The Megyn Kelly Show — AM Update 1/13/26
Episode Title: Anti-ICE Activist Playbook Revealed, MN Legal Fight, Tepe Murders Suspect In Court
Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Megyn Kelly | SiriusXM
Overview
This episode delivers a sharp, factual, and provocative update on breaking stories intersecting law enforcement, immigration, activism, and crime. Main topics include the federal surge against immigration offenders in Minnesota, the tactics of anti-ICE activists, legal pushback from Democratic states, new details in the brutal Tepe family murders, and a high-profile Meta (Facebook) executive hire with Trump ties.
Key Topics and Insights
1. Federal Immigration Surge in Minnesota and Illinois
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Kristi Noem, is sending hundreds more agents to Minnesota due to escalating anti-ICE protests. Emphasis is on targeting sex and child trafficking offenders.
- Tensions are at a peak after the fatal shooting of activist Renee Goode during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
- Minnesota and Illinois have launched legal challenges against the Trump administration in response to these federal actions.
Memorable Moment:
Kristi Noem (02:21):
"We're going to continue to. If they conduct violent activities against law enforcement, if they impede our operations, that's a crime and we will hold them accountable... Mayor Fry and Governor Walz have been very clear that they're not going to help us. So we'll make sure that we protect our officers, but we also follow through on making sure these criminals are brought to justice."
2. The Anti-ICE Activist Playbook
- Protesters and activists are increasingly employing direct action tactics to disrupt ICE activities, informed and organized by groups like Minnesota ICE Watch.
- Activist playbook includes:
- Blocking ICE vehicles with civilian cars
- Letting arrestees into activists' cars
- Live-streaming law enforcement activity
- Encouraging white activists to physically block removals
- Law enforcement asserts these tactics cross into illegal territory and escalate risk.
Quote from Donald Trump (04:07):
"These are professional agitators and law enforcement should not be in a position where they have to put up with the stuff. What that woman and what her friend and what their other friends were doing to law enforcement, not just ICE... is outrageous."
Details from Reporting:
- ICE Watch’s Instagram posts provide step-by-step encouragement, legal tips, and real-time information to disrupt raids (04:47–05:53).
- The group is described as a "loose coalition of activists dedicated to disrupting ICE raids in the sanctuary city."
Law Enforcement Warning:
Chicago Police Chief Larry Snelling (07:23):
"If you box them in with vehicles, it is reasonable for them to believe that they are being ambushed... it's reasonable for them to use force based on those conditions. Do not box in any law enforcement officer. You are breaking the law and you are putting yourself in danger."
3. Legal Battles: States vs. Federal Immigration Enforcement
- Illinois and Chicago have filed suit against the federal government, claiming customs and Border Protection are "occupying" the city to coerce policy changes (08:13).
- Minnesota AG Keith Ellison is spearheading a suit to halt the federal surge, citing constitutional violations and excessive force.
Keith Ellison (10:24):
"We allege that the obvious targeting of Minnesota for our diversity, for our democracy and our differences of opinion with the federal government is a violation of the Constitution and of federal law... We allege that DHS's use of excessive and lethal force, their warrantless racist arrests, their targeting of our courts, our churches, houses of worship and schools are a violation of the Administrative Procedures act."
- The White House dismissed the lawsuits as "a pathetic stunt," arguing Democrats are "putting illegal criminals over hardworking Americans." (11:22)
4. Tepe Family Murder Investigation
- Illinois surgeon Michael McKee charged in the fatal shooting of his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her husband Spencer in their Columbus, OH home (14:15).
- The case unfolded after Spencer missed work, with 911 calls from concerned colleagues (13:53, 14:35).
- Police found the Tepes deceased, children unharmed. Evidence includes surveillance footage and traced vehicle.
- McKee awaits extradition to Ohio; charges upgraded to aggravated murder with possible death penalty (17:13).
Commentary by Jonas Spilbore (16:24):
"I would be so surprised if they set any sort of bail because he's not from Ohio, he's from a neighboring state, and if he doesn't have any contacts or meaningful contact in Ohio, it's highly likely that he would be a flight risk."
Legal Analyst on Premeditation (17:13):
"He had to leave his home in Illinois, get himself over to Ohio, do so in the middle of the night... carry a weapon, a gun, shoot the two victims, leave, get back to Illinois under the cover of darkness. That's got premeditation all over."
- Investigators are drawing parallels to high-profile cases like Bryan Kohberger using modern forensics, phone records, and potentially DNA (18:21).
5. Meta Hires Pro-Trump Figure Dina Powell McCormick
- Dina Powell McCormick, a veteran of Goldman Sachs and both Bush and Trump administrations, is now Meta's president and vice chairman (19:11).
- Her appointment is interpreted as signaling a shift at Meta toward high-level global engagement and perhaps political recalibration.
- Mark Zuckerberg praised McCormick’s credentials, highlighting her unique fit for Meta’s global ambitions.
Trump congratulates Powell McCormick on Truth Social:
"Congratulations to Dina Powell McCormick. She is a fantastic and very talented person who served the Trump administration with strength and distinction."
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- Kristi Noem on ICE Surge: (02:21)
- Donald Trump on Agitators: (04:07)
- Matt Murphy on ICE’s Child Safety Work: (05:53)
"In 2023, ICE arrested 4,390 sex offenders... In 2024, last year, first year of President Trump, ICE arrested 16,552 sex offenders. And that is their priority." - Chicago Police Chief Larry Snelling on Danger of Protester Tactics: (07:23)
- AG Keith Ellison on Lawsuit: (10:24)
- Jonas Spilbore on Bail for McKee: (16:24)
- Legal Analyst on Premeditation: (17:13)
- Jonas Spilbore comparing to Kohberger Case: (18:21)
- Meta/Zuckerberg on Powell McCormick: (19:11)
Additional Notes
- The episode is marked by Megyn Kelly’s brisk, direct reporting style, rapid-fire integration of breaking news, interviews, and legal analysis.
- Sponsors and non-content ad segments have been omitted from this summary.
- The tone remains skeptical of activist credibility, critical of Democratic legal tactics, and supportive of law enforcement—consistent with the show’s frank, “no-nonsense” brand.
For Further Listening
- MK True Crime will cover the Tepe case in more detail tomorrow ([19:11]).
- Full coverage of lawsuits and political fallout expected in ongoing episodes.
This summary captures the important themes, expert insight, and key moments from this Megyn Kelly Show AM Update for January 13, 2026.
