WH Backs Waltz, DOJ Says Khalil Lied on Green Card App, Judge Boasberg Deep Dive: AM Update 3/26

Summary

Podcast Title: The Megyn Kelly Show
Host: SiriusXM
Episode: WH Backs Waltz, DOJ Says Khalil Lied on Green Card App, Judge Boasberg Deep Dive: AM Update 3/26
Release Date: March 26, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly navigates through a series of high-stakes political and legal developments impacting the Trump administration. From inadvertent disclosures in government communications to judicial challenges and presidential pardons, Kelly provides an incisive analysis of current events shaping the national discourse.

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White House Group Chat Incident

Timestamp: [00:18] – [05:26]

The episode opens with a tense revelation involving a misstep by the Trump administration’s National Security Adviser, Mike Walz. An accidental inclusion of The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, into a private group chat on the Signal app sparked controversy. The chat reportedly included discussions on war planning, raising alarms about the security of classified information.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [00:18]: “A tense day on Capitol Hill for Trump administration intel officials after the Atlantic's editor in chief was accidentally added to what he calls a war planning group chat.”
• President Trump [02:34]: “Michael Walsh has learned a lesson and he's a good man. It turned out to not be a serious one.”

Analysis: Republican analyst Scott Jennings suggests that the backlash might be overblown, emphasizing that Signal is not an approved platform for classified communications and that national security professionals should adhere to proper protocols. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth counters by stating no actual war plans were shared, though details in the messages suggest otherwise. The incident has intensified scrutiny from both political sides, with Democrats asserting the severity of the breach.

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DOJ Alleges Green Card Fraud by Mahmoud Khalil

Timestamp: [06:09] – [16:37]

Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and agitator, is under the Department of Justice’s spotlight for allegedly falsifying information on his green card application. The DOJ claims Khalil concealed his involvement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) during a tumultuous period marked by Hamas attacks.

Key Points:

• Khalil's tenure at UNRWA coincided with significant violence and hostage situations in Israel.
• Allegations include involvement with the British Embassy in Beirut and participation in radical activist groups at Columbia University.
• Khalil’s legal team dismisses the charges as politically motivated, framing them as protections of First Amendment rights.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [06:09]: “Prosecutors alleging Mr. Khalil failed to report his role as a political affairs officer with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees from June to November 2023.”
• Khalil’s Lawyer [Undisclosed Timestamp]: “This case is purely about First Amendment protected activity and speech.”

Analysis: The case against Khalil reflects the broader tensions within immigration enforcement and national security. The intertwining of his academic pursuits with alleged covert activities raises questions about the vetting processes for green card applicants and the extent of his actual involvement in the reported activities.

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Judge James Boasberg: A Deep Dive

Timestamp: [16:37] – [15:31]

Judge James Boasberg emerges as a pivotal figure in the legal confrontations faced by the Trump administration. Known for his stringent rulings against the administration’s attempts to deport noncitizens under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, Boasberg's actions have sparked accusations of judicial overreach and political bias.

Key Points:

• Boasberg issued injunctions halting deportations of suspected gang members from Venezuela, expanding the scope to include all noncitizens targeted under the Trump administration’s orders.
• His previous handling of cases involving nonviolent Trump supporters has been criticized for perceived harshness and inconsideration of personal circumstances.
• Allegations of Boasberg's participation in anti-Trump events and potential conflicts of interest highlight concerns over his impartiality.

Notable Quotes:

• Julie Kelly [11:24]: “He sentenced one man who had just told him that his cancer returned. He sentenced him to 45 days in prison.”
• Scott Jennings [10:58]: “Judges that are usurping the powers of the presidency and laying waste to our entire constitutional system.”

Analysis: Judge Boasberg’s judgments are portrayed as inconsistent and influenced by personal biases, especially in cases involving political dissent. His involvement in anti-Trump events and the subsequent rulings suggest a possible alignment with opposition sentiments, challenging the perceived neutrality of the judiciary in politically charged cases.

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President Trump Pardons Devin Archer

Timestamp: [16:37] – [18:04]

In a significant move, President Trump pardoned Devin Archer, a former business partner of Hunter Biden, who was convicted in 2018 for defrauding a South Dakota tribe by selling over $60 million in tribal bonds. Archer's cooperation with congressional investigations against Hunter Biden is highlighted as a pivotal reason for his pardon.

Key Points:

• Archer claims that his prosecution was intensified following his cooperation against the Biden family.
• The pardon is seen as rectifying an injustice, according to both Archer and Trump representatives.

Notable Quotes:

• Devin Archer [17:41]: “My life was devastated by the Biden family's selfish disregard for the truth and for the peace of mind and happiness of others.”
• Scott Jennings [17:41]: “We believe that was an injustice and therefore we're asking you to pardon him.”

Analysis: Archer’s pardon underscores the intricate interplay between legal proceedings and political motivations. By pardoning a figure connected to attempts to discredit political opponents, the Trump administration is perceived as leveraging executive power to influence ongoing political narratives.

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Conclusion

Megyn Kelly’s AM Update delivers a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted challenges facing the Trump administration, from internal miscommunications and legal battles to strategic pardons. Through incisive interviews and expert analysis, the episode sheds light on the underlying tensions shaping American politics and law in 2025.

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For more in-depth discussions, tune in to The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111 at noon Eastern, available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.

Transcript

[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Wednesday, March 26, 2025. This is your AM update.

[Scott Jennings]

If it's not classified, share the text now.

[Megyn Kelly]

As the White House previously is it.

[Scott Jennings]

Classified or non classified? Information on this text.

[Megyn Kelly]

A tense day on Capitol Hill for Trump administration intel officials after the Atlantic's editor in chief was accidentally added to what he calls a war planning group chat, the doj, claiming former Columbia stud agitator Mahmoud Khalil, whom DHS is seeking to deport, lied on his green card application.

[Julie Kelly]

He's going to use his authority, unchecked until this point, to lead the judicial Insurrection, the judicial resistance to President Trump and his administration.

[Megyn Kelly]

Reporter Julie Kelly does a deep dive on Judge Boasberg in an AM Update exclusive. And President Trump pardons Hunter Biden's ex best friend. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update. There's a lot of talk about government debt, but after four years of inflation, another real crisis is personal debt. Some people are working harder than ever and still drowning in credit card debt and overdue bills. But there's Done With Debt now. Done With Debt has unique escape strategies to help end your debt fast so you can keep more of your hard earned money. Done With Debt does not try to sell you a loan or bankruptcy. There tough negotiators will go one on one with your credit card and loan companies with one goal to drastically reduce your bills, eliminate interest and erase penalties. Most clients wind up with more money in their pocket month one and they don't stop until they break you free from debt permanently. Take a few minutes and visit donewithdebt.com, speak with one of their debt strategists for free. But listen up, some of their solutions are time sensitive so you gotta move quickly. Go to donewithdet.com that's donewithdebt.com President Trump expressing confidence in national security Adviser Mike Walz following a report that Mr. Waltz accidentally added the Atlantic's editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a private group chat on messaging app Signal discussing war plans. Mr. Trump saying in a gaggle, quote, michael Walsh has learned a lesson and he's a good man. Mr. Trump saying the incident is the only glitch in the two months since retaking office and quote, it turned out to not be a serious one. Left wing critics disagree, folks.

[Scott Jennings]

Apps like Signal are not government approved platforms to transmit classified information.

[Megyn Kelly]

You would think folks would know that.

[Scott Jennings]

There are systems in place for these classified conversations to take place. They're a bit unwieldy. You have to use different phones, different equipment, different systems, but they are in place so that you don't have to use something like Signal. These are national security professionals at the highest levels of government. They should know better.

[Megyn Kelly]

Republican analyst Scott Jennings on CNN saying much of the criticism is likely overblown.

[Scott Jennings]

The signal program was preloaded on a number of devices and agency computers in this circuit when they got there, so in their view it was already in use. Number two, in some of the messages they talk about needing to go to the high side computers, which is the classified system. So they clearly knowing there was a line on what you could discuss in a chat like this versus classified system. Number three, there is a dispute over whether the term war plans is being exaggerated.

[Megyn Kelly]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says no war plans were shared. Jeffrey Goldberg telling CNN on Monday night.

[Scott Jennings]

They were he was texting war plans. He was texting attack plans, when targets were going to be targeted, how they were going to be targeted, who was at the targets when the next sequence of attacks were happening. And I continue not to publish it because it felt like it was too.

[Megyn Kelly]

Confidential, Mr. Goldberg saying in subsequent interviews he may release more of the conversation. On Tuesday morning, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Cash Patel, and CIA Director John Radcliffe appearing before the Senate Intel Committee on a hearing about global threats facing the US it turned into a grilling on the Signal chat, both Directors Gabbard and Radcliffe who were on the message chain saying no classified intelligence was shared. Senator, I can attest to the fact there were no classified or intelligence equities that were included in that chat group at any time.

[Scott Jennings]

The Secretary of Defense is the original classification authority and my understanding is that his comments are that any information that he shared was not classified.

[Megyn Kelly]

Democrats on the committee orchestrating many combative exchanges.

[Scott Jennings]

Did Jeff Goldberg, did he create a hoax that allowed him to become part of this signal thread?

[Megyn Kelly]

Please answer the question.

[Scott Jennings]

You don't don't insult the intelligence of the American people. It's hard for me to believe that targets and timing and weapons would not have been classified if it's not classified. Share the Text now as the White House previously is it classified or non classified information?

[Megyn Kelly]

On this text back at the White House, the administration embracing what they think of as the big picture, like the attacks against the Houthi rebels were a success.

[Scott Jennings]

We are looking into him, reviewing how the heck he got into this room. But I'll tell you what, the world owes President Trump a favor. Under Biden Global Shipping was shut down. Pinprick attacks months between them, our destroyers being fired upon dozens of times. President Trump took decisive action with his national security team, took out the head missileer, knocked out missiles, knocked out headquarters, knocked out communication sites. And for once, as we hear, as you all hear from every one of our allies, thank God for American leadership again. Foreign.

[Megyn Kelly]

To deport former Columbia University student agitator Mahmoud Khalil Khalil objects to being deported, arguing in part that he has a green card. In a new court filing, Federal prosecutors saying Mr. Khalil lied on that green card application by leaving out key information from his background. Prosecutors alleging Mr. Khalil failed to report his role as a political affairs officer with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees from June to November 2023, a period that includes the October 7 Hamas attacks in which 1200 people were killed in Israel and around 250 taken hostage, including Americans. In January 2024, Israeli intelligence reported that at least 12 UNWRA employees took part in the October 7 attacks, prompting the Biden administration to suspend US funding to UNWRA. A December 2024 UN Watch report further accusing UNRWA's leadership of allowing Hamas to infiltrate the group and indoctrinate Palestinian children with terrorist ideology. While Mr. Khalil's exact responsibilities at UNWRA are unclear, reporting indicates he was enrolled in a Columbia master's program from 2022 through December 2024, overlapping with the period prosecutors say he worked for UNWRA. It's not known whether he worked remotely, traveled to the region, or both. Prosecutors claim Khalil also failed to disclose his continuing employment with the British Embassy in Beirut after 2022. Finally, the filing claims that Mr. Khalil did not disclose his involvement to the feds with Columbia University Apartheid Divest, the radical activist student group he joined on Columbia's campus, which reportedly expressed sympathy for Hamas and Hezbollah, the group for which Khalil was spokesman, organizing major protests at Colombia, including the takeover of Hamilton hall last year and the creation of the Gaza Solidarity encampment, both of which led to hundreds of arrests. Mr. Khalil's lawyer calls the new charges, quote, completely meritless, saying, quote, this case is purely about First Amendment protected activity and speech, and US citizens and permanent residents alike are free to say what they wish about what is going on in the world. Coming up, a closer look at U.S. district Court Chief Judge James Boasberg, the central figure in the Trump administration's legal battle to deport illegal immigrants under the Alien Enemies act and President Trump signing a pardon for Hunter Biden's ex best friend. The IRS is the largest collection agency in the world, and with April 15th fast approaching, it's more aggressive than ever. Oh joy. If you owe back taxes or you have unfiled returns, waiting is not an option. Not a good one. April 15 could mark another tax year that has passed you by and stressed you out. So the smart move is get ahead of it now. But listen, never contact the IRS alone. That's crazy talk. Instead, you could let the experts at Tax Network USA handle this problem for you. Why? Well, not all tax resolution companies are the same. Tax Network USA has a preferred direct line to the irs, so they know exactly which agents to deal with and which to avoid with proven strategies to settle tax problems in your favor. Whether you owe 10 grand or 10 million, Tax Network USA's attorneys and negotiators have already resolved over $1 billion in tax debt. Speak with one of their strategists today for free. Don't let the IRS control your future. Call 1-800-958-1000 or visit tnusa.com megan that's tnusa.com megan April 15th is just around the corner. Act now people, before the IRS acts first Foreign Emerging as a central figure in the legal resistance to the second Trump administration. So far, federal judges handing down at least 15 universal injunctions nationwide. Orders halting President Trump's executive actions that can take months or even years to overturn. None drawing more intense scrutiny than Judge Boasberg's decision to block deportations under President Trump's use of the Alien enemies Act of 1798. Judge Boberg first halting the removal of five suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela. Later broadening that injunction to cover all noncitizens subject to deportation under the order. The move sparking fierce backlash from the Trump team. Senior advisor Stephen Miller accusing Judge Boasberg and others of overreach these radical rogue.

[Scott Jennings]

Judges that are usurping the powers of the presidency and laying waste to our entire constitutional system.

[Megyn Kelly]

We spoke with Julie Kelly, reporter for Declassified on Substack, who has covered Judge Boasberg's work extensively, both in this case and during his oversight of the January 6th trials in Washington, D.C. she says the judge's concern for Venezuelan deportees stands in stark contrast to to how he treated nonviolent Trump supporters.

[Julie Kelly]

He sentenced one man who had just told him that his cancer returned. He sentenced him to 45 days in prison. He sent another woman, 60 year old woman from Pennsylvania on nonviolent offenses sent her to prison for 14 months. Her husband also had cancer. You know, they're aware of how these federal prisons operate. They know exactly how these people are going to be treated. So I think that's the real double standard. Here is his very cautious concern over not just the alleged due process rights of these Venezuelans, but worried about how they're going to be treated in an El Salvador prison when he demonstrated no such concern over how Trump supporters were going to be treated in federal prison.

[Megyn Kelly]

Under the Alien enemies Act of 1798, the President has sweeping authority during wartime and invasion or an incursion to deport citizens of hostile nations with limited due process. Judge Boasberg has acknowledged that throughout the case, but continues to uphold his injunction anyway, citing due process concerns for the illegal immigrants who are alleged gang members. Ms. Kelly reporting that Judge Boasberg participated at a privately funded anti Trump event. Just the news detailing on Monday. The legal conference featured sponsors and speakers who have expressed clear anti Trump sentiments, particularly on immigration and January 6th, and a theme that echoed the Democrat Party's 2024 stated mission of, quote, saving democracy.

[Julie Kelly]

He attended a big conference in Idaho sponsored by several well known anti Trump donors and officials in the D.C. bar association that has done all that it can to destroy lawyers associated with the president. As the chief judge of the D.C. district Court, you shouldn't be attending any event that has political tones to it or any political angle to it. But he's showing up to show, to demonstrate that he's going to use his authority, unchecked until this point, to lead the judicial insurrection, the judicial resistance to President Trump and his administration beyond Judge.

[Megyn Kelly]

Boasberg's alleged political bias. Ms. Kelly pointing to signs of coordinated lawfare highlighting ACLU documentation, including testimony from the five unnamed Venezuelans at the heart of this case. One claiming to have overheard, quote, two U.S. government officials talking, end quote, saying there is an order saying we can't take off, but we already have.

[Julie Kelly]

There are groups of lawyers who are coaching illegals how to buck the system. So this appears to be a very good representation of that, how these legals know exactly what needs to be said, exactly how to countermand what the administration is saying in court and protect themselves from being identified as part of this gang. So it was pretty interesting to read these sworn statements, these declarations, talking about what they saw and what they heard, but also saying that they don't speak English and they were asked to sign documents, but they didn't because they don't understand the language. So it just goes to the insanity of the whole process.

[Megyn Kelly]

On Monday, attorneys for the Trump administration and the defendants presenting oral arguments before a three judge panel of the D.C. circuit Court of Appeals. The Trump administration asking the court to lift the pause on deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. The Obama appointed judge on the D.C. circuit appeared skeptical of the administration's argument. Patricia Millet, highly doubtful of the government's claims. She suggested that the Nazis were treated better under the Alien Enemies act than the Venezuelan subjects. Julie Kelly saying another Trump appointed judge, Justin Walker, was in fact more skeptical of the ACLU's arguments.

[Julie Kelly]

Judge Walker on the other hand, kept pushing the ACLU as to why they didn't pursue habeas petitions for these individuals. They didn't really have a good answer for that. He kept saying that that was the appropriate remedy and asked why did the ACLU choose to file that lawsuit in Washington D.C. when none of the illegals in that lawsuit were lived in Washington D.C. so it seemed like Judge Walker was very skeptical and, and noted, I think identified several problems with both the ACLU lawsuit and Jeb Osberg's temporary restraining order. So because it's an emergency motion expecting some sort of answer this week, so they might put a temporary stay on Jeb Bosberg's temporary restraining orders to halt those flights. And if they do what the DOJ said Monday afternoon is they would then go ahead and restart those deportation flights of TDA members to el Salvador.

[Megyn Kelly]

The third judge on the panel, Karen Henderson, is a George H.W. bush appointee. She remained very quiet at the argument, making her vote harder to predict. Devin Archer, former business partner of Hunter Biden, on Tuesday receiving a federal pardon from President Trump. Mr. Archer was convicted in 2018 of two felonies for his role in fraudulently selling more than $60 million of tribal bonds on behalf of a South Dakota tribe. The judge sentencing Mr. Archer to a year in prison, ordering him to forfeit nearly 16 million and pay 43 million in restitution. Mr. Archer has since claimed Hunter Biden was also involved in the scheme, but he was protected from prosecution. In August 2023, Mr. Archer testified in a closed door Oversight Committee hearing where he provided firsthand accounts of Hunter Biden discussing business dealings with then Vice President Joe Biden. Contrary to what the Biden family had previously maintained, President Trump signing a full pardon from the White House on Tuesday afternoon.

[Scott Jennings]

He was prosecuted relating to a fraud investigation, but notably the tone and tenor of that prosecution changed dramatically after he began to cooperate with congressional investigators and serve as a witness against Hunter Biden and the Biden family. We believe that was an injustice and therefore we're asking you to pardon him.

[Megyn Kelly]

And many people have asked me to do this. I think he was treated very unfairly. And I looked at the records, studied the records that he was, he was a victim of a crime. Mr. Archer telling the New York Post, quote, like so many people, my life was devastated by the Biden family's selfish disregard for the truth and for the peace of mind and happiness of others. And that'll do it for your AM Update. I'm Megan Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com megankelly and on all podcast platforms.

[Scott Jennings]

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[Megyn Kelly]

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[Scott Jennings]

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