Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Border Wall Fire Sale & New Jersey’s Drone Mystery | 12.13.24
Release Date: December 13, 2024
Host/Author: John Bickley and Georgia Howe, The Daily Wire

1. Border Wall Fire Sale: Biden Administration’s Undermining of Trump's Agenda

The episode opens with a critical examination of the Biden administration’s actions concerning the U.S. border wall construction. The hosts, John Bickley and Georgia Howe, highlight an alarming trend where the administration is hastily selling off large quantities of unused border wall materials, potentially obstructing President-elect Donald Trump's plans to rebuild the wall.

Key Points:

• Rapid Sell-Off of Materials: The Biden administration is reportedly selling half a mile’s worth of unused border wall segments daily, as revealed by a Daily Wire exclusive report (01:32).

• Interview with Tim Pearce: Tim Pearce, a Daily Wire reporter, discusses the implications of this sell-off. He explains that government contractors are auctioning off heavy steel slats and bollards at significantly reduced prices—starting as low as $5 per segment (02:03).

  Notable Quote:

  Tim Pearce ([02:03]): “These materials are being shipped north and placed on a government surplus auction site where the starting bid for a segment of wall is just $5.”

• Impact on Trump’s Plans: The administration’s urgency to dispose of these materials by Christmas could derail Trump’s immediate plans to restart border wall construction, potentially requiring him to seek additional congressional funding (02:56).

  Notable Quote:

  Georgia Howe (03:12): “On day one of my new administration, I will seal the border and I will shut down the invasion of millions of people that are coming through into our country.”

• Local Opposition in California: The discussion shifts to San Diego County, where local officials are enhancing sanctuary policies beyond state mandates. The San Diego Board of Supervisors voted to implement "super sanctuary" measures, limiting law enforcement’s ability to notify ICE about certain illegal immigrants, even those convicted of serious crimes (04:01).

  Notable Quote:

  Georgia Howe (04:28): “This policy goes beyond California's existing sanctuary laws by adding an additional layer of bureaucracy that hinders local law enforcement from directly notifying ICE about illegal immigrants.”

• Federal Response: Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, asserts that federal law enforcement will intervene in areas like San Diego County to enforce immigration laws, regardless of local policies (05:16).

2. New Jersey’s Drone Mystery: Unidentified UAV Threats Over the Garden State

A significant portion of the episode delves into the mysterious drone activity reported over New Jersey, raising national security concerns and sparking debates about the origin and intentions behind these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Key Points:

• Nature of the Drones: The drones observed are described as SUV-sized, equipped with blinking lights, and lacking radio signals, making them sophisticated and difficult to track. They frequently evade radar detection and operate in groups before disappearing into the Atlantic for recharging (06:30).

  Notable Quote:

  Cabot Phillips (06:30): “These drones have been observed flying for six to eight hours over New Jersey before making a beeline out into the Atlantic.”

• Government Response: Initially dismissed as UFO hysteria, the persistent drone sightings have led to serious investigations by the FBI, DHS, and New Jersey State Police. A congressional hearing failed to unveil the drones' origins, heightening frustration among lawmakers (07:22).

  Notable Quotes:

  Texas Rep. Tony Gonzalez (07:54): “You're telling me we don't know what the hell these drones are in New Jersey are, Is that correct?”

  Georgia Howe (08:13): “Every question that was asked by a member of the state legislature, great questions, no answers, no resolution.”

• Allegations of Foreign Origin: New Jersey’s Rep. Jeff Van Drew claimed that the drones originated from Iran, launched from a mothership off the U.S. eastern seaboard. However, Pentagon spokespersons and White House officials have denied any ties to foreign adversaries, suggesting the drones are not a security threat (08:36).

  Notable Quote:

  New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew (08:23): “Iran launched a mothership probably about a month ago that contains these drones.”

• Expert Analysis: Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, discusses the implications of these drone activities, emphasizing the potential security gaps that adversaries might exploit (09:46).

  Notable Quote:

  Brent Sadler (09:46): “This is a signal that there is a security gap that an adversary can take advantage of.”

• Public and Legislative Frustration: Lawmakers are demanding clear answers, with widespread concern over the drones' unidentified nature and their persistent presence, especially near critical infrastructure and residential areas (10:02).

3. Legal Marijuana: Growing Backlash and Rejection in Key States

The episode also explores the shifting public and political attitudes towards the legalization of recreational marijuana, highlighting recent ballot measure rejections and increasing public dissatisfaction in states where it has been legalized.

Key Points:

• Rejection of Legalization in Red States: Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota voters recently rejected propositions to legalize recreational marijuana. Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the influence of large marijuana companies in pushing these measures (10:38).

  Notable Quotes:

  Governor Ron DeSantis (10:56): “People are saying it's the legalization of recreational weed, but they're only setting up a cartel in the Constitution of Florida.”

• Public Support vs. Polling Trends: Despite legal setbacks, national polls indicate that 57% of Americans still support recreational marijuana legalization. However, opposition is growing in states where legalization has led to public nuisances and health concerns (11:14).

  Notable Quote:

  Elton John (10:15): “Legalizing marijuana is one of the greatest mistakes of all time.”

• Issues in States with Legalization: Residents in legalized states report significant issues, such as pervasive marijuana odors in public and private spaces. Legal battles have emerged, with individuals suing neighbors over the intrusive smell of marijuana (12:32).

  Notable Quote:

  Georgia Howe (12:32): “The smell is making people rethink the whole idea of smoking weed anytime, anywhere.”

• Health Concerns and Media Coverage: Major publications like The New York Times are reporting an uptick in marijuana-related health issues, including psychosis and addiction. The potency of modern marijuana products compared to those from the 1990s is a particular concern (13:20).

• Reversal of Progressive Drug Policies: Oregon voters are moving away from previously progressive drug policies, with recent measures recriminalizing hard drugs and rejecting the legalization of certain psychedelics in Massachusetts. Psychiatric experts warn that some legalization efforts may exacerbate mental health issues (13:59).

  Notable Quote:

  Maiderad Elordi (13:59): “There was only one ballot measure relating to harder drugs in November of this year... voters also rejected a proposal to legalize certain natural psychedelics by about 57%.”

Conclusion

In this episode of Morning Wire, John Bickley and Georgia Howe provide a comprehensive analysis of two pressing national issues: the Biden administration’s apparent efforts to undermine President-elect Trump’s border wall construction through the rapid sale of materials, and the mysterious drone activity over New Jersey that has left lawmakers and the public seeking answers. Additionally, the hosts delve into the evolving landscape of marijuana legalization, highlighting significant pushback in key states and growing public concern over its societal impacts. Through exclusive reports, expert interviews, and compelling quotes, the episode delivers an engaging and informative overview of these critical topics.

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