Intel Chiefs Grilled Over Iran, Tense Mullin Hearing, Harry & Meghan's Netflix Drama: AM Update 3/19

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Good morning, everyone.

I'm Emily Gisinski, host of Afterparty and the Megan Kelly Wrap-Up Show on Series

XM Channel 111.

It's Thursday, March 19th, 2026.

And this is your AM update.

The regime in Iran appears to be intact, but largely degraded due to attacks on its leadership

and military capabilities.

Top Intel officials testifying in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee yesterday

on worldwide threats to the U.S.

You told the media that I was a freaking snake, and that you completely understood why

I had been assaulted.

Senator Mark Wayne Mullin appears in an at-times contentious confirmation hearing for

DHS Secretary.

President Trump paying tribute to U.S. service members killed in the campaign against

Iran at a dignified transfer ceremony.

In new reporting from Variety, shining light on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's deteriorating

relationship with Netflix, all that more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.

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Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, FBI Director

Cash Patel, and two other top officials appearing yesterday before the Senate Intelligence

Committee, testifying on threats to the US from adversaries around the world.

Much of the hearing centering on Iran as the US continues its military operation targeting

the regime's capabilities.

Officials saying that over the last several weeks, US and Israeli forces striking more

than 7,000 targets and killing dozens of senior Iranian leaders, Director Gabbard offering

the latest assessment of the intelligence community, also known as the IC.

The IC assesses the regime in Iran, appears to be intact but largely degraded due to

attacks on its leadership and military capabilities.

Its conventional military power projection capabilities have largely been destroyed, leaving

limited options.

Iran's strategic position has been significantly degraded.

Even if the regime remains intact, the IC assesses that internal tensions are likely to

increase as Iran's economy worsens.

Earlier this week, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, resigning over his

opposition to the war, writing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the US.

Senator John Kornin, Republican from Texas, pressing CIA Director Ratcliffe on that claim.

Is there anything to indicate that Iran had ceased in its nuclear ambitions or in its desire

to continue to build ballistic missiles capable of threatening American troops and allies

in the Middle East?

Senator No, in fact the intelligence reflects the contrary.

So you disagree with Mr. Kent?

I do.

I would think any fair-minded assessment of the situation even based on open sources would

reflect the danger Iran poses, the regime poses to the United States.

Isn't it true they've basically been at war with the West since 1979 during the Iranian

Revolution and have American blood on their hands?

That's absolutely correct, I think Iran has been a constant threat to the United States

for an extended period of time and posed an immediate threat at this time.

Officials also warning of a shifting terrorism threat landscape inside the United States.

In recent weeks, multiple Islamist-inspired attacks reported across the country, including

a shooting in Austin, an attempted IED attack in New York, a classroom shooting at Old

Dominion University, and a vehicle attack targeting a synagogue preschool.

Director Gabbard describing a trend toward more decentralized threats.

We're increasingly we are seeing less indicators of large-scale organized complex threats

or attacks and instead efforts focused on individuals either who have been radicalized

by Islamist propaganda and may not have ever had contact with ISIS or al-Qaeda for

example and others who have had contact of which we are able to have more indications

of director Patel asked about the FBI's collaboration with DHS encountering terror threats

to the US.

Well, we have stood up around the country of 59 homeland security task forces in 59 separate

locations.

The FBI owns 56 joint terrorism task forces in each of our field offices on top of that.

We have 50-59 HSTFs, which are co-led by the FBI and DHS.

What that allows us to do is things like we did down in New Orleans just over the holiday

period where we searched for a six-week period of time and where we dropped the murder rate

by double digit points and also the first time that Mardi Gras in its entire history had

not one homicide.

When you bring the powers of the homeland security folks, DHS and the FBI together, this

is the purpose of it to get after not just the terrorism threat but the violence and

the criminal activity in our cities and that's why we're in 59 cities across the country

and it's working in places like Memphis and every other city we have it.

Senator Mark Wayne Mullin, Republican from Oklahoma, appearing before the Senate Homeland Security

and governmental affairs committee yesterday, for his confirmation hearing to replace outgoing

DHS secretary, Kristi Nome, President Trump reassigning secretary Nome to the role of special

envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a Western Hemisphere Security Initiative, effective

March 31st.

The President making the move amid a string of controversies for Nome, including allegations

of an affair, spending $220 million on an ad campaign and fall out over her handling

of an ice surge in Minnesota.

Senator Mullin facing a tough round of questioning from committee chair, Republican Senator Rand

Paul of Kentucky, Senator Paul describing an assault he suffered from a neighbor in

2017, leaving the Senator with broken ribs and months of complicated recovery.

The Senator then bringing up comments made by Senator Mullin to others amid a disagreement

between the two about a piece of legislation.

You told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you completely understood why I

had been assaulted.

I was shocked that we just defined, celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much

pain.

I just wonder if someone who uploads violence against their political opponents is the

right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force.

You have never had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me that the assault was justified.

So today you'll have your chance or tell it to my face.

If that's what you believe, tell it to me today, tell the world why you believe I deserve

to be assaulted from behind.

Senator Mullin responding.

I did not say I supported it.

I said I understood it.

There's a difference.

By following you, by following you, that means you really didn't approve of it.

Just completely understand it.

What do you think most people would interpret, completely understand to be support for or

a condemnation of the violence?

Sir, as I said, we can have our differences.

It's not going to keep me from doing my job as Secretary of Homeland Security.

I'm going to secure Kentucky and take care of Kentucky as much as I am open to.

Appearing behind Senator Mullin in support of his nomination, head of the Teamsters Union,

Sean O'Brien.

Senator Mullin wants challenging O'Brien to a fight during a Senate hearing, the two

nearly coming to blows, but later going on to talk out their differences and becoming

unlikely friends.

Mr. Mullin pointing to that relationship as an effective example of settling differences.

In his opening statement, Senator Mullin emphasizing the importance of passing a funding bill

for the department he hopes to run.

Lawmakers at an impasse since February 14, leaving DHS in shutdown mode.

Several employees like TSA agents still expected to work, but without pay until a bill is passed.

Senator Mullin also questioned several times about ICE operations in Minnesota, including

two fatal confrontations involving agitators who inserted themselves into law enforcement

operations.

Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut questioning Mr. Mullin about the officer involved

shooting of Renee Good.

You asked whether you believe the shooting was justified and you replied, quote, absolutely.

Do you regret that statement as well?

Senator, it's very clear that an officer had to make a split decision, in that case,

as a car was running towards him and did strike him.

At that point, that car becomes a lethal weapon.

Senators also questioning Mullin about a mysterious 2015 overseas trip, who revealed for

the first time it was part of a classified assignment while serving in Congress.

Here in exchange with Democrat Senator Gary Peters of Michigan.

This is a official trip and it is classified, but in 2015, I was asked to train with a very

small contingency and go to a certain area, which was scheduled for 2016.

During that time, I was asked to go through, had to meet certain training qualifications,

certain qualifications, had to go through to your training, and there was nothing in the

report to the committee actually said you did not have to claim any official trips.

And like I said, that was an official trip that is classified.

This is an official trip while you remember Congress.

Yes.

So where was that trip?

I just said it's classified, sir.

It's classified.

The letter that we sent you said that we need to have information of any of these activities

to provide official trips.

We will want to find out more information about that.

That's perfect.

I'm going to have the truth here and that you're portraying yourself in a truthful way.

The Senator agreeing to share more information with the committee in a classified setting.

Despite some contentious exchanges, including those with Senator Paul, who has said he will

not vote for his colleague, Mullin also scoring bipartisan praise.

After Senator John Federman, Democrat from Pennsylvania, who offered an early endorsement

of Mr. Mullin and is likely to be the key vote advancing his nomination out of committee.

And Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio.

My experience with you has been consisting kindness and professionalism.

I just want to thank you for showing up.

And now I'm going to engage and I'm going to remain with an open mind throughout all

this.

And I just want the American people to know you're a good man.

You will be confirmed.

You will have the job and you're going to make this country safer and better for that.

I thank you and thank your family for supporting you.

The committee could vote as early as today.

If successful, it would then go to a full Senate vote, where Senator Mullin is expected

to be confirmed.

Coming up, President Trump honoring fallen U.S. service members at a dignified transfer

ceremony.

And new reporting from variety on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's deteriorating Netflix

relationship.

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President Trump yesterday at Dover Air Force Base attending the dignified transfer service

of six U.S. service members killed amid Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

All six crew members aboard a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft killed last week when

it went down over friendly airspace in Western Iraq.

U.S. Central Command or SENTCOM stating the crash involved another airplane which landed

safely and was, quote, not due to hostile or friendly fire.

The incident is under investigation.

Three of the deceased assigned to the sixth air refueling wing at McDill Air Force Base

in Florida.

33-year-old Major John Alex Cleaner of Alabama, 31-year-old Captain Ariana Savino of Washington,

and 34-year-old technical sergeant Ashley Pruitt of Kentucky.

The other three deceased assigned to the 121st air refueling wing at Rickenbacher Air National

Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.

38-year-old Captain Seth Koval of Indiana, 30-year-old Captain Curtis Angst of Ohio, and 28-year-old

Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons, also of Ohio.

At the request of the families, no cameras were present for the solemn ceremony.

The transfer marking the second time President Trump has attended such a ceremony since the

start of Operation Epic Fury late last month.

At least 13 members of the military killed since the beginning of the campaign against Iran,

according to the Pentagon, around 200 more wounded, including 10 with severe injuries,

and then nearly three weeks since the operation began.

The strikes continuing.

St. Combe on Tuesday announcing the targeting of Iranian anti-ship missile sites with

5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs near the strait of her moves.

Global shipping through the critical waterway down dramatically since the beginning of the

conflict due to threats of Iranian attack.

This declined sending oil prices to more than $100 per barrel.

NATO allies so far failing to volunteer to help keep the strait open despite President

Trump's calls for assistance.

The President slamming those countries, especially NATO allies, Tuesday from the Oval.

All of our NATO allies were very much in favor of what we did.

They thought it was very important that we take out the nuclear threat from Iran, and

we've done that very strongly, very powerfully.

And despite the fact that we helped them so much, we have thousands of soldiers in different

countries all over the world, and they don't want to help us, which is amazing, I mean

amazing.

And I didn't do a full-court press because I think if I did, they probably would be,

but we don't need help.

So I think NATO is making a very bullish mistake, and I've long said that I wonder whether

or not NATO would ever be there for us.

So this was a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there.

Yesterday morning, the President posting to true social quote, I wonder what would happen

if we finished off what's left of the Iranian terror state and let the countries that use

it, we don't, be responsible for the so-called strait.

That would get some of our non-responsive allies in gear and fast.

Rising oil prices, driving up consumer costs here at home.

The National Gas Price average yesterday hitting $3.84 per gallon, the most expensive since

September 2023.

Last month, a gallon averaging $2.92.

A new report from Variety finding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship with Netflix

deteriorating as the couple struggles to turn early buzz into lasting Hollywood success.

The former royals signing their headline-making deal with Netflix back in September 2020,

reportedly worth anywhere from $30 million to more than $100 million.

With the expectation, they would build out a full-scale entertainment empire under their

company Archwell Productions.

At the center of that deal, a docu-series examining their departure from the British royal family.

According to Variety, Netflix caught off guard early on, when Harry and Meghan sat down

with Oprah, effectively scooping their own series.

Harry reporting the streamer only learned about the interview at the last minute.

A Sussex spokesperson denies that claim, saying Netflix was aware of the interview.

Netflix reportedly surprised again to learn of Penguin Random House's plans to publish

Harry's January 2023 memoir, Spare, covering much of the same ground as the docu-series.

Variety reporting Netflix ultimately moved up the release of the show to December 2022, ensuring

it premiered ahead of the book.

Harry and Meghan, going on to draw more than 81 million hours viewed in its first four

days, becoming the biggest documentary debut in Netflix history.

Since then, Archwell Productions failing to produce another smash hit.

Most recently, Netflix stepping back from Markle's lifestyle brand as ever, eventually tied

closely to her flailing series with Love, Meghan, a cooking and lifestyle show featuring

celebrity cameos and product tie-ins.

The show premiered last March, briefly landing in Netflix's Top 10.

The second batch of episodes filmed at the same time as the first, but presented as a second

season, falling flat.

Variety reporting Netflix now left with more than $10 million worth of unsold as ever products,

some of which they have resorted to giving away.

With Love, Meghan was not picked up for a third season that was spokesperson for the Sussexes,

while Variety, the series will continue as seasonal specials.

Three sources telling the outlet, Netflix's CEO Ted Serandos and Chief Content Officer

Bella Baharia have grown frustrated with the partnership.

A Netflix spokesperson telling Variety, it is inaccurate that the executives have lost

faith in the couple.

More than five years into the deal, Harry and Meghan yet to deliver the scripted projects

originally envisioned, though two book adaptations remain in development.

That'll do it for your AM update.

I'm Emily Gisinski, host of Afterparty, catch the Meghan Kelly show live on Serious Exams,

the Meghan Kelly channel 111 at Noonies on youtube.com, slash Meghan Kelly, and all podcast

platforms.

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