Evening Wire: Trump’s Two Week Decision & Visa Vetting Tightens | 6.19.25

Summary

Evening Wire: Trump’s Two Week Decision & Visa Vetting Tightens | 6.19.25

Released on June 19, 2025 by Morning Wire, The Daily Wire

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1. Trump’s Pending Military Action Against Iran

John Bickley opens the episode with breaking news about former President Donald Trump potentially authorizing military action against Iran. According to multiple sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, Trump has approved a military action plan but awaits the final decision based on Iran's responsiveness regarding its nuclear ambitions.

John Bickley (00:35): "A new report claims Trump has approved a military action plan against Iran, but has not yet given the final green light."

George Georgia Howe emphasizes Trump's dual approach of diplomacy and strength, highlighting his preference for negotiating peace if possible but readiness to act decisively if diplomatic efforts fail.

Georgia Howe (01:00): "The president is always interested in a diplomatic solution to the problems and the global conflicts in this world... But he's not afraid to use strength as well."

2. Escalation in the Iran-Israel Conflict

The discussion shifts to the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Iran has declared it will not negotiate under threat and vows retaliation if attacked. Israeli Operation Rising Lion has targeted over 1,000 Iranian sites, with forces mobilizing in the region. The White House maintains a defensive stance amidst the chaos.

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson reports on a tragic incident where an Iranian missile struck the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel, injuring over 60 people.

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (01:36): "Despite all of that, the hospital remains in operation. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel will quote exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran."

Prime Minister Netanyahu condemns the attack, asserting that Iran targets civilians, not military sites.

Prime Minister Netanyahu (02:05): "They can give this nonsense that they're targeting military sites. What military sites? ... They're targeting civilians because they're a criminal regime."

3. Trump Responds to Tucker Carlson’s Apology

President Trump addresses criticism regarding his handling of the Iran conflict and accepts an apology from Tucker Carlson for his previous remarks.

Donald Trump (02:49): "No, my supporters are for me. My supporters are America first... Tucker's a nice guy. He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong."

4. California Law Enforcement Under Strain

John Bickley reports on the overwhelming situation facing California's police forces amid ongoing protests and riots. Jake Johnson, President of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, describes the unprecedented onslaught from anti-ICE and anti-Trump rioters.

Jake Johnson (03:17): "I've never seen the amount of onslaught from the anti ICE and anti Trump riots."

5. Stricter Visa Vetting Processes Implemented

The State Department is resuming student visa interviews with enhanced security measures. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, outlines new guidelines requiring foreign applicants to make their social media accounts public for vetting to identify potential anti-American sentiments or affiliations with terrorist groups.

Marco Rubio (03:55): "We will not import anti American activists to disrupt our institutions."

6. Discovery of a Massive Drug Smuggling Tunnel

A significant drug smuggling tunnel, spanning 3,000 feet from Tijuana to San Diego, has been uncovered by Border Patrol. The tunnel, equipped with lights, ventilation, and a rail system, is being sealed off to prevent future cartel or terrorist use.

John Bickley (05:43): "Border Patrol agents have uncovered a 3,000 foot long drug smuggling tunnel stretching from Tijuana to San Diego."

7. Social Security Trust Fund Faces Impending Depletion

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson discusses alarming projections regarding the Social Security Trust Fund. Michael Whitaker, a Daily Wire researcher, details the report indicating the fund may be exhausted by 2034, necessitating a 19% benefit cut.

Michael Whitaker (06:22): "Without the funds supplementing current payroll taxes, the government could only cover 81% of scheduled benefits, resulting in an automatic 19% cut to all beneficiaries."

8. Hurricane Eric Causes Extensive Flooding in Mexico

John Bickley provides an update on Hurricane Eric, which made landfall in southern Mexico as a Category 3 storm. Initially reaching Category 4, it quickly weakened but is still expected to cause significant flooding.

John Bickley (06:56): "Despite the lower wind speed, the storm is expected to cause extensive flooding."

9. Karen Reed Acquitted in Second Trial

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson covers the acquittal of Karen Reed, who was previously convicted of murdering Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe. Her defense argues misconduct and conspiracy to frame her.

Donald Trump (07:34): "Jurors harking your verdict... are guilty of operating the influence of liquor."

George Georgia Howe praises Reed’s supporters for their unwavering support throughout the trial.

Georgia Howe (08:08): "My supporters have supported me and my team financially and more importantly, emotionally for almost four years."

10. Trump’s Lawsuit Against CBS News Faces Hurdles

John Bickley reports that Trump's $35 million lawsuit against CBS News is encountering resistance from Paramount, concerned about potential perceptions of bribery amid CBS's ongoing federal merger review.

John Bickley (08:40): "The company says they're worried that the payout could be seen as a bribe amid the ongoing federal review of its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media."

11. Social Media Censorship of Vice President J.D. Vance

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson highlights the recent suspension of Vice President J.D. Vance's account on Blue Sky for posts opposing transgender medical procedures for minors and criticizing Big Pharma.

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (09:06): "The platform claimed the suspension was a, quote, automated impersonation flag. But critics say it reflects ongoing intolerance for conservative voices in liberal tech spaces."

The suspension was brief, with Vance's account reinstated shortly after.

12. Maine Governor Janet Mills Criticized Over Transgender Policies

John Bickley discusses the backlash against Maine's Governor Janet Mills regarding her stance on transgender participation in girls' sports and her family's connections to the transgender medical industry. A March poll reveals significant opposition among Mainers.

John Bickley (10:15): "A March poll shows 63% of Mainers oppose males in female sports."

13. Lakers Sold in Landmark $10 Billion Deal

In a major sports business development, the Buss family sells their majority stake in the LA Lakers to billionaire Mark Walter for approximately $10 billion. David Cohn elaborates on Walter's extensive holdings in various sports franchises.

David Cohn (10:40): "He is also the CEO of a huge holding company conglomerate, TWG Global."

Despite the sale, Jeanie Buss remains as the franchise's governor, marking a significant financial milestone since the team's acquisition in 1979.

14. Conclusion and Recap

John Bickley wraps up the episode by summarizing the day's major stories, including the Supreme Court’s decision on Tennessee's transgender procedure ban, updates on the Middle East conflict, and Democratic resistance to federal immigration enforcement.

John Bickley (11:25): "To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning, we covered some major stories..."

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and insights presented in the episode.

Transcript

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

This is Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, Watch Parenting, available exclusively on Daily Wire. Plus, we're dealing with misbehaviors with our son. Our 13 year old throws tantrums. Our son turned to some substance abuse. Go to dailywireplus.com today, the president is considering U.S. strikes on Iran. The State Department starts up visa interviews again with new restrictions. And Social Security running dry is once again making headlines. I'm Daily Wire Executive editor John Bickley with George Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, June 19th, and this is EVENING Wire.

[John Bickley]

A new report claims Trump has approved a military action plan against Iran, but has not yet given the final green light. Three sources tell the Wall Street Journal that Trump told aides in a late night situation Room meeting that he supports attack plans but wants to see if Iran will abandon its nuclear ambitions before pulling the trigger. White House correspondent Caroline Levitt said it's a decision that the president will make in the next two weeks.

[George Georgia Howe]

The last time the president said two weeks, you saw Russia and Ukraine have direct negotiations for the first time in years. And so the president is always interested in a diplomatic solution to the problems and the global conflicts in this world. Again, he is a peacemaker in chief. He is the peace through strength president. And so if there's a chance for diplomacy, the president's always going to grab it. But he's not afraid to use strength as well.

[John Bickley]

Iran has said it will not negotiate under threat, promising to strike back if attacked. Israel's Operation Rising lion has already hit over 1000 targets. Forces are mobilizing in the region. For now, Washington's role remains defensive.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

An Iranian missile struck a major hospital in Israel. The Israeli Health Ministry says the Soroka Medical center in Beersheba suffered a direct hit to a ward that had been evacuated only hours before. The strike damaged parts of the emergency room and injured over 60 people. Despite all of that, the hospital remains in operation. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel will quote exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran. Here's the prime minister surveying the damage.

[Prime Minister Netanyahu]

In this hospital, there are patients who are immobile. They can't even move. Right next to it is a children's ward, a baby's ward, infants, they target it. They can give this nonsense that they're targeting military sites. What military sites? I know all the military sites in Israel. There isn't a military site here for miles and miles around. They're targeting civilians because they're a criminal regime.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

President Trump says Tucker Carlson called to apologize to him after criticizing his handling of the Iran conflict. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump addressed the ongoing debate among some on the right about the conflict between Israel and Iran. He dismissed a question that suggested the Israeli strikes are, quote, dividing his supporters. And he brought up Carlson.

[Donald Trump]

No, my supporters are for me. My supporters are America first. They make America great again. My supporters don't want to see Iran have a nuclear weapon. Tucker's a nice guy. He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong.

[John Bickley]

California police say they're overwhelmed due to a shortage in officers amid what their union boss is calling a riot onslaught. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more.

[Jake Johnson]

As the protests and riots continue in LA and San Francisco, California's Highway Patrol association boss says the force is at a breaking point. California association of Highway Patrolmen President Jake Johnson told Fox Digital he's been around a very long time, but has never seen the amount of onslaught from the anti ICE and anti Trump riots. Fox reports that over 640 highway patrol officers have been sent to LA, along with nearly 400 additional special response team officers.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

The State Department will resume student visa interviews, but with stricter screenings. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo has the breakdown.

[Marco Rubio]

Under new guidance, foreign applicants must make their social media accounts public for vetting. Officials are looking to flag signs of anti American views, violent political activism or support for terror groups like Hamas. A cable obtained by Politico instructs officials to preserve screenshots of any concerning online activity, including anti Semitic content or rhetoric hostile to U.S. values. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. must be vigilant. We will not import anti American activists to disrupt our institutions, he said. The crackdown follows recent campus protests and comes just days after President Trump confirmed that Chinese students would still be admitted under a trade agreement despite ongoing concerns about ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

[Richard Karn]

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[John Bickley]

By texting 64,000, you agree to receive.

[Richard Karn]

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[John Bickley]

Border Patrol agents have uncovered a 3,000 foot long drug smuggling tunnel stretching from Tijuana to San Diego. The underground highway was equipped with lights, ventilation and a rail system built by the cartels to pump narcotics into the U.S. agents found the entrance buried under a house in Mexico, disguised under new tile. Now the tunnel is being filled with concrete to stop cartel or terrorist use. Over 95 similar tunnels have been found in San Diego since 1993.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

The Social Security Trust Fund is projected to run dry in 2034, triggering massive benefit cuts. Daily Wire researcher Michael Whitaker has the details.

[Michael Whitaker]

In an annual report, the Board of Trustees for Medicare and Social Security found that both programs continue to face significant financing issues. If the Social Security Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund were combined, they would both be depleted by 2034, one year earlier than previously estimated. Without the funds supplementing current payroll taxes, the government could only cover 81% of scheduled benefits, resulting in an automatic 19% cut to all beneficiaries. Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will similarly be depleted in 2033, resulting in an automatic across the board cut of 11%.

[John Bickley]

Hurricane Eric made landfall in southern Mexico this morning as a Category 3 storm. The storm intensified rapidly over the eastern Pacific earlier this week and was upgraded from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in less than 24 hours. The intensity of the storm appears to have declined just as rapidly within hours of striking the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The storm has been downgraded to a Category 1 and is expected to dissipate by Friday. Despite the lower wind speed, the storm is expected to cause extensive flooding.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

Karen Reed was acquitted on Wednesday after jurors in her second trial found her not guilty of murdering her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John o' Keefe.

[Donald Trump]

Jurors harking your verdict as the court records that you upon your oath say the defendant on 001 is not guilty on 002 is guilty of operating the influence of liquor and 003 not guilty.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

Authorities accused Reed of leaving O' Keefe to die in a snowstorm after she hit him with her car outside of a Boston house party. Reed's attorneys say o' Keefe was actually beaten up and then also bitten by a dog and that authorities conspired to frame Reed for his death. Here's Reed outside the courthouse yesterday after her verdict was announced.

[George Georgia Howe]

He's amazing supporters who have supported me and my team financially and more importantly, emotionally for almost four years. And the second thing I want to say is no one has fought harder for justice for John o' Keeffe than I have.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

Reid's first trial ended in a hung jury last year amidst allegations of prosecutorial and police misconduct. Reed was found guilty of driving under the influence but was cleared of all other charges. She was sentenced to one year of probation.

[John Bickley]

Donald Trump's lawsuit against CBS News may have hit a snag. The proposed $35 million settlement against CBS News has run into some hesitation from par company Paramount. The suit accuses 60 Minutes of editing an interview with Kamala Harris to boost her image during the 2024 election. The company says they're worried that the payout could be seen as a bribe amid the ongoing federal review of its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

Blue sky has booted Vice President J.D. vance from their platform, and it only took 12 minutes. The left leaning social media platform suspended Vance after he posted in support of the Supreme Court's ruling against transgender medical procedures for kids, cited Justice Clarence Thomas and slammed Big Pharma's influence. The platform claimed the suspension was a, quote, automated impersonation flag. But critics say it reflects ongoing intolerance for conservative voices in liberal tech spaces. Vance's account was reinstated shortly after.

[John Bickley]

Maine's Democrat governor Janet Mills is once again under fire, this time for dodging questions about her support for biological males in girls sports and her family's ties to the transgender medical industry. When pressed by a reporter, Mills refused to answer and walked away.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

Governor, why don't you support women's sports? Appreciate if you stop body blocking me, sir. Governor, why won't you support women's sports?

[Michael Whitaker]

Is it because your sister works for.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

An organization that provides transgender services to minors?

[Donald Trump]

Governor, could you answer my question, please?

[John Bickley]

Critics point to her sister's role at Maine Health, a top donor to Mills and a provider of puberty blockers and hormone therapy to minors. A March poll shows 63% of Mainers oppose males in female sports. But Mills has stood firm even as the feds sue Maine for Title 9 violations.

[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]

And in a blockbuster $10 billion deal, the Lakers are being sold. Crane and Co. Co host David Cohn has more.

[David Cohn]

The Buss family is officially selling its majority stake in the famed NBA franchise, but they're getting a lot of money to do it. ESPN reported this week that billionaire businessman Mark Walter is purchasing that majority stake for around $10 billion. Walter already owns the L share of the LA Dodgers and has interests in the Chelsea Football Club, the LA Sparks and the Professional Women's Hockey League, among others. He is also the CEO of a huge holding company conglomerate, TWG Global. While Walter will hold the majority stake, Jeannie Buss will remain in her position as the franchise's governor. The sale is a massive boon to the Buss family, who bought the lakers back in 1979 for $67.5 million.

[John Bickley]

Those are your Drive Home updates this evening. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning, we covered some major stories, including the Supreme Court upholds Tennessee's transgender procedure ban, the latest on the Middle east conflict and Democrats resist federal immigration enforcement. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.