Overview of Savannah Guthrie's Plea to Abductor, ICE Drawdown, Medical Orgs Reverse Guidance: AM Update 2/5
This AM Update (SiriusXM / The Megan Kelly Channel, Feb 5, 2026) covers four main stories: the search for NBC host Savannah Guthrie’s missing 84-year-old mother Nancy Guthrie and the family’s public plea; a Trump administration-directed drawdown of ICE personnel in Minneapolis tied to increased local cooperation; major U.S. medical groups reversing guidance on gender-affirming surgeries for minors; and the sentencing of would‑be Trump assassin Ryan Ruth. The report includes investigation details, law‑enforcement and political responses, medical-group rationales, legal fallout, and contact information for tips.
Key takeaways
- Savannah Guthrie publicly pleaded for proof her 84‑year‑old mother Nancy is alive after a reported ransom demand; investigators continue searching and have not identified a suspect.
- ICE order czar Tom Homan announced an immediate drawdown of 700 federal immigration‑enforcement personnel in Minneapolis, citing newly increased local cooperation on custody transfers.
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) reversed prior positions and now recommend delaying permanent gender‑related surgeries until adulthood, citing insufficient evidence and potential harms.
- Ryan Ruth was sentenced to life in prison (plus concurrent federal terms) for his 2024 plot to assassinate then‑candidate Trump; his defense plans to appeal.
Savannah Guthrie / Nancy Guthrie disappearance
- Situation: Nancy Guthrie, 84, missing for five days; family reports a ransom note demanding payment by Thursday or threatening to kill her.
- Family plea: Savannah Guthrie (with siblings) posted an Instagram video asking the abductor to prove Nancy is alive: "We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen."
- Investigative status:
- Pima County Sheriff: investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest; warned against sharing unverified accusations.
- Unverified reporting: Crime journalist Ashley Banfield cited a source naming Annie Guthrie’s husband, Tommaso Sione, as a possible suspect—this is unconfirmed and Pima County denies naming anyone publicly.
- Activity at family home: authorities returned with canine units, posted fresh crime‑scene tape; items were removed from Annie and Tommaso’s house (reports vary on whether they were media‑assist items).
- Conflicting timeline details: some outlets report Tommaso Sione last dropped Nancy off Saturday (not Annie); earlier reports that a friend called after Nancy missed church may be inaccurate because she worships via livestream.
- Other leads: investigators are checking a January trespassing report near the family home.
- Federal involvement: FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly heading to Arizona; next press briefing scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
- Tip lines: 8-8-CRIME or 520-882-7463.
ICE drawdown in Minneapolis and local cooperation
- Announcement: Tom Homan (ICE operations czar) said 700 federal immigration enforcement personnel will be “drawn down” immediately due to increased local cooperation.
- Rationale: Homan claims more counties are notifying ICE before releasing detainees, allowing ICE to assume custody directly from jails (reducing need for large field operations and protection details).
- Local pushback and legal questions:
- Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (covers Minneapolis) says its policy hasn’t changed and it does not assist with civil immigration enforcement.
- Legal mechanisms discussed: Homan says jails aren’t being asked to hold people past normal release times; negotiations reported for a framework allowing up to 48‑hour holds to permit ICE pickup—enforcement and legal authority for such holds remain unclear.
- Political responses:
- Vice President J.D. Vance supported increased local cooperation.
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz criticized the drawdown as insufficient and demanded more state‑led actions and investigations.
- Administration claim: since the surge began, federal agents have arrested over 4,000 criminal noncitizens, according to the White House.
Medical organizations reverse guidance on gender‑affirming surgeries for minors
- New positions:
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS): recommends delaying gender‑related breast/chest, genital, and facial surgery until a patient is at least 19.
- American Medical Association (AMA): reversed prior stance and concurs that evidence is insufficient to make a definitive recommendation for surgical interventions in minors.
- Rationale and context:
- Both organizations cite major reviews (e.g., 2024 UK NHS review and a 2025 HHS report) that highlight gaps in long‑term outcome data and potential harms.
- The ASPS statement emphasizes unresolved uncertainties and limitations in evidence regarding long‑term physical, psychological, and psychosocial outcomes.
- Institutional effects and legal environment:
- Guidance influences insurance coverage, malpractice standards, and surgeons’ willingness to perform procedures.
- Cited study: a 2016–2020 AMA study estimated at least 3,215 patients aged 12–18 underwent chest/breast procedures; double mastectomy ("top surgery") commonly performed.
- Legal fallout: In a recent Westchester County trial, a 22‑year‑old detransitioner (Fox Varian) was awarded $2 million after being pushed into double mastectomy at 16; more than two dozen similar lawsuits are pending.
- Immediate institutional action: Children’s Minnesota announced it will halt hormone treatments for minors (including puberty blockers), citing federal pressure.
- Federal role: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promoted restrictions; the administration proposed cutting federal funding for procedures it terms “sex‑rejecting.”
Ryan Ruth sentencing
- Conviction and sentence:
- Ryan Ruth (59) convicted in Sept. 2025 on five federal counts including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assault on a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses.
- Sentenced to life in prison for attempted assassination, plus concurrent terms: 84 months (firearm during violent crime), 240 months (assault on federal officer), 18 months (firearm as felon), 60 months (firearm with obliterated serial number).
- Case details:
- Ruth allegedly stalked Mar‑a‑Lago and plotted to kill then‑candidate Trump at a West Palm Beach golf course in 2024.
- A Secret Service agent saw a gun barrel through shrubs, fired, and Ruth fled before being captured.
- During verdict reading, Ruth attempted to stab himself with a pen; he represented himself at trial but was assigned counsel for sentencing.
- Aftermath: Ruth’s attorney announced plans to appeal. Judge Aileen Cannon stated Ruth’s actions were “deliberate and evil” and that he “almost achieved” his plan.
Notable quotes
- Savannah Guthrie: “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen.”
- Tom Homan: emphasized jurisdictions notifying ICE “before they release them” and said, “we will draw down 700 people” because cooperation reduces the need for a large federal presence.
- Judge Aileen Cannon (to Ruth): “Your plot to kill is deliberate and evil. You demonstrated your intent to kill. You almost achieved your evil plan.”
Implications and what to watch next
- Savannah Guthrie case: expect additional investigative updates, potential identification of suspects, and the FBI’s increased involvement; monitor the 1:00 p.m. ET press briefing.
- ICE policy: watch for which Minnesota jurisdictions change policies, any formal agreements (e.g., 48‑hour pickup framework), and legal challenges over detention and local cooperation.
- Medical guidance: ASPS/AMA reversals could change clinical practice, insurance coverage, hospital programs, and outcomes of pending malpractice suits; legislation and federal funding decisions may follow.
- Legal appeals: Ruth’s appeal and ongoing litigation by detransitioners could shape legal and medical accountability standards.
Source: SiriusXM AM Update (Megan Kelly), Feb 5, 2026.