Podcast Summary: The Megyn Kelly Show

Episode Title: Trump's "Permanent Pause" After DC Attack, Alleged "Second Strike" Under Scrutiny: AM Update 12/1
Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Platform: SiriusXM

Overview

This AM Update from The Megyn Kelly Show focuses on President Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown following a deadly attack on two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. The episode also covers mounting scrutiny over an alleged illegal military order involving a "second strike" on a drug vessel, controversy in Minnesota's Somali community relating to fraud, and Senator Cory Booker's surprise wedding.

Kelly delivers the updates with her signature direct, skeptical style, weaving breaking news with political analysis and occasional commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DC Attack and Immigration Crackdown

• Incident Recap (02:43–05:15):

  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that 29-year-old Afghan national Ramonola Lakhinwal ambushed two West Virginia National Guard soldiers — Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf — near the White House.
  • Beckstrom died, Wolf was critically injured, and Lakhinwal was shot and apprehended.
  • Lakhinwal came to the U.S. in 2021 under "Operation Allies Welcome" for Afghans who aided U.S. forces.

• Concerns on Vetting (04:40–05:15):

  • Critics pointed to insufficient vetting of Afghan arrivals.
  • CIA Director John Ratcliffe: “the individual and so many others should have never been allowed to come here.”
  • Megyn Kelly’s take: “So he came from Afghanistan and was radicalized in America. That's great. Just great.” (05:15)

• Trump's Response & Directives (05:58–06:42):

  • Trump decries past “unknown and unvetted” migrants:

    • “No country can tolerate such a risk to our very survival.” (05:58)

  • Orders include:

    • Halt on all asylum processing
    • 500 additional troops to D.C.
    • Consideration of ending all immigration from "third world countries"
    • Removal of non-citizen public charges and denaturalization of those undermining “domestic tranquility”

  • Trump, on ABC: “Absolutely determined to stop all processes at this point in time from third world countries until we can have a thorough opportunity to go through these individuals... He's putting Americans first, their safety first.” (06:42)

2. Fraud Scandals and Somali Community Scrutiny

• Fraud Exposé (07:02–10:12):

  • City Journal reported Somali community networks in Minnesota defrauded state programs of $1 billion+, with funds partially funneled to Somalia and, reportedly, terror group Al Shabaab.
  • Trump moved to end temporary protected status for Somali nationals in Minnesota—a step impacting hundreds, not tens of thousands.
  • DOJ has charged 86 individuals (all but eight from the Somali community); fraud spanned COVID-era meal and aid programs.
  • Minnesota’s nonpartisan auditor found state officials hesitated to take action for fear of allegations of racism.
    • Former investigator: “Forcefully tackling this issue might cause political backlash among the Somali community, which is a core voting bloc for Democrats.” (10:12)

• Governor Tim Walz's Defense (09:26):

  • “To demonize an entire community on the actions of a few, it's lazy. That is totally disconnected with demonizing an entire group of people who came here fleeing civil war and created a vibrant community that makes Minnesota and this country better. But, but that's Donald Trump. Deflect, demonize, come up with no solutions.” (09:26)

3. "Permanent Pause" Immigration Policy Clarifications

• Clarifying the Policy (11:11–11:43):
  • Trump: “We don't want those people. We have enough problems. ... From different countries that are not friendly to us and countries that are out of control themselves, countries like Somalia that have virtually no government, no military, no police. ... We don't want them.” (11:11–11:43)
  • Kelly presses Trump on time limits; Trump says, “no time limit, but it could be a long time.” (11:17)

4. Alleged Illegal "Second Strike" Order

• Controversy Summary (13:06–16:24):

  • After Democratic lawmakers urged troops to refuse hypothetical illegal orders, media outlets like WaPo report on an alleged “second strike” ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on survivors of a drug vessel strike.
  • Critics (e.g., Rep. Seth Moulton): “Killing survivors is blatantly illegal. Mark my words. It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.” (14:42)
  • DOJ produced opinion supporting presidential authority to strike certain criminal organizations if they present an imminent threat.
  • Hegseth: “Our operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both US and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict and approved by the best military and civilian lawyers…” (15:49)

• President Trump’s Response (16:24–17:06):

  • Trump says he was not aware of a second strike: “I don't know that that happened. ... Pete said he did not order the death of those two men.” (16:36–16:56)
  • “I have great confidence he's saying there's no second strike. I don't know. I'm going to find out about it.” (16:56)

• Notable Media Commentary:

  • Mark Hemingway (Real Clear Investigations): Caution is warranted as facts are unclear, and many are “outraged and energetically pretending to be experts on obscure aspects of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.” (17:06)

5. Senator Cory Booker’s Surprise Wedding

• Event Details (17:06–19:37):
  • Booker married Alexis Lewis in a small D.C. ceremony, just months after their engagement.
  • Unique proposal with Mariah Carey's "Dreamlover" played live; described as “magical.”
  • Kelly jokes about their exuberant engagement photos: “mouths agape in full theatrical excitement.”
  • HBO host Bill Maher quips: “[The photos] make me think don’t let moderate to severe ulcerative colitis stand in your way. Ask your doctor about Xoraxia.” (19:16)
  • NYT speculates wedding may boost Booker’s 2028 presidential prospects, but polling shows him at just 2.5%.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Megyn Kelly’s Sarcasm:
  “So he came from Afghanistan and was radicalized in America. That's great. Just great.” (05:15)

• Trump on Immigration Pause:
  “Permanently pause migration from all third world countries and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the US or is incapable of loving our country...” (Read by Kelly, 07:02)

• Governor Walz Pushes Back:
  “To demonize an entire community on the actions of a few, it's lazy. That is totally disconnected...” (09:26)

• Rep. Seth Moulton Warning:
  “Killing survivors is blatantly illegal. Mark my words. It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.” (14:42)

• Bill Maher on Booker’s Photos:
  “They make me think don’t let moderate to severe ulcerative colitis stand in your way. Ask your doctor about xoraxia.” (19:16)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• DC National Guard Attack & Immigration Crackdown: 02:43–07:02
• Minnesota Somali Fraud & Policy Reaction: 07:02–11:43
• Clarification of Immigration Pause (Trump Interview): 11:11–11:43
• "Second Strike" Military Order Controversy: 13:06–17:06
• Cory Booker’s Wedding & Light Segment: 17:06–19:37

Tone & Delivery

True to the show’s branding, Kelly's tone remains blunt and unapologetically skeptical, mixing news recaps with her personal commentary (“Way to get scooped by City Journal, Times”). Interviews with political figures and their responses are presented without sugarcoating.

Conclusion

This episode provided an unfiltered look at the political and legal reverberations from the D.C. attack, large-scale Somali-linked fraud in Minnesota, and the alleged military misconduct in the Caribbean. Between the news and pointed commentary, listeners gain insight into the political calculations and partisan tensions framing each major issue.

For more, listen on SiriusXM Channel 111 at noon or catch The Megyn Kelly Show on YouTube and all podcast platforms.