Clintons Defy Subpoenas, Trump Talks Sanctuary City Funding, Remembering Scott Adams: AM Update 1/14

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show – Episode Summary

Episode: Clintons Defy Subpoenas, Trump Talks Sanctuary City Funding, Remembering Scott Adams: AM Update 1/14
Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Megyn Kelly

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Episode Overview

This AM Update covers a major escalation in the congressional investigation into the Clintons’ connection with Jeffrey Epstein, President Trump’s latest moves on immigration and sanctuary city funding, international tensions with Iran, and heartfelt reflections on the passing of Dilbert creator Scott Adams. Megyn Kelly delivers fast-paced coverage, legal commentary, and personal tributes, punctuated with memorable quotes and in-depth reporting.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Clintons Defy Congressional Subpoenas

(00:24–07:00)

• Topic: Bill and Hillary Clinton refused to appear before the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the DOJ’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
• Details:
  • Both Clintons sent a joint letter asserting they have "no relevant knowledge" and contesting the validity of the subpoenas, offering instead a sworn statement.
  • They accused the committee of seeking to "embarrass and harass" them.
  • Their legal team’s eight-page letter argues the subpoenas are “invalid and legally unenforceable.”
• Chairman James Comer’s Response:
  • Emphasized the Epstein-Clinton connection:

    "Jeffrey Epstein visited the White House 17 times while Bill Clinton was president. ... I think I've been to the White House nine times in nine years. Epstein was in the White House double the amount of time that I was under one president." (03:42)

  • Noted that Democrats previously voted to subpoena Clinton and pointed to bipartisan interest in answers.
• Democratic Committee Members:
  • Comer criticized their absence:

    "Not a single Democrat showed up today. The ones that ... talk about how they're trying to get justice for the victims. ... It just seems like they only care about questioning Republicans." (04:35)

• Potential Criminal Contempt:
  • Legal expert Will Chamberlain predicts a criminal referral, drawing parallels to the cases of Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro—both jailed for defying congressional subpoenas.

    “I see no reason why the Clintons would avoid their fate.” (05:07)

• Upcoming Moves:
  • Comer will move to hold Bill Clinton in contempt of Congress; similar action expected for Hillary Clinton.

2. Trump Administration’s Crackdown on Immigration

(07:01–09:14)

• Ending TPS for Somalia:

  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced temporary protected status (TPS) for Somalian nationals will end March 17.
  • Citing improved conditions in Somalia and asserting continued protections are “contrary to our national interests.”
  • The move impacts roughly 2,500 Somali nationals in the U.S.

• Revoking Citizenship for Fraud:

  • President Trump, in Detroit, took a hard line:

    “We're also going to revoke the citizenship of any naturalized immigrant from Somalia or anywhere else who is convicted of defrauding our citizens ... We're throwing you in jail and we're sending you back.” (08:15)

• Zero Payments to Sanctuary Cities:

  • Trump announced an end to federal payments to sanctuary cities and states:

    “Starting February 1st, we're not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities, because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens ... it breeds fraud and crime.” (08:53)

  • Department of Justice lists 11 sanctuary states, likely legal challenges expected.

3. Trump on Iran and Ongoing Protests

(09:15–12:05)

• Background:
  • At least 1,850 Iranian protestors reportedly killed, with speculation of numbers as high as 20,000.
• Trump’s Message to Iranians:

  “Iranian patriots keep protesting, take over your institutions if possible and save the names of the killers and the abusers that are abusing you. ... I say save their names because they'll pay a very big price. … I say make Iran great again. You know, it was a great country until these monsters came in and took it over.” (11:20)

  • Trump claims to have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the violence stops.
• US Options:
  • Defense officials briefed Trump on covert tools “well beyond conventional airstrikes.”
  • State Department urges all US citizens in Iran to leave immediately.

4. Remembering Scott Adams (14:32–End)

• Obituary:
  • Scott Adams, acclaimed Dilbert cartoonist and political commentator, died at 68 from prostate cancer.
  • Adams was open with fans about his stage 4 diagnosis and remained in touch with his audience to the end.
• Career & Influence:
  • Created Dilbert (1989), which appeared in 2,000 newspapers across 65 countries in 25 languages.
  • Authored several popular books.
  • Became early, vocal Trump supporter; hosted the online show “Coffee with Scott Adams.”
• Notable Scott Adams Quotes:
  • On changing your mind:

    “Nothing is smarter than being able to change your mind. ... Instead of thinking of your ability to change your mind as a weakness, you should think of it as a strength, almost a superpower.” (14:32)

  • On personal systems and reframing:

    “I've reframed alcohol to be poison, meaning that when I think of alcohol ... it's not entertainment, it's poison.” (15:27)

• Controversy and Cancellation:
  • In 2023, Adams faced backlash and mass cancellation after comments regarding a poll about race relations.

    "We've poisoned relations by making a framework in which one group is the victimizers, one group is the victims ... and that is an untenable situation." (16:56)

• Final Message:
  • Adams’s wife Shelly read a poignant farewell where he accepted Christ “just to be safe,” and urged fans to “pay it forward.”

    “I had an amazing life. I gave it everything I had. If you got any benefits from my work, I'm asking you to pay it forward as best you can. That is the legacy I want.” (17:44)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chairman Comer on the Epstein-Clinton Link:

  "Epstein was in the White House double the amount of time that I was under one president." (03:42)

• President Trump on revoking sanctuary city funds:

  “... not making any payments to sanctuary cities ... they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens ... it breeds fraud and crime.” (08:53)

• Scott Adams on intellectual flexibility:

  “Nothing is smarter than being able to change your mind ... it's a strength, almost a superpower.” (14:32)

• Adams’s Farewell Message:

  “If you got any benefits from my work, I'm asking you to pay it forward as best you can. That is the legacy I want.” (17:44)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Clintons Defy Subpoenas: 00:24–07:00
• Trump’s Immigration Announcements: 07:01–09:14
• Trump on Iran, Protests, and Diplomacy: 09:15–12:05
• Scott Adams Tribute & Commentary: 14:32–End

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This episode is a brisk, sometimes biting commentary on political accountability, executive action, and enduring influence in American media and culture—delivered with Megyn Kelly’s trademark directness.

Transcript

[A]

Hi, I'm Angie Hicks, co founder of angie. When you use Angie for your home projects, you know all your jobs will be done well, from roof repair to emergency plumbing and more done well. So the next time you have a home project, leave it to the pros. Get [e-mail] Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, and this is your AM update.

[B]

Jeffrey Epstein visited the White House 17 times while Bill Clinton was president.

[A]

The Clintons defy congressional subpoenas from the Oversight Committee in its investigation into the DOJ's handling of Jeffrey Epstein.

[C]

We're not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities.

[A]

President Trump announces the next phase in his crackdown on illegal immigration. The president telling Iranian protesters to keep it up as the US Weighs options for possible intervention and gone too soon. The brilliant Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert, comic, author and truly consequential thinker at 68. All that and more coming up in just a moment. On your AM Update, Our sponsor, the Electronic Payments Coalition, says Washington politicians are always getting in your wallet and that now they're messing with your credit card. They say your credit card and the security it offers are under attack and that Senators Dick Durbin and Roger Marshall want to change the nation's payment system in a way that would benefit corporate megastores like Walmart and Target at the expense of of everyday Americans. Credit cards can keep your payments secure and they can provide rewards that families use to help make everyday purchases more affordable. The Electronic Payments Coalition says the Durbin Marshall mandates would let corporate megastores cut corners on credit card processing, routing transactions over cheaper, untested networks with weaker security and fewer protections. Find out [e-mail] and consider telling Congress to guard your card. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas. Compelling testimony before the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the DOJ's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Chairman Comer setting a Tuesday deadline for Bill Clinton to participate. A Wednesday deadline for the misses Hours before yesterday's scheduled appearance. The Clintons submitting a joint letter to Chairman Comer indicating they do not intend to appear. From the letter, quote, every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences for us. Now is that time. The Clintons maintaining they have no relevant knowledge, challenging Chairman Comer's refusal to accept a sworn statement instead of testimony. Quote, you will say it is not our decision to make, but we have made it. Now you have to make yours. Oh snap. Clinton lawyers submitting an eight page letter to the committee outlining the reasons they say, quote, the subpoenas issued to President and Secretary Clinton are invalid and legally unenforceable. Among the reasons, the legal team asserting their in person testimony has no purpose here other than to embarrass and harass the Clintons lawyers. Also writing, quote, the testimony sought by the subpoenas has no pertinence to the stated purpose of the committee's investigation. Arguing Chairman Comer failed to explain why the Clintons testimony would be relevant. Chairman Comer holding up a large binder to reporters on the Hill yesterday morning speaking about the line of questioning the committee intended to pursue.

[B]

One reason I think most Americans want President Clinton to answer some questions is because Jeffrey Epstein visited the White House 17 times while Bill Clinton was president. I've been in Congress nine years. I think I've been to the White House nine times in nine years. Epstein was in the White House double the amount of time that I was under one president. And then we know that Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's plane somewhere around 27 times after the presidency. So no one's accusing Bill Clinton of anything, any wrongdoing. We just have questions and that's why the Democrats voted along with Republicans to subpoena Bill Clinton.

[A]

There's also that photo of Bill Clinton in Epstein's hot tub. Chairman Comer going on to state, however, that no committee Democrats showed up yesterday for the scheduled deposition casting doubt on their professed concern in matters concerning Epstein.

[B]

Not a single Democrat showed up today. Not a single Democrat. The ones that have press conferences on the Capitol steps and talk about how they're trying to get justice for the victims and all that. It just seems like they only care about questioning Republicans. And we've had, we've had a former Trump cabinet Secretary Acosta in for a grilling. We had Bill Barr, former attorney General in for a grilling. But for whatever reason President Clinton didn't show up. And the Democrats on the committee don't seem to have a problem.

[A]

The New York Times reporting the Clintons beefing up their legal team gearing up for a fight by hiring a lawyer who previously worked under Chairman Comer on the Oversight Committee. We asked senior counsel at the Article 3 project, Will Chamberlain, how he thinks this is going to play out. Well, the next thing that's going to happen is that it's going to go for a criminal referral by James Comer on the floor of the House. And if that passes, which I expect it will, DOJ is going to prosecute. Remember that both Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro got prosecuted for the exact same thing, defying a congressional subpoena. So I see no reason why the Clintons would avoid their fate. Bannon was convicted in July 2022 on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena issued by the House select committee investigating the January 6th riot. He served four months in prison. Former White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro also convicted of criminal contempt of Congress. He too served four months. Chairman Comer announcing he will move next week to hold President Clinton in contempt of Congress. Similar action likely to follow if Secretary Clinton dodges her deposition set for later this morning. As expected in 2021, after Steve Bannon was first indicted, a supporter of Mrs. Clinton's tweeted, you know who is not going to jail and has never been indicted for anything. The post included a picture of Mrs. Clinton along with the salutation, have a great weekend. Mrs. Clinton responded with thanks. It was quite restful. We'll see if her cockiness remains once Pam Bondi gets involved the Trump administration officially ending temporary protected status or t Somalia, effective March 17. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posting yesterday on X Temporary means temporary country Conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law's requirement for temporary protected status. Further, allowing Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the US is contrary to our national interests. The US granting TPS to Somalia in 1991amid a civil war in their country. The Biden administration extending the protections in September 2024. Immigrants living in the US under TPS can obtain work authorization and are protected from removal. President Trump first announcing the intention to remove Somalia from the list of nations eligible for TPS status in November on Truth Social, writing that Minnesota is, quote, a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. In practice, this policy change will affect only a small percentage of Somalians living in the U.S. according to U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services, just under 2,500 Somali nationals currently live in the U.S. under TPS, with an additional 1,383 in the country under pending applications. These numbers represent a small fraction of the nearly 260,000 people of Somali descent living in America, according to data from the US Census Bureau, most of whom are citizens. President Trump yesterday in Detroit underscoring a zero tolerance approach toward any naturalized citizen guilty of fraud.

[C]

We're also going to revoke the citizenship of any naturalized immigrant from Somalia or anywhere else who is convicted of defrauding our citizens, we're going to get them the hell out of here fast. And if you come to America to rob Americans, we're throwing you in jail and we're sending you back to the place from where you came. We're throwing you right in jail.

[A]

As the Trump administration aims to conduct the largest mass deportation effort in history, the president also yesterday announcing additional steps to punish cities and states that ban local police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.

[C]

Additionally, starting February 1st, we're not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens and it breeds fraud and crime and all of the other problems that come. So we're not making any payment to anybody that supports sanctuary cities.

[A]

The DOJ has identified 11 states as sanctuary jurisdictions, including California, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, to name a few. The president's action likely to meet legal challenges. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson already posted on X in court at real Donald Trump. Coming up, President Trump encourages Iranian protesters to continue rallying against the oppressive regime as he reportedly weighs options for U.S. intervention. And the much beloved creator of the Dilbert comic strip, Scott Adams, passes away. Our sponsor, the Electronic Payments Coalition, says Washington politicians are always getting in your wallet and that now they're messing with your credit card. They say your credit card and the security it offers are under attack and that Senators Dick Durbin and Roger Marshall want to change the nation's payment system in a way that would benefit corporate megastores like Walmart and Target at the expense of everyday Americans. Credit cards can keep your payments secure and they can provide rewards that families use to help make everyday purchases more affordable. The Electronic Payments Coalition says the Durbin Marshall mandates would let corporate megastores cut corners on credit card processing, routing transactions over cheaper, untested networks with weaker security and fewer protections. Find out [e-mail] and consider telling Congress to guard your card. President Trump ratcheting up pressure on the Iranian regime as civilian protesters continue demonstrating in the streets. Iranian security forces cracking down harshly, though total deaths are hard to tally. A U S based human rights activists news agency reporting 1850 protesters have been killed, thousands more detained. The totals could be far higher. Two sources inside the country telling CBS News that as many as 20,000 people have been killed. Mr. Trump yesterday from Detroit calling on Iranians to increase the momentum to all.

[C]

Iranian patriots keep protesting, take over your institutions if possible and save the name of the killers and the abusers that are abusing you. You're being very badly abused. If the numbers are right, look, one death is too much, but I hear much lower numbers and then I hear much higher numbers. But I say save their names because they'll pay a very big price. Then I've canceled all meetings with the Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops. And all I say to them is help is on its way. You saw that I put tariffs on anybody doing business with Iran. Just went into effect today. And I say make Iran great again. You know, it was a great country until these monsters came in and took it over.

[A]

The Iranian foreign minister reaching out to special envoy Steve Witkoff over the weekend to de escalate tensions with the US according to Axios. Mr. Trump confirming Sunday that a meeting with Iranian officials was being set up but had not yet taken place. The president, however, announcing yesterday any meetings with Iranian officials are canceled until the killing stops. Defense officials briefing the president yesterday on available options against Iran, including covert tools like cyber and psychological ops that go, quote, well beyond conventional airstrikes. Per cbs, the options presented reportedly could be deployed along with military force or work as standalone operations. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt on Monday saying airstrikes are one of many options at the president's disposal. The State Department yesterday issuing notice to all US Citizens in Iran to leave immediately. Scott Adams, beloved creator of the Dilbert comic strip and brilliant social and political thinker, died yesterday following a battle with prostate cancer. He was 68. Scott announcing his illness last May, telling fans it was not a new diagnosis but had developed to stage four, spreading into his bones, leaving him with little time left in the final weeks of his life, a spinal tumor causing paralysis from Scott's waist down. Nevertheless, he maintained communication with his many fans and embraced a positive and graceful attitude right up until the end. Scott creating the wildly popular comic strip Dilbert in 1989, satirizing corporate culture, absurd managers and bureaucratic nonsense. The strip appearing in 2000 newspapers across 65 countries, printed in 25 languages. Scott going on to publish several books, including how to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, Reframe youe Brain, the user interface for Happiness and Success and more. In 2015, amid President Trump's underdog campaign for the White House, Scott began weighing in on the political scene, predicting when few took Mr. Trump seriously, that he would go on to win the primary and the general election. Scott's daily political commentary morphing into a successful online show called Coffee with Scott Adams, the host taking on issues of the day, also offering advice on how to develop systems to drive positive life changes. For example, this clip on the power of changing your mind.

[D]

I'm reasonably sure that part of the reason it's not 100% the reason, but a big part of the reason people don't want to change their mind is that it would look like weakness. And maybe you would look like, well, you're not so smart because you were wrong. So the reframe is this. Nothing is smarter than being able to change your mind. So instead of thinking of your ability to change your mind as a weakness, you should think of it as a strength, almost a superpower. So I think that people mistakenly believe that when I change my mind, I'm experiencing some kind of sacrifice. I'm not. I'm experiencing bragging. It's closer to narcissism because I'm basically showing off. Look, I can change my mind.

[A]

Here's some more of Scott's wisdom, which will be truly missed.

[D]

What if. What if Laziness is a habit of thinking about the cost of things or the effort instead of thinking about the payoff. I've reframed alcohol to be poison, meaning that when I think of alcohol just mentally, I think, oh, alcohol is poison. And it makes it easier not to imbibe it because I just talk myself into it not being a beverage. It's not really a beverage, you know, it's not entertainment, it's poison. Do you think that you can cause luck to happen in your life? The answer is no, not luck, luck. But you can, you can manipulate, manipulate your experience of luck in ways I'm.

[A]

Going to tell you in 2023. Leftists attempting to cancel Scott, calling him racist after he commented on a Rasmussen poll in which 26% of black respondents disagreed with the statement, quote, it is okay to be white, with an additional 21% feeling unsure. Scott reacting, quote, if nearly half of all blacks are not okay with white people, that's a hate group. Based on how things are going, the best advice I could give to white people is to get the hell away from black people. Cue the cancellation. Hundreds of papers dropping the Dilbert cartoon in response, attempting to smear Scott as a racist. Scott appearing on the MK show in September 2023, further articulating the destructive nature of the left's worldview.

[D]

I was trying to make the point that we've poisoned relations by making a framework in which one group is the victimizers, one group is the victims. If you ever find yourself in that situation, whether it's about race or anything else, you should try to get as far away from it as possible. And nothing I said had anything to do with genetics, had nothing to do with even culture, had everything to do with the fact that America, white people mostly are selling a story and actually institutionalize it with through ESG and CRT and DEI is becoming part of our operating system that one group of us are the bad guys and another group of us as the victims and and that is an untenable situation.

[A]

Scott continuing on with his life's work, connecting with thousands of people each day, as evidenced by the many touching tributes in his honor. President Trump posting on Truth Social a photo of Scott in the Oval Office captioned Quote he was a fantastic guy who liked and respected me when it wasn't fashionable to do so. He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease. My condolences go out to his family and all of his many friends and listeners. He will truly be missed. Scott's ex, wife and caregiver Shelly Adams Yesterday, reading a final message from Scott, many of my Christian friends have asked me to find Jesus before I go. I'm not a believer, but I have to admit the risk reward calculation for doing so looks so attractive to me. So here I go. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and look forward to spending an eternity with Him. The part about me not being a believer should be quite quickly resolved. If I wake up in heaven, I won't need any more convincing than that. I hope I'm still qualified for entry. The note Continuing on Quote I had an amazing life. I gave it everything I had. If you got any benefits from my work, I'm asking you to pay it forward as best you can. That is the legacy I want. God bless you, Scott. We will miss you. And that'll do it for your AM update, I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the MK show live on Sirius XM's the Megyn Kelly Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com megankelly and on all podcast platforms. When it's this cold, curl up with a snack that's cozy and delicious like my Mochi ice cream. My Mochi is scoops of premium ice cream wrapped in soft dough with delicious flavors like strawberry and mango. It's creamy on the inside and chewy on the outside and only 70 calories a piece. Grab a warm blanket and snuggle up with a purple box of my Mochi ice cream today. It's the perfect wintertime treatment.