Evening Wire: Church Shooter Investigated & Adams Bows Out | 9.29.25

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Evening Wire: Church Shooter Investigated & Adams Bows Out

Morning Wire, The Daily Wire • September 29, 2025
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley

Overview

This episode of Evening Wire focuses on breaking developments including the investigation into a Michigan church shooting, political upheaval in the New York mayoral race, updates on a high-profile protest mishap, and the latest in national and international news. The hosts bring concise coverage and expert commentary on each topic, highlighting political dynamics, public safety, and turbulence in global affairs.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Michigan Church Shooting – Motive Investigation

• Federal authorities are searching for a motive in the attack at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

  • White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt suggests the suspect "hated people of the Mormon faith" based on FBI director’s input ([00:35]).
  • The suspect: 40-year-old U.S. Marine veteran, deployed in Iraq, seen previously in a "Trump 2020" shirt; no criminal record ([01:11]).
  • Authorities are investigating the premeditation of the attack, possible planning, and any note left ([00:52]).

  “All they know right now is this was an individual who hated people of the Mormon faith and they are trying to understand more about this, how premeditated it was, how much planning went into it, whether he left a note.”
  —Georgia Howe ([00:52])

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2. Middle East & U.S. Politics Updates

• President Trump hosted Israeli PM Netanyahu at the White House to discuss a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release ([01:35]).

  • About 50 hostages remain, with ~20 believed alive.

• Possible Government Shutdown looms:

  • Republican-proposed seven-week stopgap; Democrats want healthcare funding ([01:56]).
  • Deadline: Funding runs out at 12:01 am Wednesday.

  “Democrats led by Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries argue that the GOP is to blame for waiting until the last minute.”
  —John Bickley ([01:56])

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3. New York City Mayoral Race Shake-up

• Mayor Eric Adams withdraws from re-election, citing:

  • Negative coverage, federal case baggage, and campaign finance issues ([02:29]).

  • Direct quote from resignation announcement ([02:45]):

    “I cannot continue my re-election campaign. The constant media speculation about my future and the Campaign Finance Board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.”
    —Eric Adams ([02:45])

• Zoran Mamdani emerges as front-runner, proposes:

  • Over $100 million for legal aid to migrants facing deportation ([03:31]).

  • Trump responds, labeling Mamdani “a self-proclaimed communist,” and warns of potential federal funding cut-off ([03:40]).

    “Remember he needs the money from me as president in order to fulfill all his fake communist promises. He won’t be getting any of it, so what's the point of voting for him?”
    —Donald Trump, quoted by Brent Scher ([03:40])

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4. Murder Confession on TV – New York Case

• Lorenz Krause charged in the murder of his parents after confessing in a TV interview ([04:10]).

  • Police investigation triggered by social security fraud concerns; bodies found in backyard.

  • Motivation: Krause claimed it was a “mercy killing” ([04:44]).

    “Did they know it was happening to them? Oh yeah, and they knew it was at your hand.”
    —Joel Niedler, interviewer ([04:39])

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5. Southport, NC Boat Shooting

• Shooting outside American Fish Company Bar; 3 dead, 6+ wounded.
  • Suspect apprehended by U.S. Coast Guard ([05:06]).
  • No ongoing threat according to police.

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6. Russia-Ukraine War Intensifies

• Russia launches one of the largest drone and missile attacks on Kyiv; 595 drones, 48 missiles ([05:40]).
  • Civilian casualties, damage to vital infrastructure.
  • Neighboring Poland scrambles fighter jets.

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7. U.S. Defense & Military Readiness

• Pentagon pressures manufacturers to double or quadruple missile production ([06:12]).
  • Supply chain concerns: 10% of critical components sourced from China.
• Speculation around War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s all-hands meeting.

  • Trump insists meeting is routine and positive, dismisses rumors ([06:55]).

    “It’s really just a very nice meeting, talking about how well we’re doing militarily, talking about being in great shape, talking about a lot of good, positive things... esprit de corps.”
    —Donald Trump, quoted by Joel Niedler ([07:10])

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8. Political Rhetoric Escalation: Newsom vs. Miller

• California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office labels Trump advisor Stephen Miller a “fascist” ([07:30]).
  • Miller and others warn rhetoric is dangerous and risks inciting violence.
  • Conservatives decry the double standard in calls to “turn down the temperature.”

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9. James Comey Indictment — Due Process Debate

• Speaker Mike Johnson rejects claim that Trump directed DOJ to indict Comey ([08:12]).

  • Emphasizes grand jury independence ([08:31]).

    “Everybody has to subscribe to the law, even a former FBI director, and he has lots to answer for.”
    —House Speaker Mike Johnson ([08:52])

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10. Viral Protest Mishap – Anti-ICE Protester

• Anti-ICE protester’s attempt to confront agents in Upton, Massachusetts, backfires:

  • Left car in gear; it rolls into a lake ([09:08]).

  • Agents “carried on with the arrest unfazed.”

  • Hosts react with humor:

    “Well, that sucks.”
    —House Speaker Mike Johnson ([09:26])
    “Her car got lost.”
    —House Speaker Mike Johnson ([09:30])
    “The protester’s big stand against immigration enforcement ended up underwater, quite literally.”
    —John Bickley ([09:32])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said...the 40-year-old man accused...appears to have been driven by hatred for Mormons.”
  —Zach Jewell ([00:35])
• “I was wrongfully charged because I fought for this city and if I had to do it again, I would fight for New York again.”
  —Eric Adams ([02:45])
• “If he prevails in November...he won’t be getting [money from Trump]...so what’s the point of voting for him?”
  —Donald Trump ([03:40])
• “It’s just a good message. We have some great people coming in and it’s just an esprit de corps.”
  —Donald Trump ([07:10])
• “House Speaker Mike Johnson shot down the suggestion that President Trump forced the indictment of James Comey...”
  —Georgia Howe ([08:12])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Michigan Church Shooting & Motive: [00:03]–[01:35]
• Middle East Peace Talks/Government Shutdown: [01:35]–[02:29]
• NYC Mayoral Race Update & Adams Bows Out: [02:29]–[03:40]
• Krause TV Confession Case: [04:10]–[04:58]
• Southport, NC Boat Shooting: [04:58]–[05:40]
• Russia-Ukraine Strike: [05:40]–[06:12]
• U.S. Defense Readiness / Hegseth Meeting: [06:12]–[07:30]
• Newsom-Miller Rhetoric: [07:30]–[08:12]
• Comey Indictment Debate: [08:12]–[09:08]
• Anti-ICE Protester’s Car Mishap: [09:08]–[09:40]

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Tone and Takeaways

• Concise and direct reporting with a slightly satirical edge during lighter moments.
• Strong themes: Accountability in government, the consequences of political rhetoric, and the unpredictability of not only world affairs but also domestic activism.
• Balanced mix of breaking news, political commentary, and even viral “fail” news for levity.

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For further details, listeners are encouraged to visit dailywire.com for comprehensive coverage and to tune in for the next episode.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

Federal authorities search for a motive in yesterday's Michigan church attack. The race to become New York City's next mayor heats up and an anti ICE protester really steps in it while attempting to confront immigration officers. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Monday, September 29th, and this is Evening Wire.

[John Bickley]

As authorities investigate the possible motive of the suspect in the Michigan LDS Church shooting, the White House suggested he may have, quote, hated people of the Mormon faith. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has more.

[Zach Jewell]

White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said on Fox and Friends this morning that the 40 year old man accused of opening fire at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc appears to have been driven by hatred for Mormons. That's based on her conversations with FBI Director Cash Patel.

[Georgia Howe]

All they know right now is this was an individual who hated people of the Mormon faith and they are trying to understand more about this, how, how premeditated it was, how much planning went into it, whether he left a note. All of those questions have yet to be answered, but certainly will be answered by the FBI.

[Zach Jewell]

The suspected gunman was identified as a US Marine veteran who was deployed to Iraq for nearly seven months in 2007. The pickup truck used in the attack had two American flags in its bed. NBC News reports that a photo uploaded to Facebook in 2019 showed him wearing a Trump 2020 shirt that read, quote, make liberals cry again. He had no criminal history and lived in Burton, Michigan, which borders Grand Blanc.

[Georgia Howe]

President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House today, where peace in the Middle east was the main topic. Trump has been touting progress on the Gaza ceasefire deal, which would free hostages held by Hamas and bring humanitarian aid to civilians. About 50 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, with roughly 20 believed to be alive.

[John Bickley]

With a potential government shutdown closing in. President Trump hosted congressional leaders at the White House today in hopes of reaching a deal. Republicans are proposing a seven week stopgap measure to keep the government open, while Democrats are demanding billions for health care subsidies before signing on. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says talks on extending those subsidies should only come after a short term patch passes. Democrats led by Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries argue that the GOP is to blame for waiting until the last minute. The funding spigot runs dry at 12:01am Wednesday.

[Georgia Howe]

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially pulled out of the mayoral race, citing a lack of money to compete. He made the announcement Sunday in a video posted to X, in which he laid out the reasons for calling it quits, including having a hard time beating negative headlines and limited funds.

[Eric Adams]

It's not always easy to see the impact of good policy in just three years. I also know some remain unsure of me after the unfortunate events surrounding my federal case. I was wrongfully charged because I fought for this city and if I had to do it again, I would fight for New York again. And yet, despite all we've achieved, I cannot continue my re election campaign. The constant media speculation about my future and the Campaign Finance Board's decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.

[John Bickley]

Meanwhile, the front runner in that race, Zoran Mamdani, says he'll spend millions to give migrants facing deportation legal help. Daily Wire editor in Chief Brent Scher has more.

[Brent Scher]

Mamdani is pledging to spend over $100 million for free lawyers for migrants. On Monday, President Trump unloaded on New York mayor hopeful, branding him a self proclaimed communist and warning voters the city won't see a dime of federal funding if he prevails in November. Trump wrote, and I quote, remember he needs the money from me as president in order to fulfill all his fake communist promises. He won't be getting any of it, so what's the point of voting for him?

[Georgia Howe]

Prosecutors charged a New York man with the murder of his parents after he confessed to the crime in a television interview. Police first looked into Lorenz Krause after authorities suspected fraud in his parents Social Security payments. A cadaver dog located the bodies of Kraus parents last week in the backyard of their own home, where they were buried about eight years ago. Police took Lorenz Krause into custody on Thursday. After this moment on CBS 6 Albany.

[Eric Adams]

When it actually happened, when your parents.

[Joel Niedler]

Died, did they know it was happening to them? Oh yeah, and they knew it was at your hand.

[Brent Scher]

But yeah, no one else is.

[Georgia Howe]

In the interview, Kraus said he killed them out of mercy to save them from the deterioration of old age. Kraus has been charged with two counts of second degree murder and two counts of concealment of a human corpse.

[John Bickley]

North Carolina police have arrested a possible suspect after a deadly boat shooting in Southport. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presegiacomo has the details.

[Amanda Presegiacomo]

On Saturday night at around 9:30pm A gunman fired from a boat toward the American Fish Company Bar. A public information officer said that the shots came from a boat on Cape Fear River. Three bar patrons were killed and at least six others were wounded. The suspect was first detained by members of the US Coast Guard who saw a man who matched the suspect's description. He was loading his boat on Oak island at around 10pm Southport Police Chief Todd Coring has said that there are currently no additional threats to the community.

[Georgia Howe]

Russia hammered Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with 595 drones and 48 missiles on Sunday, leaving at least four dead and dozens wounded. Reuters describes it as one of the most sustained attacks on the capital since the full scale war began. As has become the regular routine in recent weeks, Poland scrambled its fighter jets enclosed airspace for two cities near the border in response to the attack. The attack lasted more than 12 hours, and President Zelensky says it damaged several civilian structures, including a cardiology clinic, factories and residential buildings.

[John Bickley]

The Pentagon is kicking the military industrial complex into high gear. The Department of War is pushing for US Missile manufacturers to double or in some cases quadruple their output over the next two years. The mandate comes after concerns of low missile stockpiles, partially due to weapons shipments to Ukraine and the recent conflict in Iran. The Pentagon has stressed 12 critical weapons systems. This follows a recent Defense analytics report, which found that nearly 10% of essential components for U.S. defense programs are actually sourced from Chinese firms.

[Georgia Howe]

There's been a lot of buzz about War Secretary Pete Hegseth's unprecedented all hands meeting with the military's top brass on Tuesday, but President Trump says it's not what people think, daily Wire senior editor Joel Niedler reports.

[Joel Niedler]

With no explanation for the rationale behind the meeting, Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals, admirals and senior enlisted leaders to all come together. A logistically complex meeting, to say the least. President Trump told NBC News that he's also going to attend, but he said that all the speculation is off the mark. Trump said, quote, it's really just a very nice meeting, talking about how well we're doing militarily, talking about being in great shape, talking about a lot of good, positive things. It's just a good message. We have some great people coming in and it's just an esprit de corps. We're talking about what we're doing, what they're doing and how we're doing.

[John Bickley]

California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a flurry of backlash after his office labeled Trump advisor Stephen Miller a fascist. Daily Wire assistant editor Andy Valdez has the latest.

[Andy Valdez]

Miller himself responded to the designation from the governor's office, asking why they would post something so dangerous. Instead of apologizing, the staff doubled down, saying, quote, because you're a fascist. Donald Trump Jr. Accused Newsom of deliberately inflaming tensions. While critics like Nancy Mace and Harris Faulkner warned the rhetoric risk inspiring more violence, conservatives say it's part of a broader pattern. Democrats calling to, quote, turn down the temperature while their leaders use the same words found at the scene of political killings.

[Georgia Howe]

House Speaker Mike Johnson shot down the suggestion that President Trump forced the indictment of James Comey. When CNN's Jake Tapper pressed Johnson Sunday whether it was acceptable on principle for a president to publicly or privately instruct their attorney general to prosecute a political opponent, Johnson rejected the premise outright.

[House Speaker Mike Johnson]

I'm glad you brought up the principle. That is exactly what's at issue here. James Comey lied to Congress, okay? He took an oath. He said things to Congress that were simply not true. It's called perjury. A grand jury, a nonpartisan, non biased grand jury that was assembled, looked at the charges and they agreed. They voted to bring an indictment of James Comey. Not President Trump, not the doj, but a grand jury. That's how our system works. It's a very important principle for us to apply that. Everybody has to subscribe to the law, even a former FBI director, and he has lots to answer for.

[John Bickley]

And an anti ICE protester made waves over the weekend, but not the kind she intended. In Upton, Massachusetts, a protester got out of her car to confront federal immigration agents who were conducting an arrest. But she forgot to put her car in park. Her vehicle rolled straight into a lake and then proceeded to sink.

[House Speaker Mike Johnson]

Well, that sucks.

[John Bickley]

Look at this, Lucy.

[House Speaker Mike Johnson]

Her car got lost.

[John Bickley]

Vice agents carried on with the arrest unfazed, while the protesters big stand against immigration enforcement ended up underwater, quite literally.

[Brent Scher]

Great joke, guys.

[Georgia Howe]

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 tragic attack on the LDS Church in Michigan, Trump sending troops to Portland, and the FBI's admission that hundreds of agents were in the crowd on January 6th. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.