Overview of ICE Deploying to Airports, Illegal Arrested in Chicago Murder, Trump Iran Ultimatum: AM Update 3/23
Host Megan Kelly on SiriusXM’s AM Update summarizes major breaking news on March 23, 2026: a DHS funding impasse is crippling TSA operations and prompting talk of deploying ICE to airports; a Chicago college student was fatally shot and a suspect with an immigration history was arrested; President Trump issued a 48‑hour ultimatum to Iran with threats to strike energy infrastructure; and the search for Nancy Guthrie (Savannah Guthrie’s mother) continues into week seven with renewed FBI focus and family pleas.
Key stories
DHS funding impasse, TSA staffing crisis, and proposed ICE deployment
- Background: DHS funding lapsed mid‑February amid fights over ICE/Border Patrol reforms; ICE remains funded under a bill from last summer, but TSA and other DHS divisions are not.
- Immediate impact: Roughly 50,000 TSA agents are working without pay; more than 400 have quit so far; long security lines and hours‑long waits reported at major airports (Atlanta, LaGuardia, Bush/DFW, LaGuardia).
- Political stalemate: Senate legislation needs 60 votes; Democrats want partial funding for TSA/Coast Guard until reforms are agreed; Republicans demand full DHS funding. Sen. John Fetterman is the only Democrat so far to cross party lines to fund DHS.
- Trump/Administration actions and proposals:
- President Trump floated moving ICE agents to airports via Truth Social to “do security.”
- Former ICE/Border official Tom Homan and others say ICE has relevant law‑enforcement training and already do some airport work (investigations, smuggling).
- Critics (House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries) warn ICE is not trained for frontline airport screening and raise civil‑liberties and safety concerns.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned more agents may quit if paychecks don’t resume.
- Elon Musk offered to privately pay TSA salaries during the impasse (response from White House unclear).
Chicago homicide — Sheridan Gorman killed; suspect arrested
- Victim: Sheridan Gorman, 18, a first‑year Loyola University Chicago business student from New York, shot once in the back near Loyola Beach near 1 a.m.; pronounced dead at scene.
- Suspect: DHS/Chicago police identified and arrested Jose Medina, described as an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela. Reports say he entered the U.S. in 2023 and had prior encounters (arrested & released; failed to appear in court). DHS requested an ICE detainer; Chicago’s sanctuary policy blocks honoring detainers without a court order.
- Investigations: Police recovered a firearm from an apartment and are doing ballistics; surveillance footage tracked the suspect; motive not yet determined. Family and classmates issued pleas and remembrances.
Trump’s ultimatum to Iran and wider war updates
- Operation Epic Fury: In week four, Trump said U.S. is close to objectives (degrading missiles, destroying Iranian defense industry, neutralizing Navy and Air Force, preventing nuclear path).
- Ultimatum: Trump threatened on Truth Social to “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours (deadline cited as 7:44 p.m. tonight). This marks a shift from prior stated restraint on striking civilian infrastructure.
- Administration stance: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and others acknowledged this is an escalation; “all options” persist, including ground seizure of Kharg Island, per questioning.
- Iranian response: Iranian military warned it would retaliate against U.S. and regional fuel, energy, IT, and desalination infrastructure if attacked.
- Military incidents: Iranian missiles struck southern Israel (injuring ~115); reported missile launches toward Diego Garcia failed or were intercepted; Iran denies some launches. Concerns raised about Iran’s missile range.
- Public opinion and domestic effects: Gas up to $3.94/gal (diesel > $5). CBS polling shows shrinking confidence: 57% say the war is going badly; only 40% support military action (down from 44%); 68% say the administration hasn’t clearly explained goals. Sharp partisan divides on support.
Search for Nancy Guthrie
- Status: Missing 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie (mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie); case enters seventh week with no suspect identified.
- FBI activity: Increased neighborhood canvass — renewed interest in a vacant home, workers/contractors on nearby construction, and a neighbor who moved out before the disappearance.
- Investigative leads: Reports suggest the FBI seeks names of contractors/workers; retired SWAT and a homicide detective raised the possibility vacant homes as staging areas and that multiple accomplices (up to four) may have aided a masked figure seen on security footage.
- Family plea: Guthrie family urged community members to check cameras, texts, journals and recollections of key dates (Jan 11, Jan 31/Feb 1). Savannah Guthrie posted “I believe” on Instagram.
Notable quotes
- President Trump: “If the radical left Democrats don't immediately sign an agreement... I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE agents to the airports where they will do security like no one has ever seen before.”
- Trump (Truth Social, re Iran): “Hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first.”
- Hakeem Jeffries (on ICE deployment): Warned ICE agents “potentially to brutalize or in some instances kill them.”
- Tom Homan (on ICE capabilities): Argued ICE agents are “high level” and already work at many airports on investigations and can relieve TSA for screening tasks.
Data & quick facts
- TSA: ~50,000 agents unpaid; 400+ quit since funding lapse.
- Senate threshold: 60 votes needed to advance DHS funding bill; only Sen. John Fetterman (D‑PA) has voted to fund DHS.
- Chicago victim: Sheridan Gorman, 18.
- Suspect: Jose Medina, identified as Venezuelan national; prior border encounter in May 2023 and earlier released on recognizance.
- Trump ultimatum: 48‑hour deadline (cited 7:44 p.m. deadline).
- Gas prices: National average ~$3.94/gal; diesel > $5/gal.
- Polling (CBS): 57% say the war is going badly; 40% support current military action; 68% say administration has not clearly explained goals.
Takeaways and what to watch next
- Airports: Expect continued travel disruptions if DHS funding isn’t resolved — watch for Senate movement, local airport staffing updates, and any formal policy to shift ICE duties into airport security roles.
- Legal/political: The ICE deployment proposal and sanctuary city policies could prompt legal battles and political escalation between federal and local authorities.
- Chicago homicide: Investigation ongoing — ballistics results, motive, and any federal immigration enforcement actions related to detainer requests are developments to monitor.
- Iran conflict: The 48‑hour ultimatum and any strike on energy/desalination infrastructure could broaden the conflict and further affect global markets, shipping routes, and public support; monitor official statements, military actions, and allied Gulf states’ responses.
- Nancy Guthrie case: FBI neighborhood work and any new surveillance or witness tips may provide breakthroughs; public appeals remain critical.
Sources & context
- This summary is based on Megan Kelly’s AM Update broadcast on SiriusXM (March 23, 2026) and referenced reporting cited in the transcript (network interviews, Fox/ABC/CBS reporting, local stations, and international outlets).