From June 29th - America’s News Hour welcomes Matt Mackowiak, founder of Potomac Strategy Group, publisher of the Must Read Texas newsletter, and ATX Pulse. Mackowiak joins Bill Bernardoni to break down President Trump’s high-stakes strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling it a “brilliantly executed” decision that avoided dragging the U.S. into another Middle East quagmire. He also dives into the “One Big Beautiful Bill” debate, explaining the tension between fiscal hardliners and swing-district Republicans. From there, Mackowiak analyzes the 2026 election map, warning of the GOP’s razor-thin House majority, potential losses from Wisconsin redistricting, and why Democrats may have a slight edge in taking back the chamber. He lays out what Republicans must do to sell their agenda — from border security wins to tax relief proposals — if they hope to beat the historical odds in midterms.

From June 29th - America’s News Hour opens this week with Andy Hooser, vice chair of the Kansas GOP and host of The Voice of Reason (HooserReason.com). Hooser shares why he believes Donald Trump’s recent moves on Iran and Israel were “absolutely the right call,” and why decades of failed U.S. policy in the Middle East make the administration’s approach unique. He also breaks down the Democratic Party’s “three-way civil war” and warns that the GOP’s growing populist coalition is both a strength and a potential vulnerability heading into 2026. From the MAGA movement’s transformation of the party to whether populism can survive after Trump, Hooser offers a candid inside look at Republican politics, strategy, and challenges in the years ahead.

From June 22nd - In the final segment of this episode, host Bill Bernardoni speaks with award-winning investigative journalist and political analyst Lisa Daftari, founder and editor of The Foreign Desk (ForeignDeskNews.com), about the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Daftari explains why confronting Iran’s regime is a core U.S. national security interest, how the Iranian people view the current crisis, and the nuance behind protests both inside and outside the country. She addresses the potential for regime change, why Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan, and the key “tipping point” factors that could push Iranians into a decisive democratic uprising.

From June 22nd - America’s News Hour connects directly to Israel as host Bill Bernardoni speaks with David Rubin, founder and president of the Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, former mayor of Shiloh, and author of Trump and the Jews. Rubin gives a candid assessment of the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, explaining why he believes diplomacy is off the table and why Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure mark a turning point. He outlines the roles of Iran’s proxies, the importance of U.S.-Israel ties, and why he views this fight as a modern battle of good versus evil — one that has deep implications for Western civilization.

Learn more: https://IsraelChildren.org/

From June 22nd - America’s News Hour steps away from politics to spotlight a powerful new cultural project. Musician and National Guard veteran Ian Gindes joins Bill Bernardoni to discuss Letters from the Front, a multimedia initiative transforming soldiers’ personal wartime letters into original classical compositions.
Drawing from over 600 letters preserved at the Pritzker Military Museum — spanning from the Revolutionary War to Iraq — Gindes and his creative team are crafting an accessible, melodic work designed for both classical audiences and the general public. He shares how the letters were selected, the process of working with composer Patrick Zimmerli, and why they aimed for an “American sound” inspired by Aaron Copland. Recording begins in February 2026, with release planned for America’s 250th birthday celebration. 

Learn more about the project: https://lettersfromthefront.net/

Support the project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lettersusa250/letters-from-the-front

From June 22nd - America’s News Hour continues its deep dive into the state of the Republican Party with longtime GOP strategist and my own political mentor Mark Campbell, founder of Intellz Competitive Intelligence and Strategy and senior fellow at the Leadership Institute. Campbell breaks down how Donald Trump’s populism has reshaped the party, why modern campaigns run on micro-targeted voter data instead of traditional polling, and what’s at stake in the razor-thin Republican House majority heading into the 2026 midterms. He also weighs in on the next generation of GOP leaders, the Democrats’ bench problem, and why Gavin Newsom’s presidential ambitions may already be over.

From June 15th - Bill Bernardoni sits down with longtime friend and former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger for a candid conversation on the war in Ukraine, the state of the GOP, and what it means to lead with integrity in polarized times. Kinzinger explains why he believes the Trump administration is failing in its approach to Russia, what the U.S. must do to maintain global leadership, and why cutting shipbuilding funds is a dangerous move in the face of Chinese aggression. He also weighs in on fellow former Congressman Joe Walsh’s political transformation, shares his own journey, and reflects on the costs of standing on principle. This conversation caps a powerful episode featuring Rodney Davis on tariffs and Washington politics, and Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler & Denise Evans on the life-changing Safe Passage program.

From June 15th - America’s News Hour goes local with Taylorville, Illinois Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler and Denise Evans to spotlight one of the most successful community programs in the nation: Safe Passage. Launched a handful of years ago, this initiative helps people battling addiction get same-day access to treatment instead of facing arrest, breaking the cycle of crime and substance abuse. Chief Wheeler explains how the program’s compassionate approach has reduced crime in Taylorville by more than half, while Evans details the vital follow-up work that keeps participants on track after rehab. With over 1,100 people helped so far, Safe Passage is proof that community-based policing can save lives — and make neighborhoods safer.

From June 15th - In Part 2 of our conversation, former Illinois Congressman and current U.S. Chamber of Commerce Director of Government Affairs Rodney Davis weighs in on presidential tariff threats against Apple, the right way to bring manufacturing back to America, and how the U.S. can incentivize reshoring without heavy-handed government mandates. Davis also reflects on the shrinking number of competitive districts, the rise of political polarization, and how both parties have flirted with their extremes. Plus, he shares a candid look at life after a quarter century on Capitol Hill, his new role at the Chamber, and why he has no plans to return to Congress.

From June 15th - Host Bill Bernardoni and former Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis, now Director of Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dive into the politics and policies shaping Washington, starting with the future of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the wake of Elon Musk’s transition out of day-to-day operations. They then turn to tariffs — where the Chamber’s long-standing opposition to broad-based tariffs clashes with current White House policy — and the economic consequences for American consumers. Davis also reflects on representing one of the most competitive swing districts in the country and navigating today’s polarized political climate.