The Megyn Kelly Show
Episode: Trump Sets GOP Agenda, DOGE Staffer Assault Arrests, Brennan Referred to DOJ: AM Update 10/22
Date: October 22, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Source: SiriusXM
Overview
In this AM Update, Megyn Kelly delivers a rundown of the day's top political and legal developments, focusing on President Trump's legislative meeting with GOP senators, the latest arrests in the assault on a Doge (Department of Governmental Engagement) employee, former CIA Director John Brennan's criminal referral to the DOJ, and repercussions at the Oxford Union after its president-elect’s controversial remarks. With her signature candor, Kelly breaks down the news and provides pointed commentary on each story.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump Hosts GOP Senators: Legislative Wins & Priorities (00:30–06:55)
- President Trump hosts GOP senators for a Rose Garden lunch: Celebrates legislative victories, addresses government shutdown, and outlines next steps once the government reopens.
- Transparency in strategy: Entire lunch/strategy session is broadcast.
- Focus on Border Security and Healthcare:
- Trump touts border enforcement:
"We've taken out 1,700 career criminals and people that came in through an open border...it's amazing what we've done."
— Donald Trump [03:23] - Healthcare contributions: Posts about $200 billion in medical savings and $50 billion to rural hospitals. Reiterates commitment to no tax on tips or Social Security.
- Trump touts border enforcement:
- Senate Rules Change:
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune is praised for streamlining confirmation of administration nominees via rule changes, allowing for bulk approval.
- Over 175 nominated public servants confirmed swiftly, clearing major backlog.
- Legislative Agenda Moving Forward:
- First Lady's bipartisan support helps pass the "Genius Act" and "Take It Down Act".
“She got, by the way, she got actual support from the other side. It was bipartisan.”
— Donald Trump [04:15] - Trump pushes for passage of “Kate’s Law,” targeting re-entry of deported illegal immigrants.
“If you come back and get caught, you have to spend ten years in jail. Very simple. If they would have had that, Kate Steinle would be alive today.”
— Donald Trump [05:20]
- First Lady's bipartisan support helps pass the "Genius Act" and "Take It Down Act".
- Midterm Caution: Trump expresses concern that historical trends favor losses for the incumbent president’s party in midterms.
“For some reason you lose the midterms… But we have to win the midterms. Otherwise all of the things that we've done…are going to be taken away by the radical left lunatic.”
— Donald Trump [06:17]
2. Doge Employee Assault – New Arrests Highlight D.C. Crime Wave (06:55–11:56)
- Two more suspects arrested:
- 19-year-old Lawrence Cotton Powell and 18-year-old Anthony Taylor charged for the August carjacking, robbery, and assault of Doge staffer Edward Korostein (“Big Balls”).
- The duo also connected to an earlier robbery and assault on Ethan Levine minutes before the attack on Korostein.
- Timeline of events as described by prosecutor Jeanine Pirro:
"The group then walked in the direction of where another crime occurred. Edward Korostein...was walking a young woman to her car...he was then attacked by multiple suspects..."
— Jeanine Pirro [07:55] - Failure of D.C.’s Soft-on-Crime Policies:
- Pirro uses Cotton Powell as an example of judicial leniency: repeatedly given probation despite multiple violent offenses.
“After a felony of attempted robbery conviction, after a violation of probation, after a second crime...the judges say do better and they let him go. And guess what? Within ten days, he’s at it again...”
— Jeanine Pirro [09:13]
- Pirro uses Cotton Powell as an example of judicial leniency: repeatedly given probation despite multiple violent offenses.
- D.C. Youth Crime Statistics:
- Teens responsible for ~50% of robbery arrests, ~60% of carjackings cited in 2025, per Washington Post.
- Under D.C.'s Youth Rehabilitation Act, those under 25 can petition for juvenile consideration, contributing to perceived lack of accountability.
- Pirro Criticizes the System:
“We are fighting to make these young people accountable and also to make judges accountable. Then we've got young offenders who are absolutely convinced that they can commit these crimes and get away with it because they have...This is not...the way the government should be run.”
— Jeanine Pirro [11:07] - Possible Sentences: Up to 15 years per count for robbery/assault, 5 years for attempted carjacking—but pessimism expressed about actual sentences being lenient.
3. John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Allegedly Lying to Congress (11:56–17:25)
- Background:
- Former CIA Director John Brennan referred for criminal investigation over alleged false statements regarding the Steele dossier’s role in the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Russian election interference.
- Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan’s Accusations:
- Claims Brennan denied CIA involvement with the dossier, contradicting newly released documents.
- Relevant Quotes from Congressional Proceedings:
“You were involved with analyzing the Steele dossier. Brennan responding, 'No, I was not involved in analyzing the dossier at all. I said the first time I actually saw it, it was after the election. And the CIA was not involved at all with the dossier. It was in the FBI's purview, their area, not ours at all.' ”
— Recap of Judiciary Committee Q&A [14:45]- Contradictory evidence suggests Brennan overruled resistance to including dossier content in the assessment because it “rings true,” despite serious credibility problems.
- Chain of Investigations:
- Criminal referral from both the Judiciary Committee and current CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
- Ongoing FBI probe related to 2016 Trump-Russia narrative.
- **Brennan denies wrongdoing throughout.
4. Oxford Union President-Elect Ousted Over Charlie Kirk Remarks (17:25–20:15)
- Incident:
- George Aberonier, President-elect of the Oxford Union debating society, ousted after making social media posts celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination:
“charlie Kirk got shot. LOL.” and “Charlie Kirk got shot. Let’s effing go.”
- George Aberonier, President-elect of the Oxford Union debating society, ousted after making social media posts celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination:
- Union’s Response:
- Initial tepid statement, followed by more discipline after pressure from US lawmakers and former Oxford Union leaders.
- No disciplinary action from Oxford College itself; statements only classify the comments as “abhorrent,” but not policy violations.
- Quote from prominent union debate between Aberonier and Kirk:
“Mine is men get married, have children and provide. What is yours? That’s a good question. I think an affirmation of their emotions...”
— George Aberonier [17:25]- Megyn Kelly adds sharp commentary:
“Charlie wiped the floor with him respectfully but devastatingly. And this small little man couldn’t get past it.”
— Megyn Kelly [17:52] - Vote of No Confidence:
- Passed by a wide margin (1,228 to 501); Aberonier contests the results and timeline for next steps remains unclear.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On “Kate’s Law” and protecting Americans:
“If they would have had that, Kate Steinle would be alive today.”
— Donald Trump [05:20] -
On judicial leniency in D.C.:
“The judges say do better and they let him go. And guess what? Within ten days, he’s at it again...”
— Jeanine Pirro [09:13] -
On the peril for midterms:
“We have to win the midterms. Otherwise all of the things that we've done...are going to be taken away by the radical left lunatic.”
— Donald Trump [06:17] -
On the Oxford Union scandal:
"Charlie wiped the floor with him respectfully but devastatingly. And this small little man couldn't get past it."
— Megyn Kelly [17:52]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Trump Hosts Senate, Legislative Strategy: 00:30–06:55
- Doge Staffer Assault & Juvenile Justice: 06:55–11:56
- Brennan Criminal Referral and Steele Dossier: 11:56–17:25
- Oxford Union President-Elect Ousted: 17:25–20:15
Tone and Style
- Frank, pointed, and at times caustic commentary from Megyn Kelly, with a mix of news reporting and analysis.
- Direct speaker attributions and summary of quotes maintain clarity and engagement.
- Recurring skepticism towards leniency in the justice system and transparency from political leaders.
- No advertisements or non-content segments included.
This episode delivers fast-moving, sharp analysis of major political and legal news, with direct quotes and critical perspective—ideal for listeners seeking a succinct yet thorough understanding of today’s controversies in Washington and beyond.
