Evening Wire: Bondi Addresses Epstein & Ai Rubio Impersonation | 7.8.25

Summary

Evening Wire: Bondi Addresses Epstein & AI Rubio Impersonation | July 8, 2025

Published on July 8, 2025

Hosts: Georgia Howe and John Bickley (on vacation this week)

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1. Texas Flash Flooding and Rising Death Toll

The episode opens with a grim update on the devastating flash floods in Kerr County, Texas. Georgia Howe reports that the death toll has tragically surpassed 100, including 28 children. Among the affected is Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp where ten girls and a counselor remain missing and are presumed dead.

Governor Greg Abbott is actively involved, promising continued search efforts while touring the affected areas. The community reels from the catastrophe, highlighting the severe impact of natural disasters in the region.

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2. Severe Storms Forecasted for the Northeast

Looking ahead, Georgia Howe warns of an impending severe storm system poised to strike the Northeast. Fueled by the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal, the storm path is expected to traverse from Washington, D.C., to New York City.

Key Weather Predictions:

• Rain Rates: Up to 2 inches per hour
• Conditions: Damaging wind gusts, small hail
• Impact: Flash flood watches across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, coupled with major travel disruptions during the evening commute.
• Heat Alerts: High humidity and a heat index exceeding 90°F from the Carolinas to Boston.

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3. President Trump's Cabinet Meeting and Epstein Case

During a pivotal cabinet meeting, President Trump addressed several critical issues, including trade, foreign conflicts, and notably, the long-standing Jeffrey Epstein case.

Attorney General Pam Bondi took the floor to discuss past statements regarding Epstein's alleged client list.

Pam Bondi [01:44]:
"First to back up on that, in February, I did an interview on Fox and it's been getting a lot of attention because I said I was asked a question about the client list and my response was it's sitting on my desk and to be reviewed, meaning the file along with the JFK MLK files as well."

Bondi further clarified the issue of the missing minute in Epstein's surveillance footage.

Pam Bondi [02:12]:
"What we learned from Bureau of Prisons was every year, every night they redo that video. It's old from like 1999. So every night the video is reset and every night should have the same minute missing."

She succinctly concluded her remarks on Epstein, signaling the administration's intent to close the case.

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4. Resumption of Defensive Weapons to Ukraine

In response to escalating threats, President Trump announced the resumption of defensive weapon supplies to Ukraine, reversing the Pentagon's recent pause.

Donald Trump [02:41]:
"They have to be able to defend themselves. They're getting hit very hard now. They're getting hit very hard. We're going to have to send more weapons, your defensive weapons primarily."

This decision follows deadly Russian drone and missile attacks that resulted in 11 civilian deaths and over 80 injuries, including children. Trump assured that President Zelensky was informed the aid delay was not his decision, committing to restore defensive arms promptly.

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5. AI Impersonation of Secretary of State Marco Rubio

A significant security breach is under investigation after an unidentified individual used AI to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gaining unauthorized access to high-level officials.

Cabot Phillips, Senior Editor [03:20]:
"According to numerous reports, the unidentified impersonator contacted multiple high level officials while posing as the secretary of State. Based on an internal memo obtained by the Washington Post, the imposter reached out to three foreign ministers, a state governor and a member of Congress using the encrypted app Signal, mimicking Rubio's voice and even his writing style with AI generated tools."

Officials suspect the motive was to access sensitive accounts or information. The State Department has heightened vigilance and reported the incident to Diplomatic Security.

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6. Lawsuit Against Department of Health and Human Services

Major medical organizations are taking legal action against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., challenging recent vaccine policy overhauls.

Amanda Presto Giacomo, Reporter [04:01]:
"The groups, which include the American Academy of Pediatrics, are accusing HHS of unlawfully overhauling vaccine policy. The lawsuit challenges Kennedy's move to cut COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women without a CDC panel vote and to replace the entire vaccine advisory Committee. The group say these changes threaten public health and they violate federal rulemaking law. Kennedy defends the reforms as necessary to rebuild vaccine trust."

This legal confrontation underscores the ongoing debates surrounding public health policies and vaccine administration.

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7. Violence Against ICE Officials in Texas

Recent weeks have seen targeted attacks against ICE officials in Texas, resulting in injuries to two police officers.

Caroline Levitt, White House Correspondent [04:45]:
"This administration is simply trying to enforce our laws and we must be a nation of law and order. You cannot simply waltz across our border and live here illegally and expect to stay. We are going to enforce our nation's laws and the men and women who are doing that are doing so in a respectful way. They are doing so within the confines of the law and they are just trying to do their jobs. And we condemn any violence or any calls for violence of any kind against any American."
— Caroline Levitt [04:45]

Incident Details:

• Monday: Gunman attacked a Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas, injuring three.
• Friday Night: Rioters launched fireworks at an ICE detention facility in Prairieland, Texas. One rioter shot a responding officer; another fired 20-30 rounds at unarmed officers. Ten individuals face charges.

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8. Los Angeles Mayor Criticizes Federal Immigration Raid

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly condemned a multi-agency immigration raid, highlighting concerns over federal overreach and the use of military resources in civilian areas.

Karen Bass [05:53]:
"This is another example of the administration ratcheting up chaos by deploying what looked like a military operation in an American city. Now you can spin it any way you like, but in my opinion it's a political agenda of provoking fear and terror. Frankly, it is outrageous and un American that we have federal armed vehicles in our parks when nothing is going on in the parks."

Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino responded to Bass's criticism, emphasizing that his department does not answer to the mayor and defended the operation's necessity.

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9. Lawsuit by Former NYPD Officials

Six former NYPD officials have filed lawsuits against Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD, alleging systemic corruption and retaliatory firings.

Allegations Include:

• Corruption: Bribery, falsified time cards, nepotism
• Misconduct: Skirting rules on body cameras

This legal action emerges amid a contentious mayoral race, with Democratic Socialist candidate Zoran Mamdani gaining national attention.

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10. Economic Update: Stock Markets and Trump Tariffs

Economic indicators showed a mixed day for the stock market as investors reacted to President Trump's latest tariff announcements.

Market Performance:

• S&P 500: Slipped by 0.07%
• Nasdaq: Slight increase of 0.03%
• Dow Jones: Dropped by 165 points

Trump's Tariff Strategy: Initially hinting at flexibility, Trump declared a firm August 1 deadline and announced a 50% tariff on copper following a recent sell-off prompted by sweeping 25% tariffs on South Korea, Japan, and other nations.

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11. IRS Clarifies Churches' Political Endorsements

The IRS has clarified that churches are permitted to endorse political candidates, a stance that diverges from previous interpretations of the Johnson Amendment.

Mairead Elordi, Reporter [07:55]:
"The IRS said the Johnson Amendment does not prohibit a church from sharing its preferred political candidates with its congregation. It said the endorsement is like a family discussion concerning candidates. The IRS has refrained from enforcing the Johnson Amendment against churches. It only launched one investigation and did not punish any churches. The statement comes after two Texas churches and an association of Christian broadcasters sued. The group sought an exemption from the amendment in 2017. Trump said he would abolish the Johnson Amendment."

This development impacts how religious organizations engage in political discourse.

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12. Congressional Candidate Advocates for Transgender Medical Procedure Ban

Tennessee State Representative Johnny Garrett is positioning himself as a staunch opponent of transgender medical procedures for minors, promising legislation to enforce a nationwide ban.

Johnny Garrett [08:24 - 09:28]:
"I've been warning Newsom, Governor Newsom and the state's supermajority for a long time that this is going to be the consequence. And now here we are."
— Johnny Garrett [09:28]

Garrett's proposed bill aligns with Tennessee's existing laws, aiming to prioritize the protection of children, reinforce border security, and curtail Chinese investments in American land.

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13. GOP Criticism of California's Trans Athletes Policy

Republican lawmakers are vocally opposing California's decision to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports, citing concerns over fairness and safety.

Key Statements:

• Johnny Garrett [09:10]:
  "California refuses to follow the law."

• Donald Trump [09:13]:
  "The insanity continues."

• Unnamed Republican Lawmaker [09:15]:
  "At the end of the day, it's our duty to protect and keep the civil rights of girls in sports."

The federal government is pressuring California, threatening to withhold billions in federal funding if the state does not restrict male athletes from competing in female sports categories.

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14. TSA Ends Shoes-Off Security Policy

In a significant policy shift, TSA announced the termination of the long-standing shoes-off requirement during airport security screenings, effective immediately.

Details:

• Policy Change: Passengers can keep their shoes on while moving through checkpoints.
• Exceptions: Those triggering alarms will still need to remove their shoes for additional screening.
• Historical Context: The policy, in place for nearly two decades, was initially implemented following a failed terrorist attempt in 2001 involving explosives concealed in shoes.

This adjustment aims to streamline the security process and enhance passenger convenience without compromising safety.

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Conclusion

The Evening Wire episode delivered a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, from natural disasters and severe weather forecasts to high-stakes political maneuvers and policy changes. Highlights included Attorney General Pam Bondi's clarifications on the Epstein case, President Trump's strategic decisions on defense aid and tariffs, and the evolving landscape of political endorsements by religious institutions. Additionally, the episode delved into contentious debates surrounding transgender athletes in sports and significant legal battles impinging on public health policies.

For more detailed coverage on these stories and others, visit dailywire.com.

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Drive Home Updates: Stay informed with the latest traffic and weather updates as you head home. For more stories, visit dailywire.com.

Stay Tuned: Join us again tomorrow morning for another edition of Morning Wire.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

The death toll continues to rise in Texas. The Trump administration attempts to close the case on Epstein and Secretary of State Marco Rubio is impersonated using AI. I'm Georgia Howe. John Bickley is on vacation this week. It's Tuesday, July 8, and this is Evening Wire. Kerr County, Texas, has been hit with another grim milestone as the death toll ticked up over 100. Officials say at least 100, including 28 children, are dead after the catastrophic flash flooding swept through Texas just days ago. Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp, was devastated by floodwaters. Ten girls and a counselor remain missing and are presumed dead. Governor Greg Abbott vowed ongoing search efforts. The governor was in Kerr county today touring the damage. Severe storms are set to slam the Northeast this afternoon. The storm path is expected to span from Washington, D.C. to New York City, fueled by tropical moist the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal. Rain rates could hit 2 inches per hour, prompting flash flood watches across the Mid Atlantic and Northeast. The storms are expected to bring damaging wind gusts, small hail and major travel disruptions during the evening commute. High humidity and a heat index topping 90 have triggered heat alerts from the Carolinas to Boston. In Washington, President Trump convened his cabinet meeting today to discuss various things, including trade, foreign conflicts, and apparently Jeffrey Epstein. During the meeting, Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed scrutiny over her previous statements regarding Jeffrey Epstein's alleged client list.

[Pam Bondi]

First to back up on that, in February, I did an interview on Fox and it's been getting a lot of attention because I said I was asked a question about the client list and my response was it's sitting on my desk and to be reviewed, meaning the file along with the JFK MLK files as well.

[Georgia Howe]

She also addressed the missing minute from the Epstein surveillance footage.

[Pam Bondi]

What we learned from Bureau of Prisons was every year, every night they redo that video. It's old from like 1999. So every night the video is reset and every night should have the same minute missing.

[Georgia Howe]

Bondi continued her remarks succinctly stating that's it on Epstein. President Trump says he'll resume sending defensive weapons to Ukraine. The announcement comes just days after the Pentagon paused aid to the war torn country. Here's Trump making the announcement last night.

[Donald Trump]

They have to be able to defend themselves. They're getting hit very hard now. They're getting hit very hard. We're going to have to send more weapons, your defensive weapons primarily.

[Georgia Howe]

His comments followed deadly Russian drone and missile barrages that killed 11 civilians and injured over 80, including children. Trump told reporters he assured President Zelensky that the aid delay wasn't his call, and he promised defensive arms would soon resume flowing to Kyiv. A potential security breach is being investigated at the State Department after AI was used to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips has more.

[Cabot Phillips]

According to numerous reports, the unidentified impersonator contacted multiple high level officials while posing as the secretary of State. Based on an internal memo obtained by the Washington Post, the imposter reached out to three foreign ministers, a state governor and a member of Congress using the encrypted app signal, mimicking Rubio's voice and even his writing style with AI generated tools. Officials say the motive appeared to be gaining access to sensitive accounts or information. The State Department has urged vigilance and reported the breach to Diplomatic Security.

[Georgia Howe]

In other news from the Hill, six major medical organizations are suing the Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presto Giacomo has the details on the suit.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

The groups, which include the American Academy of Pediatrics, are accusing HHS of unlawfully overhauling vaccine policy. The lawsuit challenges Kennedy's move to cut COVID 19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women without a CDC panel votes and to replace the entire vaccine advisory Committee. The group say these changes threaten public health and they violate federal rulemaking law. Kennedy defends the reforms as necessary to rebuild vaccine trust.

[Georgia Howe]

ICE officials have been ambushed twice in the last five days in Texas. Two police officers have been injured in the attacks. Daily Wire White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olihan asked Caroline Levitt about the violence yesterday. Here's what she had to say.

[Caroline Levitt]

This administration is simply trying to enforce our laws and we must be a nation of law and order. You cannot simply waltz across our border and live here illegally and expect to stay. We are going to enforce our nation's laws and the men and women who are doing that are doing so in a respectful way. They are doing so within the confines of the law and they are just trying to do their jobs. And we condemn any violence or any calls for violence of any kind against any American.

[Georgia Howe]

As we covered yesterday, a gunman opened fire at a Border patrol facility in McAllen, Texas on Monday morning, injuring three. On Friday night, a group of rioters allegedly launched fireworks at an ICE detention facility in Prairieland, Texas, outside of Dallas, Fort Worth. One of the rioters apparently shot a police officer who responded to the scene, and a second allegedly fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed facility officers. Ten people are facing charges related to Friday's incident. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass lambasted federal officials over a multi agency immigration raid on Monday. The mayor took particular issue with the involvement of the National Guard and the inclusion of a local park in the operation area. Here's Mayor Bass.

[Karen Bass]

This is another example of the administration ratcheting up chaos by deploying what looked like a military operation in an American city. Now you can spin it any way you like, but in my opinion it's a political agenda of provoking fear and terror. Frankly, it is outrageous and un American that we have federal armed vehicles in our parks when nothing is going on in the parks.

[Georgia Howe]

There were no arrests made in the operation. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino told Fox News that Bass called him demanding that the raid be stopped. Bovino said, quote, I don't work for Karen Bass. Four former NYPD officials filed lawsuits Monday against New York Mayor Eric Adams and the nypd. The former officials alleged that Adams and the NYPD forced them out of the department after they raised concerns about visible corruption, including bribery, falsified time cards, nepotism and skirting the rules on body cameras. The suits come as Adam faces a hotly contested mayoral race in November, with Democratic Socialist candidate Zoran Mamdani drawing national attention. In economic news, markets closed mostly flat today as investors digested President Trump's tariff messaging. The S&P 500 slipped just 0.07%, the Nasdaq edged up 0.03% and the Dow took a dive, falling 165 points. Trump initially hinted at flexibility on new tariffs, then switched things up today, declaring an Aug. 1 deadline firm and announcing a 50% tariff on copper in reports, this followed yesterday's sell off after sweeping 25% tariffs were imposed on South Korea, Japan and others. Trump's IRS says churches can endorse political candidates from the pulpit. Daily Wire reporter Mairead Elordi has the latest.

[Mairead Elordi]

The IRS said the Johnson Amendment does not prohibit a church from sharing its preferred political candidates with its congregation. It said the endorsement is like a family discussion concerning candidates. The IRS has refrained from enforcing the Johnson Amendment against churches. It only launched one investigation and did not punish any churches. The statement comes after two Texas churches and an association of Christian broadcasters sued. The group sought an exemption from the amendment in 2017. Trump said he would abolish the Johnson Amendment.

[Georgia Howe]

A congressional hopeful says he'd fight for a nationwide ban on transgender medical procedures for children. Tennessee State Representative Johnny Garrett says the ban would be one of the first bills he introduces in Congress. The bill would mirror Tennessee's current law banning medical transitions for minors Garrett said protecting children should be a priority in Congress. Garrett also says he wants to finish the border wall, deport all illegal immigrants and stop China from buying American land. In sports related news Republicans slam California officials for letting trans identifying athletes compete in girls sports. California's education department and athletics association rejected a resolution agreement to keep men out of women's sports. Republican lawmakers criticized the state's, quote, insanity.

[Johnny Garrett]

California refuses to follow the law.

[Donald Trump]

The insanity continues.

[Unnamed Republican Lawmaker]

At the end of the day, it's our duty to protect and keep the civil rights of girls in sports.

[Georgia Howe]

The federal government is threatening to withhold billions of dollars of federal funding if California does not keep men out of women's sports.

[Johnny Garrett]

I've been warning Newsom, Governor Newsom and the state's supermajority for a long time that this is going to be the consequence. And now here we are.

[Georgia Howe]

And TSA is finally ending its shoes off policy for airport security screening. The nearly 20 year old policy first appeared five years after Richard Reed failed to blow up an American Airlines flight by hiding explosives in his shoes. Starting Sunday, passengers will be allowed to keep their shoes on as they move through the checkpoint. However, passengers who trigger the alarm at the scanners or magnetometers will be required to remove their shoes for additional screening. Those are your Drive Home updates this evening. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning we covered some major stories, including the administration's attempt to close the book on Epstein, Trump's meeting with Netanyahu and the CIA's Russia collusion probe. Conclusion thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.