Rachel Morin's Killer Convicted, Trump Moves to Defund PBS and NPR, Biden Returns: AM Update 4/16

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show: Rachel Morin's Killer Convicted, Trump Moves to Defund PBS and NPR, Biden Returns: AM Update 4/16

Host: Megyn Kelly
Release Date: April 16, 2025
Platform: SiriusXM

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1. Rachel Morin's Killer Convicted

Overview: The episode opens with a heartbreaking account of Rachel Morin's tragic murder and the subsequent conviction of her alleged killer, Victor Martinez Hernandez.

Key Points:

• Case Summary:
  Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five from Maryland, was brutally murdered on August 5, 2023, after failing to return home from a morning jog. Her body was discovered the next day near the Ma and Pa Trail northeast of Baltimore. The autopsy revealed she suffered 15 to 20 blows to the head, strangulation, and blunt force trauma.

• Conviction:
  Victor Martinez Hernandez, a 24-year-old Salvadoran immigrant, was convicted on all four charges: first-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense, and kidnapping. The jury reached a verdict after less than an hour of deliberation (02:43).

• Legal Proceedings:
  Martinez Hernandez, who fled El Salvador after allegedly murdering a woman there, was apprehended in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ten months after Rachel Morin's murder. He faces a sentence of life without parole in a Maryland prison.

• Implications for Immigration Policy:
  Patty Morin, Rachel's mother, testified before Congress, expressing her anguish and opposition to open borders policies. She stated, "These types of immigrants should not be in our country" (02:43). The case has reignited debates over immigration laws and border security.

Notable Quotes:

• Patty Morin:
  "My daughter suffered so terribly in a very brutal and violent way. And these types of immigrants should not be in our country..." (02:43).

• Donald Trump:
  "As many as possible. And I just asked the president, you know, it's this massive complex that he built, jail complex..." (04:19).

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2. Trump's Efforts to Defund PBS and NPR

Overview: The discussion shifts to the Trump administration's aggressive moves to defund public broadcasting outlets NPR and PBS, citing alleged political bias and failure to comply with federal mandates against campus antisemitism.

Key Points:

• Harvard University's Non-Compliance:
  Harvard President Alan Garber announced the university would not comply with federal directives aimed at combating campus antisemitism. In response, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in grants and contracts from the Department of Education, HHS, and the General Services Administration. An additional $7 billion in federal funding is under review.

• Federal Task Force Demands:
  The Joint Task Force on Antisemitism, under the DOJ, issued a list of demands to Harvard, including oversight and accountability for biased programs, disciplinary reforms, governance changes, and cooperation with law enforcement. These demands stem from a series of antisemitic incidents on campus, including those following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.

• Legal and Academic Freedom Concerns:
  Harvard President Alan Garber defended the university's stance, stating, "Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating anti Semitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the intellectual conditions at Harvard" (Harvard Letter). Former President Barack Obama praised Harvard's decision, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom.

• Impact on Public Broadcasting:
  In addition to Harvard, the Trump administration is targeting NPR and PBS as part of a broader initiative to eliminate perceived government waste and left-wing bias. Republicans argue that these outlets use public funds to push political agendas, citing instances where NPR allegedly failed to cover significant political stories.

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump on Harvard Funding:
  "Perhaps Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status and be taxed as a political entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological and terrorist-inspired, supporting sickness" (04:47).

• President Obama on Harvard's Decision:
  "Harvard has set an example for other higher ed institutions, rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom..." (Harvard Settlement).

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3. The Conviction of Victor Martinez Hernandez

Overview: Further details emerge about Hernandez’s background and the investigative efforts that led to his arrest and conviction.

Key Points:

• Background and Immigration Status:
  Martinez Hernandez, a Salvadoran national, had previously attempted to cross the southwestern border twice before successfully entering the U.S. illegally in February 2023.

• Investigation and Evidence:
  Maryland authorities matched DNA evidence from Morin's crime scene with DNA from an unsolved home invasion in Los Angeles. Combined with cell phone data, investigators tracked Hernandez to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

• Potential Deportation Efforts:
  Traditionally, serious crimes by illegal immigrants result in deportation post-sentence. However, the Trump administration is exploring options to deport or transfer inmates like Hernandez to El Salvador. Trump discussed building more jail complexes to manage such inmates effectively (04:19).

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly on Hernandez’s Flight:
  "The killer, a Salvadoran national, fled his home country after allegedly murdering a woman there" (04:19).

• Donald Trump on Immigration:
  "We have millions of people that should not be in this country that are dangerous" (04:19).

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4. Defunding NPR and PBS

Overview: The Trump administration's initiative to rescind federal funding from public broadcasters NPR and PBS is explored, highlighting the legislative process and potential consequences.

Key Points:

• Funding Proposal:
  The White House is preparing a formal request to Congress to rescind $1.1 billion in already approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. This is part of a larger $9.3 billion revision package targeting various government programs.

• NPR and PBS Funding Sources:
  NPR receives 8% of its 2022 budget from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and another 6% from federal, state, and local governments. PBS derives 14% of its operating budget from federal sources.

• Legislative Process:
  A request to rescind federal funds requires a simple majority in both the House and Senate, with lawmakers given 45 days to act. Approval would result in the first permanent funding cuts under the second Trump administration.

• Congressional Hearings:
  NPR and PBS executives appeared before Capitol Hill to address accusations of political bias. For example, Congressman highlighted NPR’s reluctance to cover certain political stories, questioning their objectivity (10:50).

• Contention Over Editorial Bias:
  Lawmakers questioned the political makeup of NPR’s newsroom, with conflicting claims about the political affiliations of its journalists. Joe Biden, a Harvard graduate, defended academic freedom and criticized federal overreach.

Notable Quotes:

• Congressman on NPR's Coverage:
  "How many times did you all interview Adam Schiff about the Russia collusion?" (10:50).

• President Trump on Defunding NPR and PBS:
  "It's totally contingent on acting in the public interest" (Harvard Case).

• Caroline Levitt, Press Secretary:
  "President Trump is absolutely certain about protecting Social Security benefits for law abiding, taxpaying American citizens and seniors" (15:08).

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5. Joe Biden's Return and Social Security Commentary

Overview: The episode covers Joe Biden’s first public speech since leaving the White House, focusing on Social Security and its importance to Americans.

Key Points:

• Biden's Speech: Speaking to an advocacy group for the disabled in Chicago, Biden emphasized the sanctity of Social Security: "It's a sacred promise we made today" (12:48). He highlighted the program's role in supporting 73 million Americans throughout their lives.

• Political Campaigns and Strategy: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is launching its first 2026 ad campaign concurrently with Biden's event, targeting Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Susan Collins with digital ads criticizing their stances on Social Security.

• Republican Threats to Social Security: Former President Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk are reportedly threatening to implement sweeping cuts to the Social Security Administration, aiming to increase tax breaks for wealthy individuals. Republicans argue that these measures are necessary to eliminate government waste and fraud.

• Democratic Response: Democratic spokespersons condemned the proposed cuts, labeling them as attempts to undermine promised benefits: "Donald Trump, Elon Musk and House Republicans are dismantling and closing Social Security offices..." (14:53).

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Biden on Social Security:
  "Social Security is more than a government program. It's a sacred promise we made today" (12:48).

• Democratic Spokesperson:
  "This administration is intent on slashing Social Security so that they can get more tax breaks for their billionaire buddies" (14:53).

• Donald Trump on Social Security:
  "I'm not going to touch Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, we're not going to touch it now. We are going to look for fraud" (15:43).

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6. Conclusion

Megyn Kelly wraps up the episode by highlighting the ongoing political battles over immigration, public funding for media, and Social Security. The episode underscores the deep partisan divisions shaping U.S. policies and the personal tragedies that fuel these debates.

Final Notes:

• Call to Action:
  Listeners are encouraged to engage with the topics discussed and stay informed about the legislative changes that may impact their lives.

• Next Episode Tease:
  Kelly hints at future discussions on defunding NPR and PBS and further updates on the political climate under the second Trump administration.

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References:

• Timestamp References:
  • 02:43 Patty Morin's testimony
  • 04:19 Trump's comments on immigration and jail complexes
  • 04:47 Trump's statement on Harvard
  • 10:50 Congressional hearing on NPR
  • 12:48 Joe Biden's speech on Social Security
  • 14:53 Democratic spokesperson on Social Security

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Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and indicate when specific topics or quotes were discussed during the episode.

Transcript

[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Wednesday, April 16, 2025, and this is your AM update.

[Patty Morin]

My daughter suffered so terribly in a very brutal and violent way. And these type of immigrants should not be in our country.

[Megyn Kelly]

Maryland mother of five Rachel Moran's suspected killer convicted on all charges. Harvard refuses to comply with the Trump administration's task force cover. Combating campus antisemitism.

[Joe Biden]

And Social Security is more than a government program. It's a sacred promise we made in the day. A sacred promise.

[Megyn Kelly]

And Joe Biden makes his first public speech since leaving the White House. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update. The IRS is the largest collection agency in the world. And with April 15th fast approaching, it's more aggressive than ever. If you owe back taxes or have unfiled returns, waiting is not an option. April 15 could mark another tax year that has passed you by. So the smart move is to get ahead of it now. But listen, never contact the IRS alone. Instead, you could let the experts at Tax Network USA handle it for you. Why? Well, not all tax resolution companies are the same. Tax Network USA has a preferred direct line to the irs, so they know exactly which agents to deal with and which ones to avoid with proven strategies to settle tax problems in your favor. Whether you owe 10 grand or 10 million. Tax Network USA's attorneys and negotiators have already resolved over 1 billion in tax debt. Speak with one of their strategists today for free. And don't let the IRS control your future. Call 1-800-958-1000 or visit tnusa.com megan that's tnusa.com megan April 15th is just around the corner at act now before the IRS acts first. 24 year old illegal immigrant Victor Martinez Hernandez accused of raping and murdering Maryland mother of five Rachel Morin, convicted on all four charges. After less than an hour of deliberation, the jury finding Mr. Martinez Hernandez guilty of first degree murder, first degree rape, first degree sexual offense and kidnapping. Ms. Morin, 37, reported missing by her boyfriend on Aug. 5, 2023 after she didn't return home from a morning jog. Her body discovered the next day in a drainage ditch near the Ma and Pa Trail northeast of Baltimore. The autopsy revealing Ms. Morin suffered 15 to 20 blows to the head, dying from strangulation and blunt force trauma. Mother of the victim, Patty Morin, testifying in front of Congress last summer.

[Patty Morin]

My daughter suffered so terribly in a very brutal and violent way. And these type of immigrants should not be in our country and because we have open borders and because everyone is allowed in and because the law is not being carried out at the borders. If they had done a DNA swab the three times they encountered this person that's allegedly accused of killing my daughter, they would have known that he had an Interpol warrant for murder in his country.

[Megyn Kelly]

The killer, a Salvadoran national, fled his home country after allegedly murdering a woman there. After two attempts to cross the southwestern border. Mr. Martinez Hernandez successfully entering the country illegally in February 2023, Maryland authorities matching DNA evidence from Ms. Morin's crime scene with DNA recovered from an unsolved home invasion and assault in Los Angeles that match helping investigators use cell phone data to track Martinez Hernandez to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where He was arrested 10 months after the murder. Mr. Martinez Hernandez is facing a sentence of life without parole in a Maryland prison. Illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes like Those inflicted on Ms. Morin are typically only subject to deportation and after they complete their sentence, however, the Trump administration is exploring legal options allowing deportation or the transfer of inmates to El Salvador. President Trump discussing the idea on Monday with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele in the Oval.

[Donald Trump]

As many as possible. And I just asked the president, you know, it's this massive complex that he built, jail complex. I said, can you build some more of them, please? As many as we can get out of our country that were allowed in here by incompetent Joe Biden through open borders. We have millions of people that should not be in this country that are dangerous.

[Megyn Kelly]

Harvard University President Alan Garber announcing the school will not comply with federal directives aimed at curbing illegal anti Semitic activity on campus. The Trump administration immediately moving to freeze $2.2 billion in grants and contracts from the Department of Education, HHS and the General Services Administration. These departments working in coordination under the DOJ as part of the Joint Task Force on antisemitism. An additional 7 billion in federal funding is currently under review. On Tuesday morning, President Trump posting on Truth Social, quote, perhaps Harvard should lose its tax exempt status and be taxed as a political entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological and terrorist inspired, supporting sickness. Remember, tax exempt status is totally contingent on acting in the public interest. In early April, the Trump administration issuing a formal list of demands to Harvard in a letter reading quote, harvard University has fundamentally failed to protect American students and faculty from anti Semitic violence and harassment. In addition to other alleged violations of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights act of 1964, the requested areas of action, including oversight and accountability for biased programs that fuel antisemitism, disciplinary reform and consistent accountability, governance and leadership reforms and cooperation with law enforcement, among others. The complaints originating from a series of events on the Harvard campus. Following the events of October 7, 2023, when the Hamas terror organization unleashed a wave of violence against Israel, 34 Harvard student groups immediately co signed a letter laying the blame for the horrific attack squarely on Israel. A group of Jewish Harvard students in January 2024 sued the university for failing to adequately protect them against illegal demonstrations of anti Semitism. In the suit, one student alleged encountering demonstrations, quote, celebrating the terrorist attack and referring to it as an act of justified resistance by brave freedom fighters. Another student reporting physical assault from pro Hamas activists, alleging the school only took disciplinary action when forced by Congress following widespread condemnation for the lack of response from the administration. Then Harvard President Claudine Gay forced to resign from the post in January 2024. She was also facing a plagiarism scandal. In January 2025, Harvard settled the lawsuit with the Jewish students, agreeing to adopt an official definition of anti Semitism to host an annual symposium on antisemitism and to partner with an Israeli university. President Garber, responding to the Trump administration demands, writing in a letter, quote, although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating anti Semitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the intellectual conditions at Harvard, such as they are. President Obama, a Harvard grad, praising the decision on X, writing quote, harvard has set an example for other higher ed institutions, rejecting an unlawful and ham handed attempt to stifle academic freedom while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let's hope other institutions follow suit. Harvard is the first university to directly challenge the Trump administration's crackdown on campus antisemitism by refusing to comply with the new conditions tied to federal funding. The federal task force saying Harvard's response is indicative of a, quote, troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation's most prestigious universities and colleges that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws. Coming up, defunding npr. Is it happening? And President Biden makes his first public remarks since leaving the White House.

[Kathryn Marr]

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[Megyn Kelly]

But those high blood pressure numbers.

[Kathryn Marr]

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[Megyn Kelly]

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[Kathryn Marr]

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[Megyn Kelly]

Today, the Trump administration taking aim at publicly funded outlets NPR and People pbs, the White House preparing a formal request to Congress to rescind $1.1 billion in already approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS, part of a larger 9.3 billion revision package targeting various government programs. Both NPR and PBS receiving a mix of direct and indirect funding from the federal government. NPR reporting 8% of their 2022 budget coming from the Corporation for Public broadcasting and another 6% from federal, state and local governments. PBS reporting 14% of their operating budget coming from the feds. Republican lawmakers long accusing both outlets of using public funds to push a left wing agenda. CEOs for the outlets appearing in March on Capitol Hill to answer for their political bias, here's an exchange with NPR.

[Congressman]

CEO Kathryn Marr and in 2020, unfortunately, NPR's managing editor for news refused to cover the story and he branded it a, quote, waste of time. How many times did you all interview Adam Schiff about the Russia collusion?

I'm sorry, Sorry, I don't have that number.

It was 25 times. You know how many times NPR interviewed chairman of this committee Oversight Committee Jamie Comer about the Biden impeachment inquiry, the Hunter Biden tax evasion and illicit business dealings of the Biden family?

I'm sorry, sir, I don't know.

I believe that's zero. So it's 25 to zero.

[Megyn Kelly]

Lawmakers also pressing Maher on the political makeup of NPR's newsroom in the D.C. area. Editorial positions at NPR he said he.

[Joe Biden]

Found 87 registered Democrats, zero Republicans. Is that accurate?

[Congressman]

We do not track the numbers or the voter registration, but I find that.

[Joe Biden]

Was award winning journalist who worked 25 years at NPR.

[Congressman]

Mr. Berliner.

[Joe Biden]

Was he lying when he wrote that?

[Congressman]

I am not presuming such. I just don't have. We don't track that information about our journalists.

[Megyn Kelly]

In 2017, PBS were producing a documentary called Real Boy about a teen girl's gender transition.

[Donald Trump]

I am a boy with the wrong body parts.

[Megyn Kelly]

I'm a little over two months on testosterone.

[Congressman]

A teen in transition fights for acceptance.

[Megyn Kelly]

And my name is Ben because I changed it.

[Patty Morin]

You are Rachel. That is who you are.

[Donald Trump]

He's going down a path that is.

[Megyn Kelly]

Going to be a huge story. Struggle your tax dollars at work. A request to rescind federally allotted funds requires only a simple majority in both chambers to pass, with lawmakers given 45 days to act. If approved, it will mark the first permanent funding cuts of the second Trump administration. President Biden on Tuesday making his first public remarks since leaving the White House. Mr. Biden addressing an advocate group for the disabled in Chicago, highlighting Democrat talking points on Social Security.

[Joe Biden]

We know just how much Social Security matters to people's lives. Everyone in this room fights for people with disabilities who rely on Social Security to survive. You make sure folks get the benefits they earn after a lifetime of hard work. The work they do is more than just a profession. What you do, it's a calling, not just a profession. And Social Security is more than a government program. It's a sacred promise we made in today. A sacred promise. 73 million Americans receive Social Security from the first paycheck through their entire life. They pay into Social Security and in return they count on Social Security to be for them when they're going to need it. Folks must never ever betray that trust or turn our backs on an obligation.

[Megyn Kelly]

The Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee timing the launch of its first 2026 ad campaign with Mr. Biden's event. The DSCC targeting GOP Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Susan Collins of Maine with digital ads featuring a dial tone and captioned quote. Trump and Elon Musk are threatening sweeping cuts to the Social Security Administration, making it harder for seniors to get their benefits. Republicans could stop, but they won't. Democrats consistently portraying doge efforts to rid the government of waste, fraud and abuse as a plot to eliminate Social Security.

[Democratic Spokesperson]

It is unacceptable, unconscionable and un American that Donald Trump, Elon Musk and House Republicans are dismantling and closing Social Security offices, jacking up wait times and preventing hardworking Americans from securing their benefits.

[Patty Morin]

What Elon Musk and Donald Trump, our co presidents, are doing right now is effectively cutting the benefits that people were promised and they are making people suffer all across this country.

[Democratic Spokesperson]

This administration is intent on slashing Social Security so that they can get more tax breaks for their billionaire buddies.

[Megyn Kelly]

Press Secretary Caroline Levitt questioned about Mr. Biden's remarks on Tuesday afternoon.

[Caroline Levitt]

My first reaction when seeing former President Biden was speaking tonight was I'm shocked that he is speaking at nighttime. I have thought his bedtime was much earlier than his speech tonight. I understand the topic of his speech will be Social Security. Let me make it very clear ahead of former President Biden's remarks, the president, this president, President Trump, is absolutely certain about protecting Social Security benefits for law abiding, taxpaying American citizens and seniors.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump differentiating between making cuts and cutting fraud.

[Donald Trump]

I'm not going to touch Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, we're not going to touch it now. We are going to look for fraud. Social Security won't be touched other than fraud or something. We're going to find it's going to.

[Megyn Kelly]

Be strengthened public polling consistently showing support for eliminating government waste and fraud and that'll do it. For your AM Update, I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com Megan Kelly and on all podcast platforms.

[Congressman]

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