Morning Wire — Evening Wire: Fed Drops Rates & Trump Delays TikTok Ban | 9.17.25

Date: September 17, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley (Daily Wire Executive Editor), Georgia Howe

Episode Overview

This episode delivers updates on the Federal Reserve's landmark rate cut, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s stern response to foreigners celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination, President Trump's royal visit to the UK, new developments on TikTok's fate in the US, and debates about immigration policy, tech regulation, and turmoil at the CDC. The hosts seek to cut through media noise and present the key developments with direct reporting and analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates

• Fed Action: The Federal Reserve dropped interest rates by a quarter point—the first such move in almost a year, signaling concern that the weakening job market now outweighs inflation fears.
• Quote – Fed Chair Jerome Powell (00:55):

  "My colleagues and I remain squarely focused on achieving our dual mandate goals of maximum employment and stable prices for the benefit of the American people. While the unemployment rate remains low, it has edged up, job gains have slowed and downside risks to employment have risen."

• Boardroom Drama: New Trump appointee Stephen Myron, sworn in minutes before the meeting, was the lone dissenter, pushing for a deeper cut (half a point).
• Market Reaction: The Dow surged over 400 points to a record high, with investors now speculating on another possible cut as soon as October.

Secretary of State Rubio Targets Foreigners over Kirk Assassination Praise

• Rubio's Crackdown: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the State Department will revoke and deny visas to anyone caught praising the murder of Charlie Kirk, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach.
• Quote – Marco Rubio (01:46):

  "We don't want pro murder people in America."

• Wider Policy Context: The crackdown is in line with broader efforts to block entry to those tied to terrorism, censorship, and hostile regimes.

Media Controversy over ABC’s Matt Gutman

• Reporting Backlash: ABC’s Matt Gutman faced backlash for referring to text messages between Kirk’s alleged assassin and his trans-identifying boyfriend as "touching" during a report.
• On-Air Commentary (02:13):

  "So is this duality of someone who the attorney said, not only jeopardized the life of Charlie Kirk and the crowd... but on the other hand, he was, you know, speaking so lovingly about his partner."

• Response: Gutman apologized on X, clarifying he meant to "underscore the jarring contrast" and unequivocally condemned the crime.

President Trump’s UK State Visit

• Historic Moment: President Trump became the first US president invited to the UK for a second state visit, received with full royal honors at Windsor Castle.
• Details: The ceremony involved 1,300 servicemen, 120 horses, and high-profile meetings with the royal family followed by a banquet at Windsor.
• Forthcoming Meetings: Trump will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer for bilateral tech and energy deal signings.
• Quote – Donald Trump (04:14):

  "My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, who's now king, is my friend."

FBI Pittsburgh Office Attacked

• Incident: A man drove his car into the FBI's Pittsburgh office, draped an American flag on the fence, and fled the scene. No injuries were reported.
• Suspect: Donald Henson, described by the FBI as dangerous, with a history of mental health issues.
• Quote – FBI Assistant Special Agent Christopher Giordano (04:14):

  "We look at this as an act of terror against the FBI. This was a targeted attack on this building."

Dearborn Mayor’s Controversial Declaration

• Event: Dearborn’s Muslim mayor, Abdullah Hamoud, publicly told a Christian resident at a city council meeting that he is “not welcome” in the city over Islamophobia accusations.
• Quote – Mayor Abdullah Hamoud (05:33):

  "You are an Islamophobe and although you live here, I want you to know as mayor you are not welcome here... the day you move out of the city will be the day that I launch a parade celebrating the fact that you moved out."

Trump Delays TikTok Ban Again

• Latest Development: President Trump extended the congressional deadline for TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to divest, now set for December 19.
• Negotiations: A possible deal would let ByteDance retain less than 20% ownership and would bar Chinese access to American user data.
• Political Backlash: Some conservatives criticize Trump for not enforcing the 2024 law banning TikTok sooner.

ICE Chief on Judicial “Roadblocks”

• Exclusive Interview: Acting ICE director Todd Lyons criticized liberal judges for blocking deportations, claiming their decisions are based on personal opinions and not law.
• Quote – Todd Lyons (06:35):

  "All ICE is doing is enforcing the law the way it's written and the way Congress laid it out."

California’s Age Verification Bill

• Legislation: A Big Tech-backed bill requiring user age verification (without parental consent or ID uploading) passed the California assembly with bipartisan support. This aims to curb youth access to adult online platforms like gambling and pornography, mainly via parent input at device setup.

Israel-Gaza Update & EU Sanctions

• IDF Incursion: The Israeli military opened a new evacuation route from Gaza City as ground operations to root out Hamas terrorists intensify. The EU is reportedly moving toward sanctioning Israel over its handling of the conflict.

CDC Leadership Turmoil Under RFK Administration

• Testimony: Former CDC director Susan Menarez testified before the Senate that she was ousted by RFK Jr. for refusing to put “politics before public health.”
• Quote – Susan Menarez (09:12):

  "He directed me to commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence. He also directed me to dismiss career officials…"

• Senate Clash: Senator Roger Marshall sharply criticized the CDC’s handling of COVID, suggesting prior missteps undermined public trust long before Menarez’s firing.
• Quote – Sen. Roger Marshall (09:44):

  "The CDC is the cause of vaccine hesitancy... because of COVID and your force forcing these vaccines on people that weren't ever really proven or justified."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jerome Powell on FOMC Focus (00:55)

  "My colleagues and I remain squarely focused on achieving our dual mandate goals..."

• Sec. Marco Rubio on Visa Revocation (01:46)

  "We don't want pro murder people in America."

• ABC’s Matt Gutman Facing Backlash (02:13)

  "...he was, you know, speaking so lovingly about his partner."

• President Trump on UK Relations (04:14)

  "My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles... is my friend."

• Mayor Abdullah Hamoud’s Statement (05:33)

  "You are not welcome here... I launch a parade celebrating... you moved out."

• ICE Director Todd Lyons on Judicial Review (06:35)

  "All ICE is doing is enforcing the law..."

• Susan Menarez on Political Interference at CDC (09:12)

  "He directed me to commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence."

• Sen. Roger Marshall on Vaccine Policy (09:44)

  "The CDC is the cause of vaccine hesitancy..."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:55 — Federal Reserve rate cut and boardroom drama
• 01:46 — Rubio on foreign praise for Kirk assassination
• 02:13 — Media controversy: Matt Gutman’s reporting and apology
• 03:12 — Trump’s state visit to the UK
• 04:14 — FBI Pittsburgh office attack details
• 05:11 — Dearborn mayor’s statement at city council
• 05:51 — Trump delays TikTok ban deadline
• 06:35 — ICE director criticizes judicial blockages
• 07:21 — California age verification bill advances
• 08:09 — Israel’s evacuation route for Gaza civilians; EU sanctions
• 08:40 — CDC ouster and Senate confrontation

Summary

This episode tackles the day’s top stories with urgency and perspective, zeroing in on governmental actions (Fed, ICE, CDC, Trump administration), media accountability, and community tensions both domestically and abroad. The hosts maintain a brisk, information-focused tone, punctuating the news analysis with direct quotes and on-the-ground reporting.

For further information or continued coverage, visit dailywire.com.