The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update (Jan 16, 2026)

Episode Theme:
A comprehensive update on the latest political, legal, and cultural flashpoints: President Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, legal setbacks for Columbia agitator Mahmoud Khalil, Senate tensions over illegal military orders, and new insight from the Twiggs family regarding the Charlie Kirk case. Megyn Kelly delivers direct analysis, sharp commentary, and headline interviews.

Main Stories & Discussion Points

1. Trump Threatens Insurrection Act in Minnesota

Summary:
Amid escalating violence in Minnesota, President Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell riots and clashes between protesters and federal immigration authorities (ICE). Tensions flare after an ambush on an ICE agent by three undocumented immigrants.

Key Segments:

• ICE Agent Attacked and Response
  • [03:50] Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recaps the incident on FOX:

    "Our agents were out doing what they're doing every single day... going after individuals that are breaking federal law."
    She describes the confrontation: agent attempted arrest, suspect tried to flee, and two men joined in the attack with "weapons and shovels and brooms," resulting in the agent shooting one attacker in the leg.

  • DHS source: The agent was "beat up pretty bad... lacerations, bruising, and an injury to his leg."
• Identity of Suspects
  • All three individuals are from Venezuela and have prior immigration violations or removal orders.
• State vs. Federal Tensions
  • [08:20] Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry blame federal authorities, emphasizing MN’s sanctuary policies restricting local cooperation with ICE.
  • [09:45] Protesters escalate the unrest, vandalizing federal vehicles, one tagged with "the only good agent is a dead one"; a protester steals a federal agent’s firearm.
  • [10:30] Border czar Tom Homan confirms the thief has been arrested:

    "The person that stole that firearm last night did not wear a set of handcuffs in custody... they're going to be held accountable."

• Trump’s Statement
  • [11:20] Trump on Truth Social:

    "If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law... I will institute the Insurrection Act... and quickly put an end to the travesty in that once great state."

• Noem’s Plea to Minnesota Leadership
  • [12:05] Secretary Noem recounts her call with Governor Walz:

    "...If you don’t like the laws, go change them, but don’t do it by giving place to these protesters and rioters..."

Memorable Quotes:

• [13:25] Noem on current considerations:

  "The president is actively considering the use of the Insurrection Act, which could mean the military will go to Minneapolis."

2. Legal Setback for Mahmoud Khalil, Columbia Student Activist

Summary:
The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals overturns the lower court ruling that allowed student activist Mahmoud Khalil’s release from ICE detention, reinforcing executive control over deportation proceedings and highlighting divisions in judicial philosophy.

Key Segments:

• The Case Background
  • Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, detained for allegedly presenting "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences."
• Court Ruling
  • [18:43] By a 2-1 vote, the appeals court finds:

    "The district court lacked jurisdiction over Khalil’s removal proceedings.”

  • Judges Hardiman and Bevis (appointees of GWB and Trump) stress only one federal challenge is permitted after the full executive process.
  • Dissent by Judge Arianna Freeman (Biden appointee):

    "...it is most unlikely that Congress intended to foreclose all forms of meaningful judicial review..."

• Khalil’s Statement (via ACLU):
  • [21:45]

    "The door may have been opened for potential redetainment down the line, but it has not closed our commitment to Palestine..."

• Analysis from Attorney Mike Davis:
  • [22:20]

    “The Supreme Court does not need to take this case… unless there’s a circuit split. My unsolicited advice to the Trump administration is to house these immigrants in Delaware, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania before deportation—these states are bound by the appellate court ruling.”

3. Senate Armed Services Committee: Democrats Press Military Nominees on 'Illegal Orders'

Summary:
Two top security nominees, Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd (NSA) and Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan (US Southern Command), face repeated Democratic questioning on whether they’d resist “unlawful orders.” GOP senators call the focus overblown.

Key Segments:

• Hypothetical Scenarios & Law
  • [25:30] Sen. Alyssa Slotkin (D-MI) to Gen. Rudd:

    "Can you answer for me? If the Secretary of Defense or the President... asks you to put NSA or military intel assets targeted at American citizens... will you reject that?"

  • Rudd’s reply:

    "I will execute my responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and all applicable laws."

• Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to Gen. Donovan:
  • [27:00]

    "If your legal advisor tells you that an order is illegal, will you refuse to carry out that order?"
    Donovan:
    "I will take that very seriously... and seek clarification from higher headquarters."

• Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) Pushback:
  • [28:15]

    "I can't get back and be here for fewer than two minutes without hearing the Democrats talk about illegal orders.... Have you ever received an illegal order?"

    Donovan: "No, Senator."
  • Cotton:

    "It seems our military does a very good job of training our troops... and the commander in chief not to issue illegal orders."

• Confirmation Outlook:
  • Both nominees expected to receive approval; no vote scheduled yet.

4. Twiggs Family Speaks Out in Charlie Kirk Murder Case

Summary:
A family member of Lance Twiggs, alleged boyfriend and roommate of accused Charlie Kirk murderer Tyler Robinson, breaks her silence on Twiggs’ role, mental state, and cooperation with investigators.

Key Segments:

• Private Messages Between Robinson & Twiggs
  • [30:00] DA Jeffrey Gray reveals texts: Robinson confesses, Twiggs is stunned and in disbelief.
    • Robinson: “I am still okay, my love, but I’m stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet.”
    • Twiggs: “You weren’t the one who did it, right?”
    • Robinson: “I am. I’m sorry.”
• Family Member Interview (News Nation):
  • [31:05]

    “For the first few weeks, because there were so many threats against his family... they had a little bit of FBI detail and... moved around... now he’s with his family.”

• On Police Cooperation
  • [32:10] The family member disputes stories of voluntary cooperation:

    “He did not come forward on his own... He handed things over when they asked him, but he wasn't... he didn't give up any information until he had to.”

• On Background and Relationship
  • [33:10]

    “They were so smart with so much potential... Twiggs is a gifted concert pianist. They just went down a dark path in the online world... didn’t seem like they were in the real world.”

• Certainty of Evidence
  • [34:00]

    “I’m 100% certain authorities have the correct suspect with Tyler Robinson.”

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "This kind of violence is perpetuated by what we hear the governor... and mayor... saying, and their irresponsibility is extremely reckless." – Kristi Noem (03:50)
• "If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law... I will institute the Insurrection Act..." – President Trump (11:20)
• "I will execute my responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and all applicable laws." – Gen. Joshua Rudd (25:40)
• "My unsolicited advice to the Trump administration is to house these immigrants in Delaware, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania..." – Mike Davis, Article 3 Project (22:20)
• "He did not come forward on his own... he didn't give up any information until he had to." – Twiggs Family Member (32:10)

Tone & Style

Megyn Kelly delivers rapid-fire updates, sharp analysis, and unvarnished commentary, mixing legal insight, sarcasm, and direct challenges to political and media narratives. The coverage blends hard news reporting with Kelly’s signature opinionated asides.

Useful for Listeners

This summary provides the latest developments on political violence, immigration law, executive authority, congressional hearings, and a high-profile murder investigation—all in Kelly’s uncompromising tone, with timestamps for easy reference and original language preserved for clarity.