Noem vs. Dems, Abrego Garcia Released For Now, Tyler Robinson Smiles in Court: AM Update 12/12

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update 12/12/25

Episode: Noem vs. Dems, Abrego Garcia Released For Now, Tyler Robinson Smiles in Court
Release Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly

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Overview

This episode delivers Megyn Kelly’s morning political update, focusing on three hot-button issues:

1. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s fiery testimony before House Democrats on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration
2. Legal and political fallout over Maryland’s Kilmar Abrego Garcia's controversial release from ICE custody
3. The latest developments in the Charlie Kirk murder case, including the arraignment of accused killer Tyler Robinson.

Throughout, the episode spotlights the partisan battles over immigration, judicial nominations, and transparency in high-profile criminal cases.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kristi Noem Grilled on Immigration Enforcement

(Timestamp: 00:44 – 06:39)

• Setting: House Homeland Security Committee hearing. Dems attack Noem over Trump’s mass deportation push; Noem and allies counter with forceful defenses of strict immigration control.

• Noem’s Arguments:

  • The Biden administration’s “open border policies” are blamed for an influx of “15 to 20 million” undocumented people (02:43).
  • Programs (asylum, parole, visas) are described as “exploited” and having their “integrity demolished” (02:43).
  • DHS is now “finding those violent criminals, those people who shouldn’t be in this country” (02:43).
  • Memorable quote:

    “What keeps me up at night is that we don’t necessarily know all of the people that are in this country, who they are and what their intentions are.” —Kristi Noem (02:43)

• Joe Kent (National Counterterrorism Center Director):

  • Warns of “heightened risk” of terrorist attacks, specifically naming ISIS and Al Qaeda infiltration (03:36).
  • Cites “around 18,000 known and suspected terrorists” entering under Biden (03:36).

• Democratic Pushback:

  • Dems such as Caroline Levitt and Rep. Seth Magaziner accuse Noem of lying and of waging “an unaccountable, unlawful, unconstitutional war against communities” (04:30).
  • Magaziner confronts Noem with the deportation of an Army veteran, asking for case review and compassion (05:16–05:49).
  • Noem responds she’ll review the case but reiterates commitment to law enforcement (05:56).
  • Notable exchange:

    “You all should be fired in my viewpoint.” —Kristi Noem to Democratic lawmakers (06:05)

2. Kilmar Abrego Garcia Released

(06:39 – 11:06)

• Background:

  • Abrego Garcia, dubbed "Maryland man," previously deported to El Salvador by mistake (withholding of removal order protected him due to gang threat).
  • Detained and accused of human trafficking and gang activity (MS-13 ties documented; protective orders from his wife with allegations of violence).
  • Legal saga complicated by bureaucratic missteps—no formal order of removal existed, despite repeated requests by courts.

• Judicial Ruling:

  • Judge Paula Zinis orders immediate release due to the absence of a valid removal order.
  • DOJ at fault for procedural error, described by attorney Will Chamberlain as “the ultimate getting off on a technicality…the idiot immigration judge who believed his sob story apparently never issued one.”
  • Administration vows continued legal fight. Caroline Levitt denounces “judicial activism” by Zinis:
    • Quote:

      “Abrego Garcia is present in our country illegally. He is a proven human trafficker. He is a proven gang member. The administration has evidence of that.” —Caroline Levitt (10:39)

• Megyn’s Commentary:

  • Predicts the government will “just seek an order of removal from a new immigration court” (11:06).

3. Judicial Nominations: The Halligan Standoff

(11:06 – 16:40)

• Focus: President Trump’s push to confirm Lindsey Halligan as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia amidst procedural obstacles.
• Halligan’s Background: Indicted James Comey and Letitia James for high-profile offenses, but indictments dismissed because her appointment was ruled unlawful.
• Senate Blue Slip Tradition:
  • Explanation of how Virginia’s Dem senators (Tim Kaine, Mark Warner) have signaled non-approval, effectively killing the nomination.
  • Trump rails against blue slips on Truth Social:
    • Quote:

      “Blue slips are making it impossible to get great Republican judges and US Attorneys approved to serve in any state where there is even a single Democrat senator. If they say no, then it is over for that very well qualified Republican candidate.”

• Vice President J.D. Vance’s Take:
  • Warns on Fox News about consequences for law enforcement and accountability if blue slip process continues to obstruct Trump nominees (14:58–15:50).
  • Quote:

    “…we’re going to wake up in a couple of years and realize that we’ve done a lot of great work at the Trump administration, but justice is not being meted out as it should be because we don’t have the people on the ground.” —J.D. Vance (15:45)

• Senate Response: Majority Leader John Thune defends the tradition, says it will not change (15:58–16:40).

4. Charlie Kirk Murder Case Update

(16:40 – 18:50)

• Main Points:
  • Tyler Robinson’s Court Appearance:
    • 22-year-old accused of killing Charlie Kirk appears relaxed, at times smiling with his legal team (16:40).
    • Judge Tony Graff oversees a pretrial hearing focusing on media access and transparency.
    • Security and decorum around courtroom cameras is a central issue, with warnings that broadcast privileges could be terminated for violations.
    • Key statement:

      “While the court believes in openness and transparency, it needs to be balanced with the constitutional rights of all parties in this case.” —Judge Tony Graff (17:51)

  • Next steps:
    • Another virtual hearing on December 29 regarding media access.
    • Trial scheduled for January 2027; prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
    • Erica Kirk, Charlie’s widow, is recognized as the official victim representative.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kristi Noem:

  “If you guys don’t like the law, go change it. That’s your job. You all should be fired in my viewpoint.” (06:05)

• Joe Kent:

  “NCTC has identified around 18,000 known and suspected terrorists…The Biden administration not only let them into the country, in many cases they facilitated their entry.” (03:36)

• Caroline Levitt:

  “Abrego Garcia is present in our country illegally. He is a proven human trafficker." (10:39)

• J.D. Vance:

  “…Justice is not being meted out as it should be because we don’t have the people on the ground.” (15:45)

• Judge Tony Graff:

  “While the court believes in openness and transparency, it needs to be balanced with the constitutional rights of all parties...” (17:51)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Noem-Dems Immigration Clash: 00:44 – 06:39
• Abrego Garcia Court Ruling: 06:39 – 11:06
• Trump Admin Judicial Nominee Struggles: 11:06 – 16:40
• Charlie Kirk Murder Case Hearing: 16:40 – 18:50

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Summary

Megyn Kelly’s episode offers a rapid-fire overview of major legal and political battlegrounds for the early Trump second term, painting immigration, judicial confirmations, and court transparency as critical fronts in the ongoing culture war. The tone is urgent, combative, and at times sarcastic, emphasizing the real-world stakes and partisan divides in every issue.

Transcript

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[Kristi Noem]

You all should be fired in my viewpoint.

[Megyn Kelly]

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem clashing with Democrats in a fiery hearing on Capitol Hill.

[Caroline Levitt]

Abrego Garcia is present in our country illegally. He is a proven human trafficker.

[Megyn Kelly]

The infamous Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia scores a win from a US District judge ordering his immediate release. But the Trump administration says it's not over yet. President Trump pushing for Lindsey Halligan's nomination for U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia following a judge ruling her temporary appointment to the post is invalid. And Charlie Kirk's accused killer appearing in court yesterday for the first time, smiling. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update. As President Trump is settling into his new administration, one of the top Democrats in Congress aiming to undermine the Trump agenda is Senator Dick Durbin. And according to our sponsor, the Electronic Payments Coalition, Senator Durbin has a new scheme, a government takeover of your credit card. Today, Americans have thousands of choices in credit cards, but they say Senator Durbin's plan will result in less competition and less security, and that means more risk for your credit and identity. Learn [e-mail] and consider telling your senators to stop Dick Durbin's government takeover of your credit card before it's too late. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other top counterterrorism officials on the Hill defending President Trump's strict immigration enforcement in a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on threats to the nation. The president's immigration crackdown and attempt to conduct the largest mass deportation effort in history, quickly becoming a top political target for Democrats and drawing dozens of lawsuits throughout the nation. Secretary Noem arguing the open border policies of the Biden administration necessitates the aggressive.

[Kristi Noem]

Approach, what keeps me up at night is that we don't necessarily know all of the people that are in this country, who they are and what their intentions are. We think up to 15 to 20 million people came in under the Biden administration on the invasion over the southern border. They were not vetted. They were allowed to pour in. Our parole programs, our asylum programs, our visa programs were all exploited and the integrity was demolished under Joe Biden and the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security. And frankly, the entire department was neglected. And that is why we are so aggressive at making sure that we're going out and doing investigative work, finding those violent criminals, finding those people who shouldn't be in this country to begin with and those that want to go after and to harm our American citizens.

[Megyn Kelly]

Director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, with a stark warning on what counterterrorism analysts have uncovered.

[Joe Kent]

What we have identified is alarming. We just recently put out a warning, warning of the heightened risk of terrorist attacks posed to the homeland by terrorists pretty much of all stripes, but in particular from ISIS and, and from Al Qaeda. NCTC has been crunching the numbers and going through the sheer volume of known and suspected terrorists that are in the country that came in under the Biden administration. So far, NCTC has identified around 18,000 known and suspected terrorists. These are individuals who under normal circumstances would never be allowed to enter our country. But yet the Biden administration not only let them into the country and in many cases they facilitated their entry. Just like the entry of the Afghan terrorists who committed the terrorist attack here just before Thanksgiving, killing one of our National Guard members and wounding another.

[Megyn Kelly]

Democratic lawmakers largely focusing on attacking Secretary Noem throughout the hearing.

[Caroline Levitt]

You lied on the record and you lied to members of this committee. Secretary Noem, you, Gregory Bavino and your ICBP and DHS deputized agents have have waged an unaccountable, unlawful, unconstitutional war against communities across the nation.

[Megyn Kelly]

You are making America less safe. Do a real service to the country and just resign. It's clear you have no interest encountering.

[Joe Kent]

Real threats in the homeland.

[Megyn Kelly]

You've devoted the past 11 months of violent raids, anti police policies and non stop photo ops. In a moment of political theater, Congressman Seth Magaziner of Rhode island holding up an iPad with a man on zoom to confront the Secretary.

[Congressman Seth Magaziner]

He is a United States army combat veteran who was shot twice while serving our country in Panama in 1989. Like many veterans, he struggled with PTSD and substance abuse. After his service, he was arrested in the 1990s for some minor drug offenses, nothing serious. Earlier this year you deported him to Korea, a country he hasn't lived in since he was seven years old. Will you join me in thanking Mr. Park for his service to our country?

[Kristi Noem]

Sir, I'm grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws.

[Congressman Seth Magaziner]

Will you commit to at least looking at Mr. Park's case to see if you can help him find a pathway back to this country that he sacrificed so much for?

[Kristi Noem]

I will absolutely look at his case.

[Megyn Kelly]

Secretary Noem taking a moment to respond to the Democrats immigration enforcement efforts resistance.

[Kristi Noem]

Every day we're able to go out and encounter and bring to justice individuals who are raping our children, murdering our mothers, our grandmothers. Our families are devastated by them. And I'm shocked at the Democrats constant defense of these individual criminals over the American citizen. I think it's shameful to see the defense of individuals who break our laws. We are a nation of laws. If we are not a nation of laws, we are no nation at all. And that is what we are doing every day is following laws. If you guys don't like the law, go change it. That's your job. You all should be fired in my viewpoint.

[Megyn Kelly]

A federal judge ordering the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ICE custody yesterday. Some may know him better as Maryland man Obama appointed Judge for the District of Maryland Paula Zinnis ordering the Salvadorans immediate release from the Pennsylvania detention center where he has been held since August. Abrego Garcia entering the national spotlight back in March when ICE agents arrested him at a traffic stop shortly thereafter putting him on a flight to El Salvador, igniting a legal battle and international outcry in support of the accused serial abuser the media affectionately calls Maryland man Abrego Garcia's team suing the government, arguing he was unlawfully returned to his home country in violation of a withholding of removal order. ICE officials conceding Abrego Garcia was inadvertently included on a flight manifest that should have only included people clear for deportation to El Salvador. But in the months since this story began, the DOJ providing heaps of documents clarifying Abrego Garcia's status and deportability as they sought a third country to send him to the relevant facts. According to the DOJ, Abrego Garcia admits to illegally entering the country in 2011 at the age of 16. In 2019, he was arrested while associating with known Ms. 13 gang members. Prince George's County, Maryland. Police records from the arrest described Garcia as wearing gang associated clothing and a reliable informant identifying Mr. Abrego Garcia as an active MS.13 member. That same year, an immigration judge granting Abrego Garcia withholding of removal to El Salvador, which means he was deportable with, but could not be sent back to his home country for fear of gang retaliation. After months of legal back and forth with even the Supreme Court weighing in, the government of El Salvador in June returning Abreco Garcia back to the US Following a Tennessee arrest warrant charging him with alien smuggling and conspiracy to commit alien smuggling. The charges connected to a 2022 traffic stop in which prosecutors say Abrego Garcia was transporting nine other Hispanic men, all without luggage, claiming they were traveling from a construction site in St. Louis to Maryland. No charges were pursued at that time as federal officials under the Biden administration made the decision not to detain Abrego Garcia. Also, it turns out Abrego Garcia's wife previously sought multiple orders of protection against him. One 2020 filing claiming he bragged he could kill her and, quote, no one could do anything to him. In 2021, a separate protective order request, this one alleging that Abrego Garcia punched, scratched and grabbed his wife, leaving her bruised and bloodied. Yesterday, Judge Zinis finding the government did not actually have a valid final order of removal from the US Judge Zinis outlining multiple hearings in which DOJ officials were asked to provide the order allowing for the government to deport Abrego Garcia to any country other than El Salvad, writing, quote, ICE officials whose job it is to effectuate removal orders, candidly admitted to having never seen one for Abreco Garcia. The judge writing the government's argument that the prior withholding of removal decision should be treated as, quote, an implied order of removal does not hold up. Attorney and senior counsel at the Article 3 project, will Chamberlain posting to X the ultimate getting off on a technicality, Abrego Garcia was awarded relief that required there be an order of removal as a prerequisite. But the idiot immigration judge who believed his sob story apparently never issued one. Press secretary, Caroline Levitt, yesterday slamming Judge Zinnis, saying Abrego Garcia's saga is far from over.

[Caroline Levitt]

The White House, the administration opposed this activism from a judge who is really acting as a judicial activist, which we've unfortunately seen in many cases across the country. Abrego Garcia is present in our country illegally. He is a proven human trafficker. He is a proven gang member. The administration has evidence of that. And as you saw from the Department of Homeland Security, they issued a statement saying they'll continue to fight this legal battle in court.

[Megyn Kelly]

Odds are the government will just seek an order of removal from a new immigration court. There's no doubt he's here illegally and is deportable. Goodbye, Maryland man. Coming up, President Trump pushing ahead with Lindsey halligan nomination for U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after a judge ruled her acting appointment was unlawful and Charlie Kirk's accused killer appearing in person in a Utah courtroom for the first time since his arrest. This holiday. While others chase the rush, find your calm with Peak, a luxury wellness brand powered by rare plants and cutting edge ingredients, offering a remedy for the season's hustle. Their science backed botanicals, minerals and vitamins support metabolism, immunity, energy and radiant skin in this festive season of joy. Choose serenity as the ultimate luxury. Peak proudly introduces Sun Goddess Matcha, an organic ceremonial superfood blend crafted from the purest tea leaves. They say it brings a focused boost without jitters or crash. The natural balance of caffeine and calming compounds can keep you centered and alert all day. And they say nutrients in their Matcha help curb sugar and hunger cravings, making it easier to stick to your wellness goals. Ready to gift the glow? Unlock 20% off for life for yourself and everyone on your list. Give the gift of glowing health this holiday season. Get [e-mail] Megan that's P I Q U E life.com Megan President Trump seeking to confirm Lindsey Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan Yesterday submitting a 28 page questionnaire to the Senate Judiciary Committee summarizing her background and professional qualifications, the first step following her nomination to the post on September 30th. Halligan filling the post in an acting capacity after her predecessor Eric Siebert left the position, reportedly under pressure to bring charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York State Attorney General Letitia James within days of assuming the job. Halligan indicting Comey with just days left to spare under the statute of limitations relating to accusations he lied to Congress. Letitia James later indicted on mortgage fraud charges, both indictments dismissed late last month, the judge ruling in a pair of nearly identical opinions that Halligan was never lawfully appointed. Halligan's nomination process already facing a steep uphill battle due to the Senate's blue slip process, a Senate tradition giving senators effective veto power over which judges and US Attorneys will be nominated in their state. Without earning the blue slips, the nominee traditionally does not get a vote. The two Virginia senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner Both Democrats already signaling they will not approve Halligan's nomination, effectively rendering it dead on arrival. Senator Kaine telling courthouse News, quote, she hadn't reached out to Warner and me. This whole thing is an attempt to just end run around the Senate and end run the Judiciary Committee. President Trump yesterday on Truth Social railing against the blue slip process, saying, quote, blue slips are making it impossible to get great Republican judges and US Attorneys approved to serve in any state where there is even a single Democrat senator. If they say no, then it is over for that very well qualified Republican candidate. The administration targeting the Senate tradition for months as it faces roadblocks in moving through nominees in Dem controlled states. Last month on Fox, Vice President J.D. vance saying as the administration moves ahead in seeking accountability for the weaponized DOJ under the Obama and Biden administrations, filling these positions will be crucial.

[J.D. Vance]

Eventually we need certain subpoenas that have to be issued by a court. Eventually you need local prosecutors, US Attorneys to go after some of these people. And in a court of law, if you can't get a U.S. attorney appointed because the Democrat won't give you a blue slip or you can't get a judge confirmed because the Democrats are gumming up the work of the Senate, Republicans have got to open up their perspective a little bit. Why do we let the blue slip process make it impossible for Donald Trump to appoint a federal judge in California? The Democrats are stalling that. And we're going to wake up in a couple of years if we don't have more U.S. attorneys approved. If we don't have more judges approved, we're going to wake up in a couple of years and realize that we've done a lot of great work at the Trump administration, but justice is not being meted out as it should be because we don't have the people on the ground.

[Megyn Kelly]

Senate Majority Leader John Thune yesterday on Fox defending his record in moving nominees through the process, saying blue slips are here to stay.

[John Thune]

We have moved his nominees through the process at a record rate. We will by the end of this year have a record number of his nominees approved. The Executive branch got his cabinet confirmed at the fastest rate possible. We'll continue to work on the Judiciary, Dana, but this is a procedure that's been in place for a long time that both Republicans and Democrats support because it gives them some input, particularly in those judges, the judicial appointments that are made in their individual states, some input into that decision making process.

[Kristi Noem]

So you don't anticipate changing it?

[John Thune]

I don't think it's going to change. It's been in place for a long time and like I said, there are Republicans on the Judiciary Committee and off the Judiciary Committee for that matter, who support this and support it strongly.

[Megyn Kelly]

Truth Social Post Coming Tyler Robinson, the 22 year old charged with murdering Charlie Kirk on September 10th, appearing in a Provo, Utah courtroom yesterday in person for the first time since his arrest the following day. Judge Tony Graff previously ordering that Robinson is allowed to appear in street clothes but must remain shackled for security purposes. Robinson, dressed in a light blue button up shirt and matching tie, seen smiling at times with his legal team, chatting and appearing relaxed while seated at the courtroom table. The pretrial hearing focusing on transparency and public access issues, beginning with how much of a closed hearing from October should be made public. The judge clearing the courtroom for that portion of the proceedings. Upon returning to the record, Judge Graff noting a violation of media rules had occurred with the camera picking up Robinson's shackles on the live stream. The defense also objecting, stating that their papers were potentially visible to the live stream and their side conversations could be overheard on the feed. Judge Graf determining the live stream would be allowed to continue for the day, but putting the media on notice I.

[Judge Tony Graff]

Find that excluding the court, the cameras from the courtroom would be disproportionate for this hearing. The transmission cannot begin until court is in session and must end before as the court ends the session and cannot be filmed before or after. I want to immediately address any possible transmission of shackles as previously stated by counsel and remove the possibility of capture of screens of the computers at defence counsel's table as well. In addition, if there is further violations of the standing decorum order, this court does have the right and will exercise termination of broadcast of these proceedings. This court takes this very seriously. While the court believes in openness and transparency, it needs to be balanced with the constitutional rights of all parties in this case.

[Megyn Kelly]

The hearing also covering future media access and procedures, with the question of cameras in the courtroom still outstanding. Judge Graff announcing he will issue his decision on the outstanding issues in a virtual hearing set for December 29th with Robinson to appear remotely. Erica Kirk, Charlie's widow, also recognized as the designated victim representative, meaning she will serve as the official voice for Charlie in court, just as she's been since he was murdered in September. Robinson has not yet entered a plea. He is charged with one count of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in front of a child. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty. The trial is tentatively set for January 2027. 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.

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