Morning Wire Episode Summary: Democratic Infighting Grows & Wisconsin’s Judicial Showdown | 03.24.25

Release Date: March 24, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Morning Wire, Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe delve into the escalating infighting within the Democratic Party and the high-stakes judicial race in Wisconsin. The discussion covers the widening rift between the party’s far-left and moderate factions, the implications of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election on national politics, and President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. Notable insights from political analysts and key figures are highlighted, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current political landscape.

Democratic Party Struggles

Polling Data and Constituent Anger

Georgia Howe opens the discussion by addressing the growing discontent among Democratic voters as the party grapples with internal divisions. Megan Basham highlights new polling data indicating a significant decline in Democratic popularity:

John Bickley [02:09]: "Trump's approval ratings have held steady around 48%. That's well above where he stood during his first term. And Democratic popularity has only plummeted since Election Day. Last week, CNN found that just 29% of Americans view the party favorably. That's a 20-point drop from 2021."

Furthermore, a Quinnipiac poll reveals an unprecedented low in Democratic approval:

John Bickley [02:09]: "A new Quinnipiac poll showed that just 21% of Americans approve of Democrats' job performance in Congress. That is the lowest mark in the history of the poll."

Specific Incidents Highlighting Internal Conflict

The episode details instances of friction within the Democratic ranks, particularly during debates over government shutdowns:

John Bickley [02:52]: "During the Democrat debate over whether to shut down the government, rank-and-file members wanted to kill the Republican spending bill and force a shutdown. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer supported the deal to keep the lights on, resulting in backlash from prominent lawmakers like AOC and Nancy Pelosi."

The backlash was so intense that Schumer had to cancel his book tour due to security concerns, illustrating the depth of the discord.

Strategies Within the Democratic Party

Far-Left Consolidation

Senior editor Cabot Phillips explains the first emerging strategy among Democrats:

John Bickley [04:10]: "There are those who say the party needs to listen to its far-left base and double down on their opposition to Trump, doing just everything possible to prevent his agenda from being implemented. In that camp are Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez."

This faction emphasizes a progressive agenda, exemplified by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez's "Fighting Oligarchy Tour," which has attracted large crowds in cities like Tempe, Las Vegas, and Denver.

However, this approach faces challenges as the broader American electorate does not overwhelmingly support the far-left vision:

John Bickley [04:50]: "The problem for Democrats in that camp is that the far-left vision for America they're describing just doesn't seem all that popular with Americans right now."

Moderate Shift and Alliances with Conservatives

Conversely, another faction within the party advocates for moderating its stance to regain voter support:

John Bickley [05:14]: "Democrats who feel November's results were a clear rebuke of progressive ideologies and governance believe the party has to shake that 'woke' label and moderate on social issues while embracing a more old-school Blue Dog Democrat approach."

Ironically, this group includes progressive figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has begun aligning with hardline conservatives. Newsom has launched a podcast featuring discussions with figures like Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk, criticizing the party as elitist and out of touch.

Gallup polling reflects this division among Democratic voters:

John Bickley [06:02]: "The latest numbers from Gallup have 45% of Democrats wanting the party to become more moderate, 29% say more liberal, and 22% say hold the current course."

This split indicates a lack of consensus on the party’s future direction, complicating efforts to present a unified front.

Wisconsin’s Judicial Showdown

Significance of the Race

The episode shifts focus to Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, a pivotal contest with national ramifications. Co-host Georgia Howe introduces the topic:

Georgia Howe [07:07]: "That was Super Bowl champ Brett Favre endorsing the conservative candidate in an election that will determine whether liberals or conservatives control Wisconsin's top court, already the most expensive judicial race in US History."

Impact on Redistricting and National Policy

Cabot Phillips elaborates on the stakes involved:

Cabot Phillips [07:48]: "This is a rare chance to flip the ideological balance of the highest court in a key swing state. Depending on April 1st's outcome, Wisconsin Supreme Court could shift from a 4-3 liberal majority to a 4-3 conservative one, affecting national policy significantly."

One of the critical issues at stake is congressional redistricting. The outcome will influence whether Republican-drawn maps, which Democrats previously contested, are upheld or overturned again, potentially affecting the slim Republican majority in the House.

Endorsements and Campaign Dynamics

Brett Favre's endorsement of conservative candidate Brad Schimmel underscores the race's importance:

Brett Favre [07:07]: "This is as important as the November election. This is for the soul of Wisconsin. Your vote for Brad Schimmel will keep Wisconsin and America winning."

This endorsement highlights the race as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency, with broader implications for issues like voter ID laws and immigration policies.

Trump’s Immigration Policies and IRS-ICE Collaboration

Revoking Security Clearances

Tim Pierce reports on President Trump's aggressive moves against perceived adversaries:

Tim Pierce [10:59]: "President Trump officially revoked the security clearances of a number of people late Friday, including top Biden administration officials and prominent Republicans who opposed him, such as Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Letitia James, and Liz Cheney."

This action reflects Trump's retaliatory stance against those he views as obstructing his agenda.

IRS and ICE Collaboration on Immigration

The discussion then turns to the administration's efforts to bolster immigration enforcement through cooperation between the IRS and ICE:

Tim Pierce [11:41]: "The IRS and ICE are near an agreement that would allow immigration agents to cross-check information on aliens with IRS databases. While DHS would not have direct access to IRS systems, agents can verify the home addresses of illegal aliens, aiding in Trump’s deportation efforts."

This collaboration aims to enhance the effectiveness of deportations by leveraging taxpayer information without compromising IRS database security.

Rollback of the CHNV Parole Program

Further tightening immigration controls, Trump’s administration has dismantled the Biden-era CHNV parole program:

Tim Pierce [13:05]: "The CHNV parole program, which allowed 30,000 immigrants monthly from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to apply for entry, has been terminated. DHS has revoked legal status for those who entered under the program, urging self-deportation within 30 days or face deportation."

This move significantly increases the number of individuals eligible for deportation, aligning with Trump's broader immigration enforcement strategy.

Bipartisan Support and Public Opinion

Interestingly, there is some cross-party support for Trump's immigration policies:

Tim Pierce [12:44]: "Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly supported Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, stating that while comprehensive reform is needed, illegal border crossings are unacceptable."

This unexpected alignment underscores the complexity of immigration as a political issue.

Notable Quotes

• John Bickley [02:09]: "Trump's approval ratings have held steady around 48%. That's well above where he stood during his first term."

• John Bickley [04:10]: "There are those who say the party needs to listen to its far-left base and double down on their opposition to Trump."

• Gavin Newsom [06:34]: "What's the secret behind wildly successful businesses? It's the unsung hero, the business behind the business."

• Brett Favre [07:07]: "This is as important as the November election. This is for the soul of Wisconsin. Your vote for Brad Schimmel will keep Wisconsin and America winning."

• Elon Musk [00:43]: "This is about preserving democracy in America and not having ridiculous districts drawn that effectively disenfranchise voters in Wisconsin."

Conclusion

This episode of Morning Wire provides an in-depth analysis of the current fractures within the Democratic Party and the high-stakes judicial battle in Wisconsin. By examining polling data, internal strategies, and pivotal elections, John Bickley and Georgia Howe offer listeners a nuanced perspective on the evolving political dynamics. Additionally, the discussion on Trump’s stringent immigration policies and their broader implications underscores the administration's impact on national governance and public sentiment. As the episode concludes, listeners are left with a clear understanding of the challenges and critical events shaping the American political landscape.