O'Connor & Company

In the 5 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Bethany Mandel discussed:
Virginia Judge Blocks Referendum: A Virginia judge blocked the state from certifying the results of Tuesday's congressional map referendum, deeming the referendum and the bill that triggered it as unconstitutional, according to a judge's order issued Wednesday.
SPLC Scandal: The media and politicians react to the Department of Justice announcing a bombshell 11-count fraud indictment accusing the Southern Poverty Law Center of secretly funding leaders and organizers of white supremacist, racist and other hate groups that the civil rights group claimed to be battling. (CNBC)
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company
Episode: Thursday, April 23, 2026 / 5 AM Hour
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 6 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Bethany Mandel discussed:
California Governor’s Debate: Two Republicans — Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton — and four Democrats — billionaire Tom Steyer, former Biden administration Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan — squared off in San Francisco last night.
Hung Cao to Lead Navy: Secretary of the Navy John Phelan was fired Wednesday after months of feuding with his Pentagon bosses, particularly over his handling of President Trump’s “Golden Fleet” shipbuilding initiative. (New York Post) Undersecretary Hung Cao will take over as Acting Secretary of the Navy.
Make DC Square Again: Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) introduced the Make DC Square Again Act to undo the unconstitutional 1846 retrocession of Arlington County and the City of Alexandria from the District of Columbia to Virginia. This will restore DC’s original boundaries established by the Residence Act of 1790.
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company
Episode: Thursday, April 23, 2026 / 6 AM Hour
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 7 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Bethany Mandel discussed:
INTERVIEW: Matt Schlapp: Chairman of the American Conservative Union and CPAC on the Virginia election fallout and the ensuing court battle as well as the future of the GOP.
Senate Reconciliation Vote: The Senate advanced a budget resolution on Tuesday in the first step toward funding immigration agencies under the Department of Homeland Security without help from Democrats. In a 52 to 46 vote along party lines, Republicans approved a motion to proceed to the measure, which was released earlier in the day. The vote needed only 51 votes to succeed. (CBS News)
Bessent vs. Van Hollen & Coons: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed back Wednesday after Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., suggested temporary sanctions relief for Iran had granted the country $14 billion during the war. (FOX Business) Bessent also stood his ground when Sen. Chris Van Holland, D-MD., said he gave a windfall to wealthy people who don’t pay taxes.
DeSantis Responds to Jeffries: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ invitations to "F around and find out" on redistricting efforts in Florida, the next possible battleground in a nationwide struggle to gain partisan advantages from congressional district maps. (FOX News)
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company
Episode: Thursday, April 23, 2026 / 7 AM Hour
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 8 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Bethany Mandel discussed:
INTERVIEW: KT McFarland: Former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Trump and author of “REVOLUTION" on the latest developments in Iran and John Phelan being dismissed as Secretary of the Navy.
INTERVIEW: Rep. Rich McCormick: Marine Helicopter Pilot & Doctor Serving Georgia's 7th Congressional District on the Make DC Square Again Act to undo the unconstitutional 1846 retrocession of Arlington County and the City of Alexandria from the District of Columbia to Virginia.
DC Walkways Update: The fences are down and the Tidal Basin path from the Jefferson Memorial to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is open! Raised & improved as part of the Tidal Basin Seawall Rehabilitation Project, the new walkway is bordered by hundreds of newly planted trees. (National Mall NPS on X)
Maryland is No. 2: Maryland is now the second most expensive state in the country to raise a child, according to an analysis of state costs published this month by LendingTree. Families here spend an estimated average of $36,419 annually in the first five years alone, ranking behind only Hawaii. The figure marks a 15% increase from last year. (WBFF)
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company
Episode: Thursday, April 23, 2026 / 8 AM Hour
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WMAL GUEST: MATT SCHLAPP (Chairman of the American Conservative Union and CPAC) on a Virginia judge blocking the certification of the redistricting referendum and the ongoing court battle to stop what critics call a "10-1" partisan power grab.
WEBSITE: CPAC.org
SOCIAL MEDIA: X.com/MSchlapp
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company
Episode: Thursday, April 23, 2026 / 7 AM Hour
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.