When service members are pushed past human limits during record-breaking deployments while leadership dismisses mounting warnings, military accountability breaks down completely.

Today at 12pm ET, Steve Schmidt and Dean Blundell return for DEAD AIR to confront the growing crisis aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. With the aircraft carrier logging over 250 consecutive days at sea without a port call, families and military news outlets are raising alarms over severe mental health struggles, water supply issues, and reports of sailors attempting to go overboard. As Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon officials downplay the situation and claim conditions are "misrepresented," Steve and Dean examine the catastrophic leadership failures leaving thousands of service members stranded in high-stress combat deployments.

The panel also dives into a wild slate of political unraveling and public stunts:

Election Denial Redux: Mike Lindell drops another election loss and, true to form, refuses to accept the official vote tally.

DHS Surveillance & Transport In-Fighting: Federal agencies turn inward with domestic surveillance concerns while grounding controversies drag on.

Karoline Leavitt's Quick Exit: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt abruptly resigns just 48 hours after being stranded on a grounded government aircraft.

Sky Banners Over Florida: A banner towing the message "Donald Trump Hates You" flies along the Florida Panhandle all weekend long, signaling a new wave of direct political pushback.

On today’s broadcast:

The Carrier Deployment Crisis: The human cost, operational strain, and administrative indifference facing sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Hegseth’s Pentagon Response: Why downplaying service member welfare damages military readiness and public trust.

High-Profile Resignations & Agency Chaos: Unpacking Karoline Leavitt's sudden departure and federal transit disputes.

The Political Spectacle: Mike Lindell's unending election challenges and aerial banners taking political satire directly to the skies.

When a high-profile criminal case built on propaganda completely falls apart, the political spectacle quickly turns into a game of finger-pointing and bureaucratic scapegoating.

Steve Schmidt and Dean Blundell return for DEAD AIR to break down the absurd collapse of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalism prosecution. After months of hype, grand jury indictments, and media attacks targeting 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office was forced to move to dismiss all felony charges. Justice Department filings conceded that the widespread damage was actually caused by a botched, rushed contractor installation—not left-wing sabotage. Steve and Dean dissect the Oval Office fallout as federal leadership threw Pirro under the bus for "folding," exposing how executive weaponization of law enforcement operates when reality catches up to political theater.

Then, the panel turns to the chaotic political landscape across the border and in the states:

Montana's Messy Senate Race: Unpacking the latest political infighting, primary maneuvering, and campaign tactics throwing Montana's critical Senate seat into turmoil.

Toronto's Mayoral Scramble: Examining the circus atmosphere surrounding Toronto's upcoming mayoral election as a massive field of 37 candidates competes in a wild political free-for-all.

On today’s broadcast:

The Reflecting Pool Fiasco: How a $16 million botched renovation resulted in false arrests, media smears, and a embarrassing DOJ retreat.

Pirro in the Crosshairs: Dissecting the fallout between executive leadership and DOJ prosecutors after the vandalism narrative dissolved.

Montana Senate Turmoil: Analyzing the escalating political battles shaping the balance of power in Congress.

The 37-Candidate Mayoral Race: Why Toronto's sprawling candidate pool reflects broader trends of political fragmentation and voter fatigue.

Tune in live for an unfiltered, hard-hitting breakdown of institutional chaos and political accountability.

Using the federal budget as a weapon to punish political opponents is a direct violation of constitutional principles and a failure of public trust.

Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee joins Steve Schmidt on SAM LIVE for a hard-hitting discussion on executive overreach, energy costs, and defending democratic governance.

Governor Inslee pulls no punches, calling out executive moves to selectively slash federal grants for states based on political orientation—labeling the policy "unconstitutional, abusive, and immoral." Drawing on his experience leading Washington State through federal funding standoffs, Inslee breaks down how withholding infrastructure, emergency, and municipal aid hurts everyday Americans regardless of how they voted.

The panel also dives into the practical economic fallout for consumers nationwide. With gas prices climbing back over $4 a gallon while major oil companies post record profits, Inslee and Schmidt dissect how policy shifts and foreign policy entanglements are directly driving up energy and living costs for working families.

On today’s broadcast:

The Weaponization of Federal Aid: Former Governor Jay Inslee details the legal and constitutional dangers of withholding state grants over political differences.

Gas Prices & Energy Policy: Breaking down why pain at the pump is returning for working families while corporate energy margins skyrocket.

Defending Blue State Governance: How state executive leadership can protect local economies, infrastructure, and public services from federal retaliation.

The 2026 Strategy: Why pro-democracy coalitions must highlight tangible economic impacts to hold federal leadership accountable at the ballot box.

Join us live for an urgent, unfiltered briefing on federal accountability and economic strategy.

From missing missile stockpiles and late-night social media meltdowns to mounting public skepticism over Capitol Hill health disclosures, institutional transparency is taking another massive hit.

Today at 12pm ET, Steve Schmidt and Dean Blundell return for DEAD AIR to break down a bizarre week of executive unravelling, public health claims, and economic disconnects.

First, the panel dives into "Missiles Gone, Wig On." Between getting booed by crowds in Las Vegas, midnight rants on Truth Social, and severe questions surrounding U.S. missile inventory levels amid Middle East escalations, executive leadership seems focused on late-night personal branding changes—including dropping long-time hair-loss medications. Steve and Dean bring their trademark satire to the spectacle, breaking down what happens when serious national security issues compete with personal vanities.

Then, they address the latest chapter in "The Mitch Sitch." Following an official announcement that 84-year-old Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has been discharged from a rehabilitation facility after a nearly two-month absence, public skepticism remains at an all-time high. With no public sightings or video proof of his return home, lawmakers and constituents continue to question the true state of leadership and representation in the U.S. Senate.

Finally, Steve and Dean confront the disconnect between White House declarations that the affordability crisis has been solved and the daily economic reality facing working families—from rising energy prices to the viral outrage over $20 burritos and soaring grocery bills.

On today’s broadcast:

• Missiles Gone, Wig On: Analyzing the strategic implications of depleted missile stockpiles alongside late-night executive social media meltdowns.
• The McConnell Discharge Reality: Unpacking the lack of public transparency surrounding McConnell's home recovery and the legislative gridlock in Congress.
• Economic Disconnect: Why official claims of an economic turnaround clash directly with everyday consumer prices and inflation fatigue.
• Media and Accountability: Why holding political leaders accountable for basic facts remains the most vital job of independent broadcasting.

Tune in live on Substack and YouTube for an unfiltered breakdown of the stories dominating the news cycle.

Governing effectively means cutting through partisan noise to deliver real accountability and tangible results for working families.

Today at 12pm ET, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joins Steve Schmidt on SAM LIVE for a critical conversation on democratic leadership, transparency, and the future of the national Democratic strategy.

First, Governor Beshear addresses "The Mitch Sitch" in his home state—a mounting crisis of oversight as senior U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell remains out of public view following his hospitalization. With no public appearances in weeks, constituents and lawmakers across the political spectrum are raising serious questions about leadership, transparency, and basic representation in Washington. Governor Beshear and Steve discuss what this unprecedented absence means for the people of Kentucky and why demanding basic accountability from public officials is essential for a functioning democracy.

Then, Governor Beshear outlines his approach to leadership in a deeply divided state, sharing lessons from winning across party lines in Kentucky. He delivers a direct message to national party leadership: drop the political jargon, focus on the day-to-day realities facing working-class Americans, and show up everywhere—for Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike.

On today’s broadcast:

The McConnell Accountability Crisis: Governor Beshear addresses the public disappearance of Kentucky’s senior senator and the demand for transparency in Congress.

Governing Beyond Partisanship: Lessons from leading a state across political divides and prioritizing economic results over ideological fights.

Winning Back Working Families: Why national Democrats must dump corporate messaging and communicate directly on the issues that matter.

Protecting Democratic Institutions: How state leaders can stand up for accountability, ballot access, and public trust.

Join us live for an unfiltered, forward-looking strategy session with one of the nation's most successful Democratic governors.

Restoring the old political status quo is no longer enough to protect democratic institutions.Today at 1:30pm ET, progressive commentator, podcast host, and bestselling author Brian Tyler Cohen joins Steve Schmidt live on SAM LIVE to discuss his new book, "The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World."

Together, Steve and Brian confront a hard reality: American democracy is not merely teetering on an edge, but dealing with the fallout of systemic democratic backsliding. They dissect the contrast between how conservative political strategists have systematically tested and expanded executive and judicial authority over several decades, and how Democratic leaders have repeatedly hesitated to exercise governing leverage even when holding congressional majorities. Brian outlines a strategic framework for how progressives and pro-democracy coalitions must prepare to govern. The discussion dives into concrete structural reforms, overcoming legislative gridlock, and developing the political resolve required to protect voting rights, reform the courts, and deliver lasting structural change.

On today’s broadcast:

The Abuse vs. Hesitation Dynamic: Analyzing how political power has been wielded differently across party lines and the long-term impact on democratic norms.

Beyond the Status Quo: Why simply attempting to return to pre-2016 norms fails to address underlying institutional vulnerabilities.

The Post-Trump Playbook: Strategic priorities for a pro-democracy governing coalition, from court reform to legislative procedure.

Preparing for 2026 and Beyond: What it will take for progressives to organize effectively and exercise governing power decisively.

Join us live for this crucial discussion on the future of American governance and political power.

When the national press corps gathers to applaud jokes about circumventing the United States Constitution, the independent press stops acting as a check on executive power and becomes complicit in its normalization.

Today at 12pm ET, Steve Schmidt and Dean Blundell return for DEAD AIR to rip into the widespread media failures on display at the Waldorf Astoria over the weekend. They examine the troubling spectacle of journalists laughing and clapping alongside Donald Trump as he openly joked about pursuing an illegal third term in office. Steve and Dean dissect what this cozy relationship reveals about corporate media access culture and the complete breakdown of press accountability.

Then, former Senior Border Patrol Agent turned immigration advocate Jenn Budd joins the broadcast for an insider's look into the Department of Homeland Security. Drawing on her years of field experience and whistleblowing work, Jenn breaks down ICE's systemic hiring practices. She explains why deploying aggressive, minimally trained officers with questionable backgrounds onto American streets is not an accidental administrative failure, but a deliberate feature of federal enforcement design.

Finally, the panel addresses growing internal fractures and leadership concerns surfacing within the Democratic National Committee, unpacking what these political shifts mean for the midterms and the broader fight for democratic institutions.

On today’s broadcast:

The Waldorf Astoria Fallout: Analyzing press reaction to Trump's third-term rhetoric and the capitulation of traditional media oversight.

Inside Federal Immigration Agencies: Whistleblower Jenn Budd on weaponized hiring standards, lack of vetting, and field accountability.

Structural Abuse as a Feature: Why aggressive field tactics and minimal oversight are embedded into modern deportation operations.

DNC Internal Friction: Unpacking party strategy, leadership challenges, and the path forward for constitutional defenders.

Join us live for an unfiltered breakdown of press integrity, federal accountability, and political strategy.

Four American service members lost their lives in Iran-linked attacks, only to have their sacrifices met with institutional erasure and federal opacity.

Today at 11am ET, Steve Schmidt, SAM National Security Chair Ken Harbaugh, and intelligence analyst Malcolm Nance assemble for an urgent national security briefing. Together, they honor the memory and service of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, and Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad—four military personnel whose names were quietly removed from the Pentagon's official online casualty reporting list following recent fatal strikes in Jordan and Iraq.

While military families mourn and congressional leaders demand transparency from the Department of Defense regarding accuracy in combat reporting, executive leadership is weighing plans for a massive, unprecedented strike campaign against Iranian targets. Our panel breaks down the military, intelligence, and constitutional fallout of expanding an undeclared war while concealing the human cost from the American public.

On today’s urgent broadcast:

Honoring the Fallen: Remembering 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, and Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, and examining their service.

The Casualty Transparency Crisis: Analyzing the Pentagon's removal of fallen service members from official casualty tracking and the growing backlash from lawmakers demanding accountability.

Plans for "Massive" Escalation: Dissecting reporting that executive leadership is preparing a sweeping new offensive against Iranian infrastructure and the strategic risks to regional forces.

Regional Security & Troop Safety: Malcolm Nance and Ken Harbaugh assess air defense vulnerabilities, regional deployment postures, and the lack of an exit strategy in the Middle East.

Follow Steve: https://steveschmidt.substack.com/
Follow Ken: https://thekenharbaughshow.substack.com/
Follow Malcolm: https://substack.com/@malcolmnance

Join us live for an unfiltered, real-time national security assessment.