Schiff Accused of Fraud, Top Jill Biden Aide Pleads the Fifth, Border NGOs Exposed: AM Update 7/17

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update: Schiff Accused of Fraud, Top Jill Biden Aide Pleads the Fifth, Border NGOs Exposed
Release Date: July 17, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, host Megyn Kelly delivers a comprehensive AM update covering significant political controversies. The discussion centers around three main topics: U.S. Senator Adam Schiff's alleged mortgage fraud, the refusal of a top aide to First Lady Jill Biden to testify in an investigation into President Biden's mental fitness, and a critical examination of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implicated in exacerbating the Biden administration's border crisis.

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1. Adam Schiff Accused of Mortgage Fraud

Megyn Kelly opens the segment by addressing recent allegations against Senator Adam Schiff, a prominent critic of former President Donald Trump. The controversy stems from a criminal referral by William Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), who has accused Schiff of mortgage fraud.

• Allegations Details:

  • Misrepresentation of Primary Residence: Schiff purportedly declared a Maryland property as his primary residence while serving as a congressman from California, seeking favorable mortgage terms.
  • Tax Benefits Misuse: Claims include Schiff leveraging tax breaks on a California condo by misrepresenting it as his primary residence.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Donald Trump (00:47): "I mean, to me it looks like he committed mortgage fraud. No, he's a bad guy. Shift. He's a sick puppy."
  • Representative Statement (05:35): "He's also accused me of leaking classified information. He's accused me of fraud. It’s been basically one thing after another, all baseless, all without merit."

• Senator Schiff's Response: Schiff has vehemently denied the accusations, labeling them as baseless attacks aimed at undermining his integrity. He emphasized that owning multiple properties is common among members of Congress, only one of which is legally designated as the primary residence.

• Context & Background:
  Schiff has been a central figure in various investigations, including the first impeachment of President Trump and the January 6 Select Committee. Despite his significant political influence, these allegations could have substantial implications for his reputation and future political endeavors.

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2. Top Jill Biden Aide Pleads the Fifth

The show transitions to an investigation led by the House Oversight Committee into the potential cover-up of President Joe Biden's mental decline. A key figure in this probe is Anthony Bernal, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Jill Biden, who has invoked the Fifth Amendment, refusing to answer questions.

• Investigation Focus:

  • President Biden's Fitness: The committee is scrutinizing whether President Biden was fit to perform his duties and if any unauthorized individuals or family members influenced presidential decisions.
  • Alleged Cover-Up: The investigation alleges that there may have been efforts to conceal President Biden's cognitive abilities.

• Notable Quotes:

  • James Comer (08:57): "Was Joe Biden fit to exercise the duties of the president? He pled the fifth."
  • Byron Donalds (11:47): "This demonstrates the level of corruption that was going on in that administration... every member of the Biden administration at this point needs to be subpoenaed."

• Anthony Bernal's Refusal: As the second individual to plead the Fifth in this investigation, Bernal's refusal raises questions about the transparency and legitimacy of the inquiry. His long-standing role within the Biden White House and close association with both Bidens positions him as a pivotal figure in the investigation.

• Expert Commentary:

  • Miranda Devine (09:51): Describes Bernal as "the diminutive gay factotum of Jill Biden" who holds significant influence and access within the Biden family dynamics.

• Committee's Stance:
  The Oversight Project, a government watchdog group, has highlighted extensive use of the "auto pen" for official documents, suggesting President Biden relied heavily on aides for decision-making processes. This has fueled suspicions about the extent of the President's involvement and cognitive state.

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3. Border Crisis and NGO Involvement

The final major topic of discussion is the role of NGOs in the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis. The House Homeland Security Committee held a hearing to investigate how billions in taxpayer dollars were allocated to NGOs, allegedly facilitating illegal immigration.

• Key Points of Contention:

  • Financial Allocation: Approximately $6 billion was directed to various UN agencies and over 200 nonprofits to manage the open borders policies.
  • Impact on Immigration: Critics argue that these funds enabled the processing and resettling of millions of illegal immigrants, exacerbating the border situation.
  • Cartel Involvement: Testimonies suggest cartels exploited NGO operations to monetize human trafficking under the guise of humanitarian aid.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Michael Guest (13:31): "These groups spent billions of taxpayer dollars to provide all types of benefits to illegal aliens. Our taxpayer dollars were used to form the final link in the cartel's human smuggling operation."
  • Allie Hopper (17:19): "Cartels infiltrated NGOs along those smuggling routes, turning humanitarian pathways into trafficking pipelines."

• Republican vs. Democrat Perspectives:

  • Republican View: Leaders like Michael Guest and Byron Donalds assert that the Biden administration's policies and the funding of NGOs have directly contributed to the surge in illegal immigration, posing national security threats.
  • Democratic View: Congressman Bennie Thompson dismissed the allegations as slanderous and unfounded, defending NGOs as legitimate religious and charitable organizations committed to humanitarian work.

• Expert Testimonies:

  • Mike Howell (15:55): Criticizes the alliance between the government and NGOs, labeling them as "creatures of the government" that facilitated the mass influx of undocumented immigrants.
  • Allie Hopper (17:19): Provides harrowing accounts of child trafficking facilitated by cartels exploiting NGO programs.

• Recent Developments:

  • ICE Operations: Highlighting recent federal actions, including the apprehension of over 300 illegal aliens at a California marijuana farm, some of whom were unaccompanied minors and individuals with criminal records.

• Notable Quotes on ICE Operations:

  • Allie Hopper (18:47): "Republicans are going to lie and gaslight us all to help their fascist boss."
  • Michael Guest (19:01): "ICE agents running around our communities like masked bank robbers terrorizing women."

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Conclusion

Megyn Kelly wraps up the AM update by emphasizing the gravity of the political and social issues discussed. From high-profile allegations against Senator Adam Schiff to the intense scrutiny of the Biden administration's handling of presidential fitness and border policies, the episode underscores the deep political divides and ongoing debates shaping the national discourse.

Listeners are encouraged to stay informed and critically assess the information presented in the political arena, as these developments have far-reaching implications for governance, accountability, and national security.

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Notable Advertisements Skipped

As per guidelines, non-content sections, including advertisements for Oregon Lottery, Riverbend Ranch steaks, and Chef IQ Sense, have been omitted from this summary to maintain focus on the episode's primary discussions.

Transcript

[Oregon Lottery Representative]

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[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Thursday, July 17, 2025. Wait, how is it July 17? It was July 4 literally yesterday. In any event, it is July 17 and this is your AM update.

[Donald Trump]

I mean, to me it looks like he committed mortgage fraud. No, he's a bad guy. Shift. He's a sick puppy.

[Megyn Kelly]

Senator Adam Schiff, a fierce critic of President Trump, criminally referred to the DOJ regarding potential mortgage fraud.

[James Comer]

Was Joe Biden Biden fit to exercise the duties of the President? He pled the fifth.

[Megyn Kelly]

Former First Lady Jill Biden's powerful top aide refuses to answer House Oversight Committee questions in the investigation into the possible criminal cover up of President Biden's mental decline. And a fiery House hearing shines light on how billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars were used by non governmental organizations or NGOs to facilitate President Biden's border crisis. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your am. I've been talking a lot about Riverbend Ranch steaks lately, and for good reason. The ranch is just a few miles from West Yellowstone, Montana, where we go in the wintertime. And their steaks are so flavorful and surprisingly tender. Even someone like me who does not know how to cook can make it taste delicious. It's thanks to the quality of the beef. A lot of our listeners have been writing in sharing similar feedback. Abigail Finan will not stop talking about Riverbend Ranch and I feel the same. So these guys raise Angus cattle, but they've taken it even further. For 35 years now, more than three decades, the owner has selectively bred Angus cattle with superior genetics for marbling and tenderness. It's all about the marbling and the tenderness, creating a herd that truly stands out. Their beef is born, raised and processed too entirely inside America without artificial growth hormones or antibiotics, and it is shipped directly from the ranch to your door. Riverbend Ranch is not just another beef company. It's a legacy of quality care and craftsmanship that you can taste in every bite. Order from Riverbendranch.com use the promo code Megan for $20 off your first order and you'll be eating the same steak that my family and I eat at night. And let me know what you think. Riverbendranch.com promo code Megan the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, William pulte, criminally referring U.S. senator from California, Democrat Adam Schiff to the DOJ alleging mortgage fraud. Fox News on Wednesday publishing the referral letter which was sent to the DOJ in May. The letter accusing then Congressman Schiff of misrepresenting his primary residence to obtain favorable mortgage terms. In 2003, Congressman Schiff and his wife declaring a Maryland property as their primary residence despite his role as a California congressman reaffirming the property as the primary residence several times in refinancings. Meanwhile, Mr. Schiff also reportedly claiming a tax break on a Burbank, California condo declaring it his primary residence as well. From the criminal referral quote, Mr. Schiff appears to have falsified records in order to receive favorable loan terms and also appears to have been aware of the financial benefits of a primary residence mortgage when compared to a secondary residence mortgage. CNN first reporting this story in 2023 in the lead up to Mr. Schiff's Senate election. A spokesperson saying at that time, quote, adams, California and Maryland addresses have been listed as primary residence for loan purposes because they are both occupied throughout the year and to distinguish them from a vacation property. Now it's Senator Schiff, a leading resistance member against President Trump during his first administration and to this day as chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Mr. Schiff spearheading President Trump's first impeachment, serving as the Democrat face of the House Russia collusion investigation and participating in the January 6 select committee for which he received a preemptive pardon from President Biden's auto penn. In 2023, Schiff was censured by the House for lying about those Russiagate allegations, which rebuke Schiff later said he considered a badge of honor. President Trump reacting Wednesday on Real America's Voice.

[Donald Trump]

He looks to me like he did commit that. I looked at it just recently. I read a story about it and it's, I mean, to me it looks like he committed mortgage fraud. No, he's a bad guy, Sheff. He's a sick puppy. He's unattractive in any every single way. Every single way you can be unattractive that Sheff. He's a bad guy. No, if he created fraud, he should suffer just like he made everyone else suffer just like the horrible things he did to so many Republicans and conservatives and others do.

[Megyn Kelly]

Now. Senator Schiff responding in this video posted Tuesday to social media so he's accused me of treason.

[Oregon Lottery Representative]

He's also accused me of leaking classified information. He's accused me of fraud. It's been basically one thing after another, all baseless, all without merit. So the president today is accusing me of fraud. And the basis of his accusation is that I own a home in Maryland.

[Megyn Kelly]

And I own a home in California.

[Oregon Lottery Representative]

Big surprise. Members of Congress, almost all of them own more than one home or rent.

[Megyn Kelly]

More than one home. That may be true, but legally only one can be the primary residence. It is unclear if the Justice Department is actively investigating this case after the referral. The case echoes a similar investigation referred to the DOJ by the Federal Housing Finance Agency regarding New York State Attorney General Letitia James, another Trump antagonist for potential mortgage fraud. That case led to a criminal investigation by the doj, with the FBI issuing two subpoenas. No formal charges have yet been issued against James, who denies any wrongdoing. Coming up, First Lady Jill Biden's top aide invoking the Fifth Amendment as the House Oversight Committee investigates allegations of a cover up involving President Biden's cognitive decline and the House Homeland Security Committee holds a hearing on the role of NGOs in Biden's border crisis. The worst part of cooking meat? Being chained to a scorching stove, sweating, squinting through smoke, stick singeing your eyebrows only to serve something that's half jerky, half still mooing. Those days are over. Chef IQ Sense is a smart wireless cooking sensor that goes right into whatever you're making. It's like a meat thermometer, but way smarter. It takes the guesswork and stress out of cooking. Just insert it. Open the Chef IQ app, choose your doneness and the Chef IQ monitors will predict exactly when your food will be ready to no more opening hot ovens, hovering over grills or babysitting air fryers. And when it's done, Chef IQ Sense sends an alert straight to your phone. No more guessing. Now you can kick back, hang with guests while dinner basically cooks itself. This wireless cooking sensor just announced a flash sale too. Summer grilling season is here and Chef IQ sense makes you a grill master easily. So get 15% off by visiting chefiq.com and use the promo code MK. Again, that's chefiq.com Enter that promo code MK to save yourself money when you check out former first lady Jill Biden's former chief of staff Anthony Bernal invoking the Fifth Amendment against self incrimination Wednesday in front of the House Oversight Committee. Bernal is now the second person to refuse to answer questions in the committee's investigation into the potential criminal cover up of President Biden's mental decline while he was in office last week. President Biden's longtime physician Dr. Kevin O', Connor also declining to answer the committee's questions, pleading the fifth Oversight Chairman James Comer on the Hill shortly after ending the meeting with Bernal.

[James Comer]

Just so everyone knows, these are the types of questions we asked. Was Joe Biden fit to exercise the duties of the president? He pled the fifth. Second question. Did any unelected official or family member execute the duties of the presidency? This is Joe Biden's chief of staff. Did any unelected officials or family members ever execute the duties of the presidency? Simple question. He knew he was going to be asked that. Everybody in America wants to know that he pled the fifth. We believe there was illegal use of the auto pin. And we're going to, we're going to continue to bring these people in, give them an opportunity to answer questions.

[Megyn Kelly]

Bernal, a longtime Democrat operative holding a powerful position throughout the Biden presidency while in the Biden White House. Bernal developing quite the reputation, some say as a tyrant, but certainly as someone with an unusual amount of power. Here's Miranda Devine.

[Miranda Devine]

Anthony Bernal is the diminutive gay factotum of Jill Biden. Absolutely devoted, very loyal to both the Bidens. He's been with Jill Biden since, since Joe Biden was vice president. So over a decade. He dresses her, he glams her up, he plans overseas trips they take together on Air Force One during Joe Biden's presidency. And he and one other staffer were the only people who were allowed into the residence from the White House staff. They were the only ones who were allowed to see Joe Biden in the wild, as it were. And Jill Biden trust and Joe trusted her. Chief of Staff Anthony Bernal implicitly with all the family secrets.

[Megyn Kelly]

Bernal's lawyer releasing a statement on Wednesday provided to the Oversight Committee, reading in part quote, the committee seeks Mr. Bernal's testimony based on a purported controversy regarding use of the auto pen at the conclusion of President Biden's term. President Biden has already confirmed that he personally made all decisions concerning his grants of clemency. Not exactly. Government watchdog group the Oversight Project finding the vast majority of documents in the Biden White House were signed with the auto pen Previous testimony from senior Biden aide Neera Tanden confirming that the people in charge of the auto pen often had little facetime with President Biden directly. And earlier this week, Mr. Biden confirmed to the New York Times that he would sometimes approve pardons and that would go through aides to other aides. And then when confirmation was sought by those junior aides, a middle aide would simply reply, all with the appropriate directions. Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, a Republican, blasting Bernal following the meeting on the Hill and warning this investigation is just getting started.

[Byron Donalds]

First things first. That's just crazy. You can't answer a simple question about the former president's ability to discharge his duties. And you worked in the White House as chief of staff to the first lady and you come in here and.

[Megyn Kelly]

You plead the Fifth.

[Byron Donalds]

It's stunning and it demonstrates the level of corruption that was going on in that administration. The chairman is being nice. I don't have to be. This is corruption at the highest level. Because if you cannot say answer a simple question about Joe Biden's capabilities, then that further demonstrates that he was not in charge of his administration. And if he was not in charge of his administration, then every order, every bill that was signed, every memorandum, as far as I'm concerned, are null and void. As far as I'm concerned, every member of the Biden administration at this point needs to be subpoenaed. I don't care if they were a secretary. I don't care if there were a janitor working in there. They all got to come in and answer questions for this, for this committee.

[Megyn Kelly]

Former Biden aide Annie Tomasini, subpoenaed earlier this week, set to testify this Friday. The House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday holding a hearing on the role of nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs funded by billions in US taxpayer dollars in transporting and resettling millions of illegal immigrants under the Biden administration. Critics accusing former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of systematically dismantling Trump era border policies, intentionally sparking an influx of millions of illegals. At the height of the crisis, as many as 12,000 illegals were arriving at the southern border every day. Republican Congressman Michael Guest of Mississippi describing how taxpayer funds were used by these NGOs to then help the Biden administration facilitate the crisis.

[Michael Guest]

These groups that receive billions in taxpayer funding would prove instrumental in helping the Biden Harris administration process and release a historic number of illegal aliens into our country. These groups spent billions of taxpayers dollars to provide all types of benefits to illegal aliens. So our taxpayer dollars were used to form the final link in the cartel's human smuggling operation. Paying to help illegal aliens travel to their preferred destinations. Chicago, New York, Miami, Los Angeles or other destinations of choice. The Biden border crisis provided to be a profitable business for some NGOs. I would argue that these groups had a vested interest in prolonging the crisis. We cannot let taxpayer dollars be used to facilitate lawbreaking and we must shine a light on this disgraceful step as we begin to hold these organizations accountable.

[Megyn Kelly]

Ranking member of the committee, Democrat Congressman Bennie Thompson, in his opening remarks calling the hearing a sham, accusing Republicans of attacking religious organizations carrying out charitable works.

[Bennie Thompson]

Republicans falsely accuse Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Evangelical, Muslim and secular charities that feed, clothe and aid the needy of having, quote, supercharged the business model of cartels. That is a slanderous accusation and fringe conspiracy theories with no basis in reality. Today's hearing are shameful abuses of congressional power to bully people for how they choose to exercise their religion and help their fellow man. It's an attack on diverse faith based organizations over their religious practices and is a threat to charities that do humanitarian work. Republicans do not like committee Republicans are attacking charities and religious organizations for providing food, clothing and shelter to people in need.

[Megyn Kelly]

Witness Mike Howell, president of the aforementioned government watchdog group the oversight project, disputing Mr. Thompson's characterization of these organizations, instead describing an unholy alliance between the government and these NGOs.

[Mike Howell]

We saw the writing on the wall during the Biden border crisis with the sick marriage between the government and so called non governmental organizations facilitating illegal immigration. The reason I call these groups so called non governmental organizations is because they for the most part draw funds from the government or have a preferential tax status from the government. They are more creatures of the government than they are non governmental. This invasion could not have been accomplished without a colossal partnership between the government and open borders organizations. Simply put, under the Biden administration's open border policies, the government could only do so much to facilitate mass illegal immigration, welcome illegal aliens into the United States and move them around the country. The Biden administration needed help, so they drove an estimated $6 billion to a conglomerate of 15 UN agencies and over 200 nonprofits. As recently calculated by the center for Immigration Studies to do the open borders work for them.

[Megyn Kelly]

Witness Allie Hopper, president of Guard Against Trafficking with chilling testimony alleging cartels hijacked the unaccompanied child migrant system, turning it into a for profit trafficking pipeline funded by billions of US taxpayer dollars.

[Allie Hopper]

I have held a six year old Colombian child in my arms Cold, dirty and shaking Left to die at the border by the cartel. Over $20 billion has been dispersed under the UAC program, almost 14 billion of that in the last six years alone. Yet despite this massive investment, hundreds of thousands of children remain unaccounted for. As the US PACs, taxpayer dollars fueled a system hijacked by criminal networks. No bid. Billion dollar contracts were awarded with little oversight while influx facilities became transportation hubs. Children were routinely kidnapped and funneled into the US for profit. Cartels infiltrated NGOs along those smuggling routes, turning humanitarian pathways into trafficking pipelines. Weak sponsor vetting worsened this problem. An HHS audit later found that 70% of sponsor applications were fraudulent, making proper post placement welfare checks nearly impossible throughout the 2024 election.

[Megyn Kelly]

Then candidate Trump promising to counteract President Biden's border policies by carrying out the largest mass deportation in history, a policy supported by the majority of Americans. Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee using the bulk of their time to attack those policies and the ICE agents involved in carrying out Mr. Trump's agenda.

[Allie Hopper]

Republicans are going to lie and gaslight us all to help their fascist boss.

[Michael Guest]

Suppress dissent back home every day, masked.

[Mike Howell]

ICE agents, no badge, no identification, grabbing people off the streets.

[Byron Donalds]

These ICE agents running around our communities like masked bank robbers terrorizing women.

[Megyn Kelly]

Last week, federal law enforcement in California apprehending more than 300 illegal aliens working at a marijuana farm, including 14 children. ICE reporting nine of those children were unaccompanied minors, illegal immigrants without their parents. These miners found working alongside illegal aliens with criminal records, including at least one child predator. Great job President Biden. Great job, Gavin Newsom. 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, Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com Megan Kelly and on all podcast platforms.

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[Oregon Lottery Representative]

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