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Brendan I'm Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of the alliance for Secure AI. We're a coalition of patriotic Americans who want to stop AI from taking our freedoms. Big Tech is propping up AI powered mass surveillance and exploiting our children online. This is not the future we want. The alliance is working hard to ensure that we put Americans first. Join us at secure AI now.org to learn more. Paid for by the alliance for Secure AI
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President Trump lays out the objectives of Operation Epic Fury. Violent protests erupt across Pakistan in response, and Luigi Mangione dodges a death sentence. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Monday, March 2nd, and this is Evening Wire.
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The US military is prepared for a weeks long conflict with Iran. That's according to President Trump, who described the goals of Operation Epic Fury at a Medal of Honor ceremony today. Our objectives are clear.
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First, we're destroying Iran's missile capabilities. Second, we're annihilating their navy.
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We've knocked out already 10 ships.
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Third, we're ensuring that the world's number
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one sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon. And finally, we're ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorists armies outside of their borders. The President noted that the military expects the mission to last four to five weeks, but Cannon will extend that if needed. He also pointed out one way that the operation is already saving time.
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We also projected four weeks to terminate the military leadership. And as you know, that was done in about an hour.
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So we're ahead of schedule there by a lot.
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While President Trump said the campaign could go on for a while, War Secretary Pete Hegseth drew a sharp line on the mission. The saying in a press conference this morning, this will not be another endless war.
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This is not Iraq. This is not endless. I was there for both. Our generation knows better and so does this president. He called the last 20 years of nation building wars dumb. And he's right. This is the opposite. This operation is a clear, devastating, decisive mission. Destroy the missile threat, destroy the Navy. No nukes, no stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire, no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars. We fight to win and we don't waste time or lives.
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The Secretary also warned Americans that there would likely be more of our heroes lost in the fighting.
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As the President warned, an effort of this scope will include casualties. War is hell and always will be. A grateful nation honors the four Americans we have lost thus far and those injured, the absolute best of America. May we prosecute the remainder of this operation in a manner that honors them.
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Asked about how the four Americans died, Hegseth said, it was a missile that slipped through our air defenses.
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As it pertains to the US Casualties that particular incident, you know you have air defenses and the lot's coming in and you hit most of it. Every once in a while you might have one. Unfortunately, we call it a squirter that makes its way through and in that particular case, it happened to hit a tactical operations center with Venmo Stash A taco in one hand and ordering a ride in the other means you're stacking cash back. Nice. Get up to 5% cash back with Venmo Stash on your favorite brands when you pay with your Venmo debit card. From takeout to ride shares, entertainment and more, pick a bundle with your go tos and start earning cash back at those brands. Earn more cash when you do more with Stash. Venmo Stash terms and exclusions apply. Max 100 cash back per month. See terms of Venmo me terms.
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The U S military confirmed Monday morning that three F15E Strike Eagles were shot down over Kuwait and what officials described as an apparent friendly fire incident. Daily Wire reporter Zach jewel has more. U.S. central Command said that the fighter jets, which were flying support roles, were mistakenly shot down at around 11pm local time on Sunday. No American service members were killed in the incident, Central Command said today, quote, during active combat that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones, the US Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses. All six aircrew ejected safely have been safely recovered and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti Defense Forces and their support in this ongoing operation.
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Violent protests erupted across Pakistan on Sunday after US And Israeli strikes killed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, leaving at least 22 people dead and more than 120 injured. Daily Wire foreign Affairs reporter Cassia Akiva reports. In Karachi, demonstrators attempted to storm the U.S. consulate, torched a nearby police post, smashed windows and clashed with security forces, while unrest in the northern Gilgit Baltistan region turned deadly as protesters attacked UN Offices and government buildings. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds in Islamabad, Peshawar and Lahore, and authorities deployed additional troops in tightened security around US Diplomatic sites nationwide. Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zadari expressed solidarity with Iran, calling Khamenei's death, quote, a martyrdom. The U.S. embassy advised Americans in Pakistan to avoid large gatherings and monitor local developments as tensions continue to escalate.
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The strikes on Iran have caused a spike in oil prices as global markets become uncertain. Global prices jumped anywhere from 7 to 8% following the strikes. Analysts have warned that prices could continue to surge if the conflict carries on much longer. Several oil tankers were struck over the weekend in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest thoroughfares for oil shipments just off the Iranian coast. As military action continues, more than 200 oil shipment vessels have been anchored, not knowing when it may be safe to continue. Should the conflict resolve quickly, markets may be able to quickly stabilize.
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Well, before we continue, I'm excited to give you some amazing news about an issue that we care about here at the Daily Wire. Our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom have just announced that the state of Vermont has agreed to change its policy that discriminated against Christian foster families. Families like the Wotes and Gantz were model foster parents. They had taken in siblings and even focused on caring for kids with struggles like fetal alcohol syndrome. And these parents had lost their foster licenses because they refused to compromise their faith by participating in a lie they were told. They had to agree to promote the state's radical gender ideology, including by taking kids to pride parades following a victory in a similar case out of Oregon last year. This win in Vermont means we're winning the battle, folks. I can't tell you how inspiring it is to learn about the courage of these families, moms and dads who have answered the call to care for vulnerable children who deserve a loving home. Go to joinadf.com wire and find out more about this incredible victory and how Alliance Defending Freedom is standing up for everyday families and protecting our constitutional rights. That's joinadf.com wire or text wire to 83848 and celebrate this amazing victory with us.
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The perpetrator of the mass shooting in Austin this weekend entered the country and was naturalized as a citizen under Democrat administrations despite a lengthy criminal record. Daily Wire political reporter Cameron Arcand has the details.
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The shooter entered the United States from Senegal in 2000 under the Clinton administration. He was eventually granted citizenship under Obama in 2013. Records show, however, that he racked up a substantial criminal record before being granted citizenship, including multiple arrests in New York City as well as Texas. Reports indicated that he was known by law enforcement to be an emotionally disturbed individual. He was wearing a hoodie that displayed the words Property of Allah when he opened fire on bar patrons near the University of Texas, Austin on Sunday following the incident, some immigration critics are left wondering why the perpetrator was allowed to be granted citizenship and remain in the country to begin with. Anti ICE chaos flared up again in Minneapolis over the weekend, with at least 54 agitators arrested Sunday during a protest outside a federal building in the city. Daily Wire Immigration reporter Jenny Terr has the details.
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The Hennepin County Sheriff's office said 38 rioters were cited and released and another went to jail. The Minnesota State Patrol also said another 15 people were arrested. The sheriff's office said in a social media post this morning, our deputies issued dispersal orders at an unlawful assembly outside the Whipple Building after individuals blocked roadways, blocked access to local businesses, dumped glass into the street and threw rocks, ice chunks and water bottles at law enforcement, creating a serious public safety hazard. The office made clear that arrests are being made, adding, quote, freedom of speech and peaceful assembly is a right. Endangering the public is not Unlawful activity, including blocking roads, intentionally creating hazards and assaultive behavior will not be tolerated. Zoran Mamdani's allies are pushing a bill to allow the mayor to radically increase corporate tax rates. If passed in the state Legislature, Mamdani and the New York City Council would be able to institute a corporate tax surcharge, effectively raising corporate taxes to 22%. State level restrictions have so far been the big hurdle to overcome for Mamdani's big government agenda, but the mayor hopes that this bill could be the breakthrough. Business leaders are warning that any new tax liability would almost certainly lead to a mass exodus from the city, as their bottom line would no longer be tenable just over the state line. In New Jersey, a corporate tax rate would be half the cost. New York has already seen major business interests, especially in the financial sector, leave the city, with over 56 financial firms representing over $1 trillion in assets moving
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away since 2020, Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty. Data Wire reporter Lyndon Blake has more.
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The Department of Justice said in a letter Friday that it will not challenge the decision from U.S. district Judge Margaret Garnett to dismiss two of the four charges against Mangione, including use of a firearm to commit murder, which made him eligible for the death penalty. It's worth noting that the judge explicitly stated that she dismissed the charges, quote, solely to preclude the death penalty as an available punishment. Bangioni still faces two counts of interstate stalking. If convicted, he would face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. In addition to the federal charges, Mangione faces nine counts, including second degree murder In a separate state case Scheduled to begin June 8, the Pentagon is moving to blacklist a major AI developer after a standoff over military access to AI to tools. Daily Wire senior editor Joel Niedler has more.
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War Secretary Hegseth announced Friday that AI company Anthropic has become, quote, a supply chain risk to national security. In a lengthy X post, Hegseth stated in part, our position has never wavered and will never waver. The Department of War must have full unrestricted access to Anthropic's models for every lawful purpose in defense of the Republic. Hexseth said Anthropic and its CEO, Dario Amadei, chose duplicity, accusing them of trying to strong arm the US Military into submission and calling it a, quote, cowardly act of corporate virtue, signaling that places Silicon Valley ideology above American lives. Hexseth also said their true objective is unmistakable to seize veto power over the operational decisions of the United States military, and that is unacceptable. As a result, he said, Anthropic would be designated, quote, a supply chain risk. And President Trump said Senator Ted Cruz could be a Supreme Court nominee in the near future amid rumors of potential retirements. Both Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas are in their late 70s, though neither have formally announced plans to step down. The president said Cruz would receive, quote, 100% of the Democrat and Republican vote, arguing that Cruz's foes would, quote, want to get him out of there in reference to the Senate. Cruz, however, shot the proposal down in January. He said, quote, my answer is not just no, it's hell no. Cruz said he wants to be, quote, right in the middle of political battles, something a, quote, principled federal judge would stay out of.
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Those are your Drive Home updates this evening. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, earlier today, we covered some major stories, including Trump declaring Iran's leadership wiped out and confirming US Casualties and a suspected terror attack in Austin. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.
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Date: March 2, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley (Editor-in-Chief), Georgia Howe (Co-Host)
This episode of Evening Wire delves into a pivotal day in global, national, and legal news. The main focus is on President Trump’s declaration of objectives for “Operation Epic Fury,” the U.S. military campaign against Iran, the international fallout including violent protests in Pakistan and economic shockwaves, major developments in U.S. domestic policy and criminal justice, and the Pentagon’s escalating clash with an AI company. The hosts break down significant stories, provide context, and feature statements from top officials and on-the-ground reporting.
Main Theme: Articulating U.S. objectives and the mission’s scope
Mission Objectives (00:50–01:46):
Quotable Moment:
“First, we're destroying Iran's missile capabilities. Second, we're annihilating their navy... Third, we're ensuring that the world's number one sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon.”
— President Trump ([01:02])
Decisive Language:
“No nukes, no stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire, no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars. We fight to win and we don't waste time or lives.”
— War Secretary Pete Hegseth ([02:13])
Casualty Acknowledgement:
Main Theme: Global repercussions from U.S.-Iran conflict
Pakistan Protests (04:48):
Global Oil Markets (05:45):
Main Theme: Risks and fog of war
Austin Mass Shooter’s Immigration Record (07:27):
Anti-ICE Protest in Minneapolis (08:34):
NYC Corporate Tax Proposal (09:10):
Main Theme: High-profile legal outcome
Legal Development (10:10):
Quote:
“The judge explicitly stated that she dismissed the charges, quote, solely to preclude the death penalty as an available punishment.”
— Lyndon Blake ([10:18])
Main Theme: Tech, ethics, and national security
Military Blacklisting (11:08):
“A cowardly act of corporate virtue signaling that places Silicon Valley ideology above American lives.”
([11:33])
Broader Theme: Military demands unrestricted AI access; tension between tech ethics and defense imperatives
Main Theme: Judicial speculation and politics
“My answer is not just no, it's hell no... I want to be right in the middle of political battles, something a principled federal judge would stay out of.”
([12:20])
President Trump:
“We also projected four weeks to terminate the military leadership. And as you know, that was done in about an hour.” ([01:39])
Pete Hegseth, on the operation:
“This will not be another endless war. This is not Iraq. This is not endless. I was there for both. Our generation knows better and so does this president.” ([02:01])
On deaths:
“War is hell and always will be... A grateful nation honors the four Americans we have lost thus far.” ([02:43])
On Supreme Court talk:
“My answer is not just no, it's hell no.” — Ted Cruz ([12:20])
This episode tackled major breaking news from unprecedented military action in the Middle East and its far-reaching consequences, to serious domestic legal and immigration developments, and power struggles at the intersection of technology and defense. President Trump’s campaign in Iran set a tone of assertiveness and finality. American casualties and friendly fire highlighted the costs and risks of war, while domestic unrest, economic instability, and policy clashes illustrated the volatility of this moment. The show’s direct, urgent tone reflected the seriousness and complexity of the day’s news.
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For more information on these stories, visit dailywire.com