Evening Wire: DOJ Offers Cash for Crime Tips & Hurricane Erin Makes Waves | 8.20.25

Summary

Podcast Summary: Evening Wire: DOJ Offers Cash for Crime Tips & Hurricane Erin Makes Waves | 8.20.25

Podcast: Morning Wire
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley
Date: August 20, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Evening Wire delivers a brisk, fact-first roundup of the day’s pressing news in politics, security, weather, and global affairs. Several major stories are covered, from the Trump administration’s anti-crime rewards in D.C., to a sweeping hurricane along the East Coast, to shifts in U.S. intelligence oversight and high-profile controversies in government. The tone is direct and urgent, reflecting the ever-changing news landscape.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DOJ Offers Cash for Crime Tips in D.C.

[00:53]

• $500 reward program: Attorney General Pam Bondi announces the DOJ will pay $500 for tips leading to arrests, with the U.S. Marshals Service overseeing.

• Impact so far: Over 550 arrests have been made and 76 illegal guns seized since President Trump’s “federal takeover” of D.C.

• Controversy: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser calls the National Guard presence “un-American,” while Bondi stresses the goal is to "make the nation’s capital safe again."

  “The goal is simple: to make the nation's capital safe again.”
  —Pam Bondi ([01:01])

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2. DHS Cuts Grants to Muslim Organizations Tied to Extremism

[01:34]

• Funding review: DHS cancels 49 projects linked to alleged extremist ties, cutting about $8 million in grants intended for security at houses of worship.
• Background: Triggered by reports from the Middle East Forum that cited $25 million flowing to groups allegedly connected to Hamas and other terror groups.
• Criticism: Muslim groups argue the crackdown unfairly targets their communities.

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3. Russian Drone Strikes in Ukraine – Civilians Injured

[02:11]

• Casualties: 14 injured in Ukraine’s Sumy region, including three young children.

• Attack details: 93 drones and 2 missiles launched by Russia, with 62 drones and 1 missile shot down. 20 locations hit, sparking fires in Sumy and Odessa.

• Strategic impact: Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector this week.

  “The victims include a five month old, a four year old and a six year old after drones slammed into residential neighborhoods…”
  —Zach Jewell ([02:22])

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4. Intelligence Officers Stripped of Security Clearances over Russiagate

[02:52]

• Action by DNI Tulsi Gabbard: Removes clearances of 37 current and former intel officers for “politicizing and manipulating intelligence,” especially relating to the 2016 assessment on Russian interference.

• Notables named: Former Principal Deputy DNI Stephanie O’Sullivan and Vin Nguyen among those penalized.

• Rationale: Accusing these officials of “abusing public trust.”

  “This seditious conspiracy […] broke that sacred trust that every one of these professionals is supposed to have from the American people.”
  —Georgia Howe ([03:45])

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5. Border Wall to be Painted Black

[04:00]

• New deterrent tactic: DHS announces the southern border wall will be painted black to make scaling it more difficult due to heat absorption.
• Official statement:

  “When something is painted black, it gets even warmer and it will make it even harder for people to climb.”
  —DHS Secretary ([04:17])

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6. Immigration Screening for ‘Anti-American’ Sentiment

[04:35]

• Social media vetting: Trump administration to screen immigrants for anti-American, anti-Semitic, or terrorist ideologies via social profiles before approving green cards or visa applications.

  “If you hate America, don't try to live in America. It’s that simple.”
  —DHS Spokesman ([04:35])

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7. Elon Musk Delays Third Political Party Plans

[04:58]

• America Party postponed: Elon Musk is dialing back on launching a third party but remains in talks with political players (e.g., J.D. Vance) for 2028.

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8. Trump Calls for Fed Governor’s Resignation after Fraud Allegation

[05:22]

• Background: Lisa Cook is accused of mortgage fraud by William Pulte, FHFA Director.
• Potential impact: If Cook steps down, her replacement could shift Fed policy toward lower interest rates.

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9. EPA ‘Slush Fund’ for Green Grants Under Scrutiny

[05:59]

• Lee Zeldin’s revelations: The EPA allegedly parked $20 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act in an outside bank for distribution to NGOs, some with links to Democratic donors.

• Specifics: Power Forward Communities, a group linked to Stacey Abrams, received a massive funding increase from $100 in 2023 to $2 billion in 2024.

  “All these NGOs pass through entities that were riddled with self dealing and conflicts of interest.”
  —Lee Zeldin ([06:12])

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10. Hurricane Erin Intensifies along Atlantic Coast

[06:53]

• NC declares emergency: Governor Josh Stein issues warnings as storm surges and waves batter the coast.
• Forecast: 15 to 20 foot waves predicted; rip currents threaten swimmers.
• Storm to persist: No U.S. landfall, but hazardous conditions all week.

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11. Israel Mobilizes for Gaza City Operation

[07:27]

• Military escalation: Israel to call up 60,000 reservists and extend 20,000 already in service.
• Context: Follows Hamas’ agreement to a 60-day ceasefire deal, but the Israeli government hasn’t approved it yet.

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12. Pierce Brosnan Open to Returning as James Bond

[08:04]

• Lighthearted culture segment: Brosnan, age 72, says he “wouldn’t rule out” another Bond role if director Denis Villeneuve approached him.

  “I don't think anyone wants to see a craggy 72-year-old Bond. But if director Denis Villeneuve had something up his sleeve, I'd look at it in a heartbeat."
  —Pierce Brosnan ([08:04])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On politicization of intelligence:

  • “This seditious conspiracy that undermined our democracy, undermined our republic, and broke that sacred trust…” – Georgia Howe ([03:45])

• On the black border wall:

  • “It gets even warmer and it will make it even harder for people to climb." – DHS Secretary ([04:17])

• On hurricane dangers:

  • “A 4 foot storm surge and 15 to 20 foot waves are predicted and the storm is already strengthening rip currents that threaten swimmers…” – Amanda Presto Giacomo ([07:03])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:53 – DOJ unveils $500 “tipster” reward for D.C. crime
• 01:34 – DHS cuts grants to Muslim groups over alleged terror ties
• 02:11 – Russian drone strikes wound civilians in Ukraine
• 02:52 – U.S. intelligence officers lose clearances for Russiagate role
• 04:00 – Border wall to be painted black as new deterrent
• 04:35 – Immigration screenings expand to ideological vetting
• 04:58 – Elon Musk delays new political party; 2028 plans possible
• 05:22 – Trump calls for Fed governor Cook’s resignation
• 05:59 – EPA “slush fund” for green grants under fire
• 06:53 – Hurricane Erin’s escalating impact on East Coast
• 07:27 – Israel mobilizes for Gaza City operation
• 08:04 – Pierce Brosnan on possible Bond return

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Conclusion & Tone

The episode delivers a packed, detail-oriented review of the leading news. The tone is brisk, skeptical of official narratives and political maneuvering, and heavy on concise, impactful quotes. It covers both domestic and international stories that signal larger policy and cultural shifts, making it a dense but accessible “drive time” news digest for listeners seeking context and clarity.

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For deeper dives on any story, visit dailywire.com.

Transcript

[Mikayla]

These are questions that take cultures thousands of years to answer. During Answer the Call, I take questions from people just like you about their problems, opportunities, challenges, or when they simply need advice.

[Caller/Listener]

How do I balance all of this grief, responsibility?

[Mikayla]

How do you repair this kind of damage? My daughter Mikayla guides the conversations as we hopefully help people navigate their lives. Everyone has their own destiny. Everyone.

[Georgia Howe]

The DOJ offers cash for crime tips in D.C. elon Musk pumps the brakes on a new political party and Hurricane Aaron stirs up swells along the East Coast. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Wednesday, August 20th, and this is Evening Wire.

[Cabot Phillips]

The Trump administration is inviting the public to join the crackdown on D.C. crime. Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips has the details.

[Pam Bondi]

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced today that tips leading to arrests will earn $500 rewards with the U.S. marshals Service overseeing the program. Bondi says more than 550 arrests have already been made and 76 illegal guns seized since President Trump's federal takeover earlier this month. The White House says those arrested include gang members such as an MS.13 member with prior convictions, and the crime rates are already plummeting. But not everyone is cheering. DC's Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser, for example, calls the National Guard presence, quote, un American. Still, the attorney general insists the goal is simple to make the nation's capital safe again.

[Georgia Howe]

DHS is cutting millions of dollars in grants to Muslim organizations alleged to have extremist ties. According to a DHS document obtained By Fox News, 49 projects flagged for potential terror links have already been canceled, saving about $8 million. The funding came through FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant program, which provides aid to houses of worship facing threats of violence. The review follows a report by the Middle East Forum, which found over $25 million in funds went to groups it alleges are linked to Hamas and other terror groups. Muslim groups say the crackdown unfairly targets them.

[Cabot Phillips]

At least 14 people, including three young children, were injured overnight in a Russian drone strike in Ukraine's northern Sumy region. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has more.

[Zach Jewell]

Ukraine's prime minister said the victims include a five month old, a four year old and a six year old after drones slammed into residential neighborhoods in the town of Okhtyrka. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 93 drones and two missiles across the country, with 62 drones and one missile shot down. But strikes still hit 20 locations, sparking fires in both Sumy and the southern port region of Odessa. Officials say Russia has intensified its campaign against Ukraine's energy sector this week and damaging oil depots, gas facilities and port infrastructure.

[Georgia Howe]

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has yanked the security clearances of more than three dozen intel officers over their role in Russiagate, saying they've abused the public trust. Gabbard published a memo Tuesday that names 37 current and former intelligence officers, some with ties to a widely criticized intelligence assessment that claimed Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump defeat Clinton. The officials, she said, have lost their clearance for, quote, politicizing and manipulating intelligence, leaking classified intelligence without authorization and or committing intentional, egregious violations of tradecraft standards. Among the officials is former Principal Deputy DNI Stephanie o' Sullivan and Vin Nguyen, both of whom aided former DNI James Clapper in crafting the controversial assessment. Here's Gabbard talking to Fox.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

They aided and abetted in this action.

[Georgia Howe]

This seditious conspiracy that undermined our democracy, undermined our republic, and broke that sacred trust that every one of these professionals is supposed to have from the American people.

[Cabot Phillips]

Trump's Big, beautiful border wall is about to be the big beautiful black border.

[Caller/Listener]

Wall The Department of Homeland Security plans to paint the border wall black to make it harder for would be illegal immigrants and others to scale. Department of Homeland Security secretary announced the new paint job in a press conference Tuesday.

[Department of Homeland Security Secretary]

In the hot temperatures down here when something is painted black, it gets even warmer and it will make it even harder for people to climb. So we are going to be painting the entire southern border wall black to make sure that we encourage individuals to not come into our country illegally.

[Georgia Howe]

America haters need not apply. The Trump administration says it will now screen immigrants for anti American sentiment. The U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services will scour social media profiles looking for anti Semitic and terrorist ideologies before approving green cards and visa applications, a DHS spokesman said. If you hate America, don't try to live in America. It's that simple.

[Cabot Phillips]

Elon Musk is backing off his plans to start a new political party, though he hasn't ruled it out entirely for 2026. Musk has reportedly kept in touch with Vice President J.D. vance in recent weeks and is considering backing his presidential run in 2028. His proposed America Party was intended to rally Americans who were unhappy with both major parties, but most analysts believed it would siphon more voters from Republicans.

[Georgia Howe]

Trump called for Fed governor Lisa Cook to resign after accusations she committed mortgage fraud. Daily Wire senior editor Joel Niedler has more.

[Joel Niedler]

Trump's comments came after William Pulte, the Director of the U.S. federal Housing Finance Agency, sent a criminal referral to Attorney General Pam Bondi alleging that Cook, quote, falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms, potentially committing mortgage fraud. Pulte has also been a fierce critic of the Federal Reserve, and if Cook is fired or steps down, she will likely be replaced by a governor more open to lowering interest rates. Cook was appointed by President Biden and her term runs through 2038.

[Cabot Phillips]

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin released more details on a $20 billion slush fund created by the Biden EPA. Speaking to the New York Post's Pod Force One, Zeldin traced the fund back to Inflation Reduction Act.

[Lee Zeldin]

They passed this bill called the Inflation Reduction act that had tens of billions of dollars to go out through epa. Well EPA didn't know how to spend tens of billions of dollars, so they decided to park $20 billion at an outside bank and to have that bank send the money through eight pass through entities. All these NGOs pass through entities that were riddled with self dealing and conflicts of interest. Former Obama and Biden officials Democratic donors.

[Caller/Listener]

Zeldin pointed out that one group tied to Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, the Power Forward Communities, received $100 in 2023 and then $2 billion in 2024.

[Georgia Howe]

The Atlantic coast is feeling the effects of Hurricane Erin as high tides and waves pepper the coastline Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presto Giacomo has the details.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency yesterday as tropical storm and coastal flooding advisories crisscross the coast. A 4 foot storm surge and 15 to 20 foot waves are predicted and the storm is already strengthening rip currents that threaten swimmers all along the East Coast. Hurricane Erin is not forecast to make landfall in the US but its effects are expected to persist through the rest of the week.

[Cabot Phillips]

Israel plans to call up 60,000 reservists.

[Caller/Listener]

As the military prepares to take over Gaza city. An additional 20,000 reservists already in service are being extended to active duty. Israeli soldiers are now moving into positions around Gaza City with the operation expected to begin next month. This comes after Hamas agreed to a 60 day ceasefire on Monday that would exchange hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for 10 living Israeli hostages short of the 20 believed to be in Hamas custody. The Israeli government has not issued a formal decision on the ceasefire, and.

[Georgia Howe]

Former 007 Pierce Brosnan says he wouldn't rule out returning to the James Bond franchise. The 72 year old joked to Radio Times, I don't think anyone wants to see a craggy 72 year old bond. But if director Denis Villeneuve had something up his sleeve, I'd look at it in a heartbeat. Brosnan played Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002, including GoldenEye and Die Another Day.

[Cabot Phillips]

I still vote for Henry Kelp. All right. Those are your Drive Home updates today. To learn more more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning we covered some major stories, including Trump pushing for an end to mail in voting, the US Deploying Navy destroyers to Venezuela, and the White House touting big wins on D.C. crime and foreign policy. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.