Overview of Men Banned From Competing in Women's Sports at Olympics, Trump Orders DHS to Pay TSA: AM Update 3/27
Host: Megyn Kelly — SiriusXM AM Update, March 27, 2026.
This episode summarizes major news items: the International Olympic Committee’s new rule restricting female-category eligibility to biological females; President Trump’s statements and moves on the Iran conflict; Supreme Court oral arguments in a high‑profile asylum “metering” case; and a presidential emergency order to restore pay for TSA workers amid a DHS funding standoff.
Key points / Main takeaways
- The IOC announced a new policy making “female” Olympic eligibility limited to biological females; genetic testing will determine eligibility and the rule is not retroactive.
- President Trump claimed credit for the IOC decision, citing his 2025 executive order defending women’s sports.
- Trump announced a 10‑day pause on “energy plant destruction” in Iran while saying diplomatic talks are progressing, even as reports say the administration is considering large additional troop deployments and heavier military options.
- The U.S. Supreme Court heard argument in a case challenging the government’s “metering” policy that turns back asylum seekers before they reach U.S. ports of entry; early signals suggested the Court may side with the government.
- Facing a DHS funding impasse that left TSA workers unpaid and airports disrupted, President Trump declared a national emergency to free DHS funds to pay TSA personnel.
IOC policy: women’s category limited to biological females
- What was announced:
- The IOC published a policy that “eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females.”
- The rule takes effect before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and is not retroactive (past results/medals remain unchanged).
- Eligibility will be determined by genetic testing (saliva, cheek swab, or blood), and athletes would typically be screened once in their lifetime.
- Rationale and leadership:
- IOC President Kirsty Coventry (two‑time Olympic gold medalist, Zimbabwe) framed the rule as science‑based, citing male chromosomes as giving advantages in strength/power/endurance events and raising safety/fairness concerns.
- Context and controversies:
- The change is a major reversal from a few years prior and will affect elite competition only (IOC emphasized grassroots/recreational sport separate considerations).
- The policy follows high‑profile disputes in sports such as boxing (cases involving athletes identified as Lin Yotin and Emain Khalif were highlighted in the report).
- Political reaction:
- President Trump praised the IOC and linked the decision to his 2025 executive order aimed at excluding men from women’s sports.
Trump, Iran, and military/diplomatic posture
- Announcement:
- Trump posted that he is pausing “energy plant destruction” for 10 days (until April 6, 2026, 8 p.m. ET), attributing the pause to ongoing talks with Iran and expressing optimism about diplomacy.
- Reports and actions:
- Media outlets reported the administration is considering significant escalations, including a possible ground invasion and sending another ~10,000 troops (on top of ~5,000 already deployed).
- The White House reportedly studied scenarios for extreme oil price spikes (e.g., $200/barrel); the administration denied aspects of that reporting.
- Domestic political and economic effects:
- Polling showed rising public opposition to the war and disapproval of Trump’s handling; GOP support remains higher but not unanimous.
- Energy markets reacted: gasoline averaged about $3.98/gal (per AAA), up roughly $1 from a month prior; oil prices and supply concerns are notable economic risks.
- Administration framing:
- Trump and allies described the campaign as degrading Iran’s nuclear/strike capabilities and argued the pressure creates leverage for negotiation.
Supreme Court case on “metering” asylum policy
- Background:
- The case challenges a federal practice (often called “metering”) that lets U.S. officials turn back migrants — including asylum seekers — before they physically enter U.S. ports of entry and therefore before they can claim asylum under statutory language that applies to those who “arrive in the United States.”
- The suit was brought by asylum seekers and advocacy groups (identified in the transcript as Al Otro Lado and others) and reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Arguments at oral argument:
- Government (Assistant to the Solicitor General Vivek Suri): argued statutory text and precedent mean asylum protections attach only once a person has “arrived in the United States”; being still in Mexico means no statutory right yet.
- Petitioners’ counsel (Kelsey Corcoran): argued the metering practice departs from decades of port procedures, undermines access to asylum, and reads statutory language too narrowly.
- Justices’ tenor: several conservative justices pressed the geographic distinction (“arrive in” vs. “arrive at”), while liberal justices raised practical concerns (rewarding unlawful entry, penalizing lawful approach).
- Likely outcome (as presented):
- Court watchers and a quoted legal analyst predicted the Court is likely to rule for the government, possibly along a 6‑3 or 7‑2 conservative majority. A decision is expected by late June.
DHS funding, TSA pay crisis, and presidential emergency order
- Funding stalemate:
- Democrats refused to authorize DHS funding without reforms to ICE; as a result, parts of DHS (including TSA) faced running out of money.
- The funding gap led to pay interruptions: dozens of officers unpaid for multiple pay periods, hundreds of agents quitting or calling out, and operational strain at airports.
- Trump’s response:
- President Trump declared a national emergency to allow DHS to access funds (referred to in the transcript as the “Big Beautiful Bill”) and ordered the DHS secretary to immediately pay TSA employees.
- The move bypasses Congress temporarily and relieved immediate payroll pressure as lawmakers left for a two‑week Easter recess.
- Political fallout:
- Senate leaders said the move eased short‑term pressure on negotiations, but the funding fight and demands for ICE reform remain unresolved.
Notable quotes / soundbites
- IOC policy excerpt: “For all disciplines on the sports program of an IOC event... eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females.”
- IOC President Kirsty Coventry: “The scientific evidence is very clear. Male chromosomes give performance advantages in sports that rely on strength, power, or endurance.”
- President Trump (on True Social): “Congratulations to the IOC… This is only happening because of my powerful executive order standing up for women and girls.”
- Solicitor’s point in asylum argument: “If you’re still in Mexico, you do not yet have the right to claim asylum in America.”
Implications and what to watch next
- Sports: Expect legal challenges, national federation rule changes, and logistical questions about implementation and appeals (especially for athletes previously allowed to compete in women’s events).
- Iran conflict: Watch troop movements, diplomatic reporting, and energy market volatility; any expanded ground action would significantly raise political and economic stakes.
- Immigration law: A Supreme Court ruling for the government will likely expand executive authority to control asylum access at the border; a ruling for petitioners would constrain metering and require different operational responses at ports.
- DHS funding: The emergency order is a short‑term fix; Congress still needs to resolve long‑term DHS appropriations and ICE reform debates — airport staffing and morale remain sensitive.
Where to get the full episode
- Host Megyn Kelly on SiriusXM’s Megyn Kelly Channel (channel 111), the MK Show at noon ET, and on YouTube / podcast platforms as noted in the episode close.