The Smerconish Podcast

President Trump recently suggested that a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund for alleged victims of government "weaponization" may not be dead after all. Listen here as Michael is joined by attorneys Michael Van Der Veen and William Brennan, who represented Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial and later defended numerous January 6 defendants. They argue that many January 6 participants were overcharged, politically targeted, and suffered devastating personal and financial consequences. Smerconish challenges their claims, presses them on comparisons to the George Floyd protests, and asks whether compensation for January 6 defendants is justified—or politically motivated itself. Original air date 4 June 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Does Congress limiting Trump's Iran war powers benefit the US or Iran?

Michael Smerconish examines the House vote to limit President Trump’s authority to continue military hostilities against Iran without explicit congressional approval. With four Republicans joining Democrats, the debate revives longstanding questions about the War Powers Act, presidential authority, and Congress’s constitutional role in matters of war. Smerconish argues that while concerns about the administration’s rationale for entering the conflict remain valid, the timing of the vote may send an unintended signal to Tehran. As the fragile ceasefire holds, costs mount, and political pressure grows at home, is Congress protecting constitutional balance—or giving Iran exactly what it wants: more time? Listen...ponder...vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Mark Halperin is editor-in-chief at 2WAY, publisher of The Wide World of News Newsletter, and a host on SiriusXM's Megyn Kelly Channel.

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is the Republican fight against Trump's $1.8 billion fund a one-off or a turning point? Michael examines the collapse of a proposed $1.8 billion Justice Department compensation fund tied to claims of government “weaponization” and asks whether Republican opposition marks a meaningful shift in Trump-era politics. While acknowledging Trump’s legitimate grievance over the illegal leak of his tax returns, Michael explores why many GOP lawmakers viewed the fund as a bridge too far. Featuring remarks from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and analysis of the behind-the-scenes pressure campaign that killed the proposal, this episode considers whether Republicans have finally found a willingness to challenge their own president—or whether this was simply an isolated exception. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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"Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" - but a "good fence" isn't necessarily a tall one. Why are white picket fences disappearing across America? Michael explores a surprising cultural shift with Washington Post reporter Danielle Paquette. As privacy fences replace open yards, what are we gaining—and what might we be losing when it comes to community, trust, and neighborly connection? Original air date 2 June 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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