Michael Smerconish
@smerconish.bsky.social
For Independent Minds
SiriusXM POTUS Channel 124 9am-12 ET daily, Encore 9pm-12 ET. CNN Saturdays 9am ET.
https://linktr.ee/smerconish
SiriusXM POTUS Channel 124 9am-12 ET daily, Encore 9pm-12 ET. CNN Saturdays 9am ET.
https://linktr.ee/smerconish
Yesterday's poll closed with 85.19% of 75,637 voters saying that ICE should NOT deport people who came to the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa but have lived here for years while paying taxes and breaking no laws? What do you think?
Vote today 🗳️ https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
Vote today 🗳️ https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
February 1, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Yesterday's poll closed with 85.19% of 75,637 voters saying that ICE should NOT deport people who came to the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa but have lived here for years while paying taxes and breaking no laws? What do you think?
Vote today 🗳️ https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
Vote today 🗳️ https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
What do you think? VOTE on the poll question here: https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
February 1, 2026 at 11:54 AM
What do you think? VOTE on the poll question here: https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
Yesterday's poll closed with 83% of 40,015 voters saying that the new video of Alex Pretti protesting 11 days before he was killed did not change their opinion on the matter.
Vote on today's poll https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
Vote on today's poll https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
January 31, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Yesterday's poll closed with 83% of 40,015 voters saying that the new video of Alex Pretti protesting 11 days before he was killed did not change their opinion on the matter.
Vote on today's poll https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
Vote on today's poll https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
"I'm appreciative of President Trump," says Michael, but are sweeping deportations of all illegal immigrants fair? What about those who have been law-abiding citizens since arrival? Michael shares his idea for how to treat them.
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ld8UurcA6PE
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ld8UurcA6PE
January 31, 2026 at 3:01 PM
"I'm appreciative of President Trump," says Michael, but are sweeping deportations of all illegal immigrants fair? What about those who have been law-abiding citizens since arrival? Michael shares his idea for how to treat them.
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ld8UurcA6PE
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ld8UurcA6PE
The debate over the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti is already playing out in the court of public opinion. But no matter what context federal officials offer, it doesn’t change the standard for use of force. Michael explains.
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0KQ2vHs52Dw
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0KQ2vHs52Dw
January 31, 2026 at 2:36 PM
The debate over the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti is already playing out in the court of public opinion. But no matter what context federal officials offer, it doesn’t change the standard for use of force. Michael explains.
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0KQ2vHs52Dw
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0KQ2vHs52Dw
Today's poll question: Should ICE deport people who came to the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa but have lived here for years while paying taxes and breaking no laws?
Cast your vote https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
Cast your vote https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
January 31, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Today's poll question: Should ICE deport people who came to the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa but have lived here for years while paying taxes and breaking no laws?
Cast your vote https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
Cast your vote https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
Cartoons of the week, featured in the Smerconish Daily Newsletter.
🎨 Jack Ohman, Rob Rogers, Steve Breen, and Eric Allie
Sign up for the newsletter and view more of our exclusive cartoons at smerconish.com
🎨 Jack Ohman, Rob Rogers, Steve Breen, and Eric Allie
Sign up for the newsletter and view more of our exclusive cartoons at smerconish.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Cartoons of the week, featured in the Smerconish Daily Newsletter.
🎨 Jack Ohman, Rob Rogers, Steve Breen, and Eric Allie
Sign up for the newsletter and view more of our exclusive cartoons at smerconish.com
🎨 Jack Ohman, Rob Rogers, Steve Breen, and Eric Allie
Sign up for the newsletter and view more of our exclusive cartoons at smerconish.com
57% of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, the K-shaped economy is driving voter frustration, and education has become the single strongest predictor of how Americans vote. Political strategist Doug Sosnik breaks it all down.
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
The Smerconish Podcast
Spirited discussions of government, politics, and current events without predictable left/right bias. The Smerconish Podcast is for Independent Minds.
The Michael Smerconish Program airs live on Siriu...
bit.ly
January 30, 2026 at 8:05 PM
57% of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, the K-shaped economy is driving voter frustration, and education has become the single strongest predictor of how Americans vote. Political strategist Doug Sosnik breaks it all down.
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Can social media platforms be held accountable for the mental health impacts on kids? That's the question on trial in California right now. But legal expert Clay Calvert says you need to defend the companies' first amendment rights, too.
Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/qw-Fgh8_lVc
Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/qw-Fgh8_lVc
January 30, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Can social media platforms be held accountable for the mental health impacts on kids? That's the question on trial in California right now. But legal expert Clay Calvert says you need to defend the companies' first amendment rights, too.
Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/qw-Fgh8_lVc
Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/qw-Fgh8_lVc
Today's poll question: Was your opinion about Alex Pretti altered by the video showing him protesting 11 days before he was killed?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Today's poll question: Was your opinion about Alex Pretti altered by the video showing him protesting 11 days before he was killed?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll question showed an overwhelming popularity of instituting a 75 year age limit for federal politicians. Possible presidential candidate Rahm Emanuel pushed the idea on Michael's show yesterday. Do you agree with these results?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Yesterday's poll question showed an overwhelming popularity of instituting a 75 year age limit for federal politicians. Possible presidential candidate Rahm Emanuel pushed the idea on Michael's show yesterday. Do you agree with these results?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
The average age of a U.S. Senator is more than 65 years old. Former congressman, ambassador, and mayor—and possible 2028 presidential hopeful—Rahm Emanuel thinks that's too old.
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CetmheAu3ro
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CetmheAu3ro
January 29, 2026 at 10:39 PM
The average age of a U.S. Senator is more than 65 years old. Former congressman, ambassador, and mayor—and possible 2028 presidential hopeful—Rahm Emanuel thinks that's too old.
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CetmheAu3ro
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CetmheAu3ro
In a wide-ranging conversation, former congressman, Chicago mayor, White House chief of staff, and U.S. ambassador Rahm Emanuel says Washington needs mandatory retirement at 75, sweeping ethics reform, and generally a full “power wash” of the system.
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
The Smerconish Podcast
Spirited discussions of government, politics, and current events without predictable left/right bias. The Smerconish Podcast is for Independent Minds.
The Michael Smerconish Program airs live on Siriu...
bit.ly
January 29, 2026 at 9:11 PM
In a wide-ranging conversation, former congressman, Chicago mayor, White House chief of staff, and U.S. ambassador Rahm Emanuel says Washington needs mandatory retirement at 75, sweeping ethics reform, and generally a full “power wash” of the system.
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
The economy is soaring. Markets are high, unemployment is low, but consumer confidence isn't tracking with that. Longtime Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik says it's a mark of the "K-shaped economy," and it could be a bad sign for Republicans in the midterms.
WATCH: https://youtu.be/NdaSMhPth3Y
WATCH: https://youtu.be/NdaSMhPth3Y
January 29, 2026 at 5:41 PM
The economy is soaring. Markets are high, unemployment is low, but consumer confidence isn't tracking with that. Longtime Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik says it's a mark of the "K-shaped economy," and it could be a bad sign for Republicans in the midterms.
WATCH: https://youtu.be/NdaSMhPth3Y
WATCH: https://youtu.be/NdaSMhPth3Y
Today's poll question: Should there be a mandatory retirement age of 75 for the president, cabinet officials, members of Congress, and federal judges?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Today's poll question: Should there be a mandatory retirement age of 75 for the president, cabinet officials, members of Congress, and federal judges?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll showed a significant majority believe concealed carry should NOT be illegal at protests and demonstrations. Officials cite that as the reason as justification for the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Do you agree with these results?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Yesterday's poll showed a significant majority believe concealed carry should NOT be illegal at protests and demonstrations. Officials cite that as the reason as justification for the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Do you agree with these results?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
From Trump’s evolving response to the Minnesota ICE shooting to the backlash faced by journalists who insist on nuance, Mark Halperin and Smerconish explore why centrism now draws fire from both the left and the right.
Listen on the podcast 🎧: https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Listen on the podcast 🎧: https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
The Smerconish Podcast
Spirited discussions of government, politics, and current events without predictable left/right bias. The Smerconish Podcast is for Independent Minds.
The Michael Smerconish Program airs live on Siriu...
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 7:25 PM
From Trump’s evolving response to the Minnesota ICE shooting to the backlash faced by journalists who insist on nuance, Mark Halperin and Smerconish explore why centrism now draws fire from both the left and the right.
Listen on the podcast 🎧: https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Listen on the podcast 🎧: https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
As the second immigration-related shooting in Minnesota draws national headlines, Mark Halperin says that's also throwing up walls in our personal relationships. He tells Michael he might lose friends over his centrist stance.
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uK3fjTanH3M
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uK3fjTanH3M
January 28, 2026 at 6:01 PM
As the second immigration-related shooting in Minnesota draws national headlines, Mark Halperin says that's also throwing up walls in our personal relationships. He tells Michael he might lose friends over his centrist stance.
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uK3fjTanH3M
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uK3fjTanH3M
Today's poll question: Should it be unlawful to conceal carry at a demonstration?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Today's poll question: Should it be unlawful to conceal carry at a demonstration?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll showed a slight majority believe social media platforms SHOULD be legally responsible for children's screen addiction. A trial to that effect is just beginning in California. Do you agree with this result?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Yesterday's poll showed a slight majority believe social media platforms SHOULD be legally responsible for children's screen addiction. A trial to that effect is just beginning in California. Do you agree with this result?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Reasonable fear or excessive force? Michael takes a careful look at the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. With deep analysis of the law, Michael explains why this case may be fundamentally different from similar recent incidents.
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
The Smerconish Podcast
Spirited discussions of government, politics, and current events without predictable left/right bias. The Smerconish Podcast is for Independent Minds.
The Michael Smerconish Program airs live on Siriu...
link.podtrac.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Reasonable fear or excessive force? Michael takes a careful look at the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. With deep analysis of the law, Michael explains why this case may be fundamentally different from similar recent incidents.
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
The death of nurse Alex Pretti is harder to justify than this month's killing of Renee Good. Where Good was fleeing the scene in an SUV, possibly hitting an ICE officer, Pretti was pinned to the ground and disarmed. Will anyone hold them accountable? Michael evaluates.
WATCH MORE: bit.ly/45zbW3z
WATCH MORE: bit.ly/45zbW3z
January 27, 2026 at 5:36 PM
The death of nurse Alex Pretti is harder to justify than this month's killing of Renee Good. Where Good was fleeing the scene in an SUV, possibly hitting an ICE officer, Pretti was pinned to the ground and disarmed. Will anyone hold them accountable? Michael evaluates.
WATCH MORE: bit.ly/45zbW3z
WATCH MORE: bit.ly/45zbW3z
Today's poll question: Should social media platforms be legally responsible for the screen addiction of minors?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Today's poll question: Should social media platforms be legally responsible for the screen addiction of minors?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll showed a dominant belief that if the 2024 election were re-run now, Kamala Harris would win this time around. Polling shows about 15% more people disapprove of Trump's presidency than approve of it. Do you agree with these results?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Yesterday's poll showed a dominant belief that if the 2024 election were re-run now, Kamala Harris would win this time around. Polling shows about 15% more people disapprove of Trump's presidency than approve of it. Do you agree with these results?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
There's a synchrony that emerges when people are in the same place, feeling the same thing. We experience it in moments of ritualistic fervor, like a religious pilgrimage or, according to professor Dimitris Xygalatas's new book, sports games.
Watch the full interview: https://bit.ly/466JTIP
Watch the full interview: https://bit.ly/466JTIP
January 26, 2026 at 6:25 PM
There's a synchrony that emerges when people are in the same place, feeling the same thing. We experience it in moments of ritualistic fervor, like a religious pilgrimage or, according to professor Dimitris Xygalatas's new book, sports games.
Watch the full interview: https://bit.ly/466JTIP
Watch the full interview: https://bit.ly/466JTIP