The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update 8/21/25

Episode: DC Crime Crackdown Success, Elon Eyes Vance 2028, New Details in Missing Baby Search
Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)

Episode Overview

This morning's AM Update delivers a brisk, news-dense rundown on:

• The impact and controversy of President Trump’s federal crime crackdown in Washington, D.C.
• Latest in the shifting political relationship between Elon Musk and the Trump White House—plus speculation on Musk's future support for Vice President J.D. Vance.
• Compelling new developments in the ongoing search for missing California baby Emmanuel Harrow, with disturbing revelations about the family.
• Brief coverage of Hurricane Erin and the emergency response underway.

Throughout, Megyn Kelly maintains her signature no-nonsense, conversational tone, prioritizing both major headlines and the voices of those directly involved.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DC Crime Crackdown & Controversy

[00:39 – 06:30]

• Federal Takeover and Immediate Crime Drops

  • President Trump's federal “takeover” of DC’s police and deployment of the National Guard is touted as effective. The DC police union claims “overall crime is down 8%, robbery down 46%, carjacking down 83%, violent crime down 22%” (02:25).
  • This follows the president’s declaration of a "public crime emergency" under the DC Home Rule Act.

• Celebrating Law Enforcement

  • V.P. J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and others visit Union Station—a symbol of DC’s decline—to serve lunch to guardsmen and police (02:50).
  • Protesters confront them; Vance publicly defends the crackdown and critiques critics.
    • Quote:

      "We don't have to live like this. We do not have to allow our cities to be taken over by violence... You can actually bring law and order to communities. You've just got to have the political willpower to do it."
      – J.D. Vance (03:22)

• Skepticism and Alleged Data Manipulation

  • Some on the Left label the move as a power grab, citing prior Metropolitan Police data showing drastic annual crime drops even before the federal intervention (04:12).
  • DOJ announces a federal probe into whether the DC police department has been “manipulating data to make the city seem safer than it really is.”
    • U.S. Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro’s office to lead, with Police Commander Michael Pulliam under scrutiny (05:02).

• Police Union Criticisms

  • Union chair Greg Pemberton explains how police are allegedly “encouraged to take lower-level reports for serious crimes” to downplay statistics.
    • Quote:

      "Sometimes there'll be a shooting ... and if the victim is uncooperative ... they'll be directed to take an injured person to the hospital report, which is not even a crime... crime stats are not accurate."
      – Greg Pemberton (05:02)

• Federal Response

  • Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche states that “D.C. has been an incredibly unsafe place for a very long time... we're investigating [data manipulation] and hopefully we'll get to the bottom of it.”
    • Quote:

      "D.C. is safer than everybody that lives here knows to be true. So we're investigating it..."
      – Todd Blanche (06:02)

2. Elon Musk, J.D. Vance & 2028 GOP Speculation

[06:30 – 09:45]

• Musk's Political Maneuvering

  • Reports emerge that Musk, who previously announced a third "America Party," is stepping back amid concerns about its actual viability and impact on Republicans (06:30).
  • The feud began after Musk left the White House and publicly criticized Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill,” calling it fiscally disastrous.

• Signs of Reconciliation

  • The administration softens its stance, hinting at future cooperation.
    • Quote:

      "I think he's a good person. I think he had a bad moment, really bad moment, but he's a good person...”
      – President Trump (07:56)

• Vance’s Perspective

  • Vance, as a possible 2028 presidential contender, downplays the split and hopes Musk returns to supporting the administration.
    • Quote:

      "You're not going to be on the Left... they're not going to have you back. That ship has sailed..."
      – J.D. Vance (08:08)

• 2028 GOP Outlook

  • Early polling places Vance well ahead for the 2028 GOP nomination; Musk rumored to potentially support his campaign financially.

3. Missing Baby Emmanuel Harrow: Troubling New Details

[09:45 – 16:00]

• Case Background & Parental Behavior

  • Baby Emmanuel remains missing a week after his purported abduction. Parents Jake and Rebecca Harrow are no longer cooperating as police raise doubts about Rebecca's story (09:45).
  • Rebecca’s mother claims Jake tried to prevent a polygraph; he has since obtained a lawyer.

• Legal and Domestic History

  • Court records show an ex-wife of Jake Harrow has sought a protective order alleging “domestic violence with children.”
  • In 2023, Jake and his second wife (Vanessa) both pleaded guilty to abusing their own infant daughter—a crime for which Jake is still on probation (12:36).

• Community Suspicion & Eyewitness Account

  • At a search event and vigil, Jake and Rebecca’s absence is noted; resident Heather Walker voices doubts about Rebecca:
    • Quote:

      "I just thought it was very strange that she was walking to her car just fine... and then the news vehicle started coming in and then she limped away. At that point I kind of had a very bad feeling that we weren't searching for a child in the area."
      – Heather Walker (14:39)

• Investigation Updates

  • Authorities confirm following up on reported sightings (all likely false leads). Rebecca’s vehicle has been seized.

  • Jake’s attorney, Vincent Hughes, insists his client is willing to cooperate:

    • Quote:

      "I spoke to the detectives yesterday, offered for Jake to continue to speak with them... I have not been asked to produce Jake."
      – Vincent Hughes (15:41)

  • Police clarify a recent nearby house fire appears unrelated to the case.

4. Hurricane Erin: Coastal Emergency

[16:00 – 17:58]

• Storm Overview

  • North Carolina declares emergency for Hurricane Erin (now Category 2 with 110 mph winds). Over 2,200 residents evacuated; hazardous surf and flooding possible across a dozen states (16:00).

• Expert Warning

  • National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan reminds listeners of severe surf, rip currents, and the need to stay out of the ocean over the coming days.

    • Quote:

      "The core of Erin is going to pass well offshore... but that wind field is going to continue to grow bringing dangerous wave conditions... not going to be safe to get out into the ocean..."
      – Dr. Michael Brennan (17:20)

  • 60 rescues already made in North Carolina due to treacherous water conditions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• J.D. Vance’s defense of the crackdown:

  "We don't have to live like this. We do not have to allow our cities to be taken over by violence and by disorder and by chaos. You can actually do stuff. You can actually bring law and order to communities.” (03:22)

• Police Union on manipulated crime stats:

  "Our members... respond to the scenes of these violent crimes... sometimes there'll be a shooting or a stabbing and... they'll be directed to take an injured person to the hospital report, which is not even a crime at all." – Greg Pemberton (05:02)

• President Trump on Musk:

  "I think he's a good person. I think he had a bad moment, really bad moment, but he's a good person. I think, I believe that." (07:56)

• Vice President J.D. Vance on Musk’s political standing:

  "You're not going to be on the left, right?... So I really think it's a mistake for him to try to break from the president." (08:08)

• Concerned citizen on missing baby case:

  "I just thought it was very strange that she was walking to her car just fine... and then the news vehicle started coming in and then she limped away..." – Heather Walker (14:39)

• National Hurricane Center warning:

  "It's not going to be safe to get out into the ocean along much of the United States east coast today and through much of the rest of this week." – Dr. Michael Brennan (17:20)

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• [00:39] – Megyn Kelly introduces top headlines
• [02:25] – DC police union touts results of crime crackdown
• [03:22] – J.D. Vance defends federal action against crime
• [05:02] – Police union chairman discusses manipulation of crime statistics
• [06:02] – Federal officials confirm ongoing investigation
• [07:56] – Trump weighs in on Musk split
• [08:08] – J.D. Vance addresses Musk's political future
• [09:45] – Introduction of new details in baby Emmanuel Harrow case
• [12:36] – Prior domestic violence conviction of Jake Harrow revealed
• [14:39] – Eyewitness (Heather Walker) describes suspicious behavior by mother
• [15:41] – Jake Harrow’s attorney asserts willingness to cooperate with police
• [16:00] – Hurricane Erin prompts state of emergency and evacuations
• [17:20] – National Hurricane Center warns of ongoing storm dangers

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive yet concise rundown. This AM Update episode demonstrates The Megyn Kelly Show’s commitment to hard-hitting news, in-depth discussion, and the elevation of both official and local voices.