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

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.

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)

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)

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 |

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.