The Megyn Kelly Show

Episode: Kash Patel Responds Exclusively, WH Defends Boat Strike, Luigi Mangione in Court: AM Update 12/2
Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly, SiriusXM

Episode Overview

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show delivers a brisk, news-driven update featuring exclusive reactions from FBI Director Kash Patel to critical internal reports, detailed analysis of the White House's defense of a controversial “double tap” strike on a suspected narco-terrorist boat, and major pretrial developments in the murder case against Luigi Mangione. Megyn Kelly provides candid, fact-filled coverage, featuring direct quotes from officials, legal breakdowns of current controversies, and her signature provocative commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. White House Defends “Double Tap” Strike on Suspected Narco-Terrorist Boat

[02:34–07:30]

Background:

• The White House confirms a second air strike (“double tap”) on a suspected drug vessel heading toward the US on September 2. Survivors from the first strike were present during the second attack.
• The Washington Post and others question the legality of this second strike, especially regarding whether survivors still posed an imminent threat.

Key Details:

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth authorized Admiral Mitch Bradley to conduct “kinetic strikes” on the vessels.
• The administration justifies the strikes under laws of war, noting the group was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Key Quotes:

• Secretary Pete Hegseth:
  “President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear that presidentially designated narco terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war... Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated.” [03:53]
• On the question of whether the intent was to kill survivors:
  “I would reject that the Secretary of War ever said that. However, the President has made it quite clear that... he has the authority to kill them. And that's what this administration is doing.” [05:23]

Political Fallout:

• Republicans in Congress announce investigations.
• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries:
  “The White House is lying, but that's no surprise because they lie for a living and the American people know it.” [05:46]
• Secretary Hegseth publicly backs Admiral Bradley on social media.
• Tensions with Venezuela escalate; US military presence increases, with airspace restrictions and hints at direct intervention.

2. Exclusive: FBI Director Kash Patel Responds to Scathing Internal Report

[09:09–11:54]

Background:

• A 115-page report from current and former FBI agents claims Director Kash Patel is “in over his head,” calling the FBI a “rudderless ship.”
• Media coverage (notably Miranda Devine of the New York Post) frames the report as the work of serious, reform-minded insiders—not just disgruntled critics.

Kash Patel’s Response (Exclusive to Show):

• Patel dismisses the report as “a dossier compiled by anonymous disgruntled sources... who do not know what they're talking about.”

• Cites performance metrics:

  • 30,000 arrests this year (100% increase from previous year)
  • 25,000 violent crime arrests, including hundreds of gang members
  • 6,000 missing children recovered; 1,700 child predators arrested
  • Large-scale fentanyl seizures and top most-wanted criminals apprehended

• Patel: “This FBI is succeeding beyond anyone's expectations.” [10:53]

Additional Tensions:

• New reports claim President Trump is considering Patel's removal. White House dismisses as “completely made up.” President Trump:
  “I think he's doing a great job.” [11:45]

3. Court Update: Luigi Mangione Seeks to Exclude Evidence

[11:54–14:45]

Case Background:

• Mangione is on trial for the high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan.
• The defense seeks to exclude evidence collected from Mangione’s backpack and during police questioning, arguing violations of his Miranda rights and search procedures.

Key Legal Insight:

• Former prosecutor Joey Jackson explains:
  “If it's a custodial interrogation... and they're asking questions that could incriminate you, you have to give Miranda. However, if you're simply investigating a case and not really questioning him such that you're eliciting guilty statements, you don't.” [13:40]

Details of the Evidence:

• Police found a loaded magazine, silencer, 3D-printed gun, electronics, and a manifesto journal in the searched backpack.
• Manifesto excerpt:
  “I finally feel confident about what I will do. The target is insurance. It checks every box.” [14:18]
• Prosecutors allege Mangione targeted Thompson as a statement against the insurance industry, referencing the phrase “deny, delay and depose,” often associated with insurance claim tactics.

Notable Quotes by Topic

White House/Narco-Strike:

• “The President has a right to take them out if they are threatening the United States of America...”
  — Secretary Pete Hegseth [03:53]
• “The White House is lying, but that's no surprise because they lie for a living and the American people know it.”
  — Hakeem Jeffries [05:46]

FBI Firestorm:

• “It's a dossier compiled by anonymous disgruntled sources... who do not know what they're talking about.”
  — Kash Patel [10:30]
• “This FBI is succeeding beyond anyone's expectations.”
  — Kash Patel [10:53]
• “I think he's doing a great job.”
  — President Trump, via spokesperson [11:45]

Mangione Case:

• “If it's a custodial interrogation... and they're asking questions that could incriminate you, you have to give Miranda.”
  — Joey Jackson [13:40]
• “The target is insurance. It checks every box.”
  — Journal entry attributed to Mangione [14:18]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:34] WH confirms and justifies controversial narco-terrorist boat strike
• [03:53] Secretary Hegseth’s statement on rules of engagement
• [05:46] Hakeem Jeffries responds to administration claims
• [07:19] Venezuela tensions and military posturing
• [09:09] Summary of FBI internal report against Kash Patel
• [10:30] Kash Patel’s exclusive response and metrics
• [11:45] White House/POTUS reaction to removal rumors
• [11:54] Mangione pretrial proceedings and evidence debate
• [13:40] Joey Jackson explains Miranda warning issues
• [14:18] Details of Mangione’s alleged manifesto and evidence

Memorable Moments

• The episode’s hard-nosed tone, including Megyn Kelly’s opening:
  “I think we've gone from bad to worse, but I'm gonna muddle through it. Cause I've got some news for you.” [00:32]
• Secretary Hegseth and congressional leaders provide sharp, unvarnished statements about the legality of lethal force.
• Kash Patel taking a rare direct shot at anonymous critics, highlighting dramatic bureau crime-fighting statistics.

Conclusion

This AM Update delivers incisive, up-to-the-minute coverage of major headlines in politics, national security, and law. Megyn Kelly keeps the tone brisk and unfiltered, while her exclusive interview with Director Kash Patel and legal insights into the Mangione case offer significant depth and news value. The episode is essential listening for those tracking developments in US criminal justice and military policy.