‘Stop trying to glamorize the mission’: Megyn Kelly slams Kristi Noem over ICE photo ops

CNN - Apr 11th, 2025

Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly has publicly criticized Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem after she posted a series of photos posing with ICE agents. This criticism was discussed by journalist and author Batya Ungar-Sargon on Abby Phillip's panel. Kelly's comments highlight the ongoing debate over the role of ICE and immigration enforcement in the United States, as well as the political implications of public figures associating with federal agencies.

The incident underscores the polarizing nature of immigration policy in the current political landscape. For Noem, a prominent Republican figure, the photos might aim to bolster her image as a staunch supporter of law enforcement and border security. However, Kelly's criticism reflects a broader discomfort among some conservatives with how such displays may be perceived, both by the public and within their own political circles. This story is significant as it illustrates the complexities of navigating immigration issues and the potential backlash from within one's own political party.

Political Commentary Immigration Ice Kristi Noem Megyn Kelly Batya Ungar Sargon Abby Phillip

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.6

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The news story presents a timely and relevant topic involving criticism of a political figure's actions by a well-known commentator. While the story accurately conveys Megyn Kelly's criticism of Kristi Noem, it lacks depth and context, limiting its ability to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The article's balance is skewed towards Kelly's perspective, without offering counterarguments or responses from Noem or her supporters. Source quality is moderate, relying on known figures but lacking diverse perspectives and detailed attributions. Transparency is limited, as the article does not disclose the basis for the claims or the methodology behind the reporting. Despite these shortcomings, the story's clarity and readability are adequate, and its potential to provoke debate and engage readers is significant. Overall, the article could be improved by providing more context, diverse viewpoints, and detailed analysis to enhance its impact and serve the public interest more effectively.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports that Megyn Kelly criticized Kristi Noem for her photo ops with ICE agents, describing them as 'political cosplay.' This aligns with external sources confirming Kelly's comments. However, the original story lacks detail about the specific nature of Noem's photo ops, which involved tactical gear and firearms, as highlighted in the accuracy check. The story could be more precise by including these specifics. Additionally, the mention of bipartisan criticism is not elaborated upon in the original story, leaving a gap in understanding the full scope of reactions to Noem's actions.

Balance

The story primarily presents Megyn Kelly's viewpoint without offering any counterarguments or perspectives from Kristi Noem or her supporters. This results in a somewhat unbalanced portrayal that leans heavily on Kelly's criticism. The inclusion of Batya Ungar-Sargon in the discussion suggests an attempt at balance, but the original story does not provide details on her contributions. A more balanced article would include responses from Noem or her representatives to provide a fuller picture of the controversy.

Clarity

The story is clear in its main claim that Megyn Kelly criticized Kristi Noem, but it lacks depth and detail in explaining the context and implications of this criticism. The language is straightforward, but the brevity of the article limits its ability to convey a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The structure could be improved by expanding on the key points and providing more context about the photo ops and the reactions they elicited. This would help readers grasp the significance of the controversy more fully.

Source quality

The story references Megyn Kelly, a known conservative commentator, which lends some credibility to the claims made. However, it lacks direct quotes or detailed attributions that would strengthen the reliability of the reporting. The mention of Batya Ungar-Sargon adds a layer of authority, but without specifics on her input, the story's reliance on a single perspective weakens its overall source quality. Including more diverse sources or direct quotes from the individuals involved would improve the article's credibility.

Transparency

The story offers limited transparency regarding the context of the criticism or the methodology behind the reporting. It does not disclose the basis for the claims made or the potential biases of the commentators involved. There is no mention of the sources or methods used to gather information, which diminishes the article's transparency. Providing background on the controversy and clarifying the perspectives of the commentators would enhance the reader's understanding and trust in the reporting.