Trump Backs Bondi Over Epstein Actions, Shocking New Butler Report, Noem vs CA Judge: AM Update 7/14

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show: Comprehensive Summary of Episode "Trump Backs Bondi Over Epstein Actions, Shocking New Butler Report, Noem vs CA Judge: AM Update 7/14"

Release Date: July 14, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Description: An in-depth exploration of pressing political and legal issues, featuring candid conversations with key figures shaping today's discourse.

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1. President Trump's Support for Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein File Controversy

The episode opens with President Trump publicly backing Attorney General Pam Bondi despite mounting criticism over her handling of the highly sensitive Jeffrey Epstein files. Megyn Kelly highlights the tension within the MAGA faction, where voices are calling for Bondi's resignation due to her perceived mishandling and lack of transparency.

Notable Discussion Points:

• Trump's Defense of Bondi: President Trump takes to Truth Social to condemn those seeking Bondi's ouster, emphasizing unity within the MAGA movement. At [02:45], Trump states, "We're on one team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. Pam Bondi is doing a fantastic job."

• Criticism from Within the GOP: Voices like Kristi Noem express frustration, with Noem notably referring to internal critics as "idiots" ([00:50]). Dan Bongino adds fuel to the fire by accusing Bondi of undermining Republican interests through actions like distributing binders containing the Epstein files ([03:16]).

• Jamie Raskin's Response: From the Democratic side, Rep. Jamie Raskin calls for greater transparency, urging for congressional hearings to subpoena Bondi and other DOJ officials to uncover the full scope of the Epstein case mishandling ([06:53]).

• Anna Paulina Luna's Initiative: Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna reinforces efforts for declassification of federal secrets, aiming to restore trust and transparency. She comments, "The JFK files... is literally the gold standard for declassification." ([07:37])

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2. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's Criticism of California Judge's Ruling on ICE Actions

Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary, vehemently criticizes a recent ruling by California Judge Maame Uisi Mensah Frimpong, who deemed certain aspects of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts unconstitutional.

Key Highlights:

• Judge's Ruling: Judge Frimpong's 52-page order restricts ICE from basing arrests on factors like race, language accent, or type of work ([11:04]).

• Noem's Response: Secretary Noem dismisses the judge's decision, labeling her as "an idiot" and asserts that ICE operations will remain unchanged. She emphasizes that ICE targets individuals with known criminal activities, stating, "We are building cases... against individuals that we know are dangerous." ([11:04])

• Recent ICE Operations: Noem references a significant ICE raid at a marijuana farm in California, resulting in over 300 arrests, including 14 unaccompanied children. She underscores the severity of crimes linked to those detained, including child exploitation ([12:27]).

• Government Accountability: U.S. District Attorney Bill Sale counters the ACLU's lawsuit, defending ICE's practices and denying indiscriminate detentions ([11:35]).

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3. Shocking New Report Reveals Secret Service Failures During Butler Rally

A critical report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), ordered by Senator Chuck Grassley, exposes severe lapses by the Secret Service during a July 13th rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which nearly resulted in an assassination attempt on then-President Donald Trump.

Detailed Insights:

• Intelligence Sharing Failures: The GAO report reveals that although the Secret Service was alerted to a classified threat ten days prior, critical information was not adequately shared with local law enforcement, leading to unpreparedness on the day of the rally ([14:49]).

• Inexperienced Staffing: The report criticizes the appointment of inexperienced agents to key roles, notably former Homeland Security Adviser Michael Balboni, who was new to planning large-scale events. Balboni remarks, "What is so stunning is... a man with a weapon got that close. That's where the failure began." ([14:49])

• Technical Shortcomings: Requests for advanced security measures, such as a counter-drone system, were unmet. The equipment malfunctioned, allowing a drone to fly over the venue undetected, further compromising security ([15:58]).

• Accountability Measures: The Secret Service suspended six agents for their failures, which many critics deem insufficient. Congressman Andy Biggs advocates for more stringent reforms and higher accountability ([16:40]).

• Dan Bongino's Commentary: Former Secret Service agent and current Deputy Director Dan Bongino criticizes the agency's handling, highlighting communication breakdowns and inadequate training. He questions the extent of accountability beyond the suspended agents, stating, "This was just a disastrous performance." ([16:40])

• Trump's Reaction: In a Fox News interview, Lara Trump conveys President Trump's more lenient stance towards the Secret Service, acknowledging minor mistakes while maintaining confidence in the agency's overall competence ([17:56]).

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4. Ongoing Investigations and Future Implications

The episode underscores that the Epstein file controversy and the Secret Service report have not yet reached their conclusions, with significant developments anticipated in the coming weeks. The interplay between political factions, ongoing legal battles, and the push for transparency remain central themes.

Additional Highlights:

• Political Ramifications: The mishandling of both the Epstein case and the Butler rally security failures have sparked intense debates within the Republican Party, threatening to disrupt the cohesion of the MAGA movement.

• Public Trust and Transparency: Efforts by figures like Anna Paulina Luna and Jamie Raskin reflect a broader demand for accountability and openness in government operations, contrasting sharply with the administration's stance.

• Future Developments: The episode hints at potential congressional hearings, further legal actions, and continued scrutiny of both the DOJ's transparency and the Secret Service's operational protocols.

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Conclusion

In this episode, Megyn Kelly navigates through a maze of political intrigue, highlighting President Trump's unwavering support for AG Pam Bondi amidst Epstein file controversies, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's clashes with judicial rulings on ICE practices, and the alarming revelations of Secret Service failures during a critical rally. Through incisive interviews and detailed reporting, the show provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current political landscape, the internal conflicts within the GOP, and the pressing demands for greater transparency and accountability in government operations.

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For those seeking deeper insights into these pivotal issues, tune into "The Megyn Kelly Show" live on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111 at noon ET, or listen on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.

Transcript

[Jamie Raskin]

When work gets crazy, I like to.

[Megyn Kelly]

Stop by the bar after, have a few cold ones. I don't drink at all until 4 o'. Clock.

[Kristi Noem]

We limit ourselves to one bottle of wine a night.

[Dan Bongino]

Excessive drinking has a way of sneaking up on us. A few drinks, a few nights a week, it can add up and suddenly we're at greater risk for long term problems like heart disease, cancer and depression. Reason enough to rethink the drink. More [e-mail] no HA Initiative.

[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Monday, July 14, 2025 and this is your AM Update. President Trump publicly backing Attorney General Pam Bondi in the wake of her botched handling of the Epstein files rollout and calls from voices within MAGA for her to resign.

[Kristi Noem]

Yeah, he's an idiot. I mean, he's frankly an idiot. None of our operations are going to change.

[Megyn Kelly]

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem slamming a California judge, accusing ICE agents of making indiscriminate arrests.

[Michael Balboni]

What is so stunning is not only the fact that the President was nearly killed, but the fact that men with a weapon got that close.

[Megyn Kelly]

A damning new report outlines the Secret Service's many failures one year ago in Butler, Pennsylvania that nearly led to the assassination of then candidate Donald Trump. All that and more coming up in just a moment. On your a.m. update. Celebrate Independence Day with an epic July 4th sale. Stock up on supplements from brickhouse nutrition.com and save big 25 off everything with code fireworks25 you can get lean, their number one weight loss supplement packed with natural studied ingredients. No injections, just real results they say can help you slim down in time for summer. Or try Field of Greens, the superfood drink so powerful and they guarantee your doctor will notice your boosted health or they will give you your money back. Collagen peptides are another favorite for glowing skin and hair. Beauty experts say collagen can be the fountain of youth for skin and hair. From weight loss to wellness, Brickhouse Nutrition has it all. This sale is huge, but it's only here for a few days and products will sell out. Don't wait, head to brickhouse nutrition.com use fireworks 25 for 25% off go go big this Fourth of July. Brickhouse nutrition.com stock up now. President Trump on Saturday afternoon publicly backing Attorney General Pam Bondi in the wake of the disastrous handling of the Jeffrey Epstein file story. Many in MAGA world deeply frustrated and furious with the DOJ's lack of transparency following months of Ag. Bondi teasing the pending release of more information and including names of Epstein associates. Only then for there to be a leak of an unsigned memo to Axios on a Sunday night proclaiming the case closed, saying there will be no more charges and no more information released. A sampling here of voices from the right at the weekend's Turning Point Student Action Summit in Tampa. She also brought in some of our.

[Dan Bongino]

Best influencers, people that I care about deeply. Jack Posobic, who's incredible libs of TikTok, Chaya, D.C. drano.

[Megyn Kelly]

Yeah.

[Dan Bongino]

And she gave them these binders and she humiliated them.

[Megyn Kelly]

She is the reason that things are unraveling around this story right now that virtually all of the Republican Party cares deeply about. She had made the binders. She bragged about making the COVID sheet that read Epstein Files Phase one. And she handed them out.

[Michael Balboni]

Don't let anybody insult you. Anybody, and I mean anybody, ever get away with insulting you instead of answering a legitimate question. Okay? Ever. This is a party. This is a movement that is so transparent that even their cover ups are transparent. They're not even trying.

[Megyn Kelly]

The New York Post and others reporting Friday on clashes between AG Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino last week. Deputy Director Bongino reportedly taking a personal day on Friday considering resignation. This journalist's reporting backs this up. That Bongino made clear either Bondi must leave or he will. Though my sources say there may be a softening on that front depending on how things are handled in the coming days. An unnamed Justice Department official telling the Post Director Kash Patel may follow if Bongino resigns. However, Patel countering that narrative on X over the weekend. Your humble correspondence information is that Kash Patel is not threatening to leave and there's no danger of that. President Trump posting to Truth Social on Saturday, quote, what's going on with my boys and in some cases gals, they're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi who is doing a fantastic job. We're on one team maga and I don't like what's happening. We have a perfect administration, the talk of the world and selfish people are trying to hurt it all over a guy who never dies. Jeffrey Epstein. For years it's Epstein over and over again. Why are we giving publicity to files written by Obama, crooked Hillary, Comey Brennan and the losers and criminals of the Biden administration. They created the Epstein files just like they created the fake Hillary Clinton Christopher Steele dossier that they used on me. And now my so called friends are playing right into their hands. Why didn't These radical left lunatics release the Epstein files. If there was anything in there that could have hurt the MAGA movement, why didn't they use it? Cash Patel and the FBI must be focused on investigating voter fraud, political corruption, Act Blue, the rigged and stolen election of 2020, and arresting thugs and criminals instead of spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old radical left inspired documents on Jeffrey Epstein. Let Pam Bondi do her job. She's great. It must be noted here that many in the President's orbit pushed the Epstein case and promised transparency if Trump were elected, including people like Dan Bongino, Cash Patel and Don junior Patel posting to X Saturday afternoon. The conspiracy theories just aren't true. Never have been. It's an honor to serve the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and I'll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me. Democrats who have spent the last six years accusing anyone interested in the Jeffrey Epstein story of being a conspiracy theorist now suddenly piling on, criticizing the Trump administration for failing to deliver on promises of transparency. California Governor Gavin Newsom and US Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia separately here.

[Kristi Noem]

Really? Trump, show us. What do you got? Where's the transparency?

[Megyn Kelly]

What carneys?

[Kristi Noem]

What flim flammers? What music men? What bullshit artists? These guys are not even good ones either. Not even good ones.

[Jamie Raskin]

He promised to release the Epstein files. D Did anyone really think the sexual.

[Dan Bongino]

Predator president who used to party with Jeffrey Epstein was going to release the Epstein files?

[Megyn Kelly]

U.S. congressman of Maryland Jamie Raskin Friday on MSNBC suddenly super interested in Jeffrey Epstein calling for hearings. Of course, as a Democrat in the House minority, he can't actually mandate one.

[Jamie Raskin]

It'd be much better for everybody to come clean and let's vindicate the public interest here. I'm going to be asking Chairman Jordan to call for a hearing where we subpoena the Attorney General and Dan Bongino and Cash Patel to come in and tell us everything that we know. Because this thing is really spinning out of control at this point. And there's one way to put it to rest, which is to come clean as President Trump promised he would during the campaign.

[Megyn Kelly]

Republican Congresswoman from Florida, Anna Paulina Luna, a member of the House Oversight Committee and a MAGA ally, saying on Fox News her task force on declassification of federal secrets will continue looking for answers.

[Anna Paulina Luna]

I believe the reason why Americans are so frustrated with this process is because of the way that there has been conflicting information out of the Department of Justice. And so what I'm going to be doing along with my task force is requesting information not pertaining to victims, not pertaining to ccm that should be out there for the American people to decide. I will say that the way that the administration was rolled out, the JFK files, of which by the way, there has been groundbreaking discoveries in those rollouts, is literally the gold standard for declassification. And there is trust in transparency. And so I will encourage them to continue to do that.

[Megyn Kelly]

The story's far from over. Our reporting continues this week on the Megyn Kelly Show. Coming up, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem slamming a Biden appointed judge's ruling, accusing ICE of conducting indiscriminate roundups in its mass deportation efforts. And a brand new report shows shedding light on the Secret Service's stunning failures. One year ago in Butler, Pennsylvania. One congressman says more accountability is still needed as President Trump is settling into his new administration. One of the top Democrats in Congress aiming to undermine the Trump agenda is Democrat Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. And according to our sponsor, the Electronic Payments Coalition, Senator Durbin has a new plan, 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, which means more risk for your credit and your identity. You can learn more for [e-mail] and you could consider telling your senators to stop Dick Durbin's government takeover of your credit card before it's too late. On Friday, a Biden appointed judge in California, Maame Uisi Mensah Frimpong, who is American with parents from Ghana, ruling some aspects of the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts in the state are likely unconstitutional. The ACLU of Southern California leading the lawsuit along with other immigrant advocacy groups on behalf of individuals who have been arrested in recent weeks. These groups accusing the government of conducting, quote, roving patrols, indiscriminately, rounding up individuals without reasonable suspicion, they say, then denying access to legal representation. In her 52 page order, the judge stating ICE agents may not rely on the following factors when making arrests, quote, apparent race or ethnicity, speaking Spanish or speaking English with an accent, presence at a particular location, bus stop, car wash, tow yard, day labor, pickup site, agricultural site, et cetera, or the type of work one does. U.S. district Attorney for Central California, Bill Sale posting on X. Quote, we strongly disagree with the allegations in the lawsuit and maintain that our agents have never detained individuals without proper legal justification. Our federal agents will continue to enforce the law and abide by the U.S. constitution Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a Saturday press briefing, going a step further in reacting to this judge who she mistakenly refers to here as a he.

[Kristi Noem]

Yeah, he's an idiot. I mean, he's frankly an idiot. We have all the right in the world to go out on the streets and to uphold the law and to do what we're going to do. So none of our operations are going to change. He made claims that were absolutely false. We are building cases. We are going in on doing our operations and planning them against individuals that we know are dangerous, that are violent, that have criminal. Have criminal activity that they've been involved in, and that's how we're building our cases. So he's making up garbage filing decisions and we're going to appeal it and we're going to win.

[Megyn Kelly]

Just to follow up, though, before the kill, you said you're going to continue those operations.

[Kristi Noem]

Yeah, our operations will continue. We will. We will be in compliance with all federal judges orders. But what he said that we couldn't do is go out and target people based on other qualifications that he made up. We're going to continue to do our investigations on criminal activity and uphold the law.

[Megyn Kelly]

On Thursday, one day prior to this order, ICE officials arresting more than 300 illegal immigrants at a marijuana farm in California. Protesters turning out clashing with ICE agents in a chaotic scene. The FBI currently offering a $50,000 reward for the capture of one protester appearing to fire a gun toward ICE agents amid the unrestricted one farm worker climbing onto a greenhouse roof, then falling off and later dying from his injuries. On Sunday, Secretary Noem on NBC describing some of the people detained in the marijuana farm operation.

[Kristi Noem]

People have heard the president say over and over again about how important it is that we continue to go after the worst of the worst. This week. We've got murderers off the street, rapists, child pedophiles. If you look at that marijuana grow facility that we recently just did an operation on, over 319 individuals were brought into custody and 14 unaccompanied children that are children. That means that they don't have their parents with them. They're working in a facility where they could be exploited, trafficked, maybe sex trafficked. And then we've got individuals there who are working at the same facility who are creating, distributing and taking advantage of children for child pornography. So this is something that President Trump has taken seriously.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump posting to Truth Social on Friday evening, quote, I am on my way back from Texas and watched in disbelief as thugs were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE officers while they were moving down a roadway in their car and or official vehicle. I'm directing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan to instruct all ice, Homeland Security or any other law enforcement officer who's on the receiving end of throne rocks, bricks or any other form of assault to stop their car and arrest these slime balls. A brand new report from the Government Accountability Office shining new light on the colossal security failures leading up to the Butler, Pennsylvania rally one year ago yesterday that nearly cost then candidate Trump his life. Among several key findings of the report ordered by US Senator from Iowa Chuck Grassley, senior level Secret Service agents were alerted 10 days before the rally of a classified threat to President Trump. From the report, quote, this information was not specific to the July 13th rally or gunman. Nonetheless, due to the Secret Service's siloed practice for sharing classified threat information, Secret Service and local law enforcement personnel central to developing site security plans for the rally were unaware of the threat. The report also concluding key roles were filled by inexperienced agents. The agent responsible for identifying vulnerabilities at the site was new to the job, the Butler rally being, quote, her first time planning and securing a large outdoor event. As the site agent, former New York State Homeland Security Adviser Michael Balboni on Fox News calling out the stunning severity of these lapses.

[Michael Balboni]

Outlined report is this failure of sharing the intelligence that is absolutely crucial the way the Secret Service works. I've been involved in several national security events as they work directly hand in hand with local law enforcement. Everything from the law enforcement handling traffic, being able to handle traffic, pedestrian flow within the venue, very, very important to have that kind of support. But crucial is also sharing intelligence to not do that and then to have the site agent who is supposed to be doing a vulnerability assessment, not having the experience. I mean this is at the time the candidate for president, but a former president and frankly in an incredibly one of the most polarized political situations that we have ever witnessed in the United States. And to put somebody who's new for this type of site in charge of this is an abject failure. What is so stunning is not only the fact that the president was nearly killed, but the fact that a man with a weapon got that close, that in and of itself, that's where the failure began, to not be able to secure that perimeter.

[Megyn Kelly]

The report also revealing requests for additional security measures were not fulfilled, including an advanced counter drone system. The agent in charge of the counter drone detection equipment on that day telling investigators he only had one hour of training. The equipment malfunctioning in the hours leading up to the rally as the shooter was able to fly a drone over the venue undetected. The Secret Service last week releasing a one year later review confirming six agents received brief suspensions for failures on that day. Critics say it was a slap on the wrist. Republican Congressman from Arizona Andy Biggs Sunday on Fox suggesting more reforms and disciplinary action may be necessary.

[Dan Bongino]

We expected some of these findings. The 10 day window that they knew that there was going to be a threat on President Trump's life, it was in jeopardy and they didn't bother to communicate that to any of their partners. That's inexcusable. You have somebody who's inexperienced trying to run the scene. That doesn't make sense. The fact that you don't have any kind of their communications was inadequate between the different agencies. The fact that the co training was inadequate is amazing. The fact that you don't have a drone, the fact that President Trump's team requested additional security and they didn't get that, all of these things, not to mention the actual things that were happening that day, this was just a disastrous performance. And I am surprised, quite frankly that you have six people on the ground who become the fall guys for this. I wonder how high up we should have gone and who should be held accountable even above those six. But I'm not sure still that we have all the answers that we need and nor have we seen the changes that are necessary to improve this agency where it needs to be.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump Saturday on Fox News offering a more forgiving response to the Secret Service in an interview with his daughter in law, Lara Trump.

[Kristi Noem]

So they briefed me numerous times, the FBI, the Secret Service, sort of everybody. Doj Pamela's doing a fantastic, I think she's doing a fantastic job. But they briefed me and I'm satisfied with it. I'm satisfied with it. They should have somebody in the building. That was a mistake. They should have had communications with the local police. They weren't tied in and they should have been tied in. So there were mistakes made and that, you know, shouldn't have happened. And that building was a prime building in terms of what they were trying to do. But I was satisfied. In terms of the bigger plot, the larger plot, I was satisfied. And you know, I have great confidence in these people. I know the people and they're very talented, very capable. They had a bad day and I think they'll admit that at the end of a rough day. This is a very dangerous job being president.

[Megyn Kelly]

Meanwhile, one year later, we still know relatively little about the shooter, Thomas Crooks, age 20, who was killed in Butler by the Secret Service. He left no manifesto and his parents have never spoken publicly about him. Hours after the assassination attempt, a federal agent reportedly spoke to Crooks father, who claimed, quote, I don't know anything about my son. Crooks had no known criminal record nor any documented mental health issues, though the New York Times reports he was engaging in bizarre behavior prior to the shooting and was searching online for things like, quote, depression crisis. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent himself, recently telling FOX News the there you're looking for is not there. If it was, we would have told you. And that'll do it for your AM Update. I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on Sirius XM triumph channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com Megan Kelly and on all podcast platforms.

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