Podcast Summary: Evening Wire – Government Shutdown Thaws & Carrier Downs Iranian Drone

Podcast: Morning Wire — The Daily Wire
Date: February 3, 2026
Hosts: Jon Vickley & Georgia Howe

Episode Overview

This episode of Evening Wire covers a pivotal day in U.S. and global politics, featuring updates on the end of the U.S. government shutdown, U.S.-Iran military tensions, ongoing high-profile investigations, policy shifts in law enforcement and education, international developments, and notable cultural moments. The hosts and correspondents present updates with urgency, analysis, and frequent direct quotes from sources.

Key Topics & Insights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Ended

Segment: [00:49–01:34]

• The House voted 217-214 to pass a bipartisan spending package, reopening the government.
• DHS funding is separated, operating on a short-term basis until February 13, while the rest of government funding extends through September.
• President Trump signed the new bills into law the same afternoon.
• The deal reflects deep divisions over DHS and border policy but achieved a near last-minute compromise.

2. U.S. Shoots Down Iranian Drone; Naval Skirmishes

Segment: [01:34–02:27]

• The USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea "in self-defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel," according to U.S. Central Command.
• No U.S. casualties or equipment losses reported.
• Same day: Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boats and another drone harassed an American oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz; U.S. destroyer and Air Force responded, diffusing tension.
• Context: Talks are upcoming between U.S. and Iran amidst heightened tensions after up to 36,000 protesters were allegedly killed by the Iranian regime in January.

Quote:

"A fighter jet from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down the drone, quote, in self defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board."
– Cassia Akiva [01:36]

3. Ongoing Investigation: Nancy Guthrie Abduction

Segment: [02:27–04:26]

• Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, missing since Saturday night.
• Believed abducted between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
• Pima County Sheriff: Can't confirm if the abduction was targeted; blood evidence unconfirmed; surveillance footage under review.
• FBI actively involved—public asked for tips.
• TMZ reports an unverified ransom demand for millions in Bitcoin; local authorities aware.
• Nancy is elderly and in poor physical health, dependent on others and medication—urgency stressed.
• White House amplifies appeal with social media posts.

Quote:

"We are looking at this from every angle, but we need your help. Every lead and tip is important."
– Jon Vickley quoting FBI Assistant Special Agent John Edwards [03:30]

4. Body Cameras for Minnesota Federal Immigration Officers

Segment: [04:26–05:16]

• Minneapolis: All federal immigration officers to be equipped with body cameras after leadership changes at DHS, following high-profile shootings.
• Secretary Kristi Noem announced rapid expansion nationwide.
• Aim: Increase transparency and accountability.

Quote:

"Effective immediately, we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis."
– Kristi Noem via Cameron Arcand [04:45]

5. Trump Sues Harvard for $1 Billion

Segment: [05:24–05:48]

• President Trump escalates lawsuit against Harvard over alleged antisemitism.
• Amount increased from $500 million to $1 billion.
• Triggered by a New York Times report suggesting the administration would drop the suit—Trump rebuked the report as dishonest.

Quote:

"Feeding a lot of nonsense to the failing New York Times."
– Trump, per Jon Vickley [05:45]

6. Clintons to Testify before Epstein Committee

Segment: [05:48–06:33]

• Bill and Hillary Clinton reversed course, agreeing to testify before the House Oversight Committee investigating Epstein.
• New testimony dates set: Hillary on Feb 26, Bill on Feb 27, after prior absences led to contempt threats.

7. French Police Raid X (Formerly Twitter) Paris Office

Segment: [06:33–07:32]

• French authorities raided Elon Musk’s X office in Paris as part of investigations into child abuse images, deepfakes, and other cybercrimes.
• Musk to be questioned; separate UK probe into his AI firm xAI’s data handling.
• Signals intensifying global scrutiny of major tech platforms and AI ethics.

Quote:

"[Authorities are] looking into alleged complicity in possessing and spreading pornographic images of minors, sexually explicit deepfakes, denial of crimes against humanity and manipulation of an automated data processing system as part of an organized group."
– Joel Niedler [07:05]

8. U.S.-India Oil Deal; Venezuela Oil Fields

Segment: [09:01–09:50]

• Trump secured a deal for India to stop importing Russian oil, switch to U.S. and Venezuelan sources; tariffs reduced as incentive.
• Trump claims it helps "end the war in Ukraine."
• U.S. plans to "take over" Venezuela’s oil industry following the capture of Maduro.

Quote:

"This will help end the war in Ukraine, which is taking place right now with thousands of people dying each and every week."
– Trump, via Zach Jewell [09:28]

9. Major Crime Drop in Washington, D.C.

Segment: [09:50–10:53]

• D.C. recorded just one homicide in January, an unprecedented low in over 30 years.
• Biden administration claims credit; Trump highlights National Guard deployment as key factor.
• Statistics show overall crime below pre-pandemic levels.

Quote:

"D.C. is now considered a very safe place and it should be…We put our National Guard and great soldiers inside our city… They didn't want to mention that. It's how dishonest."
– President Trump [10:17]

10. Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband Charged with Murder

Segment: [10:53–11:19]

• William Stevenson, Jill Biden’s college sweetheart and ex-husband, charged in the death of his wife.
• Details emerging, investigation ongoing.

11. Billie Eilish/“Stolen Land” Grammy Controversy

Segment: [11:19–12:13]

• Billie Eilish’s Grammy speech ("No one is illegal on stolen land") draws rebuke from the Tongva tribe and conservative politicians.
• Critics point out Eilish’s lack of reparative action and substantial fortune.

Quote:

"Any white person who does a public stolen land acknowledgment should immediately give his or her land to Native Americans. Otherwise they don't mean it."
– Senator Mike Lee [12:01]

12. Disney Names New CEO

Segment: [12:13–12:42]

• Josh D’Amaro, formerly Disney Parks chief, to succeed Bob Iger.
• Iger will stay as advisor through year-end.
• D’Amaro tasked with a $60B, 10-year parks investment and business transformation.

13. NASA’s Artemis 2 Launch Delayed

Segment: [12:42–13:08]

• Human-crewed Artemis 2 launch pushed to March due to minor hydrogen leaks.
• Marks first planned deep-space mission since Apollo era.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Guthrie abduction:
  “Time is of the essence in this investigation. The White House even posting her photo and physical details urging the public to call 911 if they have any information.” — Lyndon Blake [04:01]

• Body Cameras and Law Enforcement:
  "They tend to be good for law enforcement because people can't lie about what's happening. So it's generally speaking, I think 80% good for law enforcement." — Unnamed commentator [05:16]

• Influential Pop Culture Reaction:
  “eilish, worth $50 million has given $0 to the original inhabitants of this stolen land.” — Manny Moroda, journalist [12:07]

Timeline of Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Story | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:49 | Government shutdown ends—spending package passed | | 01:34 | U.S. military downs Iranian drone | | 02:27 | Nancy Guthrie abduction—FBI, ransom notes | | 04:26 | Minneapolis immigration officers get body cameras | | 05:24 | Trump sues Harvard for $1B | | 05:48 | Clintons to testify about Epstein | | 06:33 | France raids X’s Paris office; Musk investigation | | 09:01 | U.S.-India oil deal; Venezuela policy | | 09:50 | Record-low DC homicide stats; Trump remarks | | 10:53 | Jill Biden ex-husband charged with murder | | 11:19 | Billie Eilish, “stolen land” Grammy fallout | | 12:13 | Disney CEO transition | | 12:42 | Artemis 2 launch delayed |

Conclusion

This fast-paced Evening Wire episode delivers a dense, thorough run-through of major political, legal, and cultural happenings of the day, reinforced by direct quotes, on-the-ground reporting, and a dynamic yet direct tone reflecting the urgent, news-focused mission of the Morning Wire team.