Questions About CIA Officers Killed in Mexico Crash, Rep. Mace Targets GOP Colleague: AM Update 4/23
Emily Jashinsky reports on April 23, 2026, detailing the fatal Chihuahua crash killing two CIA officers and two Mexican officials during a drug lab raid, amidst conflicting accounts from President Claudia Scheinbaum and Attorney General Cesar Jorge Moreno. The segment links rising gasoline prices to $4.02 per gallon with stalled Iran negotiations, notes President Trump's approval drop to 33%, and covers Congresswoman Nancy Mace's resolution to expel Rep. Corey Mills over sexual misconduct allegations. Finally, DHS official Julia Varvaro faces administrative leave following a "sugar daddy" complaint from Robert, which she denies as an ex-boyfriend's fabrication. These events highlight deepening tensions in U.S.-Mexico relations, domestic political fractures, and ethical scandals within the administration. [Automatically generated summary]
Transcriber: CohereLabs/cohere-transcribe-03-2026, Qwen/Qwen3-ForcedAligner-0.6B, sat-12l-sm, and large-v3-turbo
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CIA Involvement Under Investigation00:05:34
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Good morning, everyone.
I'm Emily Jashinsky, host of After Party and the Megyn Kelly Wrap Up Show on SiriusXM Channel 111.
It's Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, and this is your AM update.
Two Americans killed in a car crash in Mexico identified as CIA officers.
Mexican authorities now investigating the scope of U.S. involvement in their country.
I think the conflict will end.
I think gasoline prices will come back to where they were or perhaps lower.
As Trump administration officials move to calm fears over rising gas prices, New estimates suggest the Strait of Hormuz may take months to fully reopen.
Everyone has to be held to the same standard, Republican or Democrat alike.
Congresswoman Nancy Mace pushing to expel fellow Republican Congressman Corey Mills amid an ethics investigation.
A top DHS counterterrorism official reportedly under investigation after a complaint alleging a, quote, sugar daddy arrangement.
All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.
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A deadly car accident in Mexico now raising questions about CIA operations inside the country.
Last Sunday, two CIA officers and two Mexican officials were killed in the northern state of Chihuahua, according to multiple reports.
The car reportedly skidding off the road, falling into a ravine, and exploding as the agents were traveling through a mountainous area at night, according to Mexican officials.
The CIA agents originally identified only as U.S. Embassy employees.
The two Mexican officials in the vehicle working for Chihuahua's state investigation agency, according to CNN.
The crash occurring after an operation to take out a hidden drug lab in the rural town of Morelos, described by officials as potentially one of the largest labs ever discovered in the region.
According to CNN, the CIA officers, quote, had been collaborating with Mexican officials on expanded counter narcotics operations in the country.
Under the Trump administration, the CIA working with Mexican officials to track cartels and identify drug labs.
The cooperation leading to the location and eventual killing of drug kingpin Nemesio Ruben Aceguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, earlier this year.
Sunday's car accident raising questions from Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum about national sovereignty and the extent of CIA operations in her own country.
On Monday, President Scheinbaum saying she was, unaware of any direct collaboration between the state of Chihuahua.
And personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, stressing there is a legal framework for joint collaborations with other countries and emphasizing that such cooperation must be authorized at the federal level under Mexico's constitution.
Schaebomb saying there is an investigation into the incident to ensure no laws were broken, adding that state governments must have authorization from Mexico's federal government to collaborate with U.S. and other foreign entities, per CBS News.
Chihuahua Attorney General Cesar Jorge Moreno earlier this week.
Telling reporters that the two CIA officials were involved in routine training work at the time of the accident and were not directly involved in the raid on the drug lab.
He says they were operating hours away from the site before later meeting with Mexican personnel who carried out the operation.
According to the Post, the AG is saying Schaebomb's office was not notified because only Mexican agents participated in the seizure of the drug lab.
With U.S. Iran negotiations remaining stalled and the timeline on the ceasefire unclear, the Washington Post now reporting efforts to clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz could take six months.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon giving a classified briefing to the House Armed Services Committee, informing lawmakers that minesweeping efforts are not likely to begin until the war with Iran ends.
Congressman Mills Defense Scrutiny00:07:33
Potentially extending the timeline for elevated gas prices tied to disruptions in oil trade.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell challenged the Post's reporting By deciding to publish these false claims, the Washington Post has made clear they care more about advancing an agenda than truth.
The threat of mines in the sea making ships wary of crossing the strait even before the Iranian military began threatening to fire upon vessels attempting to pass without authorization.
Earlier this month, the New York Times reported the Iranians are unable to find All of the mines laid since the start of the conflict.
The Post reporting officials believe there could be 20 or more mines in and around the Strait.
Oil prices ticking up slightly yesterday.
Rent crude hovering just over $100 per barrel.
The national gas prices average yesterday sitting at $4.02, according to AAA.
In February, it was just $2.98.
Treasury Secretary Scott Besant on the Hill yesterday calling the increases temporary.
I think the conflict will end.
I think gasoline prices will end.
Will come back to where they were or perhaps lower.
As they did, President Trump has shown that he is good at getting energy prices down and that our energy dominance agenda has the lowered prices.
Higher fuel prices now rippling across the economy and raising the political stakes as the midterms approach.
The latest polling from AP showing President Trump's approval rating falling seven points compared to January, now at 33%.
With 67% disapproving, the lowest of any poll in his second term.
On the economy, just 30% of adults approving of the president's job, compared to 70% who disapprove.
On Iran, only 32% approve versus 67% who disapprove.
Coming up, Congresswoman Nancy Mace introducing a resolution to expel a fellow House Republican.
A top DHS counterterrorism official reportedly under investigation after a complaint alleging she is actively seeking a sugar daddy.
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Congresswoman Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, on Monday introducing a resolution to expel GOP Congressman Corey Mills of Florida from the House, citing a number of allegations against him, including sexual misconduct.
And improperly benefiting from government contracts, the allegations spanning multiple incidents.
In February of last year, authorities responded to Congressman Mills' home following a report from a 27 year old woman alleging a physical altercation.
She later recanted, and he was not charged.
In a separate case, Congressman Mills was hit with a restraining order last October after an ex girlfriend accused him of harassment, including allegations he threatened to release private videos of her and harm future boyfriends.
A 2024 report from the Office of Congressional Conduct found Congressman Mills may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and potentially federal law.
According to Time magazine, the review raised concerns that Mr. Mills' defense contracting company may have held weapons contracts with the government while serving in Congress.
The report also indicated his campaign may have accepted excessive contributions and that he may have omitted or misrepresented information on financial disclosure forms.
The House Ethics Committee is now formally investigating the claims.
Though it remains unclear when the panel will release its findings.
In November, Ms. Mace failing to secure the support required to remove him from his committee assignments and censure him.
Congresswoman Mace, Monday on CNN, defending her push to expel a fellow Republican.
I'm not afraid of any predators.
I've been taking on predators for years.
And his record speaks for itself.
There have been multiple reports with receipts, with information, with data, photos, videos.
Body cam, DD 214s, all of that, and none of it adds up.
And if the standard is members of Congress, that we as a conference, we as a Congress, we as an institution respect women, we don't beat them, that we respect employees, we don't harass them, those kinds of things, then there has to be a standard.
Everyone has to be held to the same standard, Republican or Democrat alike.
And I'm someone who has held my colleagues to that standard, regardless of the politics, regardless of party.
That needs to happen more often, not less in Congress.
Congressman Mills denies any wrongdoing.
Here he is, Monday, speaking to Fox News about the motion.
Look, the bottom line is there's absolutely no criminal or civil investigation that's even open about me.
There's no pending injunction or whatever it is that she's claiming that's open.
This is political theatrics.
It's one thing to try and introduce it for political theatrics and fundraising.
It's another thing to notice it for a vote.
She's setting a very dangerous precedence, whereby not only is she circumventing the ethics investigations, but she's essentially saying that she is judge, juror, and executioner.
Expelling a member of Congress is exceedingly rare and requires a two thirds vote.
Congressman Mills earlier this week telling reporters House Speaker Mike Johnson urged him not to resign.
As the ethics review ran its course, Speaker Johnson on Tuesday addressing the issue to reporters.
Corey Mills says you asked him not to resign, is that correct?
Corey Mills is going through the same due process that was afforded to Sherflis McCormick and anyone else who has allegations made against them.
I've asked and answered this question a thousand times.
He is in the middle of an ethics committee process, and so everyone is due the opportunity to present their defenses and go through that.
Are you supporting his reelection?
He is an incumbent, and I'm in charge of it.
Of getting all the incumbents and Republican incumbents reelected.
And so, of course, that was all done well before any of these allegations were coming out.
But he has the right to answer to the allegations, and that's what they're doing.
And I'm done commenting on it.
I can't.
The Speaker of the House does not put a thumb on the scale for the Ethics Committee investigation.
They do good work, as has been exhibited here in the last few hours.
So let's let the committee process play out and see where it goes.
Lawmakers could take up Mesa's resolution as soon as this week.
The move follows a wave of recent resignations in Congress.
Sheila Sherphilis McCormick of Florida, Eric Swalwell of California, and Tony Gonzalez of Texas, each resigning amid their own scandals.
Varvaro Relationship Allegations00:03:38
A high level counterterrorism official now under scrutiny.
The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general reportedly reviewing allegations she sought out wealthy men to bankroll a high end lifestyle, according to the Daily Mail.
An executive identified as Robert B. telling the outlet he filed a formal complaint.
After a three month relationship with 29 year old Julia Varvaro, who currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism.
Neither Robert's age nor career field are specified in the report, though photos of the pair suggest a significant age difference.
Varvaro's social media showing her regularly attending MAGA aligned events both before and after President Trump's reelection, including photos posing alongside the president while wearing campaign merchandise.
According to Robert, the relationship began in January.
Starting with dinner at Mineta Tavern in Washington, D.C., where he says he covered a $1,400 tab.
Within weeks, the relationship escalating into luxury travel, first to Aruba over MLK weekend, followed by a trip to Italy and Switzerland the next month.
Along the way, Robert allegedly purchasing thousands of dollars in gifts, including ski gear, a $1,000 camera, and a $3,500 designer handbag.
At one point, Robert alleging Varvaro leveraged her DHS position.
To expedite airport security, arranging for a TSA supervisor to escort them through screening at Dulles.
He also claims Varvaro requested $2,000 to cover half her rent during the government shutdown.
A screenshot of an alleged text from Varvaro reading, I'm not used to having to ask like this for a simple card or help with my rent, especially being furloughed.
Any past relationship would have jumped up and cared for me, which is what I like.
The message continuing, I like feeling provided for, and you're not doing that for me, so not sure it will work.
Robert responding, I've dropped 30 to 40K on slash with you in the last three months.
You demanded I give you $4K for rent, $2K for body laser treatment, $1K for sandals, a credit card, and we haven't gotten to the weekend yet.
Robert telling the Daily Mail, Varvaro claimed her finances were tied up in stocks and bonds.
According to Robert, the relationship ultimately deteriorating as the requests for money and gifts continued.
In his complaint to the inspector general, he alleges Varvaro maintained a profile on the site Seeking, now marketed as a luxury dating platform, but Historically associated with sugar daddy arrangements.
The Daily Mail reporting the now deleted profile featured Varvaro's photos under the name Alessia, describing herself as offering, quote, seductive sophistication.
Varvaro pushing back on the allegations, denying having a profile I'm seeking and rejecting the broader claims, quote, I didn't know it was bad to go on vacation with your boyfriend.
We were together in an exclusive relationship.
We went on vacations.
I don't know what the problem is.
Varvaro adding, quote, this is just a mad ex boyfriend putting crap together.
If we made a story about every failed short relationship in DC, this town would implode.
Yesterday afternoon, Fox News reporting Varvaro now placed on administrative leave pending investigation.
That'll do it for your AM update.
I'm Emily Dushinsky, host of After Party.
Catch the Megyn Kelly show live on SiriusXM's The Megyn Kelly Channel 111 at noon East on youtube.comslash Megyn Kelly and all podcast platforms.