California Wildfires & Title IX Expansion Ruling | Afternoon Update | 1.9.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: California Wildfires & Title IX Expansion Ruling | Afternoon Update | 1.9.25
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley (Editor-in-Chief) and Georgia Howe
Produced by: The Daily Wire

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1. California Wildfires: Escalating Crisis in Los Angeles County

Time Covered: 00:27 – 01:59

The episode opens with an urgent update on the persistent wildfires devastating Los Angeles County. Senior editor Cabot Phillips reports on the severity of the situation:

• Palisades and Eaton Fires: Both remain at 0% containment, with the Eaton Fire tragically resulting in five fatalities, a number expected to rise as recovery operations continue.
• Sunset Fire: Authorities have successfully controlled this fire near the Hollywood Hills, minimizing further spread.

LA Fire Chief Kristen Crowley (00:35) emphasized the ongoing investigation into the Palisades Fire, stating, “The fire's origins remain under investigation and teams are actively working in the area right now as we speak” (00:35).

In response to the chaos, approximately 20 individuals have been arrested for looting amidst the fires. District Attorney Nathan Hockman (01:26) addressed the issue sternly: “These criminals need to hear... if you want to go ahead and loot... you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the full extent of the law” (01:26).

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2. Title IX Expansion Ruling: Federal Court Strikes Down Biden's Policy

Time Covered: 01:59 – 02:38

The podcast transitions to the legal battleground surrounding Title IX with senior reporter Mary Margaret Olihan providing insights:

• Court Ruling: A federal court in Kentucky has invalidated the Biden administration's expansion of Title IX, which redefined sex discrimination to include gender identity.
• Judge's Reasoning: Chief Judge Danny Reeves cited overreach of federal authority, constitutional violations, and inadequate enforcement guidelines as reasons for the decision.
• Implications: This ruling has been hailed by critics, including the Southeastern Legal Foundation, as a victory for First Amendment rights and the protection of women's sports. The Biden administration faces ongoing legal challenges, highlighted by the recent rollback of rules concerning transgender athletes. The decision remains subject to appeal.

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3. Donald Trump’s Legal Battles Continue

Time Covered: 02:38 – 03:03

Cabot Phillips brings attention to the latest developments in former President Donald Trump's legal issues:

• Sentencing Delay Denied: The New York Court of Appeals has rejected Trump's motion to postpone his January 10th sentencing related to falsifying business records involving a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniel.
• Presidential Immunity Claim: Trump's attempt to dismiss the verdict by citing presidential immunity was also denied, keeping his sentencing scheduled for Friday unless the Supreme Court intervenes.

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4. Honoring President Jimmy Carter: A National Tribute

Time Covered: 03:03 – 04:00

The podcast pays tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter, detailing the conclusion of his funeral at the National Cathedral:

• Eulogies: A heartfelt address highlighted Carter’s character and legacy. Jimmy Carter Eulogist (03:11) remarked, “Jimmy Carter's friendship taught me... the strength of character is more than title or the power we hold” (03:11), emphasizing dignity, respect, and equal opportunities for all.
• Final Arrangements: A private ceremony in Plains, Georgia, will see Carter laid to rest beside his wife Rosalynn under a willow tree. Carter passed away on December 29 at the age of 1, having lain in state at the Capitol Rotunda, drawing tributes nationwide.

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5. UK Labour Party Blocks Conservative Motion on Child Rape Gangs Inquiry

Time Covered: 04:19 – 04:55

Cabot Phillips reports on a significant political move within the UK:

• Blocked Motion: Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party thwarted a Conservative-led motion to investigate alleged child rape gangs, predominantly involving individuals of Pakistani descent targeting young white girls.
• Voting Details: The Conservative motion failed with 111 votes in favor and 364 against (04:19 – 04:35).
• Political Fallout: Conservatives condemned the Labour Party for avoiding accountability, labeling the issue as one of the worst scandals in British history.

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6. U.S. House Passes Sanctions Bill Against the International Criminal Court

Time Covered: 04:55 – 05:56

John Bickley discusses a pivotal legislative development:

• House Action: The House has approved a bill sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) over its arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, passing with a 243 to 140 vote.
• Bipartisan Support: The bill garnered support from 45 Democrats alongside Republicans.
• Next Steps: The bill moves to the Senate, where GOP Majority Leader John Thune aims for a swift vote to ensure it reaches President Trump by his inauguration.
• Congressional Reactions:
  • Thomas Massie: The sole Republican to vote present, questioned the bill’s prioritization.
  • Chip Roy: Urged immediate passage, denouncing the ICC’s actions as a political witch hunt.

Jimmy Carter Eulogist (05:33) reinforced the stance against the ICC: “This is an entity... should have no authority over our people, no authority over the prime minister of Israel” (05:33), highlighting the perceived overreach and defending Israel against Hamas.

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7. Pro Life Activists Demand Meta Restores Disabled Facebook Accounts

Time Covered: 05:56 – 06:50

The episode highlights a conflict between Pro Life Facebook users and Meta:

• Call to Action: Pro Life advocates, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, are urging Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to reinstate disabled accounts, aligning with his recent free speech commitments.
• Notable Incidents:
  • Steven Ertelt: Had his account permanently disabled in May after sharing a video depicting an unborn baby grabbing a doctor's finger, which Meta deemed a violation of child sexual exploitation rules.
• Featured Reporter: Investigative reporter Mairead Elordi delves into the issue, detailing the legal and emotional appeals made by figures like Abby Covington and Steven Ertelt.

Nathan Hockman (06:09) elaborated on the appeals, stating, “If Meta is truly committed to the free speech principles that it recently announced, it will act swiftly” (06:09), emphasizing the demand for consistency between Meta's policies and its CEO’s public statements.

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Conclusion

John Bickley wraps up the episode by directing listeners to The Daily Wire’s website for deeper insights and encourages tuning into future Morning Wire episodes for comprehensive coverage of the day's most pressing stories.

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This comprehensive summary captures the critical discussions and insights from the January 9, 2025, episode of Morning Wire. From the devastating wildfires in California to significant legal and political developments both in the U.S. and abroad, the hosts provide a thorough analysis backed by expert commentary and notable quotes.

Transcript

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[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, January 9th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Cabot Phillips]

Multiple wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles County. Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips has the latest.

[Kristen Crowley]

At the moment, Cal fire says the Palisades and Eaton fires, the two largest, are both 0% contained. The Eaton Fire has already claimed five lives. That death toll is expected to rise as recovery efforts expand. Meanwhile, authorities have taken control of the Sunset fire, which flared up last night near Hollywood Hills. According to LA Fire Chief Kristen Crowley, arson investigators are probing the cause of the Palisade's fire during during a press conference today, Crowley said the fire's origins remain under investigation and teams are actively.

[Nathan Hockman]

Working in the area right now as we speak, and they are actively investigating. As soon as we have information, we will share that with all of you. I know there's obviously, for the right reasons, a lot of interest in that.

[Kristen Crowley]

Meanwhile, Police say around 20 people have been arrested for looting amid the fires. Here's newly elected District Attorney Nathan Hockman addressing the issue.

[District Attorney]

These criminals need to hear, as they've heard from the sheriff, as they've heard from Chief McDonald, an unmistakably clear message that if you want to go ahead and loot, if you want to commit burglary, if you want to engage in grand theft, if you want to engage in these Internet scams where you're going to take advantage of people who are going to be seeking insurance and government benefits, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the full extent of the law.

[John Bickley]

A federal court in Kentucky has struck down the Biden administration's Title 9 expansion, ruling it unlawful. Daily Wire senior reporter Mary Margaret Olihan is here now to explain.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

The decision blocks a rule redefining sex discrimination to include gender identity. Chief Judge Danny Reeves said the rule overstepped federal authority, violated the Constitution and lacked clear guidelines for enforcement. Critics, including the Southeastern Legal foundation, praised the ruling as a win for First Amendment rights and women's sports protections. The Biden administration has faced legal challenges over its proposals, including recent withdrawals of rules on trans identifying athletes. The ruling is appealable.

[Cabot Phillips]

The New York Court of Appeals has denied president elect Donald Trump's motion to delay his January 10th sentencing. Trump was convicted of falsifying business records stemming from a $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniel. Trump's request to vacate the verdict, citing presidential immunity, was also denied. He remains set to be sentenced Friday morning unless the Supreme Court intervenes.

[John Bickley]

The funeral for late President Jimmy Carter concluded this morning at the National Cathedral with heartfelt eulogies honoring the 39th President.

[Jimmy Carter Eulogist]

Jimmy Carter's friendship taught me and through his life taught me the strength of character is more than title or the power we hold. It's the strength to understand that everyone should be treated with dignity, respect, that everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves an even shot. Not a guarantee, but just a shot.

[John Bickley]

A private ceremony and burial will follow in Plains, Georgia, where Carter will be laid to rest beside a willow tree at the home he shared with his late wife, Rosalynn. Carter passed away on December 29 at the age of one. Prior to the funeral, he lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda, drawing tributes from across the nation.

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[Cabot Phillips]

The UK's Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, blocked a Conservative motion to investigate child rape gangs in a vote earlier this week.

[Sponsor Voice]

The ayes to the right were 111.

[Nathan Hockman]

The no's to the left, 364.

[Cabot Phillips]

So the noes have it. The noes have it. The inquiry aimed to address allegations of widespread abuse by gangs, predominantly of Pakistani descent, targeting young white girls. Conservatives called the scandal one of the worst in British history and criticized the Labour Party for sidestepping accountability.

[John Bickley]

The House passed a bill today to sanction the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The legislation passed 243 to 140, with 45 Democrats joining Republicans. It now heads to the Senate, where GOP Majority Leader John Thune promised a quick vote to have it on Trump's desk by his inauguration. Congressman Thomas Massie was the only Republican to vote present, questioning why the bill was prioritized in Congress first week back. Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Chip Roy demanded the bill pass, calling the ICC's efforts a political witch hunt.

[Jimmy Carter Eulogist]

This is an entity, the International Criminal Court, that has no jurisdiction over the people of the United States, should have no authority over our people, no authority over the prime minister of Israel. Yet it is extending into the people of Israel's business and defending their interest against violent attack by Hamas, which we define as a terrorist entity.

[Cabot Phillips]

And Pro Life Facebook users are calling on Meta to restore their accounts, citing CEO Mark Zuckerberg's recent pledge to uphold free speech. Daily Wire investigative reporter Mairead Elordi, who first reported the story, has more.

[Nathan Hockman]

In a letter from Alliance Defending Freedom, legal counsel for Life News founder Steven Ertelt and Pro Life mother Abby Covington urged Meta to act immediately to reinstate their disabled accounts. If Meta is truly committed to the free speech principles that it recently announced, it will act swiftly, the letter states. Ertelt says his account was permanently disabled in May after posting a video of a C section in which an unborn baby appears to grab a doctor's finger. The post, which was captioned an unborn baby can't be just a clump of cells when he or she is grabbing the doctor's hand, was removed for violating Meta's rules on child sexual exploitation, according to his attorneys. Now the pro lifers want Meta to follow through on Zuckerberg's promises.

[John Bickley]

All right, those are your Drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and for more in depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune in to our full episode of Morning Wire Every morning.