Chief Justice's Rare Statement on Impeachment, Astronauts Back, Gaza Strikes Resume: AM Update 3/19

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show: Chief Justice's Rare Statement, Astronauts' Return, and Geopolitical Developments – AM Update 3/19

On the March 19, 2025, episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, host Megyn Kelly delivers a comprehensive AM update covering pivotal political, legal, and international events. This detailed summary encapsulates the episode's key discussions, insights, and conclusions, providing listeners with an in-depth understanding of the day's most pressing issues.

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1. Presidential Impeachment Efforts and Judicial Overreach

President Trump's Push for Impeachment: The episode opens with President Trump actively endorsing impeachment efforts against left-leaning District Court Judges who he claims are obstructing his administration's agenda. Texas Congressman Brandon Gill spearheads these efforts by filing articles of impeachment against D.C. District Court Judge James Boasberg. Judge Boasberg had previously blocked the Trump administration from utilizing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport suspected members of the Trenda Aragua gang.

Notable Quote:

"This radical left lunatic of a judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, was not elected president. This judge, just like many of the crooked judges I am forced to appear before should be impeached."
— President Trump ([00:16])

Chief Justice John Roberts' Rare Statement: In a significant departure from tradition, Chief Justice John Roberts issued an unsolicited public statement addressing the impeachment efforts. He emphasized that impeachment is not an appropriate channel for disagreements over judicial decisions, reiterating that appellate review is the proper mechanism for such disputes.

Notable Quote:

"It has been established for more than two centuries that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose."
— Chief Justice John Roberts ([03:54])

Additional Judicial Actions:

• Judge Theodore Chung, another Obama appointee, intervened to block a Trump initiative aimed at realigning foreign aid with "America First" priorities. Judge Chung mandated that USAID reinstate access to email and electronic systems for employees and contractors, criticizing actions taken by Elon Musk and USAID for overstepping their authority.

  Notable Quote:

  "They deprived the public's elected representatives in Congress of their constitutional authority to decide whether, when and how to close down an agency created by Congress."
  — Judge Theodore Chung ([04:15])

• Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee, blocked President Trump's transgender military ban, challenging the Pentagon's rationale by highlighting the longstanding use of such policies to exclude marginalized groups from military service. Her ruling led the DOJ to file a formal misconduct complaint and announce an appeal.

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2. Astronauts’ Return from the International Space Station

After an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore safely returned to Earth, splashing down off the coast of Florida. Their mission marked the first manned flight of a Boeing Starliner to the ISS.

Mission Challenges: The return was delayed due to safety concerns, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions on the Starliner vessel. Initially, NASA planned an unoccupied return in August 2024, with the astronauts slated to return on a different vessel. President Trump offered SpaceX's services to retrieve the crew, a proposal the Biden administration declined for political reasons.

Notable Exchange:

Benjamin Netanyahu: "We offered to bring them back early. This offer was rejected by the Biden administration." ([07:24])
Megyn Kelly: "That's so crazy." ([07:34])
Benjamin Netanyahu: "There's no way that they're going to make anyone who's supporting Trump look good." ([07:37])

NASA's Position: NASA disputes claims that the delay was politically motivated, attributing the mission's extension to logistical reasons related to crew rotation and budgetary constraints.

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3. Israel’s Military Actions in Gaza

Israel has resumed military strikes against Hamas in Gaza following unsuccessful negotiations to secure the release of hostages. Despite Hamas' willingness to release all hostages contingent upon Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza, Israel remains steadfast, insisting that Hamas must be dismantled to ensure long-term security.

Notable Statements:

"The IDF is striking Hamas terrorist targets across the Gaza Strip, aiming to achieve the war's objectives, which include the release of all our hostages, the dismantling of Hamas military and governmental infrastructure, and the removal of the terrorist threat from Gaza to Israel's security and its citizens."
— Benjamin Netanyahu ([08:42])

Currently, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with the IDF believing only 24 are still alive, including American citizen Idan Alexander.

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4. Breakthroughs in Ukrainian Peace Negotiations

In a landmark development, President Trump achieved a significant breakthrough in Ukrainian peace negotiations during his second phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders agreed to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days, setting the stage for broader ceasefire discussions in the Black Sea region and the Middle East.

Notable Quote:

"It's just bad that everybody has to spend all this money on something that if it's used it's probably the end of the world. I'm going to meet with China and I'm going to meet with Russia and we're going to see if we can de-escalate, if we can bring it down. Military, especially as it pertains to nuclear."
— Benjamin Netanyahu ([11:45])

Additionally, both Trump and Putin concurred on the necessity to prevent the proliferation of strategic weapons, including long-range missiles and nuclear arms, in the Middle East. This alignment hints at potential cooperation aimed at reducing global military tensions.

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5. IRS Whistleblowers' Promotion Amid Tax Investigation Controversy

The episode delves into the controversial promotion of IRS whistleblowers Joseph Ziegler and Gary Shapley, who faced professional retaliation after exposing alleged DOJ interference in the Hunter Biden tax investigation. In spring 2023, the agents reported that the DOJ was obstructing their efforts to investigate Hunter Biden for tax fraud, leading to their removal from the case.

Key Developments:

• Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to nine counts of tax evasion.
• The Office of Special Counsel determined that Ziegler and Shapley were unjustly retaliated against by the IRS.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant announced their long-overdue promotions, positioning them within the Treasury to further investigate IRS misconduct.

Notable Quotes:

"The agents are receiving a long overdue promotion."
— Treasury Secretary Scott Besant ([13:12])

"The 300 million Americans out there that are paying their taxes today... there’s two IRS agents standing up and saying, this person got preferential treatment."
— Stephen Miller ([15:02])

Their testimony revealed that as Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign gained traction, the IRS and DOJ restricted their investigation, including denying access to financial records and blocking witness interviews. This obstruction allegedly culminated in Hunter Biden accepting a lenient plea deal in July 2023, which was later nullified by President Joe Biden in December through an unprecedented pardon, effectively absolving Hunter of all potential criminal charges dating back to 2014.

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Conclusion

The March 19, 2025, episode of The Megyn Kelly Show provides a multifaceted update on significant national and international events. From the contentious impeachment efforts against federal judges and pivotal judicial statements to groundbreaking developments in space missions and fragile geopolitical peace negotiations, Kelly navigates through a landscape of political intrigue and global diplomacy. Additionally, the episode sheds light on internal governmental challenges with the IRS whistleblower saga, highlighting the complexities of accountability and transparency within federal institutions. For listeners seeking a nuanced and thorough analysis of current affairs, this episode serves as a vital resource.

Transcript

[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Wednesday, March 19, 2025, and this is your AM update.

[Stephen Miller]

That is not something that a district court judge has any authority whatsoever to interfere with.

[Megyn Kelly]

As President Trump endorses efforts to impeach left wing DC Judges blocking his agenda, Chief Justice John Roberts makes a rare unsolicited public statement.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

I authorized yesterday the renewal of military action against Hamas.

[Megyn Kelly]

Israel resumes military action in Gaza as President Trump secures a key breakthrough in Ukrainian peace negotiations and a long awaited promotion for the IRS whistleblowers who were penalized for exposing concerns in the Hunter Biden tax investigation. Yay. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update.

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[Megyn Kelly]

Why?

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[Megyn Kelly]

The defining story of President Trump's second term, the ongoing incredible battle between his administration and the courts over the limits of executive power. A wave of court orders blocking executive actions has been met with Congressional Republicans now launching impeachment efforts against some of the judges responsible. On Tuesday, Texas Congressman Brandon Gill filing articles of impeachment against D.C. district Court Judge James Boasberg. Judge Boasberg temporarily blocked the Trump administration from using the Alien enemies Act of 1798 to deport suspected Trenda Aragua gang members. President Trump lending support to the articles of impeachment, writing on Truth Social quote this radical left lunatic of a judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, was not elected president. This judge, just like many of the crooked judges I am forced to appear before should be impeached. Chief Justice John Roberts wading into the issue with a rare public statement on Tuesday afternoon, the chief justice writing for more than two centuries it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. The DOJ is currently locked in the appeals process, fighting lawsuits that allege executive overreach Judge Boasberg drawing prosecutors into a related legal battle, questioning whether they violated his Saturday order demanding the return of two planes deporting Trenda Aragua members to El Salvador. The Trump administration, backed by Supreme Court precedent, asserting these courts have no jurisdiction over the president's ability to deport illegal alien invaders. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller making the case in a contentious interview on cnn the Alien Enemies act.

[Stephen Miller]

Which was passed into law by the founding generation of this country, was written explicitly to give the president the authority to repel an alien invasion of the United States. That is not something that a district court judge has any authority whatsoever to interfere with.

[Megyn Kelly]

In a separate case, a different federal judge stepping in to block another key Trump initiative realigning foreign aid with America first priorities. On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. district Judge Theodore Chung, an Obama appointee, ordering Doge to reinstate access to email and other electronic systems for all USAID employees and contractors, finding that Elon Musk and Doge overstepped their authority as non confirmed executive operatives. Judge Chung writing, quote, they deprived the public's elected representatives in Congress of their constitutional authority to decide whether, when and how to close down an agency created by Congress. Judge Chung did not block the mass termination of USAID contracts and employees. And last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the cancellation of 83% of USAID programs, with the remainder moved under the State Department. And yet another leftist Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee, last night blocked President Trump's transgender military ban, rejecting the Pentagon's justification that it needs the ban to ensure military readiness by saying military leaders have have long used that excuse, quote, to deny marginalized persons the privilege of serving. Judge Reyes, who previously stated that the idea of two sexes is not, quote, biologically correct, suggesting she felt that the former Biden chairman of the Joint Chief's stellar military career was a better military resource for her than the current Secretary of Defense and his opinions, who she erroneously suggested had, quote, no prior deployments aside from, quote, an early military career prior to his TV stint. In fact, Pete Hegseth was deployed to Gitmo, Afghanistan and Iraq. The DOJ filing a formal misconduct complaint against Judge reyes with the D.C. circuit Court of Appeals. It also says it will appeal her decision on the transgender ban. On Tuesday evening, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore returned, returning to Earth nine months after their planned eight day mission on the International Space Station began. The return capsule safely splashing down off the coast of Florida, first greeted by a pod of dolphins, their original mission marking the first manned flight of a Boeing Starliner to the International Space Station. The astronauts returned nixed by NASA due to safety concerns over helium leaks and thruster malfunctions on the vessel. In August 2024, NASA officials announcing the starliner would return to Earth unoccupied and that the astronauts would eventually return home on another vessel. NASA contracts with Boeing and Elon Musk's SpaceX to ferry crews and supplies to and from the ISS, Mr. Musk telling Joe Rogan he offered SpaceX's services to retrieve the crew, but the Biden administration rejected the proposal.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

It ended up being like this political football sort of hotly contested topic. We offered to bring them back early. This offer was rejected by the Biden administration.

[Stephen Miller]

Why?

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

For political reasons.

[Megyn Kelly]

That's so crazy.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

There's no way that they're going to make anyone who's supporting Trump look look good.

[Megyn Kelly]

NASA disputing claims the astronauts were left in space for political reasons. They say Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were simply folded into a new crew rotation that arrived on the space station last September for budgetary reasons. Israel resuming military strikes on the Hamas terrorist organization after two weeks of failed negotiations to secure the remaining hostages in Gaza. Hamas was willing to release all remaining hostages, but only if Israel fully withdraws from Gaza. The Israelis refusing to withdraw unless Hamas is no longer in power. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging Palestinian civilians to move out of harm's way, laying the blame of any civilian casualties squarely on Hamas in recent weeks. President Trump fully endorsing any measures Israel deems necessary to secure the return of its citizens. An Israeli spokesman outlining their new plan for securing peace and the return of the hostages.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

The IDF is striking Hamas terrorist targets across the Gaza Strip, aiming to achieve the war's objectives, which include the release of all our hostages, the dismantling of Hamas military and governmental infrastructure, and the removal of the terrorist threat from Gaza to Israel's security and its citizens.

[Megyn Kelly]

59 hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF believes only 24 of them are still alive, including American citizen Idan Alexander. Coming up, President Trump Trump achieves a significant breakthrough on Ukrainian peace negotiations as well as the broader possibility for peace in the Middle east and a long awaited promotion for the IRS whistleblowers who were penalized for exposing concerns in the Hunter Biden tax investigation. All that and more in just a moment on your AM Update. You know that feeling when you slip.

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[Megyn Kelly]

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[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump achieving a significant breakthrough in brokering a possible ceasefire in Ukraine in the second phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Putin agreeing to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days. The two countries are now focusing on brokering a ceasefire in the Black Sea, then ultimately a full ceasefire and permanent peace. That's the hope. This next phase of negotiations beginning immediately in the Middle East. The White House readout of the call also stating both sides agreeing on potential cooperation in the Middle East. Presidents Trump and Putin reportedly agreeing on the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons in the region like long range missiles and nukes since resuming office. President Trump telling reporters on multiple occasions he he aims to eventually convince all world leaders to reduce strategic weapons stockpiles.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

It's just bad that everybody has to spend all this money on something that if it's used it's probably the end of the world. I'm going to meet with China and I'm going to meet with Russia and we're going to see if we can de escalate, if we can bring it down. Military, especially as it pertains to nuclear.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Putin also agreeing the Iranians should never be in a position to destroy Israel, signaling a potential shift in Moscow's position on Iranian military ambitions, though the extent of their commitment remains to be seen. The IRS whistleblowers who investigated Hunter Biden for tax evasion getting a promotion after facing years of professional retaliation. In the spring of 2023, criminal investigator Joseph Ziegler and supervisory Special agent Gary Shapley came forward with allegations the DOJ was working to protect Hunter Biden from a tax fraud investigation. The agents were removed from the case after reporting the DOJ's obstruction to their bosses at the IRS in September 2024. Hunter Biden ultimately pleaded guilty to nine charges of tax evasion. Last month, the Office of Special Counsel found agents Shapley and Ziegler were wrongly retaliated against by the IRS for going public with their allegations. On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant telling Fox Business the agents are receiving a long overdue promotion.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

I went and decided I would bring them into treasury, give them a year to investigate the, the wrongdoing that's going on at the IRS, and then they will go back in. Mr. Shops will serve as the senior deputy for investigations and enforcement. So we'll have them in treasury. We'll learn what's been going on at the irs, what's been wrong, how could this Hunter Biden nonsense have happened? And we're going to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone again, whether they're Republicans, Democrats or Independents.

[Megyn Kelly]

The agent's investigation into Hunter Biden Originating in 2018, Mr. Biden's name was found in connection with an FBI investigation into a foreign pornography website. Subsequent digging determining Mr. Biden's habit of failing to file his taxes at all or improperly reporting his income. Agents Ziegler and Shapley testifying that as Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign gained momentum, their investigation faced increasing interference from their IRS and DOJ supervisors. The agents alleged they were denied access to certain financial records. They were blocked from executing search warrants and prevented from interviewing key witnesses, including Hunter Biden. Agent Shapley telling congressional investigators they were explicitly ordered not to ask witnesses about the big guy or dad, which they believe to be a direct reference to Joe Biden. The agent's testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee and the Oversight Committee, forcing the investigation into public view. Justice Hunter Biden was preparing to accept a sweetheart plea deal from prosecutors in July of 2023. Agent Shapley explaining on the Megyn Kelly show why he and Agent Ziegler felt compelled to go public with their testimony.

[Stephen Miller]

The 300 million Americans out there that are paying their taxes today, you know, when, when they tune in, you know, Democrats said, you know, I don't know why I'm here. You know, we're confused why we're here. Well, those Americans aren't confused why we're here because, you know, there's two IRS agents, you know, standing up and saying, this person got preferential treatment. And, you know, you, if it was a business owner on the corner, he wouldn't have gotten, he or she wouldn't have gotten that special treatment and we probably would have been in jail already.

[Megyn Kelly]

Their disclosures of DOJ interference derailing the sweetheart deal, leading to further legal scrutiny and ultimately, Hunter Biden's guilty plea to multiple tax evasion charges in 2024. In December, of course, President Joe Biden wiping it all away with an unprecedented pardon for his son Hunter, covering all potential criminal offenses dating back to 2014. And that'll do it for your AM update. I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com Megan Megyn Kelly and on all podcast platforms.

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[Benjamin Netanyahu]

Com.