The Megyn Kelly Show - Vance on Iran Talks, Colombia Elects Right-Wing Outsider, Etan Patz Ruling Reversed: AM Update 6/23

Episode Date: June 23, 2026

Vice President JD Vance touts progress in high-level talks with Iran, including renewed nuclear inspections, temporary oil-sanctions relief and a new mechanism aimed at preventing renewed war across the Middle East. A Utah judge hands prosecutors two key victories in the case against accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, while delaying a decision on whether an alleged gag-order violation could take the death penalty off the table. Trump-backed political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella claims victory in Colombia’s presidential election, promising a Bukele-style crackdown on crime and closer cooperation with the United States. The Supreme Court reinstates Pedro Hernandez’s murder conviction in the 1979 disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz, overturning a federal appeals court ruling that had cleared the way for a third trial.   Supersure Insurance: Upgrade your business insurance to a year-round SuperAgency at https://Supersure.com/Megyn   Cozy Earth: Visit https://www.CozyEarth.com & Use code MEGYN for up to 20% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Emily Dyshinsky, host of After Party and the Megan Kelly wrap-up show on SiriusXM Channel 111. It's Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026, and this is your AM update. The first step in permanently denuclearizing or permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran. Vice President J.D. Vance touting progress in talks with Iran, from nuclear inspections and oil sanctions to a broader effort to prevent renewed war across the Middle East. The court concludes the Eighth Amendment concerns identified by defendant are not implicated at this stage of the proceedings. A Utah judge handing prosecutors two victories in the case against accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, while delaying a ruling that could take the death penalty off the table. A Trump-backed political outsider claiming victory in Colombia, promising a Buckele-style crackdown as Latin America continues its shift to the right. and the Supreme Court reinstating the murder conviction.

In one of New York's most infamous missing child cases, nearly five decades after six-year-old Aiton Pates disappeared. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. When you sign your insurance agency for some brokers, that is the finish line. It's a handshake. They get their commission done. Then you may not hear again from them until it's time for renewal

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a lot of good progress. Mr. Vance announcing what he described as a major breakthrough. We, and this is probably what we're most excited about as Americans, the Iranians have agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back into their country. That is a major milestone for the American people in the first step in permanently denuclearizing or permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran. And that's exactly what we wanted to do. That's exactly what we asked to happen. We made a lot of great progress on other nuclear talks. Iran, however, almost immediately pushing back on the administration. account, a spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry insisting on state media that Tehran will

continue cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency only under its existing procedures and has accepted no new obligations. Iran's parliament restricting cooperation with the agency last summer and suspending routine inspections, though state media claims inspectors have continued receiving case-by-case access to active facilities. Iranian officials also claiming the country's nuclear program was not negotiated during. the Switzerland meetings at all. President Trump dismissing that denial, writing on truth social, quote, everybody is fully aware that Iran will agree to have major weapons inspections in order to ensure nuclear honesty long into the future. Mr. Vantz similarly warning reporters against

taking Tehran's public statements at face value, pointing to Iranian claims that its delegation was preparing to abandon the negotiations only for the talks to continue for another nine hours. Even as the two sides dispute progress on nuclear talks, the administration moving forward with immediate sanctions relief. The Treasury Department issuing a temporary 60-day license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil. Part of the preliminary agreement signed last week, giving negotiators two months to reach a final deal. President Trump, yesterday from the Oval, touting the renewed flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. We took in more oil yesterday than we've ever than has ever gone through the strait. probably see that. We have an oil gusher. The strait is totally open. You know that? And we're

negotiated. We'll see how that all goes. But we have two things. We have an open strait, and we have a country that will never have a nuclear weapon. We'll never, ever have a nuclear weapon. The New York Times acknowledging that while the strait is open, traffic still remains below pre-war levels. Separately, Mr. Vance outlining a proposed framework for any Iranian assets that may eventually be unfrozen. If there is any frozen Iranian assets that are unfrozen, then we have approval over that process. The Qataris have approval over that process. And then the money would actually go to buy American soy, American corn, and American wheat for the benefit of the Iranian people. But fundamentally, what Jared and the Qataris and the entire team here in Bergenstock

accomplished is, to me, a classic Trump deal. where if Iranian assets are ever unfrozen, they're going to go to make American farmers richer and to feed the Iranian people. That's a very, very good and very classic Trump deal. That's great for our people, great for the people of Iran, and fundamentally, again, will contribute to this regional security architecture that we've built and that we're going to work very hard to ensure that it endures. On the broader regional ceasefire, Vice President Vance acknowledging the situation between Israel and Hesbola remains a work in progress.

We also want to make sure that, you know, when things happen, they don't spiral into a broader escalation. And so we've been, I think, very good at setting up what we're calling a deconfliction mechanism, but you've got a junior guy who fires a drone that didn't have approval from the high command. Okay, of course, Israel has to respond to that. But then sometimes that response, we could actually have a better and more peaceful situation if Israel responds in the context of a conversation that's ongoing between Hezbollah, Lebanon,

Israel, and other partners in the region. There really hasn't been a mechanism to have those discussions until basically around 4 p.m. yesterday, Bergenstock time when we set that up. Now, I will say you already see the fruits of that. Over the past 24 hours, it's probably been the most peaceful that we've seen the situation in Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon now expected to hold another round of talks in Washington in the coming day. as technical negotiations between the United States and Iran continue under the 60-day framework. Utah Judge Tony Graff handing prosecutors two victories yesterday in the case against accused Charlie

Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, while putting off a decision that could affect whether prosecutors are allowed to pursue the death penalty. The rulings following a hearing last month, were both sides argued over the defense's request for sanctions against prosecutors, and whether hearsay evidence should be allowed at Robinson's preliminary hearing set for next month. Judge Graff ruling prosecutors will be allowed to use certain cursae evidence during the preliminary hearing. The defense arguing prosecutors should be required to present witnesses directly rather than rely on statements repeated by investigators. The judge rejecting that argument, explaining that a preliminary hearing is governed by a lower evidentiary standard than a

trial. Because a preliminary hearing is limited to determining probable cause rather than guilt or innocence. Due process does not necessarily require all the evidentiary safeguards applicable at trial. It serves only to determine whether probable cause exists to believe the charges charged defenses were committed because defendant's guilt, innocence, and punishment are not at issue during the preliminary hearing. The court concludes the Eighth Amendment concerns identified by defendant are not implicated at this stage of the proceedings. Los Angeles County prosecutor Josh Ritter explaining yesterday on Fox News that the ruling keeps Robinson's hearing in line with the normal preliminary hearing process. When it comes to a preliminary

hearing, usually you don't bring in all of the witnesses. It's a much lower standard. You're not talking about beyond a reasonable doubt. You're just talking about probable cause. And to just kind of expedite things, many times they allow for hearsay evidence because the judge doesn't need to arrive at that serious decision of beyond a reasonable doubt. So the rules of evidence are a little different. The defense was essentially trying to recreate the wheel and ask for the same standards of proof to be used or the same standards of evidence to be used at the prelim level that would be used at the trial level. And it's good that the judge finally arrived at this decision. Judge Graff stopping short, however, of ruling on the defense's request to sanctioned prosecutors

for allegedly violating the judge's gag order on the case. Robinson's attorneys accusing Utah County attorney Chris Ballard of violating the court's gag order by publicly discussing an ATF report tied to the evidence in the case. The defense asking Judge Graff to sanction prosecutors by removing the death penalty as a possible punishment. Prosecutors calling that proposed penalty grossly disproportionate to the alleged violation. Graff explaining that additional filing submitted shortly before yesterday's hearing required more time to review, pushing his decision to another hearing set for Friday morning. Additionally, Judge Graff rejecting the defense's attempt to require Lance Twiggs, Robinson's former roommate and romantic partner,

to testify in person at Robinson's preliminary hearing. Defense attorneys seeking the opportunity to question Twigs about his agreement to cooperate with prosecutors, hoping to cast doubt on the account he gave investigators. Graff ruling that those broader questions about Twigs' credibility can be fought over later at trial, and that the defense has not shown his live testimony was likely to stop the case from moving forward. Prosecutors will instead be allowed to present Twiggs's recorded statements to investigators. Robinson's preliminary hearing remains scheduled for July 6th through the 10th. The proceedings will be open to the public and streamed online, though spectators entering the courtroom will be prohibited from bringing phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, electronic glasses,

and other electronic devices. Robinson remains held without bond on seven charges, including aggravated murder, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. He has not yet entered a plea. Coming up, a Trump-endorsed political newcomer winning Columbia's presidency, with promises to crush the cartels

and follow Naïeb Buckelé's tough-on-crime model, and the Supreme Court restoring the conviction of the man found guilty of killing six-year-old Aiton Pates in 1979. What does it feel like when your clothes actually feel good. This summer, cozy Earth makes a strong case that what you wear at home matters just as much as what you wear out, maybe more. And you've got to try the brushed bamboo jogger set to kick it off, all right? Made from viscos with bamboo, it's lightweight, breathable, and unbelievably soft. The fit is spot on tapered, yet relaxed with enough structure to feel put together

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Colombia electing conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espritia as its next president, according to the initial vote count, marking a sharp rejection of the country's left-wing government. With nearly all polling stations reporting, De La Esprita, defeating progressive Senator Ivan Sepeda by roughly one percentage point. The lawyer and businessman declaring victory Sunday night in a voiceover translated by Reuters. I appear before you tonight to announce the most important news of my life.

The Colombian people have entrusted me with the supreme honor of serving them as their next president of the Republic of Colombia. The results still undergoing Colombia's full legal review process, which requires judges and notaries to verify the count

before the winner is formally certified. Sepeda, refusing to concede, telling supporters on Sunday he intends to challenge the results. No presidential election in Colombian history has been overturned through that process. Barring a historic reversal, 47-year-old De La Espreya will take office August 7th after winning the presidency in his first ever campaign for public office. Supporters pouring into the streets as the results came in, celebrating with cheers, carhorns, and Vuvizelas. De La Espreya, known to Supplya, known to Supporters' supporters.

supporters as The Tiger, building his campaign around nationalism, economic reform, and an aggressive crackdown on the drug cartels and armed groups that have expanded during current President Gustavo Petro's tenure. A political newcomer with a highly polished social media operation, De La Espritia, presenting himself as an anti-establishment figure capable of restoring order and reviving Colombia's struggling economy. His security proposals drawing frequent comparisons to Salvador and President Naïbe Bucale, including plans to abandon Petro's peace talks with armed groups and construct 10 new mega prisons.

Buccelli's crackdown transforming El Salvador from one of the world's most violent countries into one of the safest in the region, earning him enormous public support despite criticism from human rights groups over mass detentions. President Trump giving De La Espritia his quote, complete and total endorsement earlier this month, calling him an intelligent, strong, and tough leader

who would stand up to the radical left. The president also warning the election would have major consequences for Colombia's relationship with the United States. De La Espreya, a naturalized U.S. citizen who lived and worked in Florida for more than a decade, promising closer cooperation with the Trump administration against the drug trade, including the eradication of coca crops, crackdown on cocaine shipments headed north and possible Colombian participation in a new U.S.-led military coalition targeting cartels. On the economy, De La Espreya borrowing from Argentine President Javier Miele's free market playbook

with promises to slash the sides of the state and broaden the tax base while also restarting oil exploration and allowing fracking. De La Espreya's victory marking the latest in a series of elections moving Latin America to the right, following conservative wins in Argentina, Peru, El Salvador, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia and Panama in recent years. The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday reinstating the murder conviction of Pedro Hernandez in the disappearance of six-year-old Aiton Pates, restoring the verdict in one of New York City's most notorious missing child cases. Aiton vanishing on May 25, 1979, after leaving his family's Soho apartment to walk two blocks to his school bus stop by himself for the first time.

The six-year-old carrying a dollar to buy a soda along the way, but never reaching the same. the bus or arriving at school. His mother calling police when he failed to come home that afternoon, launching an enormous search involving nearly 100 officers, bloodhounds, and missing child posters bearing Aiton's face plastered across the city. His remains have never been found. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office formally reopening the investigation in 2010. Two years later, federal agents and New York police excavating the basement of a building near the Pate's family's former home, generating renewed attention around the decades-old disembassified. that renewed investigation prompting Pedro Hernandez's brother-in-law to contact authorities.

Hernandez had told relatives and others years earlier that he had killed a child in New York, admissions his brother-in-law believed could be connected to Aeton. At the time of the disappearance, Hernandez was an 18-year-old employee at a neighborhood bodega near Aiton's bus stop. Detectives questioning Hernandez in May of 2012, with Hernandez confessing after several hours that he offered Aiton a drink, lured him into the bodega's basement, strangled him, then dumped his body in an alley where trash was collected. Police then reading Hernandez's Miranda rights, with Hernandez waving those rights and confessing multiple times afterward.

Investigators then driving him to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, where he received another Miranda warning and delivered another videotaped confession to a prosecutor. The defense maintaining that those admissions were false, describing Hernandez as intellectually limited and mentally ill with the history of hallucinations. Hernandez going on trial for the first time in 2015, that case ending in a hung jury after one juror refused to join the other 11 in voting to convict. Prosecutors trying Hernandez again beginning in 2016, at a second trial jurors asking whether they should disregard Hernandez's

later confessions if they believed his first confession was involuntary. The judge answering simply quote, no. The jury then convicting Hernandez in 2017 of kidnapping and felony murder, the court sentencing him to 25 years to life in prison. After exhausting his appeals through New York state courts, Hernandez then turning to the federal courts to challenge his conviction, arguing that the trial judge should have given jurors a more complete explanation of whether the initial confession could have tainted those that followed. Hernandez's case, eventually working its way up to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which last summer, overturned his conviction and found that jurors should have received a fuller explanation about how to

consider his confessions. The ruling requiring prosecutors either to try Hernandez for a third time or release him. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office preparing for another trial while simultaneously asking the Supreme Court to restore the original conviction. The High Court, citing with prosecutors in a six-three decision, liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Katanji Brown-Jackson dissenting. The unsigned majority opinion, concluding that the Second Circuit exceeded the limited authority federal courts have to overturn convictions reached in state court. The Supreme Court, therefore reinstating Hernandez's 2017 conviction, ending preparations for a third trial, and leaving his original sentence in place. Hernandez remaining at the Elmira Correctional Facility in upstate

New York, where he is serving 25 years to life and becomes eligible for parole in 2037. That'll do it for your AM update. I'm Emily Jashinsky, host of After Party. Catch the Megan Kelly Show live on Sirius XMs, the Megan Kelly Channel 11 at noon east on YouTube.com slash Megan Kelly and all podcast platforms.