Smerconish Season 13 Episodes

Episode 1

Operation Venezuela: A Day with Global Ramifications

Sat, Jan 3, 2026

CNN Breaking News: US Captures Venezuelan President Nicolas MaduroIn this CNN breaking news segment, it is reported that the United States, under President Trump's orders, conducted a large-scale strike against Venezuela that led to the capture and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The Venezuelan government condemned the strikes as grave military aggression, and explosions were reported in multiple regions. Expert commentary includes a military analysis by Admiral James Stavridis, discussions on the potential legal outcomes for Maduro in US courts, and insights into the geopolitical and regional reactions. The segment also explores the potential aftermath for Venezuela and the broader implications of the operation.

Episode 2

Reasonable Force or Reckless Action? The Debate on Police Standards

Sat, Jan 10, 2026

CNN's Michael Smerconish discusses the recent viral video concerning a Minnesota ICE agent's use of lethal force against a fleeing vehicle, questioning the lack of critical thinking and bipartisan analysis. He emphasizes the need for a transparent, independent investigation and details relevant guidelines and policies from various government publications on the use of deadly force. Additionally, the episode examines widespread fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the massive scale of government assistance fraud across all states, not just Minnesota. Expert insights from Kevin Davis, a former police officer, and Haywood Tal Cove from LexisNexis Risk Solutions, enrich the discussion.

Episode 3

Predictive Markets and Political Shifts: The Rise of Independents

Sat, Jan 17, 2026

CNN's Michael Smerconish discusses the potential future of predictive markets in political forecasting and their comparison to traditional polling.

Episode 4

Episode #13.4

Sat, Jan 31, 2026

Episode 5

Episode #13.5

Sat, Feb 7, 2026