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.
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:
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
