The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update – Person Detained in Nancy Guthrie Case, Fiery ICE Hearing
Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)
Duration: AM Update
Main Theme
This episode delivers a tightly packed update on several high-profile, breaking stories: a major development in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, a heated congressional hearing on Trump-era immigration enforcement, the New York Times’ surprising shift on marijuana legalization, and Super Bowl 60’s ratings and halftime controversy. Megyn Kelly promises her signature "no BS" commentary throughout, highlighting critical law enforcement, political, and cultural developments in the U.S.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Major Break in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
- Person Detained:
- Law enforcement detained an individual near Tucson, AZ, connected to Nancy Guthrie’s case, identified only as "Carlos."
- Investigators are not yet calling him a "person of interest," but say he is a "subject."
- The FBI has released never-before-seen NEST camera footage, showing a masked figure who appears to have a mustache and goatee, matching Carlos’ physical traits.
- The individual was described as acting nonchalant, even attempting to cover the security camera lens.
- Carlos’ Account (03:46):
- Carlos claims innocence, stating:
"I work in Tucson for GLS. I might have delivered a package to her house, but I never kidnapped anybody." (03:46)
- He recounts being followed, detained without explanation, and later told he was suspected in the Guthrie kidnapping.
- Carlos claims innocence, stating:
- FBI and Police Activity:
- FBI deployed both their Hostage Rescue Team and SWAT to Tucson.
- Authorities actively canvassing Tucson neighborhoods for information and searching Carlos’ associated property.
- The ransom bitcoin account, mentioned in a note, saw a minor deposit—less than $300—far less than the $6 million demand.
- Call to Public:
- Law enforcement appeals for public tips, with a $50,000 reward on offer.
Notable Quotes
- Megyn Kelly (02:28):
"A person has been detained for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie ... with law enforcement preparing to search a location associated with the individual, who authorities are not calling a person of interest, only a subject."
- Former FBI Agent Stuart Kaplan (04:44):
"Facial recognition looks beyond that mask ... we were on the precipice of this case being cracked wide open. It is cracked wide open." (04:44)
- FBI Director Kash Patel (06:04):
"We have made substantial progress in these last 36, 48 hours thanks to the technical capabilities of the FBI and our partnerships." (06:04)
2. Fiery ICE Hearing on Trump Immigration Policies
- Officials Present: Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, USCIS Director Joseph Edloe.
- Defending Enforcement Actions:
- Massive increase in deportations and border arrests since Trump’s return to office:
"ISIS conducted nearly 379,000 arrests. Among those arrests were more than 7,000 suspected gang members and in over 1400 known or suspected terrorists." (07:38)
- Noted "historic low" in illegal crossings.
- Discussion of recent fraught confrontations in Minneapolis that left two agitators dead.
- Massive increase in deportations and border arrests since Trump’s return to office:
- Democratic Critique:
- Rep. Eric Swalwell grilled Lyons over the case of a five-year-old separated from his father; demanded resignation:
"Will you stand with the kids you’re supposed to protect, or will you side with the killers bringing terror to our streets? Mr. Lyons, will you resign from ICE?" (08:58)
"No, sir, I won't." (09:08) - Rep. Sri Tanadar pushed for ICE abolition and challenged officials about pardons for potential wrongdoing.
- Rep. Eric Swalwell grilled Lyons over the case of a five-year-old separated from his father; demanded resignation:
- Republican Counterpoints:
- Rep. Eli Crane highlighted Democratic silence regarding American victims of crimes by illegal immigrants:
"Why do the Democrats care more about illegal alien criminals than these American citizens?" (11:03)
- Scott suggested foreign adversaries exploit U.S. polarization on social media.
- Rep. Eli Crane highlighted Democratic silence regarding American victims of crimes by illegal immigrants:
Memorable Moments
- Religious Guilt Line of Questioning:
- Rep. Lamonica McIver, in a charged exchange:
"Mr. Lyons, do you consider yourself a religious man?" (10:14) "Yes, ma’." (Alex Berenson, as Lyons, 10:23) "Well, how do you think Judgment Day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?" (10:24) "I'm not going to entertain that question." (10:31)
- Rep. Lamonica McIver, in a charged exchange:
3. New York Times Reverses Stance on Marijuana Legalization
- Editorial Shift:
- Times now calls for a regulatory crackdown on high-strength marijuana, citing a spike in addiction, mental health problems, hospitalizations, and DUIs since legalization.
- Contrasts sharply with its 2014 editorial supporting legalization and downplaying risks.
- Alex Berenson’s Reaction:
- Skeptical of partial bans; predicts black markets will flourish and core issues remain:
"The Times' suggestion sounds nice, but it will not solve the underlying problems... and it will create a massive black market by criminalizing some of the industry’s most popular products." (14:24)
- Skeptical of partial bans; predicts black markets will flourish and core issues remain:
- Marijuana Potency Warning:
- Modern marijuana far stronger than in past decades:
"Fifty years ago ... a joint had a few milligrams of THC. Now it might have 100." (15:35)
- Modern marijuana far stronger than in past decades:
4. Super Bowl 60 Ratings & Halftime Show Reaction
- Viewership Stats:
- 124.9 million average viewers—short of last year’s record.
- Peak in the second quarter at 137.8 million (highest peak ever).
- Halftime Show:
- Performed by Bad Bunny (primarily in Spanish).
- Pulled in 128.2 million viewers—5 million fewer than last year’s Kendrick Lamar show.
- Alternative show by Turning Point USA drew 6.1 million concurrents; possibly affected halftime numbers.
Notable Quotes & Segments (With Timestamps)
-
Carlos, Detained Person:
"I might have delivered a package to your house, but I never kidnapped anybody." (03:46)
-
Former FBI Agent Stuart Kaplan:
"Facial recognition looks beyond that mask ..." (04:44)
-
FBI Director Kash Patel:
"We have made substantial progress ... thanks to the technical capabilities of the FBI and our partnerships." (06:04)
-
ICE Director Todd Lyons:
"ISIS conducted nearly 379,000 arrests ... record low illegal crossings between ports of entry." (07:38)
-
Rep. Eric Swalwell:
"Will you resign from ICE?" (08:58)
"No, sir, I won't." (09:08) -
Rep. Lamonica McIver:
"How do you think Judgment Day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?" (10:24)
-
Rep. Eli Crane:
"Why do the Democrats care more about illegal alien criminals than ... American citizens?" (11:03)
-
Alex Berenson on Marijuana:
"The Times' suggestion sounds nice, but it will not solve the underlying problems with cannabis use ..." (14:24)
"Fifty years ago, if you smoked a joint, it had a few milligrams of THC in it. Now it might have 100 milligrams ... this stuff is no more natural than anything else that comes out of a lab." (15:35)
Timeline & Timestamps
- 00:34: Megyn Kelly introduces the morning’s main stories
- 02:28: Update on Nancy Guthrie case and NEST camera footage
- 03:46–04:26: Detained individual "Carlos" interviewed
- 04:44: Ex-FBI agent comments on case-shifting video evidence
- 06:04: FBI Director Kash Patel on case progress
- 07:38: ICE hearing—statistics and defense of deportations
- 08:58: Swalwell questions Lyons on ICE policies and child separation
- 09:50: Rep. Tanadar’s ICE abolition stance and Trump pardons
- 10:14: Rep. McIver questions Lyons on morality and guilt
- 11:03: Rep. Crane on Democrats, crime victims, and immigration
- 12:06: NYT shift and marijuana policy discussion
- 15:35: Alex Berenson on marijuana potency
- 16:38: Super Bowl 60 ratings and halftime show breakdown
Takeaways
- The Nancy Guthrie case may be close to a resolution, as FBI technology and new evidence yield a suspect and fresh leads.
- Congressional hearings on immigration remain deeply polarized, with intense scrutiny over Trump’s deportation efforts and harsh Democratic critiques.
- The New York Times’ about-face on marijuana signals rising establishment concern about legalization fallout—challenged by critics on both sides.
- The Super Bowl remains a dominant U.S. spectacle, but even cultural juggernauts show signs of shifting engagement and controversy over headline performers.
For listeners who missed the episode, this summary captures the investigative turns, political clashes, and cultural flashpoints that defined Megyn Kelly's AM Update on February 11, 2026.
