riley Moore, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
6:53 He represents the 2nd congressional district of the great state of West Virginia. Congressman Moore, welcome back to Washington Watch. Great to have you with us.
7:03 Hey, Jody. Thanks so much for having me.
7:06 Alright. Let's, let me just get your take on the president's address last night. What do you make of it?
7:12 It was shocking. It was absolutely shocking. And if anything, this puts a finer point on the reason why we have to pass the Save America Act. That bill
7:24 must become law before these next elections, and I am hoping and praying the United States Senate, when we put this in the reconciliation bill, they don't strip it out, and
7:36 they pass that reconciliation package, which the budget, committee just passed out the resolution with the instructions for that reconciliation package just last night. And so next week,
7:48 you're gonna see that budget resolution on the floor, but we have to pass the Save America Act. 1 of the most shocking numbers to me, though, and you just heard, the secretary of homeland security talking about it. Only
7:59 4 states, over 250000 foreign nationals registered to vote. By the way, no 1 should be surprised California is 1 of these states where they have automatic voter
8:11 registration when you go get a driver's license. You don't have to be a US citizen to get a driver's license in California, and there's many other blue states that are like this. I mean, enough is enough. The
8:23 gig is up. This facade that they have put up, there's no voter indiscretion. There's no illegals voting. That is ridiculous. The the evidence is just overwhelming
8:35 in this, and we've got to take back the integrity of our election system and preserve democracy in our great country.
8:42 Yeah. I mean, this is the the whole voice of the people is wrapped up in fair elections. And when this is compromised, it it is a national security issue. It's it just takes away the voice of the
8:54 people altogether. And I know I mentioned this a moment ago, but, DHS secretary Markwayne Mullen followed up today with a press conference and, really outlined his department's efforts to,
9:06 enhance election security, emphasized that election security is, as I just said, a national security issue. So this is something that all people, both sides of the
9:18 aisle, ought to be concerned about, isn't it?
9:21 Well, you would like to think both sides of the aisle be concerned about it. But don't forget, the Democrats have been pushing in places like New York to allow non US citizens to vote. And this
9:33 in part, by the way, is just their long march on the left to erode what it actually means to be a US citizen. I mean, in practice, what is the difference at
9:45 this point in between someone who is a US citizen in this country and somebody who's not? Is it that you can receive welfare benefits? Oh, both of those can do that. Now both of them can vote. Both of them get
9:57 driver's license. What we've got to reclaim the sovereignty of US citizenship in this country.
10:05 Absolutely. And, of course, with no surprise whatsoever, but China has rejected all president Trump's claims, saying that it's all just entirely fabricated.
10:17 But we do know that infiltration influence influence is something that the CCP is absolutely engaged in, don't we? That is not something that's really a
10:29 surprise.
10:30 No. They're absolutely engaged in it. And if any of your audience, and I doubt on this, network they would be, if your kids are on TikTok, you're on TikTok, get off of there. The Chinese
10:42 government has the ability to monitor your entire activity, your personality, your profile, and they are probing and testing us. And 1 of the biggest problems with them acquiring
10:54 this voter data is now they know how people vote, how they're registered to vote, what their preferences are. Are they kinda lean Republican, hard Republican, lean Democrat? And so now
11:06 they have even more information to match up with those profiles that are online where they can start to manipulate manipulate individuals and their preferences in elections and move them
11:17 towards positions that maybe perhaps they didn't, actually influenced in that way through these social media platforms. So very dangerous stuff.
11:29 Let me shift gears with you while we have just a couple of minutes remaining and and shift over to the reconciliation 3.0 bill. The framework for that passed out a committee yesterday.
11:41 What's your take on it, and how do you think things are gonna begin shaping up next week?
11:46 I think we're gonna pass this budget resolution next week. I feel pretty confident on that, and that's the instructions for the authorizing committees to go, to get to work on writing the actual bill.
11:58 So I think we're gonna be okay there. Now many in my conference have expressed reservations that there's no offsets in this bill. 1 of the things, though, I would point out, and in your previous segment, you're talking
Congressional Response and Reforms
12:10 about this conflict that we have with Iran currently ongoing and the issues with the Straits of Hormuz. There are immediate and urgent requirements as it relates to replenishing our munitions for the
12:22 Department of War since this conflict has happened. The depth of our magazines have obviously depleted. So there is an emergency and urgency to, passing this reconciliation
12:34 bill, not to mention that the Save America Act is also inside of this. So part of that, number that you see is tied to election security, through the
12:46 house administration committee and the instructions that they're gonna get from that budget resolution. So certainly, look, I'm not I'm an appropriator. I'm not somebody that likes spending money with no offsets. That's
12:56 that much is clear, and my record reflects that as does many of my conservative allies in the house. But there is an emergency situation here that we do need to address immediately.
13:08 Absolutely. Unfortunately, I've only got about 30 seconds. So real quickly, I know there's a lot that the house is trying to get across the finish line before the August, district work week. What are some of the big ones
13:20 real quickly?
13:21 Well, the big 1 next week that we're gonna do, and this is kinda breaking news, we are gonna put a CR, a continuing resolution on the floor. We are trying to take the gun out of the hands of the Democrats so we don't end
13:32 up in a shutdown right around the election. We don't want that. So we're gonna go ahead and pass the CR in the house, send it to the senate, and then, hopefully, look, we can get these, appropriations bills done and the
13:44 CR is not needed, but break glass just in case. You got a CR right there.
13:50 West Virginia congressman Riley Moore, thank you for joining us on Washington Watch. Coming up next, we're gonna dive deeper into the president's speech last night, so stay with us.
14:02 1 nation under God. America's undeniable foundation of faith.
14:11 Before America was exceptional, America was prayerful. Just as Paul urged Timothy, 1st of all, that prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people,
14:24 our founding fathers understood deeply the command to be devoted to prayer. This great American experiment began as a mighty appeal to heaven, petitioning the lord of
14:36 heaven's armies to intervene for the righteous cause of liberty. As war began to sweep across the colonies, the Continental Congress called days of fasting and prayer in their fight
14:47 against the British. The Lord answered and the colonies prevailed. Yet in spite of victory, our founding fathers fathers knew that dependence on God in prayer was not to be forgotten. With
14:59 countless challenges facing our young nation, John Adams declared national days of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer to directly address the many trials and
15:11 call on Americans to seek mercy and restoration. Years later, in 1 of America's darkest hours, Abraham Lincoln stood upon this unshakable foundation by
15:23 calling the nation to repentance, declaring, it is the duty of nations as well as of men to confess their sins in humble sorrow and to recognize that those nations
15:35 only are blessed whose god is the lord. We have seen the hand of god answer prayers again and again as our nation has turned to him. However, the wise warning of Ronald Reagan
15:47 still stands. If we ever forget that we are 1 nation under god, we will be a nation gone under. Through war, uncertainty, and turning points in history, many of our leaders have
15:59 known where to turn. And now, it's our turn. We echo the call of George Washington 250 years ago, humbly to supplicate the mercy of almighty god, that it would
16:11 please him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and finally establish the peace and freedom of America upon a solid and lasting foundation.
16:23 The undeniable foundation of faith.
16:29 Looking for a trusted source of news that shares your Christian values? Turn to the Washington stand, your ultimate destination for informed faith centered reporting. Our dedicated team goes beyond the headlines,
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17:03 Welcome back to Washington Watch. I'm your Friday host, Jody Hice. Thanks so much for joining us, during this hour. During his prime time address last night, president Trump
17:15 revealed that the Chinese Communist Party has carried out what, many are calling the largest compromise of election data in history resulting in what the president
17:27 claims is the acquisition from China of some 220000000 US voter files. This is, according to the president, an unprecedented
17:39 election security nightmare. Look at this.
17:44 Names, addresses, phone numbers, political party preferences, and other sensitive data that would be needed to register to vote and engage in other nefarious
17:56 activities, which is exactly what was happening. This data loss presents an unprecedented election security nightmare.
18:06 Wow. Of course. Of course. The legacy media wants us all to believe that the president is just blowing a bunch of hot air. But really should anyone be brushing this
18:18 aside? Well, joining us now to discuss this is former FBI special agent and former Navy Seal, Jonathan Gilliam. Jonathan previously operated as a security
18:29 specialist for the US Department of Homeland Security where he was responsible for performing threats threat assessments. Jonathan, welcome back to Watch and Watch. Great to see you again.
18:41 Good to be with you, Jody.
18:43 Alright. Some who heard the president's announcement last night may find it hard to believe that something like this could actually happen. But, just your your opinion,
18:55 China is capable of this type of thing. Is that I mean, they obviously are saying it's all just entirely fabricated, but this is something that
19:07 the, China CCP is capable of doing, isn't it?
19:12 Well, look 1st of all, let's just look at the is it k is is it possible to do this, to hack into voter, voter machines? Is it is it possible to influence a nation,
19:25 by getting voter rolls and then going out and targeting those individuals. What I think we've clearly shown that, social media is a way to target these
19:37 individuals. I think we've seen from the beginning when, these apps came online that both political parties use that tell you everything about a household, you know, what they're watching
19:49 on TV, how many people live there, what they typically vote. There are apps that do all this stuff, and it takes everything doing into account. So if that's the case and that's available to
20:00 anyone that that can, that knows how to use that app legally, well, who's to say that China, who does nefarious things all the time, who's in league with Russia, Iran, was
20:12 Venezuela, all these different Cuba, all these different groups that that want to overthrow and subvert the United States? How could you not say that it's possible that they would use any means
20:23 possible to, sway an election 1 way or the other? And and then the last thing is, Jody. You know, elections since the day they started electing leaders, elections have probably
20:35 been wrought with with fraud. It it it is a part of, human nature. When 1 person is running for something and this person doesn't like them, eventually,
20:47 somebody is going to come up with the idea that let's try to, steal this election 1 way or the other. So with all that stuff being laid out, I don't think it's any surprise what president Trump had to say.
20:59 And I think that anybody who thinks it's, it not possible, they don't live in reality. The question is, why don't they want it investigated properly? That's the real question.
21:10 Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. That's a huge question. And I think the the answer is implied by their resistance to trying to get the information public. Another thing I
21:21 wanted to get your your thoughts on, the president also spoke last night of the internal efforts to actively suppress and to downplay all this information that he put forth. And of course,
21:33 in so doing, he he pointed to the deep state. So, again, to many, that sound like conspiracy theory. But is that deep state a conspiracy?
21:45 Is it farfetched?
21:47 Not only is it not far fetched, but I will say 1 criticism towards the the Trump administration who's done so many incredible things. They have not concentrated on
21:59 this leftist deep state that runs these agencies. And if if they want to brag and and say, you know, Kash Patel, for instance, I give him a lot of criticism because our biggest
22:11 national security threat is, is is not, who's on the top most wanted list. Our biggest national security threat now those things are important, but the
22:23 biggest national security threat we have is this leftist, criminal, enterprise that has subverted all of our agencies. And I haven't seen a uniformed now, there's
22:35 been people fired and people removed, but I haven't seen a uniformed, mission to go throughout all of these agencies and get rid of these people because as we
22:47 see now, if they're in the CIA or if in the in the FBI CIA, for instance, we just had an individual who was arrested who who worked through the ranks with a fake resume, somehow got in, worked
22:59 his way through the ranks, and was, creating operations or missions that were highly classified but were fake so he could steal money to the tune of
23:11 40000000 dollars So if that's the case, we should be taking this very seriously and understand that deep state's there and the Trump administration needs to have a justice czar that goesShow more
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