The Lars Larson Show Interviews

Jonathan Dever, a former Ohio state representative, retired attorney, digital bank founder and author, joins Lars to discuss a proposal from congressional candidate Brian Poindexter to remove the Social Security payroll-tax income cap, allow earlier full benefits and increase payments. Dever argues that even the projected $17 trillion in additional revenue would not prevent the program from runnin...

Will Hild, executive director of Consumers’ Research, joins Lars to discuss a challenge from 22 state financial officers to major credit-rating agencies over their use of environmental, social and governance criteria. The officials argue that climate-related ratings could hurt American companies and state investments while giving Chinese state-owned oil and gas firms favorable treatment. The debat...

Oregon gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan joins Lars to discuss Portland Public Schools’ proposal to close up to 14 schools amid declining enrollment and budget pressures. With some buildings reportedly only 25% occupied, the debate centers on whether districts should keep underused facilities open or redirect resources toward classrooms and students. Send us Fan Mail

Eric Eggers, vice president of research at the Government Accountability Institute, author of Fraud: How the Left Plans to Steal the Next Election and co-host of The Drill Down podcast, joins Lars to discuss Anthropic’s warning that AI models could soon replicate themselves across the internet. They examine concerns that rogue AI could build botnets, hijack internet-connected devices and resist at...

Erin Wilcox, a senior attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation, joins Lars to discuss a lawsuit challenging Montgomery County Public Schools’ magnet-school admissions policies. The lawsuit alleges that criteria designed to rebalance racial representation disproportionately excluded high-scoring Asian American students. They examine the legal challenge and the broader debate over race, fairness and sch...

Greg Greubel, a senior attorney at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, joins Lars to discuss a New Jersey school board member who faced an ethics complaint after asking constituents on social media about a proposed school tax increase. The state dismissed the complaint after legal pressure from FIRE, raising questions about free speech, elected officials’ ability to communicate wi...

Hans von Spakovsky, senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom, former Federal Election Commission commissioner and former U.S. Justice Department attorney, joins Lars to discuss reports that Rep. Ilhan Omar’s staff requested a change to her birth year in public records after she was elected to Congress. They examine the questions surrounding the change and the allegations about her immigra...

Aaron Mesh, managing editor of Willamette Week, joins Lars to discuss three no-bid contracts totaling $456,000 awarded by Prosper Portland executive director Cornell Wesley to two college friends. They examine the agency’s refusal to disclose the scope of work for two contracts and questions about whether the deals received appropriate oversight. Send us Fan Mail

Carleen Johnson, a staff reporter for The Center Square, joins Lars to discuss the Washington State Supreme Court’s unanimous rejection of Seattle’s appeal in a public-records case brought by podcaster Brandi Kruse. They examine the city’s handling of records related to a key City Council vote and the legal consequences of delays that extended beyond an election. Send us Fan Mail

Kris Ullman, president of Eagle Forum, joins Lars to discuss the Camas High School girls’ cross-country team members who walked away from a race rather than compete against a male athlete who began the season on the boys’ team. They examine fairness in girls’ sports, Washington’s eligibility rules and Initiative 638, which would restrict participation in certain female-only interschool athletic co...

Kevin Dahlgren, an independent journalist who reports on homelessness and addiction through his Substack, Truth on the Streets, joins Lars to discuss what he calls the “Homeless Industrial Complex.” Drawing on decades in social services and interviews with thousands of homeless Americans, Dahlgren argues that organizations receiving public money should have to demonstrate measurable progress in re...

Kathleen “Kathy” Jones-McCann, an Oregon property owner and founder of Rural Oregon Property Advocates, joins Lars to discuss her lengthy fight with county officials over building restrictions in the McKenzie River corridor. She says it cost more than $500,000 and took over two years to secure a variance, raising questions about property rights, environmental regulations and the limits local gover...

John Gordon, host of the nationally syndicated radio show The Truth with John Gordon, joins Lars to discuss President Trump’s decision to remove Kimberly Guilfoyle as U.S. ambassador to Greece following allegations of improper conduct. They examine reports involving gifts, interactions with Greek officials and an alleged offer to use political influence in connection with a large credit card bill....

Marc Wheat, general counsel for Advancing American Freedom, joins Lars to discuss a Massachusetts case involving parents who lost custody of their teenage daughter after refusing to affirm her gender identity. They examine the legal fight over parental rights, religious liberty and a state’s authority to make decisions about a child’s gender-related treatment. Send us Fan Mail

Richard Lim, PragerU’s resident historian and author of Refusing a Crown, joins Lars to discuss George Washington’s refusal to become king and the founding principles behind America’s rejection of monarchy. With “No Kings” rallies planned across the country, they examine what the founders meant by rejecting kingship and how Washington’s legacy fits into today’s political debate. Send us Fan Mail

Bruce Spiva, senior vice president at the Campaign Legal Center, joins Lars to discuss the Trump administration’s investigation of major television networks over their decision to suspend a shared White House video feed. They examine the dispute between the White House and the networks, the administration’s antitrust concerns and the legal questions surrounding whether competing broadcasters can b...

Jeff Eager, former mayor of Bend, attorney, political consultant and Oregon Roundup writer, joins Lars to discuss cannabis retailer La Mota’s continued operations despite significant tax debts and past political fundraising controversies. They examine Gov. Tina Kotek’s cannabis tax-compliance rules and whether the state is holding politically connected businesses accountable. Send us Fan Mail

Robert H. Bork Jr., president of the Antitrust Education Project and co-author of The New Paradox, joins Lars to discuss the federal government’s investigation into major television networks after they suspended a shared video feed covering President Trump. They examine whether coordinated action by competing broadcasters could violate antitrust law and what the dispute means for the relationship...

Stephanie Carkin, Republican candidate for Oregon House District 26 and vice president and co-owner of Hydro-Temp Mechanical, joins Lars to discuss her campaign and the challenges facing Oregon businesses. After working her way up from receptionist to company leadership, Carkin brings firsthand experience with construction, economic growth and the obstacles facing employers in Oregon. Send us Fan...

Wesley J. Smith, author and senior fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism, joins Lars to discuss Belgium’s rising euthanasia numbers, including cases involving minors and people with mental illness. They examine the expansion of assisted dying and what Belgium’s experience could mean for the debate over euthanasia in the United States. Send us Fan Mail

Jared Schoch, founder and chairman of TurningPoint Energy and author of Solar Coaster, joins Lars to discuss the growing electricity demands of AI and data centers. They examine how the United States can expand reliable power generation while keeping electricity affordable for households and communities, including who should pay for the infrastructure needed to support Big Tech’s growth. Send us F...

Oregon Rep. Ed Diehl joins Lars to discuss Oregon’s economic future and the policies he believes could help the next generation build their lives in the state. Diehl argues that Oregon needs good-paying jobs and fewer tax and permitting burdens to help businesses thrive and keep young people from leaving. Send us Fan Mail

Daniel Flynn, senior editor at The American Spectator, author of seven books and host of the RightWingWilderness YouTube channel, joins Lars to discuss the debate over Christopher Columbus and the growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Flynn argues that opposition to Columbus reflects a broader rejection of Western civilization, as statues have been removed and some communities have repla...

Grant Swartzwelder, president of OTA Environmental Solutions, joins Lars to discuss President Trump’s proposed diesel deal with Russia and what it could mean for fuel prices. With diesel costs affecting trucking, agriculture and the broader economy, they examine whether the deal could provide relief for American businesses and consumers. Send us Fan Mail

Pamela Fitzsimmons, who writes the PortlandDissent Substack, joins Lars to discuss the Cornell University sexual assault case involving seven students who were publicly accused but have not been criminally charged. They discuss the decision not to bring criminal charges, the university’s disciplinary actions and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to order an independent review of Cornell’s hand...