Glenn Kirschner, a well-known legal analyst on MSNBC, has announced that he’s leaving the network. In a post on Substack, he shared the reasons behind his decision, many of which might come as a surprise.
Kirschner, a former federal prosecutor, has been a regular voice on MSNBC for years, offering insights into major legal matters. But now, he says he’s stepping into the world of independent analysis. “Some of the reasons may surprise you,” he shared on Saturday.
Reflecting on his time at MSNBC, Kirschner wrote, “For the past six-and-a-half years, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of appearing on TV to discuss and analyze the legal issues of the day. I’ll be honest, growing up as a rough-and-tumble kid in Jersey, I never thought anyone would give me the opportunity.” He continued, “Yet, I became an on-air legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, discussing legal developments, including criminal investigations and prosecutions involving a president of the United States.”
He added that MSNBC offered him a contract, and he has worked with them ever since—until just a few weeks ago.
Kirschner explained that his decision to leave partly stems from a “growing concern” about his role. He wondered if his appearances were making a real difference. “After a few years of regular appearances, I had a growing concern: was I making a positive contribution to the erosion of the rule of law? Was I doing anything valuable in the battle for a healthy democracy?” he wrote. “I also wondered if I was reaching diverse audiences or just preaching to the converted. Few Trump supporters watch MSNBC, and few Biden/Harris supporters tune in to right-wing networks like Fox or NewsNation.”
This realization, Kirschner says, is one of the reasons he plans to focus on conservative outlets.
“I decided to do something different. I don’t expect it to have some huge impact, but if enough voices come together, maybe we can create a chorus that’s heard,” he said. “I’ve decided to offer myself up to any conservative news outlets to discuss legal issues from the perspective of a career federal prosecutor.”
Watch his announcement here.
