Morning Wire: Evening Wire – Government Shutdown Effects & DOJ Sues LA Sheriff | 10.1.25

Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley
Date: October 1, 2025

Overview

This episode of the Evening Wire focuses on the start of a government shutdown and its impact on everyday Americans, the Department of Justice’s unprecedented lawsuit against the LA County Sheriff’s Department over gun permit delays, political controversies from New York to New Jersey, contentious comments by Hillary Clinton, financial and legal headlines, and major cultural news. The hosts provide a fast-paced but thorough discussion of the latest political and cultural flashpoints, emphasizing the practical effects of policy decisions and highlighting political and social polarization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Takes Effect

[00:03–00:57]

• Impacts:
  • National parks partially open; open air spaces accessible, but staffed buildings closed and limited restroom access.
  • Air travel could face disruptions due to “essential” staff like air traffic controllers working without pay: “So many expect staffing issues and thus potential flight delays or cancellations.”
• This practical breakdown highlights the ripple effect on travel and leisure for Americans.

2. Controversy Over Migrant Truck Driver’s License in New York

[00:57–01:30]

• Oklahoma reports intercepting a trucker with a New York commercial license issued to “No Name Given”:
  • New York DMV admits document is real and was issued to a migrant with "federally verified documents."
  • Political reaction: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Rep. Elise Stefanik slam New York, blaming “sanctuary state” policies.
  • Issue becomes central evidence in the debate over NY’s “Green Light Law.”

3. New York City vs. Trump Administration: Threat to Federal Funding

[01:30–02:28]

• Zoran Mamdani (Democratic Socialist candidate) is prepared to sue if Trump withholds $7.4 billion in federal dollars to NYC:
  • “We will fight for every single dollar that the city currently receives from the federal government… The best way to respond to Donald Trump's threats is not collaboration…but responding with strength.” (Zoran Mamdani, 01:59)
  • Cites California’s aggressive legal response under Trump as a model.

4. E.J. Antoni’s Labor Statistics Nomination Withdrawn

[02:28–03:21]

• Trump’s nominee for BLS commissioner, economist E.J. Antoni, withdrawn due to controversy over his presence at the January 6 rally.
• White House maintains commitment to restoring trust in economic data, will name new nominee soon.

5. New Jersey Democrat Mayor Endorses GOP Gubernatorial Candidate

[03:21–04:02]

• Dover Mayor James Dodd crosses party lines to support Republican Jack Citarelli over Democrat Mikie Sherrill:
  • Main issues: taxes, affordability, and especially immigration.
  • “Jack made a commitment to end sanctuary cities…We need real solutions to the problem.” (James Dodd, 03:41)

6. Taliban Cuts Off Afghan Internet

[04:02–05:48]

• Afghanistan experiences a total internet blackout for two days to prevent “immoral activities,” impacting business and personal communication.
• Taliban official (anonymously): “The country could not survive without the Internet.”
• Context: most severe information blackout since Taliban’s return to power.

7. Startup Fraud: Charlie Javice and JPMorgan Chase

[04:13–05:48]

• Charlie Javice, founder of Frank, sentenced to 7 years for defrauding JPMorgan Chase of $175M by vastly inflating her startup’s user numbers.
• Ordered to pay $288M; compared frequently to Theranos scandal.
• Javice maintained innocence but showed remorse in court: a warning tale for investors and the tech startup scene.

8. Black Lives Matter Accuses Soros-Backed Tides Foundation of Mismanagement

[05:48–06:30]

• BLM Global Network Foundation sues Tides Foundation, alleging “deceptive business practices” and misuse of $33.4M.
• Claims Tides spent $6M of BLM donations during ongoing litigation.
• California AG involved at BLM’s request.

9. DOJ Sues LA County Sheriff Over Gun Permit Delays

[06:30–07:41]

• DOJ files first-of-its-kind lawsuit alleging Second Amendment violations by LA County Sheriff’s Department due to multi-year delays processing concealed carry permits.
• Out of 8,000+ applications in 15 months, just two approved, two denied, and over 1,200 withdrawn.
• State AG Pam Bondi: “The Constitution does not allow them to infringe upon it.” (07:41)

10. Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show

[07:41–08:17]

• Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny surprises fans by accepting halftime show gig after previously denouncing the idea due to ICE and U.S. immigration issues.
• Emphasizes performance is “for my people, my culture and our history.”
• Controversial choice; some label it divisive.

11. Hillary Clinton Backlash Over “White Men” Comments

[08:17–09:18]

• Clinton criticized for stating that longing for a “world that never was dominated by...white men of a certain persuasion, a certain religion…is just doing such damage” (08:41).
• National outcry, especially following the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.
• Roger Severino, Heritage Foundation: “At least it confirms what we all suspected that Hillary still believes millions…belong in her basket of deplorables.”

12. Kamala Harris’s Memoir Becomes a Bestseller—But Draws Criticism

[09:18–09:56]

• “107 Days,” Harris’s new memoir about her failed presidential campaign, sells 350,000+ copies first week.
• Critics say the book throws Biden “under the bus” to elevate Harris and recast the 2024 campaign narrative.

13. Florida Grants Trump Miami Land for Presidential Library

[09:56–10:30]

• Governor DeSantis and state panel greenlight a prominent 2.6-acre downtown Miami parcel for Trump library, aiming to make it a landmark.
• Eric Trump: “It will be the greatest presidential library ever built.”
• Timing: project must break ground within five years.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Zoran Mamdani on fighting federal funding threats:
  “We will fight for every single dollar…The best way to respond to Donald Trump’s threats is not collaboration…but responding with strength.” (01:59)
• Dover Mayor James Dodd on the GOP candidate:
  “We need real solutions to the problem. Jack came here twice cuz he's concerned about Dover and to me that speaks volumes.” (03:41)
• DOJ on LA Sheriff’s Department:
  “…systematically violated American Second Amendment rights.” (06:45)
• Bad Bunny on Halftime Show:
  “This is for my people, my culture and our history.” (07:56)
• Hillary Clinton on the dangers of nostalgia:
  “…try to recreate a world that never was dominated by…white men of a certain persuasion, a certain religion, a certain point of view, a certain ideology is just doing such damage…” (08:41)
• Roger Severino on Clinton’s remarks:
  “…at least it confirms what we all suspected—that Hillary still believes millions…belong in her basket of deplorables based on their sex, race and sincere religious beliefs.” (09:12)
• Eric Trump on the Miami Trump library:
  “It will be the greatest presidential library ever built, mocking Obama's in Chicago…” (10:00)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Government shutdown effects: 00:03–00:57
• New York migrant trucker license controversy: 00:57–01:30
• NYC v. Trump over federal funds: 01:30–02:28
• E.J. Antoni nomination withdrawn: 02:28–03:21
• NJ mayor endorses GOP: 03:21–04:02
• Afghan internet blackout: 04:02–05:48
• Charlie Javice sentenced for fraud: 04:13–05:48
• BLM v. Tides Foundation lawsuit: 05:48–06:30
• DOJ sues LA Sheriff over gun permits: 06:30–07:41
• Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance: 07:41–08:17
• Clinton’s “white men” remarks: 08:17–09:18
• Kamala Harris memoir sales: 09:18–09:56
• Trump Miami presidential library: 09:56–10:30

This episode captures a turbulent news day with sharp political divides, rapid-fire segment changes, and headline-grabbing national stories that reflect key tensions in modern politics and culture.