The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 1/23/2025
Episode Theme:
This AM Update episode centers on political controversy and law enforcement challenges, diving into three major stories: Vice President J.D. Vance's visit to Minneapolis amid ICE-related conflicts, former Special Counsel Jack Smith being grilled on Capitol Hill over his probes into Donald Trump, and the uplifting account of Barron Trump helping save a woman's life in the UK.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Vice President J.D. Vance in Minneapolis: ICE, Misinformation, and Local Tensions
- Context (02:08): VP Vance visits Minneapolis to address protests and promote cooperation between local businesses, law enforcement, and federal immigration agencies. The city has experienced protests and hostility against ICE officers.
- Hostile Environment for ICE (02:37):
- Vance recounts a recent incident where off-duty ICE officers, doxed online, were cornered by agitators at a restaurant:
- “A bunch of agitators showed up, locked the door, made them feel like they were in danger for their lives... Now imagine if you can’t even go to a restaurant without some agitators locking the door and making you feel like your life is in danger...” — J.D. Vance [02:37]
- Vance recounts a recent incident where off-duty ICE officers, doxed online, were cornered by agitators at a restaurant:
- Federal vs. Local Cooperation (03:20):
- Vance argues the “heavy federal presence is a direct result of the lack of cooperation from state and local officials,” contrasting Minneapolis with other cities:
- “You go to Austin, Texas or Memphis, Tennessee, you do not have this level of chaos... They are trying to protect ICE officers who are doing immigration enforcement because when a crowd surrounds them and these guys call 911, local officials ... have been told to stand down.” — J.D. Vance [03:40]
- Vance argues the “heavy federal presence is a direct result of the lack of cooperation from state and local officials,” contrasting Minneapolis with other cities:
- Viral “5-Year-Old Detained by ICE” Story (04:17):
- As the media and politicians (including Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris) condemn ICE, Vance rebuts what he asserts is misinformation:
- “I’m a father of a five year old...this is terrible. How did we arrest a five year old? Well, I do a little bit more follow up research and what I find is that the five year old was not arrested, that his dad was an illegal alien... Are they supposed to let a five year old child freeze to death?... If the argument is that you can’t arrest people who have violated our laws because they have children, then every single parent is going to be ... immune ... That doesn’t make any sense.” — J.D. Vance [05:07]
- Kelly relays the DHS’s version: ICE did not target or arrest a child; agents cared for the boy while waiting for custody arrangements. The story, she says, has been distorted for political purposes. [05:51]
- As the media and politicians (including Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris) condemn ICE, Vance rebuts what he asserts is misinformation:
- NYPD and ICE Confusion Incident (07:31):
- Three NYPD officers, mistaken for ICE agents by hospital staff, are denied treatment, highlighting confusion and animosity towards law enforcement agencies often conflated with ICE.
- The hospital later apologizes, but no disciplinary action is reported.
2. Jack Smith Grilled at House Judiciary Committee
- Republican Critique of Jack Smith’s Conduct (10:28):
- Smith, appointed in 2022 to probe Trump, is interrogated for alleged prosecutorial overreach after both cases (Mar-a-Lago documents, Jan 6th) collapse.
- Democratic Praise (11:15):
- Multiple Democrats hail Smith’s public service:
- “You have devoted your life to the rule of law and to public service.” — Rep. Darrell Issa, echoing bipartisan ceremonial language [11:15]
- Even Vance expresses procedural respect:
- “We appreciate your fidelity to the rule of law. Mr. Smith, I want you to have the utmost confidence in what you did... You are a man of honor.” — J.D. Vance [11:27]
- Multiple Democrats hail Smith’s public service:
- Republican Counter: Secret Subpoenas and Gag Orders (12:50):
- Smith is pressed about secret subpoenas—including Speaker McCarthy’s phone records—and the use of nondisclosure orders:
- “You think the Speaker of the House is a flight risk? ... You were using clearly false information to secure a non disclosure order to hide ... the fact that you were spying on his toll records.” — Rep. Brandon Gill [13:52]
- Smith denies bad faith, says the risk pertains to investigation, not the individual.
- Smith is pressed about secret subpoenas—including Speaker McCarthy’s phone records—and the use of nondisclosure orders:
- Judicial “Rubber Stamp”? (14:30):
- Reporter Julie Kelly notes Smith worked with D.C. judges perceived as having “anti-Trump animus,” arguing Smith’s team felt immune to future scrutiny:
- “They never foresaw what happened in 2024 ... They thought this would stay under wraps forever or ... no one would care.” — Julie Kelly [15:15]
- Reporter Julie Kelly notes Smith worked with D.C. judges perceived as having “anti-Trump animus,” arguing Smith’s team felt immune to future scrutiny:
- Issa on Political Motive (15:48):
- Rep. Issa links Smith’s work with Nixon's men targeting political enemies, accuses Smith of being Joe Biden’s “arm.” Smith rejects the comparison:
- “My office didn’t spy on anyone.” — Jack Smith [16:29]
- Rep. Issa links Smith’s work with Nixon's men targeting political enemies, accuses Smith of being Joe Biden’s “arm.” Smith rejects the comparison:
- Pattern of Exceeding Boundaries (16:58):
- Rep. Kevin Kiley provides examples of aggressive tactics: gag orders, early trial demands, facing reversals and rebukes in higher courts. When asked about regrets:
- “If I have any regret, it would be not expressing enough appreciation for my staff who work so hard in these investigations.” — Jack Smith [17:52]
- Rep. Kevin Kiley provides examples of aggressive tactics: gag orders, early trial demands, facing reversals and rebukes in higher courts. When asked about regrets:
- Julie Kelly’s Take (18:06):
- Kelly asserts Smith has a “terrible record before higher courts,” referencing reversals and unsuccessful high-profile cases:
- “One of the biggest prosecutorial losers of all time, yet he wants to act like he has a stellar 30 year career... That’s just not the case.” — Julie Kelly [18:06]
- Kelly asserts Smith has a “terrible record before higher courts,” referencing reversals and unsuccessful high-profile cases:
3. Barron Trump Helps Save a Woman’s Life
- Details of the Incident (18:51):
- During a FaceTime with a female friend in London, 18-year-old Barron Trump witnesses her being assaulted, calls UK emergency services from the US:
- “I’m calling from the US, I just got a call from a girl, she’s getting beat up... I just figured out how to call someone. It’s really an emergency.” — Barron Trump, transcript of emergency call [19:09]
- He provides the address, persists through a frustrated operator, and apologizes for being curt, prioritizing the victim’s safety.
- The woman testifies: “He helped save my life. That call was like a sign from God.” — Victim, London trial [19:52]
- Authorities learn Barron’s identity only after responding. The trial of the alleged attacker continues.
- During a FaceTime with a female friend in London, 18-year-old Barron Trump witnesses her being assaulted, calls UK emergency services from the US:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Social Consequences for ICE Agents:
- “If you can’t even go to a restaurant without some agitators locking the door and making you feel like your life is in danger, that is the environment that has been created.” — J.D. Vance [02:37]
- On Viral Misinformation and Law Enforcement:
- “If the argument is that you can’t arrest people who have violated our laws because they have children, then every single parent is going to be completely given immunity ... That doesn’t make any sense.” — J.D. Vance [05:07]
- Barron Trump’s Heroics:
- “He helped save my life. That call was like a sign from God.” — Victim, London trial [19:52]
- On Political Overreach:
- “You, like the President’s men for Richard Nixon, went after your political enemies. Maybe they’re not your political enemies, but they sure as hell were Joe Biden’s political enemies, weren’t they?” — Rep. Darrell Issa [15:48]
- Jack Smith’s Only Regret:
- “If I have any regret, it would be not expressing enough appreciation for my staff...” — Jack Smith [17:52]
- Julie Kelly’s Summary of Smith:
- “One of the biggest prosecutorial losers of all time, yet he wants to sit up there and act like he has a stellar 30 year career ... That’s just not the case.” — Julie Kelly [18:06]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- VP Vance on Minneapolis and ICE: 02:08 – 05:51
- DHS and ICE’s account on “child detention” story: 05:51
- NYPD/ICE mix-up at NY hospital: 07:31
- Jack Smith grilled on Capitol Hill: 10:28 – 18:06
- Barron Trump's emergency call from the US to UK: 18:51 – 21:09
Summary Takeaway
The episode paints a broad picture of political and media dynamics in 2025 America: ICE operations under fire and distorted narratives, law enforcement increasingly at odds with the public, and high-stakes political investigations devolving into procedural and ideological warfare. Amid the division and controversy, a story of personal heroism from Barron Trump briefly steals the spotlight, offering a rare moment of unity and humanity.