The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 8/25/25

Episode Title: Trump Eyes Chicago for Crackdown, FBI Raids Bolton, Parents of Missing Baby Arrested
Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly

Overview

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show delivers a brisk, hard-hitting AM Update on August 25, 2025, focusing on three major national stories:

• President Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard in Chicago and other Democrat-led cities following a purported crime drop in D.C.
• The FBI raid on former National Security Advisor John Bolton, sparking debate over political retribution.
• The chilling case of missing baby Emmanuel Harrow in California, with his parents arrested for murder.

The episode is marked by rapid coverage of political news, law enforcement actions, and true crime, with reactions and commentary from major political figures and media personalities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Administration Eyes Chicago for Federal Crime Crackdown

[02:45–06:14]

• Background: Following a federal crackdown in Washington, D.C., with reported crime reduction ("zero homicides from Aug. 14 to Aug. 24"), President Trump announces plans to expand interventions to other cities plagued by violence—first Chicago, then possibly New York and Baltimore.
• Trump’s Statement (White House, Friday):
  • “We’re going to make our country very safe. We’re going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent... and we’ll straighten that one out probably next.” (Donald Trump, [02:45])
  • Suggests broad public support across demographics: “African American ladies, beautiful ladies are saying, please, President Trump come to Chicago, please.”
• Pentagon Planning: Washington Post reports preparations for thousands of National Guard troops to deploy in Chicago as early as September.
• Democratic Pushback:
  • Governor J.B. Pritzker: Calls Trump’s plan a threat to democracy: “Donald Trump’s threat... is not about safety. It’s a test of the limits of his power and a trial run for a police state.” ([03:32])
  • Mayor Brandon Johnson: Threatens legal action, asserts city’s resilience:
    • “We’re gonna remain firm, we’ll take legal action. But the people in this city are accustomed to rising up against tyranny... I believe the people of Chicago will stand firm alongside me.” ([04:40])
• Extending Crackdown: Trump signals he may target Baltimore next, following a public exchange with Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
• VP J.D. Vance’s Perspective:
  • Emphasizes crime as a “policy choice”: “If you just empower local law enforcement to arrest and prosecute the bad guys, we can take back American streets.” ([05:30])

2. FBI Raids John Bolton – Sparking Accusations of Retribution

[06:14–10:35]

• The Raid: Federal agents search Bolton’s home and office, reportedly probing whether he sent classified materials to his family via private email while in the Trump administration (pre-2019).
• Context:
  • Ongoing feud between Trump and Bolton dates to Trump’s effort to block Bolton’s memoir in 2020.
  • Probe had apparently “frozen under the Biden administration, reopened under [FBI Director] Kash Patel.”
  • Public pronouncements from Patel: “No one is above the law. FBI agents on a mission.”
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi: “America’s safety isn’t negotiable. Justice will be pursued always.”
• Trump Reacts:
  • Downplays knowledge but insults Bolton: “Not a fan of John Bolton. He’s not a smart guy, but he could be a very unpatriotic guy... I know nothing about it.” ([07:29])
• Media Framing & Critique:
  • Mainstream outlets see the move as “authoritarian retribution.”
    • James O’Keefe: “This is the latest indication the Trump administration is targeting the President’s political enemies.” ([07:54])
  • Mayor Brandon Johnson: Suggests a pattern of vendetta: “He said he was going to go after all of these individuals, and one by one, he’s slowly doing that.” ([08:04])
• Administration Response:
  • VP J.D. Vance rejects the retribution claim:
    • “We are investigating Ambassador Bolton. But if they ultimately bring a case, it will be because they determine that he has broken the law... You shouldn’t throw people willy nilly in prison.” ([08:19])
• Former FBI Deputy Andy McCabe:
  • Criticizes Patel’s public grandstanding: “This is not the kind of thing any FBI director has ever done. You are elevating the risk... pretty irresponsible.” ([09:08])
• Megyn Kelly’s Sarcasm:
  • Questions FBI/DOJ leaks with reference to past raids on journalists like James O’Keefe: “So weird. The FBI never tips anyone off. Tell it to journalist and Biden antagonist James O'Keefe, whose home was raided… and the New York Times magically knew in real time.” ([09:58])
• James O’Keefe’s Account:
  • “Minutes later, I get a text message from [the] National Security Reporter, New York Times, who somehow knows all these details... Leaks from the Department of Justice.” ([10:12])
• Current Status: Bolton has not been charged or arrested as of the episode taping.

3. Arrests in the Case of Missing Baby Emmanuel Harrow

[10:35–15:32]

• New Developments:
  • Parents Jake (32) and Rebecca Harrow (41) arrested for murder after initial claims of kidnapping unravel.
  • San Bernardino Sheriff’s Statement:
    • Jake is cooperating with investigators to locate the remains, but searches so far have been unsuccessful.
• False Kidnapping Narrative:
  • Rebecca claimed an unknown individual kidnapped Emmanuel as she changed his diaper in a parking lot; new evidence suggests otherwise.
  • Megyn Kelly notes, “It is unclear if [Rebecca] was then or is now aware of Jake’s apparent cooperation.”
• History of Abuse:
  • Jake’s 2023 conviction for willful child cruelty: His daughter from a previous marriage was left permanently disabled, yet he served only “one day in jail” plus work release.
  • Strong moral condemnation from Kelly: “How are these people allowed to go on having children? Why isn’t there mandated chemical castration? Serious question.”
  • Rebecca had knowledge of Jake’s violent background but still called him a “good dad.”
  • Details suggest photos and baby’s belongings were removed from the house; blood was found; other children removed from home.
• Proceedings: Both parents held without bail, no other suspects. Court date set for Tuesday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps and Attribution)

• Donald Trump, on federal intervention in troubled cities:
  “Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. And we'll straighten that one out probably next. That'll be our next one after this and it won't even be tough.” ([02:45])
• Governor J.B. Pritzker, on Trump’s National Guard plan:
  “Donald Trump's threat to bring the National Guard to Chicago is not about safety. It's a test of the limits of his power and a trial run for a police state.” ([03:32])
• Mayor Brandon Johnson, on resisting federal intervention:
  “The people in this city are accustomed to rising up against tyranny. And if that's necessary, I believe that the people of Chicago will stand firm alongside of me...” ([04:40])
• VP J.D. Vance, on why federal crime crackdowns matter:
  “Allowing vagrants and armed robberies to take over your city, that's a policy choice. What President Trump is showing is that if you just empower local law enforcement... we can take back American streets.” ([05:30])
• Trump on Bolton FBI raid:
  “No, I don't know about it. I saw it on television this morning. I'm not a fan of John Bolton. He's not a smart guy, but he could be a very unpatriotic guy.” ([07:29])
• James O'Keefe, questioning DOJ leaks:
  “I was in handcuffs... and then minutes later, I get a text message from Mike Schmidt, National Security Reporter, New York Times, who somehow knows all these details. Leaks from the Department of Justice.” ([10:12])
• Megyn Kelly, on system failures in child abuse cases:
  “How are these people allowed to go on having children? Why isn't there mandated chemical castration? Serious question.” ([14:01])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:45] – Trump’s statement on Chicago crackdown
• [03:32] – Governor Pritzker & Mayor Johnson respond
• [05:30] – VP J.D. Vance: crime as policy choice
• [06:14] – Bolton FBI raid coverage begins
• [07:29] – Trump on Bolton raid
• [08:19] – Vance denies Bolton probe is political retribution
• [09:08] – Andy McCabe criticizes Patel’s FBI conduct
• [10:12] – James O’Keefe’s DOJ leak experience
• [10:35] – Harrow baby case updates
• [14:01] – Kelly’s commentary on failures in protecting children

Episode Tone & Style

Megyn Kelly’s approach remains direct, skeptical, and unsparing toward both government power and perceived lapses in the justice system. The tone is opinionated (“How are these people allowed to go on having children?”), with brisk transitions between national politics, law enforcement, and grim true crime. Kelly’s framing leans toward suspicion of official narratives and defense of “no BS” candor.

Conclusion

This AM Update packs a fast-paced, comprehensive rundown of pressing national stories—Trump’s aggressive crime policy, the controversial raid on John Bolton, and a harrowing child murder case—offering sharp commentary, bipartisan voices, and a dose of true crime outrage for listeners seeking an unabashed take on the headlines of the day.