Cal Thomas on News of the Day

In the 5 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Alex Swoyer discussed: Pam Bondi Out as AG: Attorney General Pam Bondi is leaving her position, President Donald Trump announced Thursday, amid reports that he was frustrated with her handling of some of his key priorities. Army Chief Retires: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and take immediate retirement, sources familiar with the decision told CBS News.  Gun Ban on Bases Lifted: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday that he was lifting a ban on service members’ ability to carry personal firearms on U.S. military bases. 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: Friday, April 3, 2026 / 5 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 6 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Alex Swoyer discussed: Catholic Church Surge: Numerous media outlets reporting on the rise of attendance at Catholic churches, especially among Gen Z. No Easter Message from King Charles: Buckingham Palace has confirmed King Charles will not issue an Easter message this year. However, he did deliver a message earlier this year for Ramadan. Fraud Rampant in U.S.: Colin McDonald was sworn in as the first-ever assistant attorney general for National Fraud Enforcement by Vice President JD Vance. Also, Larry and Alex discuss the hospice fraud uncovered in California. Trump Ballroom Approved: The National Capital Planning Commission voted Thursday to green light President Trump's 90,000-square-foot East Wing makeover, the final regulatory obstacle for a project that hit legal headwinds earlier this week. 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: Friday, April 3, 2026 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 7 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Alex Swoyer discussed: INTERVIEW:  Dr. Ryan Hanning: Executive Vice President of Catholics Come Home on the rise of attendance at Catholic churches, especially among Gen Z, as Easter Sunday approaches. INTERVIEW: Father Paul Scalia: Episcopal Vicar for Clergy at the Diocese of Arlington and Pastor at Saint James Catholic Church in Falls Church, Virginia reflecting on Holy Week and Easter. Latest on Artemis II: Larry and Alex provide updates on the current trek of Artemis II as it orbits the Moon and also hears from cute kids who have gone viral with their reactions to the rocket launch. 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: Friday, April 3, 2026 / 7 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 8 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Alex Swoyer discussed: INTERVIEW: Al Corbi: President/Founder of SAFE, whose company makes doomsday bunkers, with his thoughts and tips on what he'd advise President Trump for his White House bunker. INTERVIEW: Teasel Muir-Harmony: National Air & Space Museum’s curator of the Apollo collection on NASA's Artemis II mission and the National Air and Space Museum's Plans to celebrate 50 years. Overheard at DCA Airport: Larry talks about someone losing their copy of the Declaration of Independence at Reagan Airport as well as the increase in cherry blossom and MAGA souvenirs at the airport. 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: Friday, April 3, 2026 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 5 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed: Holy Week: Larry and Cassie discuss Holy Week and how their families celebrate the Easter holiday. Artemis II Lifts Off:  Four astronauts blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday evening on a monumental 10-day mission to circumnavigate the moon in the first crewed moon mission since 1972. 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 2, 2026 / 5 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 6 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed: Broadway Memories: Cassie gives her review of “Chicago” at the Trump-Kennedy Center, while Larry shares his memories of “Chicago” while working as a theater manager in Los Angeles. Trump’s Address on Iran: President Donald J. Trump provided an update on Operation Epic Fury in an address to the nation last night, highlighting the extraordinary achievements of the U.S. military against the Iranian regime. Supreme Court Recap: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case seeking to end birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens and other non-U.S. citizens. President Trump was in attendance. 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 2, 2026 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 7 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed: INTERVIEW: Mark Krikorian: Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies with his reaction to the birthright citizenship debate at Supreme Court.  More SCOTUS Arguments: Supreme Court Justices Gorsuch, Brown-Jackson and Coney Barrett weigh in on the birthright citizenship debate. DHS Compromise: Senate Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the apparent path forward on DHS funding in which they will support the bill the Senate passed w/ Dem support that funds all of DHS except ICE & CBP & will attempt to fund CBP & ICE through reconciliation without Dem votes.  Newsom News: According to reports, California’s state Medicare program has lost 25 percent of its budget to fraud under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s leadership. Also, Newsom’s wife bashes the “alt-right” and “Jordan Peterson” types that somehow push hate to her kids. 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 2, 2026 / 7 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 8 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed: INTERVIEW: Gen. Jack Keane: Retired 4 star general, Chairman of the Institute for the Study of War and Fox News Senior Strategic Analyst on President Trump’s address to the nation last night on the war with Iran. INTERVEIW: Kurt Schlichter: Senior Columnist at Townhall, Lawyer, Army COL (R), author of new book, “Blue Flame,” on Trump’s Iran announcement and the birthright citizenship debate at Supreme Court. Trump’s Easter Lunch Routine: President Trump sticks up for Erika Kirk and jokes about J.D. Vance and his Iran speech at the White House Easter Lunch. 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 2, 2026 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WMAL GUEST: MARK KRIKORIAN (Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies) on the landmark Supreme Court oral arguments regarding President Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship and the justices' skepticism toward the administration's legal position. WEBSITE: CIS.org SOCIAL MEDIA: X.com/MarkSKrikorian 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 2, 2026 / 7 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WMAL GUEST: GEN. JACK KEANE (Retired 4-Star General and Fox News Senior Strategic Analyst) on President Trump’s primetime address to the nation, the systematic dismantling of the Iranian regime's military capabilities, and the upcoming two-to-three week timeline to complete U.S. objectives. WEBSITE: UnderstandingWar.org SOCIAL MEDIA: X.com/Gen_JackKeane 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 2, 2026 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.