Evening Wire: Hamas Has A New Leader & NYC Terror Attack? | 7.20.26

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Morning Wire (Evening Wire Edition)
Episode: Hamas Has A New Leader & NYC Terror Attack? | 7.20.26
Date: July 20, 2026
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a vital rundown of the day’s most pressing political, security, and societal headlines. Key stories include an incendiary attack outside a federal office in Manhattan, the identification of Americans killed in an Iranian attack, Hamas electing a new leader, major shifts in UK politics, unusual city policy changes in New York, and a wild sports moment at the World Cup. The hosts report with a brisk, factual tone, cutting through noise for listeners who want crisp updates on the news that matters.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Manhattan Federal Plaza Attack

• Incident Details:
  • At 8:30am, a man set off an incendiary device and ignited fireworks outside 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, where the local ICE office is located.
  • Cart at the scene displayed anti-ICE messages; the suspect also threatened bystanders with an airsoft rifle.
  • Weapons, fireworks, and other materials were found in his possession.
• Investigation:
  • The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading an active investigation.
• Quote:
  • “[His cart] also contained long firearms, fireworks and other items.” — John Bickley (00:23)

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2. Iranian Attack: Fallen US Soldiers Identified

• New Details:
  • The Pentagon named the two Army soldiers killed in Jordan as 1st Lt. James Feehan (25, from Hawaii) and Pvt. Isabella Gonzalez (19, from Texas).
  • One American remains missing; another was killed while disposing of an Iranian drone in Iraq.
• US Response:
  • President Trump vows, “Every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many times over” (Cassia Akiva quoting Trump, 01:36).
  • Trump is visiting Dover AFB for the dignified transfer of the fallen.
• Quote:
  • “I passed on this new directive on to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Daniel Kaine along with other military leaders.” — Cassia Akiva reporting President Trump’s statement (01:50)

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3. Hamas Elects a New Leader

• Context:
  • Hamas, after nearly two years without a single recognized head following the October 2024 killing of Yahya al Sinwar, selects Khalil Al Haya (64) as political bureau chief.
  • Al Haya is a founding member and experienced negotiator with history in key talks with Israel and Syria.
• Quote:
  • “Al Haya has been a member of Hamas since it began in 1987 and has been the lead negotiator in indirect talks with Israel over the war in Gaza.” — Tim Pierce (02:17)

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4. UK Political Upheaval: Andy Burnham Becomes PM

• Story:
  • Labour Party’s Andy Burnham replaced Keir Starmer amidst party turmoil after just two years; the Morning Wire will dig deeper in a future report.
• Context:
  • Burnham steps in during a “deeply unsteady political climate.”
• Quote:
  • “Burnham’s predecessor served for just two years before mounting divisions within the party all but forced his resignation.” — Georgia Howe (02:54)

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5. Plane Crash in Texas Suburb

• Incident:
  • A single-engine, yellow plane crashed into a house near Fulshear, Texas; the pilot (sole occupant) survived and was hospitalized.
  • Cause unclear, but the pilot may have attempted to land at a small nearby airstrip.
• Quote:
  • “A bright yellow propeller driven plane appears to have just missed the backyard pool and landed with one wing on the roof and the other on the ground.” — Justice Spuehler (03:23)

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6. NYC’s Syringe Buyback Program

• New Policy:
  • Mayor Mamdani’s administration earmarked $3 million for a program exchanging cash for used drug syringes at eight city sites (20¢/syringe, max $10/day).
  • Nonprofit Addiction Response Resources operates under an $11.1 million contract.
• Controversy:
  • Critics argue the program indirectly funds more drug use.
• Quote:
  • “Critics say that Mamdani’s plan will give taxpayer money to active drug users that can then be used to buy more drugs.” — Georgia Howe (04:19)

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7. California City Manager Arrested

• Event:
  • Sausalito’s new city manager Elaine Forbes, just three weeks in the job, was arrested for felony burglary after being found on a yacht she claimed was hers.
  • Police say she did not have permission to board the vessel.
• Memorable Moment:
  • “She told police to leave because she was having a, quote, bad morning.” — John Bickley (04:49)

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8. US Public School Closures Accelerate

• Data:
  • Over 1,000 public schools closed last year, extending a four-year trend attributed to shrinking enrollment and loss of COVID-era funding.
  • Major closures in districts like Houston, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
• Quote:
  • “Researchers are calling this the big Shrink and they expect it to continue as more families choose private schools and homeschooling.” — Brooke Margato (05:15)

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9. FDA Reverses on Taco Bell Lettuce Outbreak

• Development:
  • FDA now says the positive cyclospora test for Taylor Farms de Mexico (Taco Bell supplier) was a “false positive.”
  • Offers apology to the farm.
• Quote:
  • “FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive.” — Justice Spuehler, citing the FDA (05:47)

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10. World Cup Final Erupts in Chaos

• Event:
  • Following Spain’s victory over Argentina, a brawl broke out on the pitch; chaotic scenes included an Argentinian hitting and tackling Spanish players.
  • Further disrespect: Argentinian team turned their backs to Spain during the trophy ceremony.
• Memorable Moment:
  • “For the first time in recorded history, a soccer player was pushed to the ground and somehow managed to immediately stand up and continue fighting.” — Georgia Howe (06:49)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many times over.” — President Trump, quoted by Cassia Akiva (01:36)
• “She told police to leave because she was having a, quote, bad morning.” — John Bickley (04:49)
• “For the first time in recorded history, a soccer player was pushed to the ground and somehow managed to immediately stand up and continue fighting.” — Georgia Howe (06:49)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:23] Manhattan federal office incendiary attack
• [01:11] Fallen US soldiers in Iranian attack identified
• [02:14] Hamas elects Khalil Al Haya as new leader
• [02:49] UK’s Andy Burnham becomes new PM
• [03:18] Texas small plane crash
• [03:48] NYC cash-for-syringes policy
• [04:33] Sausalito city manager arrested
• [05:10] Over 1,000 US public schools closed
• [05:35] FDA reverses blame on Taco Bell lettuce
• [06:12] World Cup Final brawl (Spain vs. Argentina)

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Tone & Language

• Factual, direct, lightly editorial
• Mix of serious reporting and occasional dry humor (see World Cup segment)
• Speaker attribution and style maintained throughout

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Conclusion

This Evening Wire episode packs a comprehensive, no-nonsense roundup of breaking events, giving listeners the essentials on domestic security, political power shifts, public policy debates, and culture—followed, in classic form, by sharp observations and a touch of wry humor.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

An incendiary device was set off in Manhattan. The names of two Americans lost in an Iranian attack have been released, and the FDA walks back its claims that Taco Bell's lettuce provider caused an explosive outbreak. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Monday, July 20th, and this is EVENING Wire.

[John Bickley]

A man is under arrest after officials say he set off an incendiary device outside a federal office in Manhattan. At around 8:30am on Monday morning, a man lit a fire and set off fireworks outside 26 Federal Plaza. The office building houses the New York Field Office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And a cart found at the scene had anti ICE messages written on it. Officials say the suspect also threatened bystanders with an airsoft rifle before he was arrested by federal police. His cart also contained long firearms, fireworks and other items.

[Justice Spuehler]

The FBI said in a statement that

[John Bickley]

its New York Joint Terrorism Task Force has launched an investigation into the incident.

[Georgia Howe]

We've now learned the names of the two Americans who were killed in an Iranian attack over the weekend. Daily Wire foreign affairs reporter Cassia Akiva has the details.

[Cassia Akiva]

The Pentagon has identified two U.S. army soldiers killed in last week's Iranian attack on a base in Jordan as 25 year old First Lieutenant James Feehan of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and 19 year old Private Isabella Gonzalez of Carlton, Texas. Another American service member remains unaccounted for after CENTCOM recovered unidentified remains at the attack site. With the identification process still underway in Iraq, another American service member was also killed while disposing of an unexploded Iranian attack drone, though the soldier's identity has not yet been released. According to the White House, President Trump will travel to Dover Air Force Base to attend the dignified transfer of the fallen heroes. Meanwhile, Trump declared, quote, every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many times over. He added that he passed on this new directive on to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Daniel Kaine along with other military leaders.

[John Bickley]

Hamas announced the election of a new leader this morning.

[Justice Spuehler]

Daily Wire contributor Tim Pierce has the story.

[Tim Pierce]

The terror group said that 64 year old Khalil Al Haya will take over as head of its political bureau. Al Haya has been a member of Hamas since It began in 1987 and has been the lead negotiator in indirect talks with Israel over the war in Gaza. His election ends a nearly two year period during which Hamas operated without a single head. Instead, the terror group has been run by a leadership council after its previous leader, Yahya al Sinwar, was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024. Al Haya is a veteran negotiator for the terror group, taking part in previous talks with Israel in 2014 and in talks with Syria in 2022.

[Georgia Howe]

Speaking of new leaders, the UK's new Prime Minister assumed power today. The Labour Party's Andy Burnham took the reins from Keir Starmer this morning, assuming office in the midst of an unsteady political climate. Burnham's predecessor served for just two years before mounting divisions within the party all but forced his resignation. Look for our report on the new PM tomorrow on Morning Wire.

[John Bickley]

A small plane crashed into a house

[Justice Spuehler]

near the town of Fulshear, Texas, on Monday morning.

[John Bickley]

Daily Wire associate producer Justice Spuehler has more.

[Justice Spuehler]

The Texas Department of Public Safety said the pilot, who was the only one on board, was taken to the hospital. Officials did not say how badly he was hurt. The Fulshear Simonton Fire Department released a photo of the crash. A bright yellow propeller driven plane appears to have just missed the backyard pool and landed with one wing on the roof and the other on the ground. It's not clear what led to the crash, but the pilot appeared to be attempting to land at the nearby private Covey Trails airstrip.

[Georgia Howe]

The New York City Council has cemented Mayor Mamdani's plan to pay cash for used drug syringes. Mamdani's first city budget directed 3 million to the program, in which people can trade used syringes for cash at one of eight locations across the city. Under the program, a single syringe can net someone 20 cents. Up to 50 syringes can be turned over in a single day for a $10 payout. The program will be administered by the nonprofit Addiction Response resources under an $11.1 million contract that extends through the end of next year. Critics say that Mamdani's plan will give taxpayer money to active drug users that can then be used to buy more drugs.

[John Bickley]

The new city manager of a beachfront town in California is in jail, less than a month into her new role.

[Justice Spuehler]

Police in Sausalito responded to a noise complaint early Saturday at the city's Yacht Harbor. It was there that authorities found a disgruntled Elaine Forbes, who had been serving as Sausalito city manager for three weeks. Forbes was on a yacht that she claimed was her own, and she told police to leave because she was having

[John Bickley]

a, quote, bad morning.

[Justice Spuehler]

But police say the yacht is owned by someone else who did not give her permission to board. Authorities took her into custody on Saturday morning and placed her into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of felony burglary.

[Georgia Howe]

New federal data shows that more than 1,000 public schools have been shut down in the past year. Daily Wire associate producer Brooke Margato has the details.

[Brooke Margato]

This is the fourth consecutive year of skyrocketing closures driven by smaller student populations. Researchers are calling this the big Shrink and they expect it to continue as more families choose private schools and homeschooling. This, combined with an end to pandemic era federal funding has led to major school districts including Houston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh shuttering dozens of schools, with more cuts likely on the way.

[John Bickley]

The FDA is walking back claims that

[Justice Spuehler]

a Taco Bell lettuce supplier was to blame for the recent highly publicized parasite outbreak. Earlier on in the outbreak, the FDA pointed fingers at Taylor Farms de Mexico due to a positive lab test showing traces of cyclospora, that's the pathogen responsible for sickening hundreds of Americans. But the agency released a statement on Sunday backtracking on their previous claims, writing, quote, fda laboratory experts re reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive. The FDA has reportedly apologized to Taylor Farms and called their earlier claims a, quote, mistake.

[Georgia Howe]

And the World cup finale took a darker turn after the final whistle was blown as an on field brawl broke out between Spain and Argentina. Once Spain's victory was secured, celebrations were interrupted as one Argentinian player was shown hitting an opponent in the chest. Another Argentinian threw the Spanish goalkeeper to the ground, prompting other players and coaches to join the brawl. During the trophy ceremony, the defeated Argentinians turned their backs on Spain in what many saw as an act of poor sportsmanship. Fans and players alike were left disappointed in Argentina's actions, but others were left dumbfounded as for the first time in recorded history, a soccer player was pushed to the ground and somehow managed to immediately stand up and continue fighting.

[John Bickley]

Oh man. All right, this is your Drive Home Updates. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, earlier today we covered some major stories, including Trump ordering intensive strikes on Iran after US Troops were killed in Jordan and Iraq, Andrew Tate and his brother being arrested in Florida on dozens of new charges and ice traffic stops resuming, though with some significant changes. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morningwire.