Episode Overview

Podcast: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Episode: The O'Reilly Update, January 10, 2026
Host: Bill O’Reilly, with news segment by Mike Slater
Main Theme:
A “no spin” update on key American news events, including ongoing immigration issues, the situation in Iran, War Powers in Venezuela, media failures, and the ongoing U.S. border crisis. The episode aims to provide direct analysis, dispel media narratives, and offer historical context to current events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. High-Profile ICE Incident and Media Narrative

Segment Host: Mike Slater
Timestamps: [00:10] – [03:01]

• Incident: An ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Special Response agent shot and killed a woman who was driving a vehicle into him.
  • This agent is part of an elite tactical unit, dispelling claims of unprofessional behavior.
  • The same agent was previously injured in a similar encounter in June.
• Political Reaction:
  • Congressman Daniel Godlin called ICE agents “untrained thugs”; Slater counters this as false.
  • Legal outcome: Assailant in the June case found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon (the car).
• White House & Vice President Response:
  • The VP criticized media coverage, specifically a CNN headline that omitted key context.

    “What that headline leaves out is that the woman was there to interfere with a legitimate law enforcement operation in the United States of America.” — Vice President [01:30]

  • Asserts that there is a coordinated left-wing effort to obstruct ICE and law enforcement, sometimes “using domestic terror techniques.”
• Media Critique:
  • Challenge to journalists to “tell the truth” and properly contextualize events.

2. Unrest in Iran & War Powers in Venezuela

Host: Mike Slater
Timestamps: [01:55] – [03:01]

• Iran: Ongoing anti-government protests surpassing 12 days.
  • “These protests lately seem different than ones in the past.”
  • Protestors set government buildings aflame, chanted “Long live the Shah,” and renamed a Tehran street to “Donald Trump Street.”
  • Iran’s inflation is at 40%.
• Venezuela and U.S. War Powers:
  • The Senate passed a War Resolutions Act limiting presidential action in Venezuela: passed 52-48, not veto-proof.
  • Slater notes the limited practical impact due to presidential opposition and lack of majority.

3. Media’s Failure in Historical Context & Fact Reporting

Host: Bill O’Reilly
Timestamps: [03:01] – [05:13]

• Media Responsibility:
  • News media should clarify complex government actions for the public.
  • O’Reilly criticizes ideology and ignorance in newsrooms:

    “Ideology, not fact finding, is driving many in the press. In addition, a lot of reporters and pundits simply do not know very much. In short, they're not smart enough to do their jobs.” — Bill O’Reilly [03:45]

• Historical Parallels:
  • O’Reilly draws a parallel between Trump’s removal of Maduro and Bush’s removal of Noriega in 1989, noting lack of media reference to the precedent.
• “That is why the media is collapsing.”
• Listener Mail:
  • Iran Regime Change: O’Reilly opines that while instability is evident in Iran, the police state remains effective and regime change is unpredictable.
  • Legal Authority for Military Action: O’Reilly corrects a listener: President Bush obtained Congressional approval post-9/11, which was inherited by Obama for actions against Al Qaeda (e.g., Bin Laden raid).
  • Secrecy in Operations: On Trump, O’Reilly argues that seeking Congressional approval would have jeopardized mission secrecy.
  • Geopolitical Danger: Responds to a suggestion of “giving Putin the Maduro treatment” by warning it would provoke World War III.

4. Deep Dive: U.S. Border Policy and Consequences

Host: Bill O’Reilly
Timestamps: [05:13] – [07:50]

• Biden’s Border Decisions:
  • On his first day, President Biden reversed Trump-era border restrictions, deemed “catastrophic” by O’Reilly.
  • Statistical increases in border crossings and fentanyl seizures noted:
    • 2020: 400,000 crossings (Trump)
    • 2021: 1.6 million (Biden’s first year), increased to 2.5 million “today.”
    • Fentanyl seizures in Texas tripled; child sex trafficking increased 300%.
  • Decline in Biden’s approval ratings: dropped to 25% for border handling by December 2022.
• Political Fallout:
  • Biden’s border management and public sentiment contributed to Trump’s electoral victories in 2024.
  • O’Reilly calls opening the border “the worst mistake in presidential history.”

    “That decision to open the southern border may be the worst mistake in presidential history.” — Bill O’Reilly [07:04]

  • Trump, now in his second term in 2026, is enacting stricter border controls, but the “migrant crisis is still underway.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Vice President on Media Coverage:

  “What that headline leaves out is that the woman was there to interfere with a legitimate law enforcement operation in the United States of America.” [01:30]

• O’Reilly on the Press:

  “Ideology, not fact finding, is driving many in the press. In addition, a lot of reporters and pundits simply do not know very much. In short, they're not smart enough to do their jobs.” [03:45]

• On U.S.-Russia Relations:

  “You grabbed Putin. That opens World War three in a moment.” [05:12]

• On Consequences of Border Policy:

  “That decision to open the southern border may be the worst mistake in presidential history.” [07:04]

Important Timed Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Speaker | |-----------|--------------------------------------------|-----------------| | 00:10 | ICE agent shooting & media response | Mike Slater | | 01:55 | Protests in Iran & War Powers in Venezuela | Mike Slater | | 03:01 | O’Reilly’s “Message of the Day” | Bill O’Reilly | | 05:13 | Listener Mail & “Something You Might Not Know” | Bill O’Reilly | | 07:04 | Critique of Biden’s border legacy | Bill O’Reilly |

Tone & Style

• Direct, assertive, and skeptical of mainstream media and progressive narratives.
• Mixes news reporting with personal commentary, sarcasm, and rhetorical questioning.
• Focused on upholding “facts” against perceived ideological distortion.

Summary:
This episode delivers a critical, conservative take on the week's biggest stories, particularly immigration enforcement, Iran’s unrest, limits on presidential war powers, and media shortcomings. O’Reilly underscores what he sees as failures of both the media and current (Biden) admin policy, advocating for historical context, factual accuracy, and strong government action at the border. The update uses listener mail to clarify misunderstood events and highlight perceived dangers in U.S. foreign policy decisions.