Morning Wire – Biden’s FBI Spied on Senators & Kentucky Killer Walks Free | 10.8.25

Date: October 8, 2025
Host: Georgia Howe (with John Bickley off this week)
Contributors: Tim Pierce, Matt Walsh, Zach Jewell, Megan Basham, Hayden Ludwig
Main Theme:
A deep dive into significant news stories: reports of the FBI surveilling GOP senators under the Biden administration, outrage over the early release of a Kentucky child-killer, and revelations about major abortion-linked donations to Evangelical magazine Christianity Today.

FBI Surveillance of GOP Senators

Main Point:
Breaking news alleges President Biden’s FBI spied on eight Republican senators during an investigation tied to January 6, inflaming accusations of political weaponization within the DOJ.

Key Discussion Points:

• Release of Shocking Documents:
  Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley revealed documents showing FBI surveillance of senators’ communications and location data as part of “Operation Arctic Frost” (02:17).
• Targeted Senators:
  Those surveilled included Senators Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley, Tommy Tuberville, and Marsha Blackburn (02:54).
• No Predicate for Surveillance:
  Senator Marsha Blackburn stated,

  “There was no predicate given for why they were doing this. We do know all of us Republicans, all of us support President Trump, and all of us had questions about the 2020 election... They pulled all incoming and outgoing calls… and where each of us were physically located at the time of the call.” (03:08)

• Republican Outrage:
  Blackburn emphasized the unprecedented and illegal nature of the spying,

  “It is illegal. The FBI cannot weaponize itself in order to spy on eight sitting US Senators. It is a violation of our civil rights.” (04:14)

• Accountability Demands:
  Republicans call for a full investigation, intent on summoning former FBI Director Christopher Wray and Special Prosecutor Jack Smith for testimony (05:04).
• Testimonies and Statements:
  Attorney General Bondi described the operation as

  “an unconstitutional undemocratic abuse of power” (05:40)
  New FBI Director Cash Patel pledged,
  “That abuse of power ends now. Under my leadership, the FBI will deliver truth and accountability and never again be weaponized against the American people.” (06:05)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Marsha Blackburn:

  “To spy on U.S. senators…That is out of the ordinary.” (04:09)

• Grassley (statement paraphrased):

  “Arctic Frost and related weaponization … was arguably worse than Watergate.” (02:54)

• FBI Director Patel:

  “We recently uncovered proof that phone records of US lawmakers were seized for political purposes.” (06:05)

Kentucky Killer Walks Free

Main Point:
National outrage erupted after Ronald Exantis, who killed a six-year-old boy in 2015, was released early from prison due to a legal technicality.

Key Discussion Points:

• Details of the Crime:
  Exantis was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity but convicted of assault (06:57).
• Early Release:
  Exantis was sentenced to 20 years, but released after less than half served; only eight months’ probation required (06:57).
• Victim’s Family Reaction:
  Dean Tipton, father of the child, emotionally stated,

  “I told the court if I ever cross paths with him, I will kill the man. I will kill him where he stands.” (07:47)

• Legal Loopholes:
  Matt Walsh reported the parole board defined Exantis as “nonviolent under Kentucky law” because of the insanity verdict; thus, he wasn’t held for murder (08:03).
• Parole Board Response:
  The board repeatedly recommended Exantis stay in prison but was legally bound to release him under “mandatory reentry supervision” (08:19).
• Systemic Issue:
  Matt Walsh argued:

  “If you have a problem with it, take it up with the state legislature is essentially their attitude. I don't really buy that excuse for a number of reasons.” (09:12)
  And further,
  “This goes to the legislature in Kentucky and all across the country because this is a major problem of these criminals being released out of prison.” (09:44)

• Political Response:
  White House responded via Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt:

  “It is wholly unacceptable for the child killer to walk free after just several years in prison.” (10:45)

Evangelical Magazine Took Major Abortion Funder Money

Main Point:
Christianity Today, a prominent evangelical magazine, faces scrutiny after accepting over a million dollars from the liberal Hewlett Foundation, known for funding abortion rights.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Funding and Source:
  Christianity Today accepted $1 million+ from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation—including $600K earmarked for election coverage (11:51).
  • Hewlett is a major Planned Parenthood backer, donating over $100M since 2000, and increased abortion funding post-Roe overturn (11:51).
• Questions of Influence:
  The magazine recently widened its definition of “pro-life,” including issues like racial justice and federal entitlements, which critics like Seth Gruber say dilutes its emphasis on abortion (12:47).
• Concerns of Political Drift:
  Christianity Today published pieces urging Christians to “sit out” the 2024 election or not vote on abortion, and its board chair, Claude Alexander, was a spokesperson for Evangelicals for Biden (14:14).
• Funding Structure Shift:
  Reporter Megan Basham noted foundation funding rose from 20% to over 50% of Christianity Today’s revenue since 2020, including $8M from the Lilly Endowment, potentially shifting editorial priorities (14:26).
• Expert Commentary:
  Hayden Ludwig, Restoration America:

  “This kind of money acts like a siren song. You get hooked on huge money and gradually it reorients your entire mission structure around this progressive agenda just to keep the money spigot open.” (15:29)

• Historical Perspective:
  Founded by Billy Graham as a conservative alternative, critics now see Christianity Today repeating past patterns of leftward drift (16:08).
• No Comment from Christianity Today:
  The magazine did not respond to requests for explanation (16:48).

Memorable Quotes Recap

• Marsha Blackburn (on FBI surveillance):

  "It is illegal. The FBI cannot weaponize itself in order to spy on eight sitting US Senators." (04:14)

• Dean Tipton (Kentucky case):

  "If I ever cross paths with him, I will kill the man. I will kill him where he stands." (07:47)

• Hayden Ludwig (on philanthropy influence):

  “This kind of money acts like a siren song. You get hooked on huge money and gradually it reorients your entire mission structure around this progressive agenda…” (15:29)

Segment Timestamps

• FBI Senator Spying – 00:03–06:29
• Kentucky Killer Walks Free – 06:37–10:53
• Christianity Today’s Funding Controversy – 11:24–17:03

Tone:
Urgent, investigative, and at times indignant, particularly concerning allegations of unjust or politically motivated actions. The reporting uses direct testimony and quotations for immediacy and authenticity.

For Listeners:
This episode delivers crucial reporting on government surveillance, criminal justice loopholes, and ethical dilemmas in faith-based journalism—core stories for those invested in American politics, justice reform, and evangelical culture.