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)
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.
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”).
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.
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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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.
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]
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]
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
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.