Morning Wire – Evening Wire: Minneapolis Protests Widen & Federal Fraud Task Force | January 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Evening Wire, hosted by John Bickley and Georgia Howe, centers on several pressing national and international developments. Major topics included the ongoing Minneapolis protests after a fatal ICE officer-involved shooting, the launch of a new federal fraud task force, pivotal legislative action on U.S. foreign military engagements, Trump administration moves regarding international organizations, law enforcement actions against gang operations, and significant updates in banking, entertainment industry mergers, and college football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Protests After Fatal ICE Shooting

• Incident Recap: Protests flared in Minneapolis after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman alleged to have attempted to ram officers with her car. Protesters confronted law enforcement, prompting the use of tear gas and pepper balls.
• Law Enforcement vs. City Response: While Homeland Security claims lawful commands were ignored, Minneapolis city leaders dispute the justification for the shooting.
• Ongoing Investigation: The FBI and Minnesota officials have launched a joint review amid continued public tension.
• Impact on Community: Minneapolis Public Schools cancelled classes for two days due to safety concerns linked to potential riots and protests.

Notable Quote:
“Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside a federal building Thursday, confronting officers and chanting threatening slogans as authorities deployed tear gas and pepper balls.”
— Cabot Phillips (00:30)

2. Federal Fraud Task Force Announced

• Task Force Details: Vice President J.D. Vance revealed a new federal initiative aimed at combating widespread fraud, particularly amid Minnesota-based allegations.
• Enforcement Actions: Over 1,500 subpoenas issued and 100 indictments secured; investigations expanding to at least California and Ohio.
• Justice Department Focus: Creation of a dedicated DOJ associate attorney general role, primarily focusing on Minnesota, with a view to national action.

Notable Quote:
“This is going to be a nationwide effort because, unfortunately, the American people have been defrauded in a very nationwide way.”
— Joel Niedler reporting on VP Vance (01:34)

3. U.S. Legislative & Foreign Policy Developments

• Venezuela Military Authorization Limitations: Senate passes legislation (52–47) to require future congressional approval for U.S. military actions in Venezuela; several Republicans joined Democrats.
• Russia Sanctions: President Trump is backing bipartisan efforts for tougher sanctions, including secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil.
• Colombia Tensions: Colombian President Gustavo Petro sought talks with President Trump after the latter suggested possible military actions following a raid in Venezuela.

Notable Quote:
“Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And he's not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you.”
— President Trump (Reported by Zach Jewell, 03:41)

4. President Trump’s State of the Union & International Organizations

• State of the Union: Scheduled for February 24th, following an official invitation from Speaker Mike Johnson.
• Withdrawal from International Groups: Trump signed an executive order ending U.S. membership in 66 organizations, especially those aligned with climate and gender activism (e.g., UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Green Climate Fund).

Notable Quote:
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the decision a fulfillment of Trump’s pledge to stop funding what he described as globalist bureaucracies.”
— Tim Pierce (04:41)

5. Major U.S. Law Enforcement Action

• Gang Crackdown: 54 members of the Trinitarios Dominican gang arrested in New York, charged with crimes including weapons trafficking, human smuggling, narcotics, and armed robberies.
• National Significance: Labeled as a significant blow to criminal networks with wide influence.

Notable Quote:
“During our investigation, we learned that these scumbags were affiliated with the transnational criminal organization, the notorious Trinitarios Gang in New York.”
— DHS Secretary Christy Noem (05:45)

6. International: Postwar Ukraine Support

• Allied Coordination: France and the UK, with U.S. support, agreed on joint military investments and establishing military hubs in Ukraine to aid the nation's post-war recovery.

7. Business & Tech

• Apple Card Update: JP Morgan Chase is set to take over as the issuer of Apple’s credit card, ending Goldman Sachs’ problematic tenure in consumer lending. Goldman sells at a discount due to losses; the transition will take about two years.

8. Entertainment Industry Moves

• Warner Bros. Discovery v. Paramount/Netflix: Warner Bros. formally rejected Paramount’s sixth takeover offer, reaffirming its preference for a merger with Netflix, citing greater value and fewer risks.
• Cultural Commentary: Late night host Jimmy Kimmel riffed on the Minneapolis ICE shooting, criticizing Trump with biting sarcasm and referencing Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s clash with ICE.

Notable Quote:
“Kimmel held up a red shirt... ‘Donald J. Trump is going to kill you’ and suggested that this was, quote, the new slogan for MAGA supporters.”
— Amanda Harding (07:37)

9. Sports: College Football Playoffs

• Semifinal Matchups: Miami vs. Ole Miss (Fiesta Bowl), Indiana vs. Oregon (Peach Bowl). Indiana is undefeated; all semifinalist head coaches have ties to coach Nick Saban.
• Key Insight: Transition of leadership and notable coaching backgrounds feature prominently.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Cabot Phillips (Minneapolis Protests):
  “Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside a federal building Thursday, confronting officers and chanting threatening slogans...” (00:30)

• Joel Niedler (Fraud Task Force):
  “The White House says a nominee for the new DOJ role could be announced within days.” (01:56)

• President Trump (Colombia remark):
  “Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States..." (03:41)

• Christy Noem (Gang Arrests):
  “We began to target every single last person that is affiliated with them and recognized that they needed to be brought to justice.” (05:45)

• Jimmy Kimmel (Monologue):
  “...Donald J. Trump is going to kill you...this maniac, he isn’t just killing people overseas. An ICE agent today shot and killed an unarmed 37 year old woman.” (07:37–08:31)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Minneapolis Protests Overview: 00:19–01:13
• Federal Fraud Task Force Announcement: 01:13–02:03
• Limiting Presidential Military Actions in Venezuela: 02:03–03:17
• Colombia–Trump Call & Comments: 03:17–04:10
• State of the Union & International Group Withdrawals: 04:10–05:13
• Trinitarios Gang Arrests: 05:13–06:13
• France & UK Postwar Ukraine Plans: 06:13–06:44
• Apple Card Issuer Shift: 06:44–07:23
• Warner Bros. Rebuffs Paramount, Kimmel on ICE Shooting: 07:23–08:44
• College Football Playoff Preview: 08:51–09:42

This episode delivers a brisk, wide-ranging account of political, legal, and cultural developments, marked by both hard news and sharp, memorable commentary.