Chicago’s Crime Standoff & India Courts China | 9.2.25

Summary

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Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: Chicago’s Crime Standoff & India Courts China
Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe

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Episode Overview

This episode of Morning Wire tackles three main stories: Chicago's ongoing struggle with crime and the political standoff between local leaders and the Trump administration; a watershed summit in China that sees India cozying up to China and Russia, raising serious concerns for U.S. foreign policy; and a developing crackdown by the FDA on a dangerous opioid-related drug derived from kratom, which is spreading quickly across the nation.

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Segment 1: Chicago’s Crime Standoff

Start: 02:40

Key Points:

• Political Battle Over Crime in Chicago:

  • Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson leads protests to oppose President Trump’s planned federal intervention in the city’s rising crime problem.
  • Trump has considered using military resources, such as an ICE operations base near the city.
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker threatens legal action if National Guard troops are sent, calling it “an invasion.”
    • Quote (Pritzker, 03:48):
      “So it's clear that in secret they're planning this. Well, it's an invasion with US Troops if they in fact do that.”
  • Mayor Johnson instructs local police not to cooperate with federal law enforcement, citing lack of collaboration from the Trump administration.

• Internal Pushback:

  • City Alderman Raymond Lopez, also a Democrat, criticizes Johnson and Pritzker for politicizing the issue instead of seeking solutions.
    • Quote (Lopez, 04:27):
      “We should all be looking to continuously decrease the amount of victims...and instead we're getting into this tit for tat, social media, back and forth nonsense.”

• Trump’s Response and Actions:

  • Trump claims crime in D.C. is “down to virtually nothing” due to his policies, urging city leaders to work with him.
    • Over 700 arrests made in D.C., including illegal aliens, and dozens of firearms confiscated.
    • Trump’s emergency powers over D.C. police are soon to expire.

• Judicial Barriers to Enforcement:

  • Federal courts, including Biden and Obama appointees, block Trump’s attempts to deport individuals such as 76 Guatemalan children and a controversial MS-13 gang member.
  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem alleges selective media editing regarding the reasons for these deportations.
    • Quote (Noem, 06:33):
      “This individual was a known human smuggler, MS-13 gang member...someone who was so perverted that he solicited nude photos from minors...”

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Segment 2: India Courts China — Summit & Foreign Policy Implications

Start: 07:03

Key Points:

• China’s Summit:

  • President Xi Jinping hosts major leaders from the Middle East and Asia, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi.
  • Unusual display of warmth among the three, sending a message of unity that alarms Washington.

• India’s New Direction:

  • India, long seen as a potential U.S. ally, is signaling a willingness to deepen ties with China and Russia.
  • Modi seeks global influence and is leveraging these relationships for greater negotiating power.
  • Recent tensions: U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods after trade talks failed and India continued purchasing Russian oil.
  • Trump claims U.S. does little business with India and threatens to restrict trade further.
    • Quote (Reported by Cabot Phillips, 09:17):
      “We do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us, their biggest client, but we will sell them very little.” — Donald Trump

• China & Russia’s Strategic Gains:

  • China positions itself as an alternative economic and diplomatic leader; Xi accuses the U.S. of a “cold war mentality.”
  • For Russia, the summit demonstrates it is not isolated internationally, especially as India continues to buy Russian oil despite U.S. pressure.
    • Quote (Cabot Phillips, 09:32):
      “Xi gets to play the power broker on the global stage and show the world that China is the best alternative… Xi took clear shots at the United States… accusing Washington of pushing a ‘cold War mentality.’”

• Court Blocks Tariffs:

  • A federal appeals court strikes down key components of Trump’s tariffs, ruling he overstepped his emergency powers.
    • Tariffs will remain in effect until at least October, pending Supreme Court action.
    • Quote (Trump’s response, 10:31):
      “If a radical left court is allowed to terminate these tariffs, almost all of this investment and much more will be immediately canceled.”

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Segment 3: FDA Cracks Down on Synthetic Kratom Opioid

Start: 11:25

Key Points:

• What Is Kratom & Why the Concern?

  • Kratom is a Southeast Asian plant sometimes used for health benefits, but its concentrated and synthetic forms—especially the compound “7OH”—act as powerful opioids.
  • The FDA wants 7OH classified as a Schedule 1 substance, citing significant risks of addiction and overdose.
    • Quote (FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, 12:43):
      “This may be the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic. Concentrated synthetic 7oH may be the fourth wave...”

• Widespread and Poorly Regulated:

  • Kratom is a billion-dollar, rapidly growing industry.
  • Synthetic products are viral in gas stations, vape shops, and online, often in forms—like gummies and drinks—targeting youth.
  • Labeling is often inaccurate or misleading.

• Rising Concerns About Overdose Deaths:

  • CDC has confirmed some kratom-related deaths, though often mixed with other substances.
  • State-level investigation in Florida links kratom to hundreds of deaths.
  • Heartbreaking testimonial read by the FDA Commissioner:
    • Letter excerpt (read by Dr. Makary, 14:39):
      “He said that he took the pill and became addicted and that he should have done his research. He died the night he took two 20mg 7OH pills.”

• State Actions:

  • Florida and Ohio are moving to ban 7OH or restrict both natural and synthetic kratom products, with other states considering similar regulations.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Pritzker on Federal Intervention:
  “It's an invasion with US Troops if they in fact do that.” (03:48)

• Alderman Lopez on Political Showdowns:
  “We should all be...decrease the amount of victims...instead we're getting into this tit for tat, social media, back and forth nonsense.” (04:27)

• Trump, via Truth Social, on D.C. Crime:
  “Crime is down to virtually nothing in D.C....mayor Bowser has become more popular because of it.” (05:00 Approx.)

• Cabot Phillips on U.S.–India Relations:
  “India appears to be telling the United States, we've got other powerful friends.” (07:56)

• FDA Commissioner’s Warning:
  “We can't get caught flat footed again. We got burned with fentanyl, we got burned with prescription drugs. We cannot get behind the eight ball again.” (12:43)

• Grieving Father’s Letter (Read by Makary):
  “He died the night he took two 20mg 7OH pills.” (14:39)

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Conclusion

This episode highlights how crime, foreign policy, and public health crises are converging into deep national divides. Chicago’s city officials and the White House remain locked in a political battle over crime intervention. Internationally, India’s flirtation with China and Russia signals a new, unpredictable chapter in U.S. foreign relations. Meanwhile, at home, the FDA and states are rushing to contain an emerging threat from synthetic kratom products before it turns into America’s next opioid crisis.

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For more timely, fact-first news with sharp analysis, tune into Morning Wire every weekday morning.

Transcript

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[Georgia Howe]

Democrats accuse President Trump of planning an invasion of blue cities as he ramps up his crime and immigration crackdown. Every weekend there are shootings in Chicago. What are they doing about it? What they're doing is they're turning to politics and they're turning to anything anti Trump. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Tuesday, September 2nd, and this is Morning Wire. For this particular summit, us may not be at the table, but the us is always present.

[John Bickley]

Trump faces big challenges on the foreign policy front as China meets with Russia and India while a court strikes down.

[Georgia Howe]

His tariffs and the FDA clamps down on a substance they say could be the fourth wave of the opioid crisis.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

It is up to 13 times more potent than morphine, which means you can walk down the street in almost any neighborhood in America and an opioid.

[John Bickley]

Thanks for waking up with Morning wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.

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[John Bickley]

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to Trump proof his city as the President considers his next move to clean up crime in America. Meanwhile, Democrat appointed judges stall Trump's deportation agenda.

[Georgia Howe]

Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce is here to talk about the federal efforts to crack down on crime across the United States. So, Tim, let's start with Chicago. What did we see from Mayor Brandon Johnson over the weekend?

[John Bickley]

Hey, Georgia, I hope you had a good Labor Day. Mayor Johnson spent his leading a protest against Trump in Chicago. Now, Trump has said that the Windy City is next on his list to tackle crime after Washington, D.C. he's even looked at a military base on the outskirts of Chicago to possibly run ICE operations out of. Now Mayor Johnson is really unpopular in the city. He polled at just 26% support last month. But he's really leaned into this fight with Trump. Here he is leading a protest on Monday. And Illinois Governor J.B. pritzker is threatening legal action if Trump moves National Guard troops into Chicago, which Pritzker said would constitute an invasion. Here's Pritzker on CBS News on Sunday.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

No one in the administration, the president or anybody under him has called anyone in my administration or and me have not called the city of Chicago or anyone else. So it's clear that in secret they're planning this. Well, it's an invasion with US Troops if they in fact do that. The other thing is, you know, they ought to be coordinating with local law enforcement.

[John Bickley]

The day before that interview, Mayor Johnson had preemptively ordered local police to not cooperate with any federal law enforcement. The mayor said he was forced to take action because the Trump administration won't collaborate. But Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, who is a Democrat like Johnson, said that that's not the full story.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

There's nothing stopping the mayor of the city of Chicago, the governor of the state of Illinois from picking up the phone and reaching out to the President of the United States and saying, what can we do to be on the same page? We should all be looking to continuously decrease the amount of victims in our city and in our state. And instead we're getting into this tit for tat, social media, back and forth nonsense.

[John Bickley]

So as you can see, some local pushback to how Pritzker and Johnson are handling Trump's offer to help crime in the city.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, what's Trump's response to all this?

[John Bickley]

Trump says that Chicago has more to gain with him than against him. The president posted on Truth Social yesterday that crime is down to virtually nothing in D.C. and that mayor Bowser has become more popular because of it. Trump also encouraged other leaders of major cities to work with him so that their cities, too can have a giant victory like D.C. as far as his efforts in the nation's capital go, Trump's emergency powers over D.C. police are almost up. By the start of last week, more than 700 arrests had been made, many of those of illegal aliens, and dozens of firearms had been confiscated.

[Georgia Howe]

So quite a feat that Chicago probably feels little pressure now. Now, a lot of the focus has been on immigration enforcement, but President Trump actually hit some barriers in the courts recently. Tell us about that.

[John Bickley]

Right. Trump has run into a couple issues on the deportation side of things. On Sunday, U.S. district Judge Sparkle Sukhnanen, appointed by Biden, blocked the administration from deporting 76 Guatemalan children. The government said the children were to be returned to Guatemala based off the request of the government and their parents. But Sukhnanen appeared skeptical that those deportations would be legal. That followed a decision earlier this week by U.S. district Judge Paula Zinnis, an Obama appointee. She stopped Homeland Security from deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia. There's been a huge push to protect Kilmar Abrego Garcia from deportation despite his controversial background. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that that effort extends to the media. She posted a clip over the weekend that CBS News cut out of an interview she did. In the part that was cut out, she brought up allegations against Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

[Georgia Howe]

This individual was a known human smuggler, Ms. 13 gang member, an individual who was a wife beater, and someone who was so perverted that he solicited nude photos from minors and even his fellow human traffickers told him to knock it off.

[John Bickley]

So as you heard, the network essentially cut out all the reasons the administration cites for why Abrego Garcia really needs to be deported.

[Georgia Howe]

So some important context. Tim, thanks for reporting.

[John Bickley]

Thanks for having me on.

[Georgia Howe]

American adversaries are gathered in China this week for a summit designed to reorient the world economy to undermine American influence abroad.

[John Bickley]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips has more on these closely watched meetings and what they mean for Trump's foreign policy. Hey, Cabot, so some aggressive moves by China lately in a series of meetings that are very high profile here. What have we seen?

[Cabot Phillips]

So this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping is playing host to world leaders from across the Middle east and Asia, including Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and most Importantly, Russia and India. On Monday, President Xi, Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered a rare public display of unity. Looking like best friends in front of the cameras, appearing before the press, holding hands, laughing, and sending a message to the West. It's no secret that Russia and China have been cozying up in recent years, forming this sort of new axis in the East. But the inclusion of India is setting off alarm bells in Washington. For decades now, leaders in both parties have almost viewed it as a foregone conclusion that India would, in the future, become a crucial economic partner, serving as a much more palatable alternative to China in the region. But now India appears to be telling the United States, we've got other powerful friends.

[John Bickley]

Yeah. So let's talk about that dynamic. What's in it for India, exactly?

[Cabot Phillips]

Well, Prime Minister Modi has made clear that he wants India to have more influence on the global stage. So obviously, being friends with Russia and China gives him more leverage. And the fact that he's willing to play nice with Beijing, of all people, really proves that. Remember, India and China have not been allies in the past. Far from it. For decades now, they've been at odds. And over the last five years, they've engaged in an oftentimes bloody border dispute. So this weekend's summit is unlikely to turn them into true allies. But more broadly, it speaks to the rift between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. It's no coincidence that this meeting comes just weeks after the White House slapped 50% tariffs on Indian goods. Remember, that came after they failed to reach a trade deal by the deadline and importantly, have continued purchasing Russian oil despite President Trump's warnings against them. Trump said Monday that India is ready to drop all their tariffs, but Modi has sort of contradicted that, signaling that he's ready for a protracted trade war and does not need the United States. For his part, President Trump responded Monday saying on social media that, quote, we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us, their biggest client, but we will sell them very little. So Trump saying, hey, we don't need you.

[John Bickley]

All right, so both leaders trying to show that they have the leverage in this negotiation. Now, what about Russia and China? What's in it for them?

[Cabot Phillips]

Well, for Xi, he gets to play the power broker on the global stage and show the world that China is the best alternative to countries looking to move on from the United States, economically and diplomatically at that point. Xi took clear shots at the United States this week during his opening remarks. At the summit, accusing Washington of pushing a, quote, cold War mentality. Now, as for Russia, this summit sort of allows Putin to show that he is not being isolated on the global stage, despite the ongoing war. In Ukraine, for example, one of Putin's top advisors posted footage of him chatting with global leaders, writing the caption, quote, isolated Russia, clearly mocking those who say Putin has been boxed out. And from an economic perspective, by solidifying this relationship between India and Russia, Putin is able to help ensure that India keeps buying his oil at a time when Trump has been pushing sanctions and tariffs on any country who continues to do so.

[John Bickley]

Right. And speaking of tariffs, a potentially major blow dealt to President Trump and his tariff agenda over the weekend. What happened with this court of appeals ruling?

[Cabot Phillips]

So, on Friday night, a federal appeals court struck down many of President Trump's global tariffs, ruling that he was not justified in using emergency powers to unilaterally impose his trade policy. President Trump responded over the weekend saying on social media, quote, more than $15 trillion will be invested in the USA, a record. Much of this investment is because of tariffs. If a radical left court is allowed to terminate these tariffs, almost all of this investment and much more will be immediately canceled. Now, one silver lining for the president here, Friday's ruling allowed for the tariffs to continue until at least October. They'll stay in place so that the Supreme Court has time to decide if they'll take up this case. If they do, it'll set up a monumental showdown that could well decide the fate of President Trump's most consequential second term economic policy.

[John Bickley]

All right, so once again, it's Trump versus the courts. We'll see if the highest court in the land intervenes in this case. Cabot, thanks for reporting.

[Cabot Phillips]

Absolutely.

[John Bickley]

The FDA is taking action against an opioid substance derived from the kratom plant, which is being aggressively marketed to use in gas station and vape shops across the nation.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with more is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo. So, Amanda, first off, what is kratom? And then what kind of action is the FDA taking?

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

So the kratom plant, which is native to Southeast Asia in its natural state, some people find it to have healthful and medicinal qualities. The FDA is not concerned about the natural kratom leaf. However, they are targeting concentrated and synthetic forms of kratom. Specifically seven oh, which is a potent compound derived from the kratom plants. At the end of July, the FDA recommended that 7 oh be classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. That would make it illegal to sell or to possess. The FDA is very concerned about this. They say that it is an opioid, not just like an opioid, and it comes with significant health risks, including addiction and overdose. 7 oh, they say is about 13 times more potent than morphine. By recommending that it be restricted, the FDA is hoping to get ahead of another potential opioid like crisis. Especially since most people are unaware of what these Kratom products actually are or how they're being aggressively marketed to minors. Here's FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary issuing that stark warning.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

We can't get caught flat footed again. We got burned with fentanyl, we got burned with prescription drugs. We cannot get behind the eight ball again. This may be the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic. Concentrated synthetic 7oH may be the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic.

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

Currently, the Drug enforcement administration, the DEA, they're reviewing the FDA's recommendation to effectively ban the substance.

[Georgia Howe]

So how big of an issue is this, the synthetic Kratom, and also how is it being marketed?

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

Well, first of all, Kratom overall is a billion dollar industry in the US and it's growing very quickly. In a matter of a couple of years, it's expected that the industry will double. And while some people, or perhaps even most people, have not heard of Kratom before, they've certainly seen these 7 oh products in gas stations, corner stores, vape shops, or even online. 7oh can come in the form of powder. It's in vapes, in drinks, pills, and other forms that are extremely appealing to young people, like fruit flavored gummies or even ice cream cones. The FDA also says that these products are often not clearly or accurately labeled with regard to their 7 oh content. And they can be disguised or marketed as merely the Kratom plant. And again, you can just walk into a gas station and get this stuff.

[Georgia Howe]

So this is very common. How common are deaths from these products?

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

Well, the CDC says that there have been some overdose deaths associated with Kratom products, but most of the time other substances have been involved. But there are new investigations coming out and medical professionals who are sounding the alarm on 7 oh. A recent report from the Tampa Bay Times, for example, links Kratom products to hundreds of deaths just in the state of Florida. Here's Dr. Makary reading a letter from a grieving stepfather of a young man who had finally quit addiction, only to purchase 7 oh without being aware of its contents.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

He called me on May 31 to tell me he had stopped at the vape shop to buy a vape and was offered a fruity pill and was told that it was Kratom. He said that he took the pill and became addicted and that he should have done his research. He died the night he took two 20mg 7OH pills.

[Georgia Howe]

Wow. So terrifying for parents. Now we're also starting to see some States take action against 7 oh. What's the latest there?

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

Yeah, we're starting to see Florida in particular lead the way on this. Earlier this month, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeyer announced an emergency rule to classify 7OH as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. We also have GOP Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio urging the Board of pharmacy and the state to designate synthetic and natural Kratom compounds as illegal drugs. A number of other states have also moved to add age restrictions for seven oh. Or they've added limitations for the concentrations of this compound.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, very frightening, but good to see we might be getting ahead of this drug. Amanda, thanks for reporting.

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

You're welcome.

[John Bickley]

Thanks for waking up with us. And if you're watching on YouTube, don't forget to like and subscribe. We'll be back this evening with more news you need to know.

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[John Bickley]

These are questions that take cultures thousands of years to answer. During answer the call, I take questions from people just like you who about their problems, opportunities, challenges, or when they simply need advice. How do I balance all of this grief, responsibility? How do you repair this kind of damage? My daughter Michaela guides the conversations as we hopefully help people navigate their lives.

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Everyone has their own destiny. Everyone.