The O’Reilly Update — March 23, 2026

Host: Bill O’Reilly
News Contributor: Mike Slater

Episode Overview

This episode of The O’Reilly Update delivers a concise roundup of the major headlines in the U.S., focusing on the ongoing “Democrat Shutdown” and its effects on airport security, international tensions with Iran, election integrity issues in California, and a pending high-profile deportation. Bill O’Reilly also delivers his “Message of the Day,” offering personal insight into the political culture of Washington, D.C., and responds to listener mail about government bureaucracy and his research process. The episode wraps with a historical segment on Patrick Henry’s famed “Give me liberty or give me death” speech.

Key News Stories With Timestamps & Insights

Airport Delays Linked to “Democrat Shutdown”

[00:40–01:30]

• TSA Sick-Out: Over 3,250 TSA officers (11.5% of the workforce) called out sick on Saturday due to the ongoing shutdown.
• Nationwide Impact: Not all airports had severe delays, but some experienced unprecedented lines extending to baggage claim and parking garages.
• Presidential Response:
  • The president’s solution: deploy ICE agents (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to help TSA.
  • “ICE agents are trained and can assist with airport security. ICE has remained funded…because of the one big beautiful bill.” — Mike Slater ([01:18])
• Political Context: Criticism leveled at “radical left Democrats” for allegedly withholding agreed-upon funds and prioritizing criminal protection.

U.S.–Iran Showdown Over Strait of Hormuz

[01:31–02:12]

• Ultimatum Issued: President declares that if Iran fails to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, the U.S. will “obliterate Iran’s…various power plants, starting with the biggest one first.”
• International Backing: Over 20 countries jointly condemned Iran’s actions in the strait, stating they violate international law.
• List of Supporting Nations: Includes major Western powers and key US allies (Australia, Japan, UK, UAE, etc.).
• Quote:
  • “All Iranian actions blocking the Strait of Hormuz are against international law.” — Mike Slater citing joint statement ([02:10])

Election Integrity Controversy in California

[02:13–02:34]

• Ballot Seizure: Riverside County sheriff (current GOP gubernatorial front-runner) seizes over half a million ballots from the November election.
• Investigative Motive: Audit aims to compare the physical ballot count to recorded vote totals, following claims by a local group of a 45,000-vote inflation.

High-Profile Deportation Hearing

[02:35–02:59]

• Subject: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, originally slated for deportation to El Salvador.
• Current Status: Only a district judge’s order prevents deportation. The Trump administration, facing legal hurdles, is now prepared to deport Garcia to Liberia instead.
• Contextual Quote:
  • “If this judge gets out of the way, he’s on his way to Liberia.” — Mike Slater ([02:57])

O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: Personal Take on Political Culture

[03:51–06:35]

• Impression of Washington, D.C.:
  • O’Reilly finds D.C. distasteful due to its “opportunism”—a city driven by power where people use each other for political gain.
• Crime and Security:
  • Applauds President Trump for deploying the National Guard and federal agencies to address crime, previously "out of control" under Mayor Muriel Bowser.
  • “It is much better that Donald Trump has put the National Guard on the street and uses the federal agencies to fight crime.” — Bill O’Reilly ([03:56])
• Comparison With Other Cities:
  • New York is about money, L.A. about “show biz and projects,” and D.C. about raw power.
• Personal Values:
  • Prefers “genuine people”—offers help only to good people, critical of D.C.'s culture of power-hunger.
  • “In D.C. it’s about power and people use other people to get power. I don’t like that. That doesn’t sit well.” ([04:39])

Listener Mail Highlights

[06:36–07:54]

• Why Congress, Not the President, Must Dismantle the Dept. of Education:
  • Explanation: Once Congress incorporates the Department into the budget, only Congress can dismantle it, due to legislative control of funding streams.
  • “Once it’s in the budgetary process, then Congress has to dismantle it. Bureaucracy. Hello.” — Bill O’Reilly ([07:00])
• On Trusted Sources for Research:
  • Bill underscores that full research support is a benefit for concierge members on his site.
  • “If you upgrade to concierge status, then you can write me about any research you want, anything. And within 24 hours, boom, I will get back to you with a roadmap.” ([07:30])
  • Stresses value of his research services for those seeking accurate, rapid answers.

Historical Segment: “Something You Might Not Know”—Patrick Henry’s Famous Speech

[08:23–11:01]

• Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” ([08:25–10:46]):
  • Background: Speech delivered March 23, 1775, at St. John’s Church, Richmond, Virginia.
  • Context: Henry argued for war and the creation of an armed militia as other local leaders feared conflict.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “‘Is life so sweet, it is to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it. …Give me liberty or give me death!’” ([09:31])
  • Impact: The speech galvanized action, resulting in the formation of a militia and, eventually, led to America’s Declaration of Independence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Airport Chaos:
  • “I blew through national security in two minutes. But there’s lines in airports across the country like I’ve never seen before…lines through baggage claim, lines through the parking garage.” — Mike Slater ([00:55])
• On D.C.’s Power Games:
  • “In D.C. it’s about power and people use other people to get power. I don’t like that. That doesn’t sit well.” — Bill O'Reilly ([04:39])
• On Information Access:
  • “Where you would spend hours and sometimes you would never find it…you can get it from us.” — Bill O'Reilly ([07:46])
• Historical Resonance:
  • “Give me liberty or give me death!” — Patrick Henry via O’Reilly ([09:33])

Segment Timestamps at a Glance

• [00:40] – News rundown with Mike Slater
• [01:18] – ICE to assist TSA
• [02:10] – International condemnation of Iran
• [02:57] – Deportation case: Kilmar Abrego Garcia
• [03:51] – O’Reilly’s Message of the Day
• [06:36] – Listener mail: bureaucracy and research
• [08:23] – Patrick Henry history segment
• [09:33] – Famous quote: “Give me liberty or give me death!”

This episode combines sharp political commentary and historical perspective, summed up with O’Reilly’s unfiltered style—delivering facts, skeptical takes on political culture, and a dose of American history for context.