The Stephen A. Smith Show – February 12, 2026

Episode Summary: PAM BONDI TESTIMONY; HARRY DUNN; ANDY BESHEAR

Overview

On this edition of "Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith," Stephen digs deep into two major issues dominating the national conversation: the political and legal fallout from the January 6th Capitol insurrection and the chaos surrounding ICE immigration enforcement under the second Trump administration. Stephen is joined by two insightful guests—Harry Dunn (former Capitol Police officer and congressional candidate) and Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky—for far-reaching and candid interviews. Alongside the interviews, Stephen offers unfiltered commentary on partisanship, the divisiveness of American politics, and the responsibilities of government, while taking audience calls and tackling controversial current events.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Breaking News and Political Developments

• Stephen opens with breaking news: the House narrowly passes the Save America (SAVE) Act (01:14), mandating voter ID and proof of citizenship for federal elections—a highly contested measure delineating partisan lines.
  • Republican support/Democratic opposition is discussed, including Rep. Thomas Massie’s vote against the rule but not the act itself.
  • Stephen frames this legislation as symptomatic of “polarization” — “Damn. We’re at a place right now in our society. We don’t even know what to define as success.” (08:47)

2. Capitol Hill Drama: Pam Bondi’s Testimony on the Epstein Files

• Stephen recaps explosive testimony by former Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the Epstein files and reactions from both Democratic and Republican representatives (04:56–06:54).
  • Key exchange (05:18–06:36): Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu accuses Bondi of lying under oath about the presence of incriminating evidence against Trump in Epstein documents. Stephen reacts:
    • “How does any of this benefit us? ... Bunch of he said, she said... If you don’t have hardcore evidence and you’re just on Capitol Hill throwing accusations back and forth... we got a problem.” (07:06)
  • Stephen states unequivocally that if any official committed crimes against children, “they need to be punished.” But he notes the lack of actionable proof and calls out partisan grandstanding.

3. Reflections on National Chaos and Partisanship

• Stephen denounces both parties for sowing confusion and making Americans “pawns... and nothing short of suckers” (11:30).
  • "As a body, as parties, I can’t stand none of their asses. They make me sick." (13:08)
• Critiques Trump using his platform to recycle claims of a “rigged” 2020 election, stirring chaos.
  • On Trump sharing a video depicting political opponents as apes: “We were born at night, not last night.” (72:09)
• Discusses the impact of economic numbers and whether traditional metrics (jobs, stock market performance) still meaningfully represent “success” amidst such division.

4. Immigration, ICE, and Moral Responsibility

• Stephen scrutinizes extreme ICE enforcement, expressing sympathy for enforcing borders but condemning “un-American" policing actions, especially regarding family and nonviolent migrants.
  • Points out Obama also deported millions, emphasizing no party is blameless but process and humanity matter.

Featured Guest Interview 1: Harry Dunn (Former Capitol Police, Congressional Candidate)

Segment begins at 24:54

A. January 6th Experience

• Harry Dunn (24:54–26:18): Recounts providing decontamination aid to officers during the Capitol attack and reflects on the chaos.
  • "Officers were being bloodied in the fighting, many were screaming and many were blinded and coughing from chemical irritants.” (24:54)
• Stresses most officers acted heroically to protect both members of Congress and colleagues.

B. Addressing the Narrative

• Dunn asserts the violence was “as violent as it looked and then some.” (28:54)
  • “You can literally watch it on mute… Let anybody, one decent human being say that what they’re watching was not violent and it was American. Nobody in their right mind would say that.” (29:22)
• Flatly rejects the theory officers “let” rioters in: “Not being able to stop somebody and letting somebody in are two completely different things.” (30:21)

C. Trump’s Role and Accountability

• Hear Dunn’s unequivocal position:
  • “I think [Trump] is a criminal and I think he’s responsible for January 6th… the lack of accountability… is the lack of closure to all those victims and, and people aggrieved and we as American people, and selfishly as a police officer… have not received any accountability from that day.” (32:15–33:26)
• Shares disappointment with the Fraternal Order of Police for defending fellow officers who joined the insurrection (34:48).

D. On Running for Congress

• Views his campaign as a "continuation of service." Calls on voters to support career public servants over career politicians (37:48–41:10).
  • "If a loss deters you from continuing to fight and stand up and seek opportunities to make a change... I have aspirations for this country." (41:10)
• On abolishing ICE, calls for structural change:
  • “I don't believe you can train your way out of an ideology that exists in ICE right now. ... Most immigrants just want to provide for their families… Get rid of the need for ICE by actually having an immigration policy that works.” (43:45)
• Admits his personal bias and commits to being “authentically me,” not a follower of any particular official (39:59).

Notable Quotes:

• “I will continue to take that fight right now to Congress if I’m elected.” (38:23)
• “[January 6th] will always be the worst day of my life.” (37:18)

Audience Calls & Real Talk with Stephen A.

• Multiple callers raise concerns about ICE, party accountability, and impeaching Trump (49:24–100:39).
  • Stephen pushes for substance: “The hell with impeaching Donald Trump. Just let him go away. What does that do for the country? ... Stop wasting our time” (92:42–93:43)
• Defends his own independent views—"I'm a black man who's an independent and a centrist ... But I'm not beyond voting for Republican and I'm a black man. ... People say you can't do that. Yes, the hell I can." (82:51)

Featured Guest Interview 2: Governor Andy Beshear (Kentucky, Dem. Governors Assoc. Chair)

Segment begins: 53:35

A. On ICE and Immigration Enforcement

• Decries ICE's “unmitigated disaster” of deportation and abuse:
  • “They are overly aggressive. They are violating people’s rights… They have a body count of dead Americans for this deportation plan." (54:53–56:14)
• Contrasts Trump-era and Obama-era enforcement:
  • “There is a professional way to enforce our laws, but to do so with humanity. ... What we don't need are our agents in the streets of Minnesota... This is unnecessary, unprofessional, and it's just anti-American.” (57:07)

B. On the Role of Sanctuary Cities

• Argues the problem has moved beyond local policies; faults the administration’s “revoking asylum... grabbing families… shuttling them to other states” (60:14).

C. Presidential Access & Polarization

• Reveals that political pressure (including his) forced Trump to re-invite Democratic governors to the annual White House business meeting: “It is possible to pressure the president and he change his mind.” (62:14)
  • Highlights exclusion of Governors Wes Moore (MD) and Jared Polis (CO) from a social dinner, implying a racially charged slight.

D. On Democratic Momentum & Trump’s Policies

• Celebrates Democratic electoral victories and attributes success to addressing “real” issues, with pointed criticism of Trump’s tariffs and economic policies:
  • “His tariff policy is making the cost of everything skyrocket… Soybean farmers ... have them on the brink of bankruptcy.” (65:21)
• On economic messaging:
  • “The pundits may look at the Dow Jones, our American families are looking at their electric bill.” (68:40)

E. Bipartisanship and American Priorities

• “Too many people put being a Democrat or a Republican ahead of being an American. … The divisiveness… is being pushed into people’s everyday lives.” (74:32)
• Advocates a pragmatic, nonpartisan focus: “I spend 80% of my time on things that matter to 100% of the American people.” (69:48)

F. On 2028 and Leadership

• When asked about running for president, Beshear demurs—highlighting focus on 2026, flipping governor’s seats, and healing the country (76:17).
  • “It needs to be about more than just winning, though electability has to be top of mind for Democrats. We need somebody who can move this country beyond where we are, that can lower the temperature.” (77:15)

G. His Podcast’s Purpose

• "Our goal…is to help you process all the difficult news… At the end, you’ll feel a little more prepared, a little bit better, ready to face the week ahead.” (77:45)

Standout and Memorable Moments

• Stephen on polarization: “We got a federal deficit, we got a US deficit. ... We’re wondering how much of GDP that’s chewing up. We can’t seem to make up our minds whether the terrorists are good or bad." (08:47)
• Dunn on January 6th: “Nobody has to tell you what you saw. ... You can literally watch it on mute.” (29:22)
• Beshear on ICE: “They are overly aggressive. They are violating people's rights. ... And, Stephen A, they have a body count of dead Americans for this deportation plan.” (54:53)
• Stephen’s centrist manifesto: "Pro life, but vote pro choice...'Cause even though I'm not for abortions, I don't have a right to tell a woman what to do." (82:51)
• Hostility between parties: “It’s not enough to disagree. You can’t show decorum and professionalism. What you have to do is be rude, acerbic, juvenile... because you’re basically giving the representatives on Capitol Hill a big FU." (84:02)
• Stephen to a caller: "Shut up. I'm on the air just September. I didn’t have a political show when Obama was in office. What the hell do you expect me to do? Bring it up on SportsCenter?” (100:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:14 – Show open and breaking news on SAVE Act; Stephen’s overview of partisanship
• 04:56–06:36 – Clips and discussion: Pam Bondi, Rep. Lieu, and the Epstein files
• 24:54–47:15 – In-depth interview with Harry Dunn
• 53:35–78:51 – In-depth interview with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
• 82:51 – Stephen’s breakdown of his political independence and voting philosophy
• 84:02 – Host audience call, contentious debate about ICE and party leadership
• 100:25 – Humorous call-in on "shut up, I'm on the air," Stephen explaining his evolving platform

Conclusion

Stephen A. Smith’s episode underscores the tumult and intensity of politics in 2026, highlighting voices that call for both accountability and a return to pragmatic, empathetic government. Through passionate debate, frank interviews, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, Stephen and his guests offer listeners a challenge: to demand more from leaders, to learn from history, and to move, even if imperfectly, toward a more united American future.