Videos - Larry O'Connor

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

In an in-depth interview, Hung Cao, the acting Secretary of the Navy, discusses the complexities of the USS Abraham Lincoln's record-long deployment near Iran. He addresses the challenges faced by the crew, emphasizing the importance of maintaining morale and operational readiness. Despite the demanding conditions, Hung Cao highlights the crew's commitment and the strategic significance of the deployment in ensuring regional peace. He also touches on the political dynamics surrounding military funding and resource allocation, and reflects on his personal journey from a Vietnamese refugee to a key figure in U.S. naval leadership. The conversation provides a nuanced look at the balance between military duty and political pressures, as well as the broader geopolitical strategies in the region.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Anthony D'esposito, the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, discusses his proactive approach to uncovering and addressing labor fraud. D'esposito emphasizes the significance of bringing attention to the work of inspectors general and the importance of rooting out fraud that steals from the federal government. He highlights the Department of Labor's focus on unemployment insurance fraud and foreign labor fraud, particularly concerning the H1B visa program. D'esposito explains how fraudulent activities, such as overpayments and exploitation of the visa system, impact both federal funds and American workers, threatening the integrity of the job market. His investigative efforts extend to collaborating with other federal agencies to combat gun, human, and narcotics trafficking. D'esposito stresses the urgency of these issues and their potential impact on small businesses, especially in states like California, where unpaid debts to the federal government could lead to increased unemployment taxes for local businesses.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

The FBI's latest crime statistics reveal a significant nationwide decline in violent crime rates. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter dropped by 18.1 percent, rape by 7.6 percent, and aggravated assault by 7 percent. These reductions are part of a broader trend that includes a 18.5 percent decrease in robberies. Jonathan Fahey, former federal prosecutor and acting ICE director under President Trump, attributes this decrease to several factors. The Trump administration focused on street crimes and violent offenses, contrasting with previous administrations that prioritized political crimes and protesters. Enhanced immigration enforcement, including the removal of serious criminals who entered the country illegally, also contributed to this decline. The deterrence effect of stricter immigration policies has led to fewer crimes, with the murder rate reaching its lowest point since 1956. The conversation also touches on the impact of focusing on drug trafficking, gang crimes, and immigration crimes, which have direct implications for local crime rates in cities like Dallas and Atlanta. The discussion further highlights the positive outcomes of combating drug cartels and making borders more secure, which has led to a substantial decrease in overdose deaths. Despite these achievements, there is concern that incoming policies may reverse these gains by dismantling ICE and defunding the police.

Monday, August 17, 2026

In this discussion, the panel critiques the political strategies and public images of prominent Democrats, particularly focusing on their perceived lack of self-awareness and judgment. They discuss the cringe-worthy content produced by Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer, highlighting their lack of understanding of the public's anger over their actions during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The conversation also touches on Stacey Abrams' political maneuvers and her multi-million dollar grant from the Biden administration for climate change initiatives, despite her lack of relevant experience. Additionally, the panel scrutinizes John Ossoff's political positioning and his attempts to appear moderate despite his progressive voting record, suggesting that the media's portrayal of him as a moderate is misleading. The segment concludes with an analysis of the current state of the midterm elections and the need for Republicans to effectively communicate their economic ideas to counter Democratic narratives.

Monday, August 17, 2026

Rising gas prices and their impact on American consumers are a hot topic as the conflict with Iran continues. In this segment, Patrice Onwuka discusses the current economic landscape with Larry O'Connor. She notes that while gas prices have increased, they remain lower than during the peak of the Biden administration. The conversation dives into real wages, which have been stagnant due to inflation, and the impact of higher gas prices on consumer spending. Patrice highlights that despite the increase in gas prices, overall economic indicators suggest a more positive outlook. Small businesses, buoyed by tax cuts and consumer optimism, are leading the hiring charge, particularly in sectors like leisure, hospitality, and healthcare. This segment explores whether these positive economic signs will influence voter sentiment ahead of the midterm elections.

Monday, August 17, 2026

In this segment, we delve into the legal developments surrounding Luigi Mangione, who has entered a guilty plea in federal court for murdering the CEO of United Healthcare, Brian Thompson. Our senior legal fellow, Hans Von Spakovsky, discusses the implications of Mangione's plea and the concurrent federal and state charges he faces. Spakovsky analyzes the complex legal landscape, including the potential for double jeopardy and the admissibility of Mangione's federal court statements in his state murder trial. Furthermore, the discussion touches on the disturbing phenomenon of young women idolizing Mangione, raising questions about societal and moral issues. This conversation provides critical insights into the intersection of criminal law, public perception, and the justice system.

Friday, August 14, 2026

The Department of Health and Human Services has recently released a report on gender affirming care practices, uncovering significant issues of fraud and misrepresentation. The report highlights that $11 million in claims for medical procedures on children aged 13 to 17 were billed using a fraudulent diagnosis code for precocious puberty, a condition that these children did not have. Additionally, approximately $50 million in claims for puberty blockers were billed using an endocrine disorder diagnostic code, despite the children being perfectly healthy. The report, titled "Wolves in White Coats," reveals a systematic push by certain medical associations and ideologues to perform sex-rejecting procedures on vulnerable children, instead of providing them with proper mental health care. The Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, Admiral Brian Christine, discusses the report's findings, emphasizing the financial incentives behind these practices and the need to protect children from being coerced into harmful treatments. The report has been referred to the Department of Justice for a criminal investigation, marking a significant shift from the previous administration's approach.

Friday, August 14, 2026

An act of vandalism at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., has left visitors and authorities alike in shock. Local reporter Christian Flores from WJLA ABC7 covers the incident, highlighting the rarity and gravity of such an occurrence at a site so sacred and heavily monitored. The vandals sprayed red paint and graffiti on the Atlantic pavilion, which bears significant symbolism for the war. The act, described as "disgusting" and "an utter disgrace" by the Department of the Interior, has sparked an investigation by the U.S. Park Police. The graffiti's message, "clean hands, dirty dollar sign," hints at possible political motivations, though this remains speculative. The Friends of the National World War II Memorial Organization emphasized that defacing the memorial is not protected by the First Amendment. Despite the vandalism, the response from visitors and locals has been overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing hope that the perpetrators will be caught and held accountable.

Friday, August 14, 2026

Bethany Mandel, the proprietor and producer of the Mom Wars podcast and newsletter, joins the show to discuss several hot-button issues. Among the topics, Mandel talks about her reaction to news regarding potential vaccine-related miscarriages and shares her thoughts on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's decision to freeze her eggs. Mandel emphasizes the importance of informed consent and questions the efficacy and ethics of egg freezing as promoted by some public figures. The conversation also shifts to a candid interview Mandel conducted with Senator John Fetterman, highlighting his staunch support for Israel amidst growing tensions within the Democratic Party over the issue. Mandel reflects on the changing dynamics within the Democratic Party and discusses the challenges faced by pro-Israel advocates in the U.S. political landscape.

Friday, August 14, 2026

Cully Stimson, acting director for the legal policy center and senior legal fellow at the Center for National Security at the Heritage Foundation, discusses the recent decline in violent crime across several U.S. jurisdictions. Stimson attributes this decrease to increased prosecutions and accountability for criminals, contrasting with previous lenient approaches by some prosecutors. The conversation highlights the impact of enforcing laws and the potential negative consequences of policies that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. Stimson emphasizes the importance of a law and order approach at local levels, noting specific improvements in jurisdictions like Washington D.C. where stricter measures have been implemented. Additionally, the discussion touches on the role of federal policies and the potential for systemic changes to influence crime rates. Stimson's insights provide a detailed examination of how prosecutorial strategies and political will can significantly affect crime statistics.