Overview of AM Update — "Bondi Out as Trump Backs Gabbard, ActBlue Under Fire, UFO Allegations Raise Eyebrows" (SiriusXM, Megan Kelly) — April 3, 2026
This AM Update (hosted by Megan Kelly) reviews several fast-moving political and cultural stories: the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi and possible successors; new reporting that Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue may have misrepresented its anti-foreign-donation safeguards to Congress; dramatic claims and growing concern about missing scientists and alleged secret military/UAP programs (including sensational whistleblower allegations raised by Rep. Matt Gaetz); and a nationwide surge in adults converting to Catholicism around Easter. The segment cites reporting from major outlets (NYT, Daily Mail, National Catholic Register) and includes officials’ statements and reactions.
Key stories and facts
1) Pam Bondi ousted as Attorney General; who’s next
- President Trump announced Bondi will leave the administration; Deputy AG Todd Blanche will serve temporarily.
- Bondi said she’s "eternally grateful" for the president’s trust (posted to X).
- Reported reasons for the removal: frustration over Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files (public assurances of further disclosures followed by a joint DOJ/FBI memo closing the case) and perceived lack of aggressiveness in pursuing political opponents.
- Reported possible permanent replacements: Sen. Mike Lee (UT), Sen. Eric Schmitt (MO; former AG), EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Texas AG Ken Paxton. Zeldin reported to be a potential frontrunner and reportedly discussed the job with the president.
- Trump reportedly considered moving Bondi to DNI; instead, sources say he wants Tulsi Gabbard to stay as DNI. White House communications chief Steve Chung said the president has "total confidence" in Gabbard.
2) ActBlue warned by outside counsel about vetting weaknesses
- The New York Times reports memos from Covington & Burling (ActBlue’s former outside counsel) warned ActBlue did not have the rigor in its review of overseas donations that it told Congress.
- Concerns include a "substantial risk" that some funds were impermissible foreign contributions; earlier investigative reporting (James O’Keefe) flagged suspicious patterns of many small donations tied to single addresses.
- Republican House committees have investigated ActBlue; a 2025 interim report criticized its fraud-prevention team.
- ActBlue has said it strengthened safeguards and called investigations a "witch hunt," and in a statement called itself "the strongest and most secure infrastructure for American democracy."
- House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan tweeted that ActBlue "likely misled Congress" and investigations will continue.
3) Missing scientists, alleged espionage, and sensational UAP/alien claims
- The report recounts multiple disappearances and deaths linked to space- and defense-related scientists:
- Frank Maywald (NASA/JPL scientist; died July 2024; cause not made public)
- Monica Reza (materials scientist; reported missing June 2025)
- Retired Maj. Gen. William Neal McCasland (connected to Air Force R&D; reported missing earlier in 2026)
- Former FBI assistant director Chris Swecker suggested a pattern possibly consistent with foreign espionage and noted past targeting/assassinations of specialist scientists.
- Former Rep. Matt Gaetz claimed (on a podcast) a whistleblower alleged the military ran secret programs where aliens were forced into breeding programs with abducted humans.
- Rep. Tim Burchett — who pushes for UAP transparency — said he’s been briefed on material that would "set the earth off" and implied serious information is being withheld. He also warned that people who know are "dying or disappearing."
- These claims are extraordinary and largely anecdotal in this segment; reporting cites the Daily Mail and statements from the politicians involved.
4) Surge in Catholic conversions at Easter
- National Catholic Register surveyed 71 dioceses; most expect increases in converts this Easter.
- Notable regional figures: Archdiocese of Boston +55% year-over-year; Oklahoma City expecting ~57% more unbaptized adults entering the Church; Detroit expecting 1,400+ converts (highest in decades); Mobile, AL reporting high totals.
- Drivers cited: search for community and structure, marriage/family ties, young people seeking meaning amid rising mental-health issues, and online faith outreach (Bishop Robert Barron noted online platforms introducing people to religion).
- Pew Research shows the broader Christian population stabilizing after prior declines.
Notable quotes
- Pam Bondi (X): "I remain eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to make America safe again."
- Steve Chung (WH communications chief on Gabbard): "the president has total confidence in DNI Gabbard, and any insinuation otherwise is totally fake news."
- Covington memo (as reported): indicated a "substantial risk" some funds were impermissible foreign contributions.
- Jim Jordan (posted): "we knew ActBlue's fraud prevention measures were wholly inadequate. Now we know ActBlue likely misled Congress."
- Chris Swecker (ex-FBI): "our scientists have been targeted for a long time... I think we've even seen instances where nuclear scientists have been assassinated."
- Tim Burchett: "If they would release the things that I seen you be up at night worrying about... This country would have come unglued."
Context and implications
- DOJ leadership: Bondi’s removal could change the tone and priorities of the DOJ under Trump (Epstein-file transparency and political prosecution concerns are politically salient).
- ActBlue: If memos showing misrepresentation to Congress are substantiated, ActBlue faces continued congressional scrutiny and political fallout, potentially affecting Democratic fundraising and regulatory responses around online donation vetting.
- National security/UAP concerns: The clustering of missing or deceased scientists tied to advanced space/defense projects raises questions about espionage, security of sensitive research, and the credibility of claims linking UAPs to human/alien programs. Current reporting mixes verified events (missing scientists) with unverified and sensational allegations (forced breeding programs), indicating more investigation and official clarification are needed.
- Religious trends: The surge in Catholic converts suggests pockets of revitalization and points to online faith outreach, social isolation, and mental-health trends as contributors; it’s notable given broader, longer-term declines in religiosity.
What to watch next
- Official announcement and confirmation hearings for Bondi’s permanent replacement.
- Further releases from ActBlue, results of House committee investigations, and any legal follow-ups from the Covington memos.
- Independent reporting and official statements about the missing scientists, and whether intelligence/national-security agencies will declassify or brief Congress on related matters.
- Post-Easter confirmation of diocesan baptism/convert numbers and whether the trend continues beyond the holiday spike.
Sources cited in the segment
- The New York Times (reporting on Bondi, ActBlue)
- Daily Mail (reporting on missing scientists and expert comments)
- National Catholic Register and The New York Times (coverage of Catholic conversion numbers)
- Statements from political figures (Bondi, Jim Jordan, Steve Chung, Matt Gaetz, Tim Burchett)
(Note: the program included multiple commercial sponsorships and promotions referenced in the transcript.)