In the 5 AM hour, Larry O'Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed:
DUTY TO PROTECT: President Trump challenged Congress to stand if they agree the first duty of government is to protect citizens over illegal aliens, leading to a visible divide as Democrats remained seated.
DEM MELTDOWN: A look at the ongoing Democratic reaction to the SOTU, including comments from Rep. Jared Moskowitz and Gil Cisneros.
POKER CONVICTION: SCOTUSblog co-founder Tom Goldstein has been convicted on tax evasion charges related to $50 million in high-stakes poker winnings.
CUBA ATTACK: The Cuban Coast Guard opened fire on a U.S.-registered speedboat near Cayo Falcones, resulting in four fatalities.
POPE ON AI: Pope Leo XIV warned clergy against using artificial intelligence to write homilies, emphasizing that "faith cannot be spread via algorithms."

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, February 26, 2026 / 5 AM Hour

In the 5 AM hour, Larry O'Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed:
<ul>
<li>DUTY TO PROTECT: President Trump challenged Congress to stand if they agree the first duty of government is to protect citizens over illegal aliens, leading to a visible divide as Democrats remained seated.</li>
<li>DEM MELTDOWN: A look at the ongoing Democratic reaction to the SOTU, including comments from Rep. Jared Moskowitz and Gil Cisneros.</li>
<li>POKER CONVICTION: SCOTUSblog co-founder Tom Goldstein has been convicted on tax evasion charges related to $50 million in high-stakes poker winnings.</li>
<li>CUBA ATTACK: The Cuban Coast Guard opened fire on a U.S.-registered speedboat near Cayo Falcones, resulting in four fatalities.</li>
<li>POPE ON AI: Pope Leo XIV warned clergy against using artificial intelligence to write homilies, emphasizing that "faith cannot be spread via algorithms."</li>
</ul>
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
<ul>
<li>Follow Podcasts on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oconnor-company/id1061727141">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/OConnor-Company-Podcast/B08JJM9GJQ">Audible</a>, and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0GdK5LslF4wJCd4VQoRFd0">Spotify</a></li>
<li>Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: <a href="https://x.com/WMALDC">@WMALDC</a>, <a href="https://x.com/LarryOConnor">@LarryOConnor</a>, <a href="https://x.com/JGunlock">@JGunlock</a>, <a href="https://x.com/PatricePinkfile">@PatricePinkfile</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/HeatherHunterDC">@HeatherHunterDC</a></li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LarryOConnor/">Larry O'Connor</a></li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a></li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/">WMAL.com/OConnor-Company</a></li>
</ul>
Episode: Thursday, February 26, 2026 / 5 AM Hour

Enjoy O'Connor & Company from the nation's capital! Heard weekdays from 5am to 9am on WMAL in Washington, D.C.

Enjoy O'Connor &amp; Company from the nation's capital! Heard weekdays from 5am to 9am on WMAL in Washington, D.C.

O'Connor & Company

"O'Connor & Company" is Washington, D.C.'s popular morning-drive news-talk radio show on WMAL hosted by LARRY O'CONNOR with co-hosts JULIE GUNLOCK, PATRICE ONWUKA and executive producer HEATHER HUNTER. O’Connor and his team cover all of the top national and local news of the day, including interviews with top newsmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country. The show airs weekdays in the Washington, D.C. area (DC, VA, MD, WV) from 5-9 AM EST on 105.9 FM, online at WMAL.com, on the WMAL App or on your Amazon Alexa. To join the conversation, check us out on Twitter check us out on Twitter @LarryOConnor @JGunlock @PatricePinkFile @HeatherHunterDC @WMALDC

Follow Larry on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany

"O'Connor &amp; Company" is Washington, D.C.'s popular morning-drive news-talk radio show on WMAL hosted by LARRY O'CONNOR with co-hosts JULIE GUNLOCK, PATRICE ONWUKA and executive producer HEATHER HUNTER. O’Connor and his team cover all of the top national and local news of the day, including interviews with top newsmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country. The show airs weekdays in the Washington, D.C. area (DC, VA, MD, WV) from 5-9 AM EST on 105.9 FM, online at <a href="http://www.wmal.com">WMAL.com</a>, on the <a href="https://www.wmal.com/listenlive/">WMAL App</a> or on your Amazon Alexa. To join the conversation, check us out on Twitter check us out on Twitter @LarryOConnor @JGunlock @PatricePinkFile @HeatherHunterDC @WMALDC<a href="https://www.cornerstonefirst.com/"></a>
Follow Larry on Apple Podcasts: <a href="http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany">http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany</a>