Podcast Summary: Evening Wire: Anti-ICE Crowd Protests Walz & Ilhan Omar Assaulted
Podcast: Morning Wire
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe, The Daily Wire
Date: January 28, 2026
Overview
This episode covers a packed news day focusing on paralyzing winter weather in the South, the Federal Reserve's latest moves, political unrest from anti-ICE protests in Minnesota, the shocking assault on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a major measles outbreak, and other high-profile national developments. The tone is direct, fact-focused, and analytical, with regular attributions and updates from on-the-ground Daily Wire reporters.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Southern US Paralyzed by Winter Storm Fern
[00:02–01:15]
- Severe Weather Aftermath:
- Dangerous winter conditions grip the South, freezing major roads and trapping motorists.
- "Major interstates including I22 and I55 are at a standstill, with drivers stranded for hours after melted snow refroze..." — Joel Niedler [00:33]
- Emergency Measures: National Guard, drones, and local responders working to evacuate drivers and clear wrecks.
- Scale of Outage: Over 380,000 customers still without power.
- Federal Response: President Trump approved disaster declarations for over a dozen states.
2. Rubio Defends US Policy on Venezuela and Iran
[01:15–02:57]
- Venezuela Operation:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio insists the operation to remove Maduro "was not an act of war."
- “The only military presence you will see in Venezuela is our Marine guards at an embassy. Okay? That is our goal, that is our expectation..." — Marco Rubio [01:28]
- Iran Concerns: Rubio says US has no immediate plans to strike Iran, but regime change would be complex.
- "I don't think anyone can give you a simple answer as to what happens next in Iran..." — Marco Rubio [01:52]
- Senate Grillings:
- Democrats criticize Trump over foreign affairs; Tim Kaine mocks his Greenland/Iceland mix-up.
- Senator Rand Paul presses Rubio on the definition of an act of war, posing hypothetical reversals.
- Rubio stands firm, saying the operation does not meet the constitutional definition of war.
3. Federal Reserve Holds Rates Steady Amid Investigation
[02:57–03:30]
- Announcement:
- Chair Jerome Powell: Interest rates held between 3.5–3.75%.
- “Monetary policy is not on a preset course, and we will make our decisions on a meeting by meeting basis.” — Jerome Powell (via Georgia Howe) [03:15]
- Context:
- Decision comes as Powell faces investigation and President Trump publicly calls for rate cuts.
4. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Assaulted at Town Hall
[03:30–04:33]
- Incident Details:
- Omar brushed with a syringe and sprayed with liquid (likely apple cider vinegar) during her first 2026 in-person town hall.
- Assailant quickly subdued; Omar refuses to end event.
- “No, we will continue.” — Ilhan Omar (via Jenny Terre) [04:06]
- Political Fallout:
- President Trump dismisses the assault, suggests, "She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her," while admitting he hadn’t seen the video [04:25].
5. Anti-ICE Protesters Target Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
[04:33–06:15]
- Protest Escalation:
- Dozens storm the Minnesota Capitol and gather outside Governor Walz's office, chanting “ICE out now” and “do your job.”
- Triggered by death of anti-ICE demonstrator Alex Preddy.
- “Agreed on the need for an ongoing dialogue and will continue working toward those goals…” — Statement on Walz’s meeting with border czar Tom Homan [05:07]
- Trump–Walz Dialogue:
- President Trump describes a positive phone call with Walz: “It couldn't have been a nicer conversation and… they seem to be on a similar wavelength.” [05:27]
- Arrests:
- 13 agitators arrested protesting at a Minneapolis hotel allegedly housing a Border Patrol official; some have prior convictions.
6. Public Health: Major Measles Outbreak in South Carolina
[07:18–08:32]
- Case Numbers:
- 789 confirmed measles cases, surpassing recent outbreaks elsewhere.
- 88% of victims unvaccinated; 18 hospitalized, no deaths.
- Political Blame:
- Advocacy group faults HHS Secretary Kennedy and RFK Jr. for vaccine skepticism.
- HHS: “Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles and the secretary has been clear and consistent on this point.” [07:58]
- CDC Guidance: CDC continues to recommend routine MMR vaccination for children.
7. NTSB Faults FAA for Deadly 2025 Air Crash
[08:32–09:45]
- Findings:
- The 2025 mid-air collision at Reagan National was “completely preventable.”
- FAA ignored repeated warnings from controllers about airspace congestion.
- Systemic Failure:
- NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy: “Tower personnel… kept submitting one recommendation after another. We need help, we need help, we need help. Apparently falling on deaf ears.” [09:14]
- Post-Accident Reform: FAA bans non-essential helicopter traffic near the airport.
8. Sports: Cleveland Browns Hire Todd Monken as Head Coach
[09:45–10:29]
- Team Changes:
- Monken replaces Kevin Stefanski after a “disappointing 5-12 season.”
- Monken brings recent NFL and college championship experience.
9. First Lady Melania Trump’s NYSE Appearance
[10:29–end]
- Event:
- Melania Trump rings the NYSE opening bell to launch her documentary, Melania.
- Quote:
- “Cultural influence now rivals economic power, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and emotional connection.” — Melania Trump (paraphrased from John Bickley) [10:34]
Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)
- “The only military presence you will see in Venezuela is our Marine guards at an embassy. Okay? That is our goal, that is our expectation...”
— Marco Rubio [01:28] - “I don't think anyone can give you a simple answer as to what happens next in Iran if the supreme leader and the regime were to fall, because you're talking about a regime that's in place for a very long time.”
— Marco Rubio [01:52] - “Monetary policy is not on a preset course and we will make our decisions on a meeting by meeting basis.”
— Jerome Powell (paraphrased by Georgia Howe) [03:15] - “No, we will continue.”
— Ilhan Omar (via Jenny Terre) [04:06] - “It couldn't have been a nicer conversation and… they seem to be on a similar wavelength.”
— President Trump on call with Gov. Walz [05:27] - “Tower personnel… kept submitting one recommendation after another. We need help, we need help, we need help. Apparently falling on deaf ears.”
— Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chair [09:14]
Important Timestamps
- 00:02 — Southern winter storm coverage
- 01:15 — Rubio testifies on Venezuela and Iran
- 02:57 — Federal Reserve holds rates steady
- 03:30 — Ilhan Omar assaulted at town hall
- 04:33 — Anti-ICE protests escalate in Minnesota
- 07:18 — Major measles outbreak in South Carolina
- 08:32 — Air crash report faults FAA
- 09:45 — Browns hire Todd Monken
- 10:29 — Melania Trump at NYSE
Tone & Style
Factual, brisk, and focused on delivering key details for informed listeners. Regular attribution and succinct updates keep the episode fast-paced and information-dense.
Conclusion
This Evening Wire episode presents clear, in-depth updates on serious winter weather, the ongoing turmoil surrounding US foreign and domestic policy, a shocking political assault, and high-impact national news in clear, relatable terms. The headline: America faces a charged political climate, tough questions from all sides, and rising public anxieties—delivered straight, with sources attributed and a focus on the most consequential events of the day.