Morning Wire – Evening Wire: Court Defends California Redistricting & Ryan Routh Sentenced

Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley (Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief) & Georgia Howe

Episode Overview

This episode of Evening Wire covers an eventful news day, focusing on the Supreme Court's decision regarding California's congressional maps, key developments in ongoing criminal and political cases, major federal policy moves, and trending cultural stories. With trust in the media at historic lows, the hosts present direct updates on the evolving landscape in politics, justice, government, and pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Upholds California Congressional Redistricting

[00:31]

• Summary: The Supreme Court declined to hear a Republican challenge to California's newly redrawn congressional map, effectively securing the Democrats a gain of five House seats in the next election cycle.
• Controversy: Republicans and the DOJ alleged illegal racial gerrymandering, but state officials insisted the redistricting was political, not racial.
• Implication: The new maps, implemented under Proposition 50, are expected to reshape California's congressional delegation.

2. The Search for Nancy Guthrie

[01:17]

• Summary: Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today Show” host Savannah Guthrie, remains missing amid new ransom demands.
• Details from Lyndon Blake:
  • Ransom notes with unpublished personal details and a demand for millions in Bitcoin, threats if not paid ([01:22]).
  • Police have no suspects; case is drawing significant public attention.
• Additional Resource: Listeners are directed to a dedicated podcast, Finding Nancy Guthrie.

3. Trump Assassination Attempt – Ryan Routh Sentenced

[01:22]

• Summary: Ryan Routh, who attempted to assassinate former President Trump at his Florida golf club, was sentenced to life plus seven years in prison.
• Courtroom Drama: During his conviction last year, Routh stabbed himself in the neck with a pen.
• Legal Outcome: Convicted on five federal crimes, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and multiple firearms offenses.

4. Federal Law Enforcement Drawdown in Minneapolis

[02:44]

• Summary: Border czar Tom Homan announces a reduction of 700 federal immigration agents in the Twin Cities.
• Reason: New cooperative agreements with local counties enable more efficient transfers of illegal aliens directly from jails.
• Notable Quote:
  "Unprecedented cooperation... This is smart law enforcement, not less law enforcement. It's safer for the community, safer for the officers and safer for the alien."
  — Tom Homan ([03:29])
• Impact: 2,000 agents will remain, focusing on criminal removals and fraud investigations.

5. DC National Guard Shooting Suspect in Court

[04:14]

• Summary: Ramanala Lockhinwal, an Afghan national and refugee, pleaded not guilty to nine charges for the November attack on National Guard troops in DC.
• Victims: Killed Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, wounded Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolf.
• Death Penalty: Federal murder charge could lead to the death penalty; trial continues in May.

6. President Trump Meets Colombian President Gustavo Petro

[04:53]

• Summary: After previous hostilities, President Trump and Colombian President Petro met at the White House to address drug trafficking.
• Memorable Moment & Gift Exchange:
  • Trump: "He and I weren't exactly the best of friends, but I wasn't insulted because I never met him. I didn't know him at all. You got along great." ([05:32])
  • Trump gave Petro a MAGA hat and a signed copy of The Art of the Deal.
• Policy Focus: Efforts to counter cocaine production.

7. Trump–Xi Jinping Call Amid Trade Talks

[06:24]

• Summary: President Trump held a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, discussing trade, the Taiwan issue, Russia–Ukraine, Iran, and Trump's upcoming visit to China.
• Quote:
  "...the relationship with China and my personal relationship with President Xi is an extremely good one and we both realize how important it is to keep it that way."
  — Donald Trump ([07:12])

8. Federal Push to End Homelessness & Addiction

[07:14]

• Summary: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a $100 million federal investment: the Streets Initiative, emphasizing long-term recovery and psychiatric treatment.
• Kennedy's Approach:
  "Addiction begins in isolation and ends in reconnection... thanks to the leadership of President Trump, we are bringing Americans suffering from addiction out of the shadows and back into community." ([07:37])

9. Charlie Kirk's Suspected Assassin Fights Death Penalty

[08:14]

• Summary: Tyler Robinson's defense claims the prosecutor is influenced by President Trump’s public statements and campaign promises favoring the death penalty.
• Defense Arguments: Asked to remove the prosecutor and media from the courtroom; cited conflict of interest and undue political pressure.

10. Boy Scouts Face Pentagon Pressure Over DEI Policies

[09:07]

• Summary: The Department of War, under Pete Hegseth, threatens to end support for the Boy Scouts (now Scouting America) unless they abandon “WOKE initiatives” and return to traditional values.
• Pentagon Statement:
  "From Day one at the War Department, we have made it very clear no more DEI at DoW, zero tolerance." ([09:19])
• Apparent Resolution: Scouting America is close to "firmly committed to a return to core principles. Back to God and immediately." ([09:34])

11. The Washington Post Undergoes Massive Layoffs

[09:50]

• Summary: The Washington Post announces layoffs of ~1/3 of its staff, citing business model and journalism reinvention needs.
• Details:
  • Sports department closed, international coverage scaled back, books section eliminated, podcast suspended.
  • The paper has lost $180 million over two years. Jeff Bezos is overseeing a major restructuring.

12. Super Bowl Halftime Show Controversy

[10:29]

• Summary: NFL faces backlash and a petition (120,000+ signatures) to remove Bad Bunny over his drag performances and perceived lack of “family-friendly” values, calling for George Strait to replace him.
• NFL Response: Commissioner Roger Goodell stands by the decision to feature Bad Bunny.

13. Nicki Minaj and the Voter ID Debate

[10:40]

• Summary: Rapper Nicki Minaj’s pro–voter ID post goes viral, with over 55 million views.
• Quote:
  "What sensible forward thinking, cutting edge, leading nation is having a debate on whether or not there should be voter ID? They're actually fighting not to have people present ID when voting for your leaders. Do you get it now?"
  — Nicki Minaj ([11:37])
• Polling: CNN's Harry Entin confirms: “All north of 75%... 81% and then 83% in the last year of Americans agree with Nicki Minaj. They favor photo ID to be able to vote.” ([11:57])

Notable Quotes

• Tom Homan:
  "This is smart law enforcement, not less law enforcement. It's safer for the community, safer for the officers and safer for the alien." ([03:29])
• Donald Trump (on Petro):
  "He and I weren't exactly the best of friends, but I wasn't insulted because I never met him. I didn't know him at all. You got along great." ([05:32])
• RFK Jr. (on addiction):
  "Addiction begins in isolation and ends in reconnection." ([07:32])
• Nicki Minaj:
  "What sensible forward thinking, cutting edge, leading nation is having a debate on whether or not there should be voter id... Do you get it now?" ([11:37])
• CNN’s Harry Entin:
  "The American people are with Nicki Minaj... All north of 75%, ...83% in the last year of Americans agree with Nicki Minaj." ([11:57])

Important Segment Timestamps

• California Redistricting Ruling: [00:31]
• Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Update: [01:17]
• Ryan Routh Sentencing: [01:22]
• Minneapolis Federal Agent Drawdown: [02:44]
• DC National Guard Shooting Update: [04:14]
• Trump–Petro Meeting: [04:53]
• Trump–Xi Jinping Call: [06:24]
• Federal Addiction Initiative: [07:14]
• Charlie Kirk Assassination Case: [08:14]
• Boy Scouts & Pentagon Conflict: [09:07]
• Washington Post Layoffs: [09:50]
• Super Bowl Halftime Petition: [10:29]
• Nicki Minaj Goes Viral—Voter ID Debate: [10:40]
• Poll Analysis (CNN): [11:57]

This episode delivers a focused, facts-first recap of today's major political, cultural, and legal developments, providing listeners with pithy analysis, direct reporting, and memorable perspectives around the stories shaping America.