Evening Wire: Minneapolis Shooting Fallout & Iranian Sanctions | 8.28.25

Summary

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Morning Wire – Evening Wire: Minneapolis Shooting Fallout & Iranian Sanctions | 8.28.25

Date: August 29, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Podcast: Morning Wire (The Daily Wire)

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Overview

This episode of Evening Wire dissects the aftermath of the Minneapolis school shooting, presents the latest developments in US federal policy, analyzes fresh international tensions—including renewed Iranian sanctions—and surveys key domestic stories like tech industry crackdowns and economic shifts. Anchored by John Bickley, it maintains a brisk, fact-first tone, emphasizing recent political and cultural flashpoints and the evolving narrative on public trust, security, and government intervention.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis School Shooting: Motive and Fallout

• Police uncover the shooter’s journal, revealing:

  • Deep regret over transgender identity and feelings of brainwashing.
  • Frustration with gender expression.
  • Shooter, whose mother had worked at the school, left ominous messages online and on weapons.
  • Two children killed, multiple injuries.
  • Second trans-identifying shooter to target a Christian school in two years (comparing to the 2023 Nashville shooting).
  • FBI confirms investigation into motives, including potential hate aspects.

• Quote:
  “He wrote regretting his transgender identity, saying he was, quote, ‘tired of being trans and felt he had brainwashed himself.’”
  — Zach Jewell [00:51]

• Notable Note: Investigation scrutinizing online activity, weapon messaging (“Kill Donald Trump,” “Where’s your God”).

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2. Federal & Administrative Shake-Ups

a. Federal Reserve Lawsuit

• Trump removes Fed Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud; Cook sues in federal court.
• White House response: Trump acted within authority due to "credible accusations."
• Expected to head quickly to the Supreme Court.
• Quote:
  “President Trump removed her over allegations that she committed mortgage fraud...The White House has responded, saying Trump had the authority to remove her because he deemed that she was, quote, ‘credibly accused of lying in financial documents from a highly sensitive position.’”
  — Amanda Prestigiacomo [01:58]

b. CDC Director Fired, Won’t Step Down

• HHS fires Susan Menarez (first Senate-confirmed director); she refuses to leave, claims political motivation by RFK Jr.
• Disagreement centered on vaccination schedule.
• Triggered a wave of resignations among top CDC staff.

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3. Crime & Policing in DC

• Mayor Muriel Bowser credits Trump’s federal “surge” for drastic drop in carjackings—an 87% reduction in a 20-day period.
• Simultaneously voices concern about community-law enforcement trust.
• Quote:
  “For carjackings, the difference between this period...represents an 87% reduction in carjackings in Washington, D.C.”
  — Muriel Bowser [03:25]

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4. Housing, Immigration & Trump Policy

• HUD now requiring housing authorities to report tenants’ citizenship status or risk federal funding cuts.
• Part of Trump’s push for tighter benefit eligibility.

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5. US-Mexico Trade Frictions

• Mexico pauses package shipments to the US over looming tariffs on imported goods under $800 value.
• Pause will persist until both countries “define mechanisms” for new shipments.

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6. DEA Cartel Bust in New England

• 27 arrested in New Hampshire with Sinaloa cartel ties; major fentanyl and meth bust traced through Massachusetts.
• Fentanyl described as an ongoing crisis in the region.

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7. International Developments

a. Russia-Ukraine Escalation

• Russian airstrikes hit Kyiv: 18 dead, 45 wounded; new ground offensive.
• President Zelensky denounces “ballistics instead of the negotiating table.”
• Trump considering new harsh sanctions if peace progress stalls.
• Quote:
  “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table.”
  — Volodymyr Zelensky (via X) [05:39]

b. Snapback Sanctions on Iran

• UK, France, and Germany invoke UN “snapback” over Iran’s non-compliance with nuclear deal; triggers re-imposition of stalled sanctions unless full Security Council blocks.
• Iran found holding uranium far above agreed limits; diplomacy window still open.

c. Gaza Hospital Strike

• Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills 20 (including journalists/health workers) according to Hamas-run ministry.
• Netanyahu calls attack a “tragic mishap” but Israel claims strike targeted terrorists and took out hostile surveillance.
• Cites pattern of Hamas using hospitals for military purposes.

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8. Tech Industry Labor Crackdown

• Microsoft fires employees after internal activist occupation; recent activism included pro-Palestinian protests.
• Google previously fired dozens linked to protests about Israeli government contracts.
• Job market shifts give companies more leverage against activist employees.
• Quote:
  “Microsoft employees breached and occupied the offices of a top executive, leading to the firing of at least two employees.”
  — Tim Pierce [07:21]

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9. Economic Updates

• US GDP grew faster than expected last quarter: revised up to 3.3%, annualized rate at 1.4%.
• Growth driven by consumer spending/imports; investment spending down.

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10. Electric School Bus Program Fails

• Biden-era electric bus rollout collapses as manufacturer Lion Electric goes bankrupt; schools return to diesel buses.
• Districts unable to get parts or warranty support; reversal of federal green transport plans.
• Quip:
  “Who could have seen that coming?”
  — John Bickley [08:47]

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• “[The Minneapolis shooter] wrote regretting his transgender identity, saying he was, quote, ‘tired of being trans and felt he had brainwashed himself.’” — Zach Jewell [00:51]
• “For carjackings, the difference between this period...represents an 87% reduction in carjackings in Washington, D.C.” — Muriel Bowser [03:25]
• “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table.” — Volodymyr Zelensky [05:39]
• “Microsoft employees breached and occupied the offices of a top executive, leading to the firing of at least two employees.” — Tim Pierce [07:21]
• “Who could have seen that coming?” — John Bickley on electric school bus failures [08:47]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:44 Introduction of Minneapolis shooting investigation
• 01:36 FBI investigation confirmation
• 01:58 Fed Governor Lisa Cook lawsuit details
• 02:32 CDC director firing and fallout
• 03:25 DC Mayor Bowser touts crime reduction
• 04:07 Trump-era HUD immigration strictures
• 04:41 Mexico suspends U.S. package shipments
• 05:14 Major DEA fentanyl bust in New England
• 05:39 Russian airstrikes, Zelensky’s response
• 06:05 Iran sanctions snapback by UK, France, Germany
• 06:39 Israeli strike on Gaza hospital controversy
• 07:14 Microsoft/Google crackdown on activist employees
• 07:54 Upbeat GDP and economic update
• 08:15 Electric bus program collapse

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Closing Remarks

Evening Wire delivers a rapid-fire, detail-driven update cycle, hitting the major headlines with direct commentary and quick context from reporters and officials. The tone is urgent and occasionally sardonic, aiming to disentangle fact from partisan spin, especially on highly charged topics like the Minneapolis shooting, institutional turmoil, and international crises.

For more in-depth coverage, listeners are directed to dailywire.com or the next full Morning Wire edition.

Transcript

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[John Bickley]

The fallout continues over yesterday's tragedy in Minneapolis. The DEA makes a major drug bust in New Hampshire and Russia continues to hit Ukraine despite ongoing peace talks. I'm Daily Wire Executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, August 28th, and this is Evening Wire.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

We're learning more about the shooter in yesterday's horrific shooting in Minneapolis, Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell reports.

[Zach Jewell]

Police say that a journal belonging to the 23 year old shooter contained entries in which he wrote regretting his transgender identity, saying he was, quote, tired of being trans and felt he had brainwashed himself. The journal, written in English and Russian Crlic, also expressed frustration over his long hair and gender expression. The shooter, whose mother once worked at the school, posted videos hours before the attack with messages like, quote, kill Donald Trump and Where's your God Written on the weapons. He killed two children and injured many others in the attack. This marks the second trans identifying shooter to target a Christian school in two years, the following the 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville. It's an avenue. The White House confirms the FBI is investigating.

[Tim Pierce]

All of the elements are being investigated in the shooting.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Absolutely, which is why part of the reason the FBI director came out and immediately confirmed that facet of the investigation.

[John Bickley]

And yet another major escalation in the battle between Trump and the Fed. Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has officially sued the president for removing her from the Fed monetary panel, Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce says.

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

More Cook, who is a Biden appointee, filed a suit in federal court Thursday and many expected to head quickly to the Supreme Court. President Trump removed her over allegations that she committed mortgage fraud before her time at the Federal Reserve. The White House has responded to the lawsuit, saying Trump had the authority to remove her because he deemed that she was, quote, credibly accused of lying in financial documents from a highly sensitive position overseeing financial institutions.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

The Department of Health and Human Services has fired the director of the cdc, but she's refusing to step down. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo has the.

[Susan Menarez's Attorney]

Latest Attorneys representing Susan Menarez say that she has neither resigned nor been fired, accusing Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Of Politicizing Public health. The White House, however, insists that she's out, saying Manara's defied the president's agenda. Former acting CDC chief Richard Besser told Politico that the dismissal follows a disagreement between Menara's and RFK Jr over vaccination schedule changes. Menarez, the first Senate confirmed CDC director, clashed with officials over vaccine policy. Her ouster is said to have triggered the resignations of at least three other top CDC leaders.

[John Bickley]

DC's Democratic mayor admitted this week that President Trump's federal takeover has drastically reduced crime in the District. In a press conference Wednesday, Muriel Bowser said she greatly appreciates the federal aid and touted recent crime stats, especially of carjackings.

[Muriel Bowser]

The most significant thing that we are highlighting today is the area of crime that was most troubling for us in 2023. Now we have driven it down over the last years. But for carjackings, the difference between this period, this 20 day period of this federal surge and last year represents a 87% reduction in carjackings in Washington, D.C.

[John Bickley]

Bowser also criticized the surge, though, and claimed that federal involvement has led to greater distrust between the community and law enforcement.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

President Trump has a blunt message to US Housing authorities. Turn over the citizenship status of your tenants or risk federal funding. A draft letter from Housing Secretary Scott Turner cites Section 214 of Federal Housing law, which bars undocumented immigrants from public housing programs. HUD says some local authorities have failed to collect or share the required information. The order is part of President Trump's broader push to tighten benefit eligibility and enforce immigration law. HUD officials say enforcement could include cutting off funds to non compliant housing agencies.

[John Bickley]

Mexico has paused package shipments to the US ahead of President Trump's rapidly approaching tariff deadline. Imported goods valued at $800 or were exempt from tariff duties, but Trump's Department of Homeland Security announced last month that it ends this Friday. In response, Mexico's Postal Service is shutting down shipments, at least for now. The Postal Service said the pause is being imposed while Mexico, quote, continues its dialogue with US authorities and international postal organizations to define mechanisms that will allow for the orderly resumption of services.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Speaking of things coming from Mexico, the DEA has busted 27 people in New Hampshire with ties to Mexico's CB Sinaloa cartel. The DEA says the bust seized fentanyl and methamphetamine that moved through Lawrence, Massachusetts, long a fentanyl hub for New England. Photos released by DEA New England show suspects in handcuffs and bundles of seized cash. Officials say the takedown targeted cartel backed networks driving the region's fentanyl crisis.

[John Bickley]

Russia launched airstrikes against Kyiv early this morning, killing 18 people and wounding 45. The move comes as Russian ground forces pushed into a new region of Ukraine yesterday. In a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed the aggression, saying, quote, russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. President Trump is reportedly considering harsh economic sanctions against Russia if no peace progress is made.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Britain, France and Germany are moving to reimpose sweeping sanctions on Iran, citing what they call significant non compliance with nuclear agreements. The so called E3 formally notified the UN Security Council, triggering the snapback mechanism built into the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The sanctions would restore limits unless the entire council votes to stop them, something even Russia and China cannot veto on their own. The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran holds uranium far above agreed limits, but there's still time for diplomacy to prevent sanctions from taking effect.

[John Bickley]

An Israeli strike on a hospital in Gaza has sparked international backlash. According to the Hamas run Gaza Health Ministry, the attack killed 20 people, including journalists and health workers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack a tragic mishap. Israel's military has said the strike took out six terrorists, as well as a camera that had been used to track Israeli military movements. Military officials added that the strike was further supported by Hamas's past use of hospitals to hide terrorist activity, as well as intelligence that Hamas has used that hospital for military purposes since the start of the war.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Microsoft and Google are cracking down on employee activism. Daily Wire reporter Cassie Akiva has more.

[Tim Pierce]

On Tuesday, Microsoft employees breached and occupied the offices of a top executive, leading to the firing of at least two employees. Other recent activism has included raising a Palestinian flag outside the company's headquarters and using company message boards to post activist messages. Last spring, Google fired 48 people in connection to protests about the company's contract with the Israeli government. While tech has long fostered an open attitude towards activism, shifts in the labor market have made it easier to replace employees who cause workplace disruption.

[John Bickley]

The US Economy grew by more than expected last quarter. Newly revised numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis found that real GDP actually grew by 3.3% over the first quarter. The change was due to growth in consumer spending and increased imports, though investment spending did decline. We're now looking at an annualized growth rate of 1.4% for the first half.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Of the year and schools using Biden Era Electric buses are going back to diesel. The prior administration contracted Canadian bus maker Lion Electric to build a fleet of 435 electric school buses. However, lion is now going bankrupt with most of its contract unfulfilled. This renders the bus's manufacturer warranty unenforceable, and districts currently using them are either stockpiling replacement parts or pulling the buses off the roads completely. The result? Many school districts are recommitting to the diesel powered buses the Biden administration had hoped to phase out.

[John Bickley]

Who could have seen that coming? All right, those are your drive Home updates. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning we covered some major stories, including the horrific shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school, the DOJ giving settlements to FBI whistleblowers punished under Biden, and a look behind the scenes of the Cracker Barrel rebranding debacle. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Mama Papa, mi cuerpo, crece yun rin.

[Susan Menarez's Attorney]

Mo alarmante y la ropa.

[Michaela]

These are questions that take cultures thousands of years to answer. During Answer the Call, I take questions from people just like you about their problems, opportunities, challenges or when they simply need advice.

[Zach Jewell]

How do I balance all of this grief, responsibility?

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

How do you repair this kind of damage?

[Michaela]

My daughter, Michaela guides the conversations as we hopefully help people navigate their lives. Everyone has their own destiny. Everyone.