Evening Wire: LA Riot Fallout & US-China Trade Talks | 06.09.25

In the June 9, 2025 episode of Evening Wire, presented by Daily Wire's Executive Editor John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe, listeners are provided with an in-depth analysis of the most pressing issues dominating the headlines. From civil unrest in Los Angeles to high-stakes international trade negotiations, the episode delivers comprehensive coverage, enriched with notable insights and direct quotes from key figures. Below is a detailed summary of the episode's main segments.

1. Los Angeles Riots Fallout

The episode opens with a focus on the recent violent riots in Los Angeles County, which have left the city in turmoil over the weekend. Georgia Howe sets the stage by announcing:

"Los Angeles reels after a weekend of violent riots." (00:18)

President Donald Trump responded decisively by deploying the National Guard to restore order:

"After a weekend of destructive anti-ICE protests in LA County, President Trump sent in the National Guard and warned that hundreds of Marines stand ready to assist if needed." (00:34)

Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, has been at the center of the controversy. Federal officials, particularly the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have criticized Newsom for allegedly siding with protesters:

"Federal officials are calling out state leaders. This morning, DHS urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to call off their rioting mob, accusing him of siding with foreign criminals." (00:46)

In a tense exchange, Tom Homan, a border czar, confronts Newsom:

"He's a tough guy. Why doesn't he do that?" (01:08)

"He knows where to find me." (01:10)

"So Tom, arrest me. Let's go." (01:11)

Gavin Newsom countered these accusations by asserting that President Trump overstepped his authority with the National Guard deployment:

"Newsom claims Trump overstepped by deploying the National Guard during anti ICE riots. The governor says local law enforcement didn't need help. Newsom accused Trump of manufacturing chaos and vowed he won't stop standing up for California." (01:14)

Jim McDonnell, Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), criticized Newsom's delayed response:

"I said, well, no one's above the law. They cross the line and commit a crime, absolutely they can. ... He waited two days of that city burning and people getting hurt, officers being assaulted before he made any declaration of an awful unlawful assembly." (01:35)

Highlighting the severity of the unrest, McDonnell detailed the violent tactics employed by rioters:

"We had individuals out there shooting commercial grade fireworks at our officers that can kill you. ... They'll take backpacks and the backpack will have a cinder block in it. They have a hammer and they'll break up the cinder block and use that, pass it around to throw at officers, to throw at cars and throw at other people." (02:21 - 02:48)

The LAPD has been actively mitigating the chaos, with efforts to clean up their headquarters after protesters targeted the building:

"The LAPD is cleaning up at their headquarters after protesters targeted the building last night. ... Police also declared an unlawful assembly, warning that agitators had splintered across the city." (01:56)

2. San Francisco Unrest

Shifting focus to Northern California, Georgia Howe reports on escalating tensions in San Francisco:

"Meanwhile in San Francisco, 60 people were arrested overnight as a solidarity protest spiraled out of control. Officers in riot gear faced glass bottles, barricades, and anti-police chants as they clashed with rioters near the Transamerica building." (02:48)

The situation deteriorated rapidly from what was intended to be a peaceful rally, resulting in injuries and significant disruptions to public transit:

"Two officers were injured and public transit was disrupted. What began as a, quote, peaceful rally quickly descended into a chaotic brawl in the city's financial district." (02:48)

3. Presidential Actions: Travel Ban

In a major policy move, President Trump signed a new travel ban targeting citizens from twelve countries, effective immediately on June 9, 2025:

"Today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya and numerous others." (03:25)

This ban was a direct response to the recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, perpetrated by an Egyptian national. However, the administration clarified that individuals who already possess U.S. visas remain unaffected:

"Citizens of those countries who have already been issued US Visas will be unaffected by the ban and are still permitted to travel to the U.S." (03:55)

4. International Conflicts: Russia-Ukraine Drone Attacks

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson provides an update on the intensifying conflict between Russia and Ukraine:

"It's the biggest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war with almost 500 individual strikes. Ukrainian Air Force reported 479 Shahid drones and 20 missiles were sent into their airspace overnight by Russia." (04:03)

Despite Ukraine's claims of significant interceptions, the attack successfully targeted a key air base:

"Ukraine says it shot down the bulk of the onslaught, but an air base was hit and appears to have been the primary target." (04:03)

This aggressive action is viewed as retaliation for Operation Spider's Web, a covert mission by Ukraine that eliminated a substantial number of Russia's strategic bombers on June 1:

"The strike was a direct response to Operation Spider's Web, a covert Ukrainian mission that wiped out a significant portion of Russia's strategic bombers on June 1." (04:03)

5. US-China Trade Relations

In a bid to alleviate escalating trade tensions, top U.S. and Chinese officials convened in London. Georgia Howe introduces this segment:

"Top US and Chinese officials are meeting in London in an attempt to hash out trade tensions." (04:39)

Scott Bessen, Treasury Secretary, elaborates on the issues at hand:

"The talks come as rare earth shortages threaten global supply chains and tariffs remain in legal limbo. ... President Trump has threatened to label China a currency manipulator while Beijing pushes for eased export controls." (04:48)

The trade imbalance has become more pronounced, with Chinese exports to the U.S. plummeting by 35% in May—the sharpest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, Chinese exports to Southeast Asia and Europe have surged, raising alarms in the U.S. about potential tariff avoidance:

"In recent weeks, Chinese Exports to the US have taken a dive, plunging 35% in May, the sharpest drop since COVID... Chinese exports surged to Southeast Asia and Europe, raising concerns stateside of tariff dodging." (04:48)

Additionally, U.S. imports to China have decreased, thereby shrinking the bilateral trade surplus significantly.

6. Freedom Flotilla Incident

The episode also covers a dramatic incident involving the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intercepting a flotilla attempting to breach the Gaza blockade. Dr. Jordan B. Peterson narrates the event:

"Israeli Defense Forces have intercepted a Freedom Flotilla crewed by Greta Thunberg and other pro-Palestinian activists en route to the Gaza Strip." (05:22)

Greta Thunberg released a pre-recorded statement claiming abduction:

"If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces or forces that support Israel. I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible." (05:48)

Contrastingly, the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement assuring the safety of all passengers:

"All the passengers of the [selfie yacht] are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over." (06:08)

The conflicting narratives have sparked international debate over the legitimacy and handling of such maritime interventions.

7. Congressional Developments: Trump's Spending Bill

Shifting to domestic policy, the episode delves into the status of President Trump's spending bill, which is making its way to the Senate. Georgia Howe introduces insights from Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice:

"The big beautiful bill narrowly passed the House last month, carried by a single vote, and has divided the Republican caucus in both chambers." (06:29)

Key areas of contention include:

• State and Local Tax (SALT) Deductions: Some fiscal conservatives advocate for reducing or eliminating these deductions, though support is waning in the Senate.

• Medicaid Reform: Proposals for additional work requirements are proving to be pivotal issues.

• Regulatory Policies: Notably, a controversial 10-year ban on state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) is at risk of being heavily modified or removed entirely due to opposition within the Senate.

The fragmentation within the Republican Party highlights the challenges in passing comprehensive fiscal legislation.

8. Miscellaneous News: Viral Zebra Incident

Adding a lighter note to the serious discussions, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson shares a quirky story about a zebra:

"A runaway pet zebra was captured in Tennessee on Sunday. Ed the zebra was located grazing in a pasture outside Christiana in central Tennessee. After evading authorities for more than a week, his escapades went viral on social media and he turned into a meme. Ed was airlifted to a nearby animal trailer via police helicopter." (07:02 - 07:24)

The story of Ed the zebra captivated online audiences, blending humor with the unexpected challenges of urban wildlife management.

Conclusion

The Evening Wire episode from June 9, 2025, provides a robust analysis of significant events impacting both national and international landscapes. From civil unrest and governmental responses in California to intricate trade negotiations with China, the podcast ensures listeners are well-informed with factual reporting and expert commentary. By including direct quotes and timestamps, the summary maintains the episode's authenticity and allows for easy reference to key moments discussed.

For those seeking comprehensive coverage of today's most critical issues, Evening Wire offers a reliable and engaging source of news, seamlessly blending local events with global affairs.