The Megyn Kelly Show – Summary of Episode 1237 (January 23, 2026)

Episode Title: DOJ Promises MORE Arrests Over Church Stunt, with Harmeet Dhillon, and Bombshell New Blake Lively Texts, with Geragos and Eiglarsh
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)
Guests: Harmeet Dhillon (Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights), Mark Geragos, Mark Eiglarsh

Overview

This episode tackles two headline-grabbing legal stories:

1. DOJ/Church Protest Arrests: Megyn Kelly interviews Harmeet Dhillon about the DOJ's ongoing efforts to charge Don Lemon and others involved in a disruptive church protest in Minnesota, and the controversy surrounding a federal magistrate's refusal to sign an arrest warrant.
2. Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni Lawsuit: The legal panel (Geragos & Eiglarsh) returns to dissect explosive text messages unsealed in Blake Lively's harassment suit against Justin Baldoni, exploring the significance of these behind-the-scenes communications.

Throughout, Megyn delivers her signature, unfiltered commentary—often sharply critical, witty, and irreverent.

Segment 1: DOJ, Church Protest, and Don Lemon (00:24–36:11)

Background & Controversy

• Event: Don Lemon and a group of protesters ("invaders") enter a Minnesota church, harassing congregants, leading to a DOJ investigation.
• Recent Development: DOJ sought arrest warrants (including for Don Lemon) under the FACE Act and Klan Act. Federal magistrate Douglas Moicko refused to sign Lemon’s warrant.
• Controversy: The magistrate is married to Caitlyn Moore, who works in the Minnesota AG’s office under Keith Ellison and publicly opposes ICE, raising questions about bias and conflict of interest.

Notable Quote

"He's not out of legal jeopardy. And he has lawyered up... we're going to pursue this to the ends of the earth."
— Harmeet Dhillon (03:23)

Key Discussion Points

• Dozens More Arrests Expected: Harmeet says the DOJ is committed to tracking everyone responsible (including organizers, a school board member, and an attorney), and there will be “multiple” further legal moves. (06:29–07:39)
• Departmental Protocol: Delay was due to magistrate/judicial process, not lack of evidence or resolve.
• Bias Concerns: Magistrate’s familial connections create at least an appearance of bias; Harmeet contends recusal was warranted.
• Legal Path Forward: Options include grand jury indictment (“the next sitting... is next week,” 06:29), moving to a different magistrate, or appeal.
• Harassment & Threats: Kelly and Dhillon agree that protesters’ actions in the church (including use of “hands up, don’t shoot” and aggressive behavior) easily meet the "threats, force, or obstruction" standard for FACE Act violations (21:32–25:26).
• Political Motives/Partisanship: DOJ insists its application of the FACE and Klan Acts is even-handed, despite political criticism.
• Due Process & Caution: DOJ is carefully verifying identities and not rushing, respecting civil liberties even as they act quickly (07:39).

Notable Quote

“If this isn’t a violation of the FACE Act, I don’t know what is.”
— Harmeet Dhillon (24:19)

Memorable Moments

• Don Lemon's Reaction: Lemon likens himself to a victim of racial injustice (“the N-word treatment”—10:38–11:51), sparking incredulity and anger from Kelly and Dhillon.
• Judicial System Cynicism: Matt Murphy (MK True Crime) says, "In 26 years as a prosecutor, I never saw a judge actually reject an arrest warrant." (15:29)

Timestamps

• [02:50] Harmeet Dhillon joins, outlines DOJ’s course of action.
• [05:12] Judge's relationship to AG Ellison’s office discussed.
• [10:38] Don Lemon's comments on racial bias.
• [13:10] Kelly raises doubts about the judge’s impartiality.
• [21:32] Analysis of what constitutes a FACE Act violation.

Segment 2: ICE, Media Narratives, and Minnesota (36:26–75:14)

The ICE Controversy

• Incident: ICE agents detained a father (allegedly illegally present) and his 5-year-old son in Minnesota. Outcry from local officials and national media claiming ICE "used the child as bait."
• Kelly’s Analysis: Refutes these claims by reconstructing the event: the father fled, left his son behind, ICE acted to protect the child, not use him as bait. The mother refused to come out of the house to take the child.
• Political & Media Reaction: School board chair’s on-the-ground account stirs the controversy; left-wing figures denounce ICE.

Notable Quote

“What are they supposed to do, just let a five year old child freeze to death? — Megyn Kelly (45:40 quoting J.D. Vance)

Political Fallout

• J.D. Vance’s Visit: The Vice President (Vance) defends ICE, criticizes Minneapolis’ obstruction of law enforcement, and promises to go after anyone harassing law officers or churchgoers (“we’re going to try very hard... to put you in prison,” 56:31).
• Protest Madness: Widespread local protests, “general strike,” and celebrities (Patti LuPone) supporting anti-ICE activism. Kelly mocks the tactics and effectiveness of these protests, particularly activists who missed their target (Vance had left the hotel), and lampoons the “performative” protest culture.

Memorable Quotes

"You try this shit, you're going to have handcuffs on you. And I don't give two shits what Don Lemon thinks."
— Megyn Kelly (57:11)

Social Media Meltdowns & Outrage

• Compilation of left-leaning TikToks and Twitter clips, with Megyn expressing disgust at over-the-top rhetoric, especially those targeting conservative women (e.g., vile “wishes” by self-proclaimed nurses and social commentators for violence against pregnant women).
• Patti LuPone’s dramatic video in support of “the brave people of Minnesota” is mocked for theatricality and past controversies.
• Amy Klobuchar’s “blizzard” campaign blunder is revisited for comic relief.

Timestamps

• [36:26] Shift from ads to ICE controversy.
• [43:00] Kelly outlines the full context of the ICE/family incident.
• [53:02] J.D. Vance, on the ground, refutes local officials’ claims.
• [56:31] Vance’s warning to agitators/protesters.
• [58:55] Montage of “basket-face” protest songs.
• [61:01] Outrageous videos from left-wing activists and commentary.

Segment 3: Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni Sex Harassment Lawsuit – “Bombshell” Texts (75:14–End)

Background

• Actress Blake Lively accuses director Justin Baldoni of creating a hostile/sexually harassing environment on a film set—public legal battle ensues.
• Newly unsealed defense motion (for summary judgment) exposes:
  • Extensive group texts among celebrities.
  • Lively’s behind-the-scenes efforts to rally A-list support against Baldoni.
  • Disputes over both substance of the lawsuit and PR fallout.

Main Legal Debate

• Guests: Attorneys Mark Geragos & Mark Eiglarsh (MK True Crime).
• Central Argument:
  • Geragos and Kelly: Texts prove Lively was conniving, manipulating both PR and other cast/crew, and not a credible victim.
  • Eiglarsh: Raises the possibility that Lively/other women genuinely felt uncomfortable; cautions that “reasonable minds can differ” and there's a fact dispute for trial.

Notable Quotes

“She was conniving behind the scenes for the entire time... trying to generate buzz behind her to say her cut of the movie”
— Megyn Kelly (82:07)

“If we've reached the point in society where ‘you look hot’ has caused you this kind of emotional distress ... my grandmother... would look at me like I had lost my mind.”
— Mark Geragos (111:18)

“It's obvious, at least to me, as to what's happening here. She's marshaling her friends and others to try to lean on him and to take him out.”
— Mark Geragos (92:43)

Key Text Messages

• Taylor Swift texts Lively: “You did it, you helped so many people who won’t have to go through this ever again...” (86:05)
• Lively and others appear to celebrate negative PR for Baldoni; Lively refers to her “dragons” (Taylor & husband Ryan Reynolds) who will “fight for” her.
• Group texts and messages show Lively leaning on other actors, her husband, and A-list friends to back her cut of the film and her harassment claims.
• Geragos: “This is a Johnny Depp–Amber Heard situation.”

Discussion on Evidence

• Some supporting witnesses’ (e.g., Jenny Slate) allegations amount to “Blake Lively tried to get me to agree... remember, you were there when he said the truly offensive thing to me” (107:51).
• The most “disturbing” conduct includes calling Lively “hot”, a giggle and eye roll during a Britney Spears discussion—downplayed as trivial by panel and mocked by Kelly.

Hostile Work Environment Standard

• Judges likely to let the jury decide, but the panel overwhelmingly feels Lively’s evidence is weak and “eggshell thin.”
• The hosts predict Baldoni will likely prevail at trial, but acknowledge the case is unlikely to settle.

Notable Quotes

“These are very damaging for Lively... Now you have motive. This isn’t about ‘you look sexy, you're uncomfortable on the set.’ This is 'I'm pissed off about so many other things' and picking harassment as the lane.”
— Mark Eiglarsh (116:56)

Timestamps

• [80:12] Legal analysis begins (“How do you think it went for the defense, Mark?”)
• [86:05] Taylor Swift’s text to Lively
• [92:43] Panel discussion: motives, PR, impact of texts
• [107:51] The “damning” texts with Jenny Slate
• [116:34] Lively’s “dragons” text dissected
• [123:47] Panel’s predictions: Lively’s “kamikaze” mission

Notable Quotes (All Segments)

• “Who thinks Don Lemon is a victim, who thinks that we're giving him the N word treatment? That's really offensive to me...” — Harmeet Dhillon (11:51)
• “That's a significant conflict... We do not judge shop... This was the randomly assigned magistrate. I don't know if we would have gotten a different outcome from another, but this one should have recused himself, in my opinion.” — Harmeet Dhillon (18:04)
• “If you go and storm a church ... we're going to try very hard ... to put you in prison.” — Don Lemon (speaking as J.D. Vance) (56:31)
• “It’s a bizarre cult of weirdo leftist hate. That’s what we’re seeing.” — Megyn Kelly (64:10)
• “How is this a federal court case?” — Mark Geragos (119:07)
• “If you’re saying ... they both agree and they’re getting some kind of sustenance emotionally from their Venn diagram overlap, basically your argument is unhinged. And unhinged equals hinged.” — Megyn Kelly (109:35)

Episode Flow & Tone

• Language & Tone: Blunt, irreverent, lawyerly; Megyn and guests indulge in sarcasm, pop culture jabs, and sharp irreverence toward the left, media critics, and perceived hypocrisy.
• Structure: Podcast moves seamlessly between hard legal analysis, media critique, and cultural mockery. Cross-talk and humorous asides abound.
• Audience Value: Even without listening, readers get detailed context, main legal issues, sharp character analysis, memorable (and often meme-worthy) quotes, and a sense of the episode’s pace and personality.

For New Listeners

• Miss nothing important: All major legal, political, and cultural beats are covered.
• Understand the stakes: Both the church protest controversy and the Hollywood legal drama are explained with detail, nuance, and personality.
• Hear the episode’s best lines/play-by-play: Full context for each viral or buzzworthy moment is given, including who said it, and when.

Key Sections & Timestamps

• [00:24–36:11] DOJ/Church Protest, Don Lemon, Judge controversy (with Harmeet Dhillon)
• [36:26–75:14] ICE/media, Minnesota protests, political/media/culture war fallout
• [75:14–End] Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni, legal strategizing & text message firestorm (with Geragos & Eiglarsh)

For more info or to hear the lively, no-holds-barred audio, stream "The Megyn Kelly Show" Ep.1237 on SiriusXM or podcast platforms.