Video - Larry O'Connor

Virginia House Republican Leader Terry Kilgore discusses Governor Abigail Spanberger's new energy plan, emphasizing the need to repeal the Virginia Clean Economy Act and withdraw from RGGI to lower electricity costs for Virginians. He argues that the plan's reliance on solar energy is impractical and costly, advocating for nuclear and natural gas as more reliable and affordable options.

A recent development in the Lindsey Clancy case in Massachusetts has sparked significant legal debate. The judge has rejected the defense's attempt to dismiss the murder charges against Clancy. Cully Stimson, acting director of the Legal Policy Center and Senior Legal Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, explains that the judge's decision was based on a Supreme Court case in Massachusetts that requires the judge to evaluate the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Stimson highlights the importance of adhering to legal protocols and the challenges in finding an unbiased jury for a retrial, given the high-profile nature of the case. Shifting to Virginia, the parole board appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger has granted parole to eight out of ten inmates, drawing criticism from legal experts and victims' rights groups. Stimson discusses the criteria for parole decisions, emphasizing the need for transparency and justification for such high-profile paroles, which are currently lacking in Virginia. The discussion underscores the potential risks to public safety and the importance of rigorous criteria in parole decisions.

In this chilling account, Joe Sokol, a reporter for the Maine Wire, narrowly escapes an attempt on his life while investigating a methadone clinic in Bangor. Sokol had been reporting on the clinic's substantial Medicaid funding and its impact on the community. While filming outside the clinic, Sokol narrowly avoided being struck by a Jeep driven by an irate patient, who later admitted to targeting him due to Sokol's reporting. The incident raises serious concerns about the safety of journalists and the conditions within the clinic. Sokol recounts the harrowing experience and discusses the subsequent investigation, highlighting the need for accountability and justice in such incidents.

Lori Taylor, CEO of Produce Moms, discusses practical tips for healthy living. She emphasizes affordable, nutritious meals using whole foods, shares pantry tips, and stress the importance of reducing food waste and growing your own produce.

In a recent parole board meeting in Virginia, alarming data emerged indicating that eight out of ten inmates, including violent felons such as murderers, rapists, and robbers, were granted parole. This trend under Governor Abigail Spanberger’s new parole board shows a significant increase in the release of dangerous individuals. Only one percent of parole applicants are typically released, but these individuals had substantial prison sentences remaining. The parole board’s approach appears to prioritize inmates who have enrolled in rehabilitation programs, even when these programs are not mandatory for parole approval. Victims and advocates are concerned that this policy may encourage inmates to rush into such programs solely to improve their chances of early release. Additionally, a significant development in Stafford County, Virginia, highlights the cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE, which contrasts with other areas like Fairfax and Arlington that do not honor ICE detainers. This cooperation led to the arrest of an MS-13 gang member with a criminal history involving assault weapons possession, obstruction of justice, and drug trafficking. Tom Holman, the ICE surgeon for Virginia and Maryland, expressed disappointment in Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger for enacting laws that hinder ICE operations, such as banning state troopers from assisting ICE and preventing state prisons from honoring ICE detainers. The conversation also touched on a disturbing case in Arlington involving a registered sex offender who entered girls' locker rooms in public schools by claiming to be a woman. Despite being on probation and prohibited from being near schools, he was allowed to access the locker rooms, leading to charges of loitering and possession of child pornography. This case raises serious questions about the school's policies and their handling of the situation.

Retired U.S. Army Major General Bert Mizusawa discusses his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Virginia, focusing on critical issues such as affordability, data centers, and national security. Mizusawa, the Republican nominee challenging Mark Warner, shares his insights on the campaign's progress and the concerns of Virginians, particularly regarding the impact of data centers and their power needs on local communities. He emphasizes the importance of local control over data center placements and supports the rapid deployment of nuclear power to address energy concerns. Mizusawa also touches on the need for national security vigilance in light of recent terror threats and expresses his readiness to debate his opponent, urging Mark Warner to reconsider and participate in the scheduled debates.

KT McFarland, former Deputy National Security Adviser to President Trump, joins us to discuss the recent hijacking of a FlyDubai flight en route to Israel and its implications on global terrorism. McFarland commends the bravery of the Israeli passengers and the pilot, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by terrorism, even in the face of improved security cooperation like the Abraham Accords. She discusses the potential for increased terrorist activities as Iran faces economic and political challenges, and speculates on the future of Iran's leadership in light of these pressures. McFarland also touches on the importance of vigilance in domestic security, drawing parallels to the situation at the U.S. border. The conversation shifts to the geopolitical chess game between the U.S., Iran, and its allies, emphasizing the need for strong leadership to navigate these complex issues. McFarland concludes with a light-hearted note about the upcoming Air Force versus Navy game, showing the importance of community and shared interests beyond politics.

In this discussion, retired Lieutenant Colonel Tony Shaffer, a former United States Army officer, comments on recent remarks made by Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the state of the military under his leadership. Shaffer discusses the shift back to traditional military values and the removal of what he considers politically motivated policies that have diluted military focus and effectiveness. He shares his perspective on the decline in military standards since the 1990s, attributing it to the introduction of social justice initiatives and academic requirements that have undermined combat readiness and experience-based promotions. Shaffer also addresses the recent terror attack on an airliner, emphasizing the need for enhanced screening processes for those working on aircraft to prevent future incidents. He concludes by highlighting the importance of maintaining a strong, focused military ethos to protect national security.

In this discussion, retired CIA senior clandestine services officer Daniel Hoffman joins to analyze a recent attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai flight. Hoffman explains how the incident unfolded, with a pilot bringing a knife on board and attempting to stab another pilot, which was thwarted by a civilian passenger. The conversation delves into the lapses in security vetting and the broader implications of such incidents, including the potential for coordinated terror attacks. Hoffman emphasizes the need for improved intelligence and security measures to prevent future incidents. Additionally, the discussion touches on a separate terror plot uncovered in England, raising concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement responses and ongoing threats from terrorist organizations.

During a recent Senate Judiciary hearing, significant revelations emerged regarding Jack Smith's subpoenaing of multiple media outlets, including The Federalist, Associated Press, Bloomberg, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and more. The subpoenas were issued under the orders of Joe Biden and Merrick Garland, as part of Smith's investigation into the January 6 events and efforts to prosecute President Trump and Republicans. The media outlets named had their communications obtained, raising concerns about the breach of the First Amendment and freedom of the press. Mollie Hemingway, Editor-in-Chief of The Federalist, expressed her outrage and disbelief over the actions taken by Smith, emphasizing the partisan nature of the investigation and its disregard for constitutional protections. Hemingway highlighted the irony of media outlets like CNN, which participated in the Russia collusion narrative, feeling secure while others, like The Federalist, were targeted for their critical reporting. The discussion also touched on the role of the National Archives and the Inspector General's conflicting statements regarding the legitimacy of the investigation. Hemingway concluded by stressing the importance of accountability for such governmental overreach and violations of civil liberties.