The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 3/18/2026

Host (Fill-in): Mark Halperin
Podcast: The Megyn Kelly Show (SiriusXM)
Date: March 18, 2026
Main Topics: Save America Act Senate Showdown · Federal Block on Vaccine Changes · Kouri (Corey) Richins Murder Verdict · Top Counterterrorism Official Resigns

Episode Overview

Mark Halperin fills in for Megyn Kelly to deliver an in-depth morning update focusing on pivotal political, legal, and cultural developments in the U.S. He provides breakdowns and key commentary on the ongoing Senate debate over the controversial Save America Act (election integrity legislation), a federal judge’s block on significant changes to childhood vaccine schedules ordered by the Trump administration, the resignation of President Trump’s key counterterrorism official over the Iran war, and the high-profile conviction of Utah mother Kouri Richins for the murder of her husband.

1. Save America Act Showdown in the Senate

(See: 00:40–05:36)

Key Discussion Points

• Senate Vote: The Save America Act advanced to formal Senate debate by a narrow, mostly party-line procedural vote (51–48). Senator Lisa Murkowski was the only Republican to oppose, joining Democrats, and Senator Thom Tillis abstained.
• Legislation Details:
  • Requires proof of U.S. citizenship to vote
  • Mandates photo ID for voting
  • Tightens mail-in ballot requirements, compelling ID submission for requesting and casting absentee ballots
• President Trump: “The Save America act is one of the most important and consequential pieces of legislation in the history of Congress and America itself. I will never, ever endorse anyone who votes against Save America.” (02:31)
• Filibuster Debate: Some Republicans advocate for eliminating the filibuster to pass the bill with a simple majority, but Majority Leader John Thune resists, opting for marathon debates to spotlight Democratic opposition.

Major Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK):
  • “I think it's an important debate to have because it is an issue that is at the very core of elections in this country... I just don't know how you defend a position that you need to be a citizen in this country, not only to register a vote, but also to be able to show ID when you vote.” (03:48)
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY):
  • “It could disenfranchise over 20 million American citizens... It's a naked attempt to rig our elections... The SAVE act is not about protecting the vote. It's in making it harder to vote and easier to steal an election.” (04:45)

Polling

• Recent Harvard Harris poll: 81% of voters support voter ID laws; 71% support the overall Save America Act. (05:36)

2. Federal Block on Trump Administration Vaccine Overhaul

(05:36–08:54)

Key Discussion Points

• Background: The Trump HHS under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had implemented major changes:
  • Dropped COVID vaccine recommendation for children and pregnant women
  • Dismissed the 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced with Trump-aligned medical professionals, including Dr. Robert Malone
  • Panel voted to drop newborn hepatitis B vaccine recommendation and cut targeted diseases from 17 to 11
  • Lawsuit by major medical organizations argued these were unscientific and harmful
• District Judge Brian Murphy (MA):
  • Issued a preliminary injunction halting the changes, finding them "arbitrary and capricious" and likely unlawful
  • Blocked the newly appointed ACIP panel from serving and suspended their meetings
  • Cited Trump administration’s circumventions of long-standing scientific review protocols
• Administration Response:
  • HHS Spokesman: “HHS looks forward to this judge's decision being overturned just like his other attempts to keep the Trump administration from governing.” (07:49)
  • Final judicial decision deferred until a full trial

3. National Counterterrorism Center Director Quits over Iran War

(09:43–12:14)

Key Discussion Points

• Joe Kent Resignation:
  • Resigned as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, publicly opposing the Iran war as "unwarranted" and influenced by "pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."
  • Kent is a decorated Army Special Forces veteran whose wife was killed by ISIS in 2019.
  • Criticized the rationale for war and claimed U.S. policy had been "steered" by outside interests.
• White House & Official Responses:
  • Press Secretary Caroline Levitt: Kent’s allegations "absurd, insulting, and laughable."
  • President Trump:
    • “I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security… when somebody is working with us that says they didn't think Iran was a threat, we don't want those people.” (11:12)
  • A senior official told Fox News that Kent was a “known leaker” removed from briefings.
  • DNI Tulsi Gabbard backed Trump’s decision: “After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion.”

4. Kouri (Corey) Richins Murder Trial: Guilty Verdict

(12:14–18:24)

Key Discussion Points

• Case Summary:

  • Kouri (Corey) Richins was convicted of murdering her husband, Eric, in March 2022.
  • Charges: Aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, two counts of life insurance fraud, and forgery.
  • Prosecutors say she poisoned Eric’s Moscow Mule with a lethal fentanyl dose, motivated by debt, life insurance, and an affair.
  • Notable: She published a children’s book about grief after her husband’s death.
  • Jury also found she tried to poison Eric earlier, on Valentine’s Day.

• Key Testimonies & Evidence:

  • Housekeeper testified she procured fentanyl pills for Richins.
  • Prosecutor referenced incriminating Google searches:
    • “If someone is poisoned, what does it go down on the death certificate as” (14:33; as quoted by Chuck Schumer citing prosecution highlights)
  • Defense argued Eric had his own addiction and pointed to inconclusive forensics, moving for mistrial over prosecution rhetoric (motion denied).

• Quick Verdict:

  • Jury deliberated under three hours—an indicator of the strength of the prosecution’s case.

Major Quotes & Analysis

• Defense Attorney (on mistrial motion):
  • “He made efforts to dehumanize the defendant... calling her a black widow... completely improper for the prosecution to comment on her demeanor while she sat at counsel table.” (15:13)
• Dave Aronberg (True Crime Contributor):
  • “It just was so compelling all the pieces that came together. I mean she had means, motive and opportunity... she wanted the money, she was deep in debt and she hated her husband and she had a lover on the side. And the fact that she previously tried...” (16:36)
  • “The fact that the jury came back after a multi week trial with a quick guilty verdict tells you that the jury right away knew that she was guilty…” (17:23)
  • On Sentencing:
    • “Because there's premeditation here… I think she's getting life without the possibility of parole… the sentencing is going to be in mid May and ironically the date is set on May 13, which would have been Eric's 44th birthday. And that to me is justice.” (17:41)

5. Notable Segments & Timestamps Summary

| Segment | Content Summary | Timestamps | Notable Quotes/Details | |:-------------- |:----------------- |:----------- |:--------------------------------------------- | | Save America Act Showdown | Senate debate, party lines, Trump and Schumer weigh in | 00:40–05:36 | “I just don't know how you defend a position...show ID when you vote.” (Murkowski 03:48) <br> “It could disenfranchise over 20 million...” (Schumer 04:45) | | Vaccine Policy Shakeup Halted | Judge blocks federal overhaul, HHS responds | 05:36–08:54 | “HHS looks forward to this judge's decision being overturned...” (07:49) | | Counterterror Chief Resigns over Iran | Joe Kent steps down, controversy on war motives | 09:43–12:14 | “He was weak on security...when somebody is...didn't think Iran was a threat, we don't want those people.” (Trump 11:12) | | Kouri Richins Murder Verdict | Trial details, testimony, guilty verdict, analysis | 12:14–18:24 | “If someone is poisoned, what does it go down on the death certificate as...” (Prosecution, 14:33) <br> “She wanted the money...she hated her husband and she had a lover...” (Aronberg, 16:36) | | Sentencing Prediction | Expert predicts life without parole | 17:41 | “I think she's getting life without the possibility of parole... sentencing... set on May 13, which would have been Eric's 44th birthday.” (Aronberg, 17:41) |

Tone & Language

• The episode maintains an incisive, news-centered tone—reporting and analyzing, rather than opining.
• Speakers' direct quotes, especially on contentious issues (election integrity, foreign policy, crime), reflect the sharp, “no BS,” and combative style of The Megyn Kelly Show.

Conclusion

This episode distills a turbulent day in American civic life, foregrounding fierce debates over the fundamentals of democracy, contentious public health policy, national security resignations, and a dramatic true-crime verdict. Through authoritative reporting and direct source quotes, listeners are given an immediate and comprehensive understanding of the news shaping the nation.