Evening Wire: Trump’s ‘No Boots’ Promise & Pritzker Prioritizes Illegals | 8.19.25

Summary

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Evening Wire: Trump’s ‘No Boots’ Promise & Pritzker Prioritizes Illegals | 8.19.25

Hosts: John Bickley (Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief), Georgia Howe
Podcast: Morning Wire – Evening Wire Edition
Date: August 19, 2025

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Overview of the Episode

This episode focuses on a series of major U.S. political developments: President Trump’s promise to keep U.S. troops out of Ukraine, significant shifts in crime rates under new directives, revelations from the Epstein investigation, state-level political clashes over immigration and redistricting, as well as cultural reactions from prominent figures like Chris Pratt. The hosts also touch on legal controversies in schools, shakeups within the FBI, and notable moments in Canadian and U.S. politics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Ukraine Policy: “No Boots on the Ground”

• Segment: [00:49]–[01:37]
• President Trump announced on Fox and Friends that there will be no U.S. troops sent to fight in Ukraine's war against Russia. He emphasized focusing on peace and saving lives.
• He intends to facilitate a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, with Vice President J.D. Vance among the U.S. officials helping to coordinate.
  • Quote (Trump):

    “You know, I’m president and I’m just trying to stop people from being killed.”
    (01:09)

2. Law Enforcement & Crime in D.C.

• Segment: [01:37]–[02:28]
• Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted a dramatic improvement in D.C.’s crime stats following President Trump’s directives.
• Robbery down 46%, violent crime by 22%, and carjacking by 83%.
  • Quote (Pam Bondi):

    “People are coming up to [law enforcement] on the street...they feel safe now to walk their own neighborhoods...”
    (01:49)

3. Epstein Files Delay & DOJ Oversight

• Segment: [02:28]–[02:55]
• The DOJ missed a deadline to submit Jeffrey Epstein records to Congress. They will start releasing redacted files Friday, with no final deadline for full disclosure.
• Former AG Bill Barr testified he saw no evidence linking Trump to Epstein’s crimes.
• Bipartisan frustration over DOJ’s delay.

4. FBI Shakeup: Missouri AG Bailey Named Co-Deputy Director

• Segment: [02:55]–[03:29]
• Andrew Bailey of Missouri, vocal Biden critic, joins FBI leadership without Senate confirmation.
• Serves alongside Dan Bongino under Director Kash Patel.
  • Praised as “a tremendous asset to advancing President Trump’s mission.”

5. California Redistricting Controversy

• Segment: [03:29]–[04:11]
• California Republicans and the Dillon Law Group challenge Gov. Newsom’s rushed redistricting, alleging violation of the 30-day review period via “gut and amend” tactics.
  • Quote (Michael Colombo, Dillon Law Group):

    “If we believe that elections should be fair ... and not politicians, then you stick by those principles. And he clearly has shown he doesn't want to...”
    (03:55)

6. Illinois Expands Benefits for Illegal Immigrants

• Segment: [04:11]–[04:44]
• Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a law broadening financial aid eligibility, including for illegal immigrants and trans-identifying men not registered for the draft.
• Critics slammed the move; Illinois expected to spend $2.5B on illegal immigrants this year amid a $3.2B deficit.

7. Sanctuary City Showdown: Boston, Washington, Seattle

• Segment: [04:44]–[05:32]
• Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson pushed back against threats from AG Pam Bondi regarding immigration enforcement.
  • Quote (Wu):

    “Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration's failures...”
    (05:03)

  • Ferguson: “Washington State has no intention of changing our values in the face of threats from the Trump administration.” (05:28)

8. Maine Police Officer Identified as Illegal Migrant

• Segment: [05:32]–[06:21]
• John Luke Evans, a Jamaican national, was mistakenly hired as a reserve police officer due to failed DHS background checks.
  • Quote (Tricia McLaughlin, DHS):

    “The department had a reckless reliance on the E Verify program and should have done their own research to confirm Evans's legal status.”
    (05:55)

9. Loudoun County School District: Transgender Policy Controversy

• Segment: [06:21]–[07:18]
• Two boys suspended (10 days) for questioning a trans-identifying female’s use of boys’ locker room; accused of sexual harassment, while the girl who secretly filmed went unpunished.
  • Context: Ongoing controversy since the 2021 assault in the same district.

10. Canadian Conservatism & Election Fallout

• Segment: [07:18]–[07:54]
• Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre regains a seat in Parliament after a shocking previous defeat, setting the stage for a renewed challenge against Liberal leadership.

11. Atlanta Courtroom Mishap

• Segment: [07:54]–[08:24]
• Judge Henry Newkirk accidentally read a guilty verdict in a case where the defendant had been acquitted, causing courtroom confusion.
  • Memorable Moment:

    “Wait, what did I say?” (08:16)

12. Chris Pratt: “Don’t Be Mired in Hatred”

• Segment: [08:24]–[09:07]
• Actor Chris Pratt, on Bill Maher’s show, critiqued those who reflexively oppose Trump, calling for reasonableness regardless of political success.
  • Quote (Chris Pratt):

    “I’d hate to be so mired in hatred for the president that any success from his administration is something I’d be have an allergic reaction to...”
    (08:32)

• Pratt is connected to both Republican and Democratic political families and socializes with HHS Secretary RFK Jr.

13. Physical Fitness Challenge: RFK Jr. vs. Pete Hegseth

• Segment: [09:07]–[09:42]
• HHS Secretary RFK Jr. and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth go head-to-head in the “Pete and Bobby” challenge (50 pull-ups, 100 push-ups in under five minutes) to promote fitness.
  • Quote:

    “Presidential physical fitness Make America healthy again. Fit, not fat.”
    (09:24)

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• Trump: “You know, I’m president and I’m just trying to stop people from being killed.” (01:09)
• Pam Bondi:

  “People are coming up to them on the street...they feel safe now to walk their own neighborhoods...” (01:49)

• Michael Colombo:

  “If we believe that elections should be fair...you stick by those principles. And he clearly has shown he doesn't want to...” (03:55)

• Michelle Wu:

  “Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration's failures...” (05:03)

• Chris Pratt:

  “I’d hate to be so mired in hatred for the president...” (08:32)

• Judge Henry Newkirk (Memorable Moment):

  “Wait, what did I say?” (08:16)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Topic | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Trump’s Ukraine Promise | 00:49–01:37 | | DC Crime Drops After Trump’s Directives | 01:37–02:28 | | DOJ Delays Epstein Files | 02:28–02:55 | | FBI Leadership Shakeup | 02:55–03:29 | | California Redistricting Fight | 03:29–04:11 | | Illinois Financial Aid Expansion | 04:11–04:44 | | Sanctuary City Pushback | 04:44–05:32 | | Illegal Police Officer in Maine | 05:32–06:21 | | Loudoun County School Controversy | 06:21–07:18 | | Pierre Poilievre Returns | 07:18–07:54 | | Atlanta Judge’s Verdict Error | 07:54–08:24 | | Chris Pratt Calls Out Polarization | 08:24–09:07 | | RFK Jr. vs. Hegseth Fitness Challenge | 09:07–09:42 |

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Summary Flow and Tone

The episode’s tone is brisk and factual, laced with critique and sharp political perspectives, reflecting The Daily Wire’s conservative stance. It highlights key moments of contention in U.S. politics, policy, and culture, providing listeners with timely updates, memorable soundbites, and a fine-grained look at stories dominating the national conversation.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

Mike and Alyssa are always trying to outdo each other. When Alyssa got a small water bottle, Mike showed up with a 4 liter jug. When Mike started gardening, Alyssa started beekeeping.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, come on.

[Narrator]

They called a truce for their holiday and used Expedia trip planner to collaborate on all the details of their trip. Once there, Mike still did more laps around the pool.

[Interviewer/Host]

Whatever.

[Narrator]

You were made to outdo your holidays. We were made to help organize the competition. Expedia made to travel.

[John Bickley]

Trump says no to American boots on the ground in Ukraine the DOJ is expected to soon release more Epstein files. And Chris Pratt calls out the president's haters. I'm Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Tuesday, August 19th, and this is Evening Wide.

[News Reporter]

President Trump says there will be no American boots on the ground in Ukraine. Speaking on Fox and Friends, Trump vowed US Troops won't fight in the Russia, Ukraine war, though, though he noted France, Germany or the UK May eventually deploy forces.

[Interviewer/Host]

What kind of assurances do you feel like you have that going forward, you know, past this Trump administration, it won't be American boots on the ground defending that border? Well, you have my assurance. You know, I'm president and I'm just trying to stop people from being killed.

[News Reporter]

He revealed plans for Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky to meet in the coming weeks with U.S. officials, including Vice President J.D. vance, helping to coordinate Trump. If he can save 7,000 lives a week, it may even help him get into heaven.

[John Bickley]

Attorney General Pam Bondi says that Residents of Washington, D.C. are thanking law enforcement for finally cracking down on crime since President Trump's takeover. Here's the AG talking to Fox Business host Larry Kudlow Monday.

[Pam Bondi]

Our law enforcement officers are telling us that people are coming up to them on the street. And they said a lot of people are walking by, whispering, saying thank you, thank you, thank you. They're hearing stories every single night and day of people saying that they feel feel safe now to walk their own neighborhood where they live because of what our great men and women in law enforcement are doing. At the directive of the president, the.

[John Bickley]

D.C. police union has begun releasing stats on the crime situation in the Capitol since the orders last week from Trump. And things have greatly improved in just one week. Robbery is down 46%, violent crime is down 22%, and carjacking has plummeted by 83%.

[News Reporter]

The DOJ will miss today's deadline to hand over the Jeffrey Epstein files to Congress. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer says the DOJ will start releasing records Friday with redactions to protect victims, but offered no timeline for the full set. Democrats on the panel called the delay unacceptable, while Comer confirmed that former Attorney General Bill Barr testified Monday, saying he saw no evidence linking Donald Trump to Epstein's crimes.

[John Bickley]

In a major shakeup at the FBI, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was named a co deputy director.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more. The new co deputy will be serving alongside Dan Bongino under FBI Director Cash Patel. Bailey received praise from Attorney General Pam Bondi as a tremendous asset to advancing President Trump's mission. Bailey, who will step down on September 8, thanked Missourians for what he called the honor of his career as attorney general. Bailey was a sharp Biden critic, suing over everything from student loan cancellation to immigration data. The former AG won't need Senate confirmation.

[News Reporter]

In California, Republicans, along with the Dillon Law Group are moving to stop governor Newsom's controversial redistricting plan. A petition filed by the group claims Democratic leaders violated the state constitution's 30 day review period by using a gut and amend maneuver to rush new maps through the legislature. GOP lawmakers say the move strips Californians of their right to transparency. Here's Dillon Law Group partner Michael Colombo at a press conference earlier today.

[Interviewer/Host]

If we believe that elections should be fair, if we believe that redistricting should be done by citizens in an independent way and not politicians, then you stick by those principles. And he clearly has shown he doesn't want to do that and we're going to go to the courts to hold him in check.

[John Bickley]

Illinois Governor J.B. pritzker expanded financial aid to illegal immigrants last week, as well as trans identifying men who do not register for the draft. The new law aims to create, quote, equitable eligibility for financial aid and benefits for all students in the state. Representative Mary Miller thrashed the bill, calling it a slap in the face to Illinois families. In a post on X, Miller noted that Illinois is on Track to spend $2.5 billion on illegal immigrants this year and faces a $3.2 billion deficit. She added that Illinois taxpayers have had.

[News Reporter]

Enough Boston Mayor Michelle Wu snapped back at Attorney General Bondi over her city's so called sanctuary policies. Bondi threatened federal to the leaders of several blue cities last week should they fail to cooperate with immigration enforcement. Wu replied to the letter in a press conference this morning.

[Pam Bondi]

Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration's failures. To all the federal officials attacking communities that embody diversity, creativity and moral clarity.

[News Reporter]

You are wrong on the law and you are wrong on safety. Washington governor Bob Ferguson received a similar letter from the DOJ and responded in the same vein, saying, quote, washington State has no intention of changing our values in the face of threats from the Trump administration.

[John Bickley]

An illegal migrant caught working as a police officer in Maine has agreed to voluntarily self deport.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo has the details.

[Tricia McLaughlin]

A Jamaican national named John Luke Evans overseed a week long visa in October 2023 and he was later hired as a reserve police officer by the Old Orchard beach police departments. Evans reportedly passed an E VERIFY background check by dhs, which erroneously found that he had a valid work permit. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said that the department had a reckless reliance on the E Verify program and should have done their own research to confirm Evans's legal status. Officials in Old Orchard beach, though, have argued that they did their due diligence and would not have hired Evans if it had been flagged properly.

[News Reporter]

Virginia's notoriously left wing Loudoun county school district has just handed down a controversial punishment to two boys. Daily Wire investigative reporter Luke Rosiak has the story.

[Luke Rosiak]

The Loudoun County Public Schools punished two boys who attend Stone Bridge High School because they asked why a trans identifying female was used in the boys locker room. The district's Title IX office says the boys are responsible for sexual harassment and sex based discrimination. The kid's lawyer says they've been slapped with 10 days of suspension and have to come up with a corrective action plan. The evidence against them was a video secretly recorded in the locker room by the girl, which violated school policy, but she was not punished. The district apparently declined to punish a third boy, who, unlike the other two, was Muslim. Stone Bridge is the same high school where a boy wearing a skirt raped a girl in the girl's bathroom in 2021. The Loudoun School board has maintained its transgender policy, refusing federal pressure to drop it.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre is returning to Parliament after a shocking defeat in April. Poilievre's Conservative Party led in the polls in the months leading up to the last election, but quickly lost ground after Mark Carney replaced unpopular former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the ticket. A falling out with the US over trade disputes caused many Canadians to rally behind the incumbent Liberals. Poliev lost his seat in an upset defeat, limiting his ability to challenge Carney in Parliament. This time, Poliev ran in a safe Conservative district in a special election after another Conservative MP stepped down to create a vacancy for him.

[News Reporter]

An Atlanta judge caused a stir by incorrectly reading a verdict in court. The defendant, Alton Oliver was accused of shooting an off duty police officer in December of 2022, but he was found not guilty on all counts. But yesterday, Judge Henry Newkirk said otherwise before quickly correcting himself.

[Interviewer/Host]

We the jury find the defendant guilty as to all six counts of the bill of indictment. Wait, what did I say?

[News Reporter]

Not no, no.

[John Bickley]

Hollywood star Chris Pratt called out people mired in hatred for Trump in a recent interview with Bill Maher. Here's some of the exchange I'd hate.

[Interviewer/Host]

To be so mired in hatred for the president that any success from his administration is something I'd be have an allergic reaction to, to be like, oh, well, if they do it, I don't want it to happen. I'll feed my, I'll put Clorox in my children's cereal myself. You know, say, come on, have some be reasonable here. There's certain things that would be a good thing to have. I want them all to be successful.

[John Bickley]

The actor also told Marr that he socializes with RFK Jr. Who's head of Health and Human Services. Pratt's married to the daughter of former Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Catherine, whose mother, Maria Shriver, is the niece of JFK.

[News Reporter]

And speaking of RFK Jr. He just squared off against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a fitness challenge in an effort to encourage Americans to be more active. The two men went head to head in what they called the Pete and Bobby challenge. 50 pull ups, 100 push ups and all in under five minutes.

[Interviewer/Host]

Presidential physical fitness Make America healthy again. Fit, not fat. We're going to have a war fighting force with young men and women who are prepared to defend the nation. We're doing it as a team. Join us.

[News Reporter]

Pegseth edged out Kennedy, finishing just over the time limit. They also called on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to do the challenge.

[John Bickley]

Pretty sure I can beat that. 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 Trump hosting European leaders as he pushes for a peace deal for Ukraine, outrage at California sanctuary laws after an illegal immigrant is involved in a fatal car crash, and the Democrats who fled Texas to block redistricting return. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING wire.

[Interviewer/Host]

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[Daily Wire Reporter]

It will be full Representative, would you.

[Interviewer/Host]

Speak to your mother in that tone.

[John Bickley]

Speak to a real human being.

[News Reporter]

You shouldn't need to shout into the void to get your health insurance. Questions answered. Pacific Source Health Plans this is a real person.

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How can I help you?

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[Daily Wire Reporter]

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[Interviewer/Host]

How do you repair this kind of damage? My daughter, Michaela, guides the conversations as we hopefully help people navigate their lives. Everyone has their own destiny. Everyone.