Morning Wire: Evening Wire – SCOTUS Considers Trump Tariffs & DOJ’s Major Minnesota Bust | 1.16.26

Date: January 16, 2026
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley (Daily Wire)
Podcast Theme:
This episode delivers comprehensive updates on key political, legal, and cultural events, with special focus on the Supreme Court’s pending decision regarding Trump-era tariffs, a significant DOJ arrest in Minneapolis, foreign policy maneuverings, crime, and shifts in business and media leadership.

Episode Overview

The hosts present fast-moving coverage of the day’s biggest news stories, including Supreme Court deliberations over Trump’s controversial tariffs, a high-profile law enforcement bust involving gang-related theft from the FBI, and notable developments in technology, foreign relations, and sports. The tone is brisk, direct, and factual, typical of Morning Wire’s style.

Key Segment Breakdowns

1. Supreme Court Weighs Trump Tariffs

[00:26–01:08]

• Discussion:

  • The Supreme Court heard oral arguments addressing former President Trump’s unilateral implementation of tariffs under the Emergency Economic Powers Act.
  • The key legal question: whether the Act—as it lacks specific mention of tariffs—permitted such broad executive authority, as challenged under the “major questions doctrine.”
  • Trump administration’s defense: the law’s text is the “practical equivalent of a tariff.”
  • The justices’ decision could define the scope of executive foreign policy powers.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Plaintiffs told the court that Trump’s decision to unilaterally impose his steep import duties violates the major questions doctrine, since the Emergency Economic Powers Act does not explicitly mention the word tariffs.”

2. Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Greenland

[01:08–01:21]

• Discussion:

  • President Trump threatens tariffs on countries opposing U.S. acquisition of Greenland—an assertion tied to national security interests.
  • Follows European military support for Danish sovereignty over the territory, despite longstanding U.S. military presence on the island.
  • No specifics on targeted countries were given.

• Notable Quote:

  • Trump: “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland because we need Greenland for national security, so I may do that.” ([01:16])

3. Major US-Taiwan Trade Deal

[01:46–02:56]

• Discussion:

  • Taiwan and the United States seal a $250B investment deal; Taiwan lowers certain tariffs from 20% to 15%.
  • Arizona to gain new semiconductor factories through TSMC investment, moving toward U.S. self-sufficiency in chip manufacturing.
  • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick touts the deal as fulfillment of Trump’s campaign promises on technology and manufacturing.

• Notable Quote:

  • Howard Lutnick: “We’re going to bring it all over so we become self-sufficient in the capacity of building semiconductors. This is exactly what Donald Trump said he was going to do and he is doing it today.” ([02:56])

4. Iran Protests Suppressed

[02:56–03:56]

• Discussion:

  • Following an apparent pause in executions, Iranian authorities use overwhelming force to control dissent, leaving residents “hostage in their homes.”
  • Witnesses report streets filled with tanks and armed patrols—Tehran gripped by fear ([03:27]).
  • Over 2,600 officially dead, with local sources citing as many as 12,000.

• Notable Quote:

  • Anonymous source: “There’s tanks everywhere…There’s trucks that are covered with 10 people inside with machine guns just aiming them at everyone on the street.” ([03:27–03:30])

5. The Renee Nicole Goode Incident in Minneapolis

[03:56–05:01]

• Discussion:

  • Incident reports describe chaos during the shooting involving ICE agents and Renee Nicole Goode.
  • Dispatch transcripts reveal law enforcement’s struggle with an increasingly aggressive crowd.
  • Disputed narratives: authorities claim self-defense after being struck by a vehicle; protesters allege unnecessary use of force.

• Details:

  • Protesters accuse ICE agents of excessive force: “They shot her…because she wouldn’t open her car door.”
  • Goode sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

6. DOJ’s Major Minnesota Gang Bust

[05:01–05:32]

• Discussion:

  • DOJ announces the arrest of a Latin Kings member in Minneapolis for theft of FBI body armor and weapons, amid claims that local policies enable lawbreaking.
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi calls the suspect “a perfect example” of daily law enforcement dangers under permissive local leadership.

• Notable Quote:

  • Pam Bondi: “The criminal is a perfect example of what our brave federal law enforcement agents are up against every day as Minnesota leadership encourages lawbreaking.” ([05:32])

7. California’s ICE Controversy – Shapiro vs. Newsom

[06:20–07:27]

• Discussion:

  • Governor Gavin Newsom concedes—on Ben Shapiro’s podcast—that “ICE are not domestic terrorists,” despite previous statements from his own press office.
  • Newsom defends the state’s actual cooperation with ICE and prison transfers.

• Notable Quote:

  • Shapiro: “Your press office tweeted out that it was state-sponsored terrorism, which… makes our politics worse.”
  • Newsom: “…Our ICE officers obviously are not terrorists. A tragic situation is not state-sponsored terrorism. Yeah, I think that’s fair.” ([07:10])

8. Trump Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

[07:27–08:30]

• Discussion:

  • Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado personally gives her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, “for his decisive support of our cause.”
  • Trump responds warmly on Truth Social, calling Machado “a wonderful woman who has been through so much.”

• Notable Quote:

  • Machado: “[Trump deserves the prize] as recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.” ([07:56])
  • Trump: “Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” ([08:09])

9. Lawsuit Against Kyrsten Sinema

[08:30–09:12]

• Discussion:
  • Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema sued under North Carolina’s “homewrecker” law, accused of knowingly interfering with the marriage of a former security staffer.
  • Lawsuit alleges romantic and possibly sexual communications and meetings during and outside professional contexts.

10. U.S. Copper Output and Amazon’s Data Centers

[09:12–09:50]

• Discussion:
  • America resumes domestic copper production for the first time in over a decade, with Amazon striking a deal for 14,000 metric tons.
  • Demand propelled by new data center construction amidst the AI boom; copper prices hit record highs.

11. Sports & Entertainment News

[09:50–11:29]

• NFL & College Playoffs:
  • Divisional round features top-seed matchups on both Saturday and Sunday.
  • College playoffs see Indiana Hoosiers aiming for a historic undefeated season.
• Star Wars Franchise Shakeup:
  • Kathleen Kennedy exits as Lucasfilm president after 13 tumultuous years.
  • Dave Filoni (of "Clone Wars" fame) expected to lead a “new hope” for the franchise.
  • Host joke: “Too much? Probably too much.” ([11:28])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Trump on Greenland Tariffs:
  “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland because we need Greenland for national security.” ([01:16])
• Newsom on ICE:
  “Our ICE officers obviously are not terrorists. A tragic situation is not state-sponsored terrorism. Yeah, I think that’s fair.” ([07:10])
• Commerce Secretary Lutnick on Taiwan Deal:
  “250 billion and 250 billion. This is the kind of scale that Donald Trump operates in.” ([02:56])
• Star Wars Leadership Change:
  “Many from the Star Wars alliance are expressing a new hope that the franchise will return to once again being a force to reckon with under the new order. Too much? Probably too much.” ([11:28])

Important Timestamps

• Trump tariffs at SCOTUS: 00:26–01:08
• Greenland tariff threat: 01:08–01:21
• US-Taiwan chip deal: 01:46–02:56
• Iran protest suppression: 02:56–03:56
• Minneapolis shooting incident: 03:56–05:01
• Latin Kings arrest: 05:01–05:32
• ICE terrorism controversy: 06:20–07:27
• Nobel Peace Prize to Trump: 07:27–08:30
• Sinema lawsuit: 08:30–09:12
• Copper for Amazon data centers: 09:12–09:50
• NFL/College Football & Star Wars: 09:50–11:29

Tone & Style

The reporting is brisk, with a clear and fact-driven delivery. The hosts and correspondents use direct language, with frequent expert attributions and a focus on delivering concise context for each story. The episode is structured to keep listeners moving quickly through national and international news, with a touch of cultural commentary and humor.

For further details and original reporting, visit dailywire.com.