Gulf Coast Blizzard Warning & Ryan Corbett Returns Home | Afternoon Update | 1.21.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: Gulf Coast Blizzard Warning & Ryan Corbett Returns Home | Afternoon Update | 1.21.25
Release Date: January 21, 2025

Presented by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe, this episode of Morning Wire delivers comprehensive updates on the latest political developments, legal battles, immigration issues, severe weather alerts, and a heartwarming return home of an American citizen.

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1. Cabinet Confirmations

The episode kicks off with significant news from the White House as Marco Rubio becomes the first confirmed member of President Trump's Cabinet. Mary Margaret Olihan reports that Rubio was sworn in by Vice President J.D. Vance as the new Secretary of State at [00:40]. Rubio emphasized his commitment to "strengthening, securing and prospering the United States," ensuring that all State Department actions align with these objectives.

Further confirmations include Scott Besant for Treasury Secretary and Pete Heigseth for Defense Secretary, both having successfully navigated their respective committees and poised for floor votes imminently. Additionally, Doug Collins has been selected as VA Secretary, while Elise Stefanik, the nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the UN, faced scrutiny during her confirmation process. Stefanik asserted, "No American taxpayer dollars should go towards funding terrorism" at [01:25], underscoring her stance against misallocation of funds.

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2. Pardons for Oath Keepers and Proud Boys Members

In a controversial move, President Trump pardoned over 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot, including Oath Keepers leader Stuart Rhodes and ex-Proud Boys chief Enrique Tarrio, as reported by Amanda Presto Giacomo at [01:25]. Both Rhodes and Tarrio were convicted of seditious conspiracy despite not physically entering the Capitol building. Trump defended these pardons, stating that these individuals had been "destroyed" by the justice system and directed the Justice Department to seek dismissal of approximately 450 ongoing cases.

Jeff Landry commented on the scale of the pardons at [02:30], stating, "We hope they come out tonight. Frankly, they're expecting approximately 1500 people."

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3. Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship Faces Legal Challenges

President Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship has sparked legal battles, with John Bickley reporting at [02:38] that 18 Democrat-led states and two cities have filed a lawsuit challenging the order. These challengers argue that the move violates the Constitution and established legal precedents. In response, the Trump administration maintains that the policy is designed to enhance national security and bolster immigration enforcement.

During the signing of the executive order, Trump remarked at [03:04], "We're the only country in the world that does this with birthright, as you know, and it's just absolutely ridiculous. But you know, we'll see. We think it. We have very good grounds. Certainly people have wanted to do this for decades."

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4. Immigration Enforcement and ICE Raids on Hold

Amanda Presto Giacomo updates on the temporary halt of ICE raids in sanctuary cities due to a reported security leak within the agency at [03:38]. Originally planned as a large-scale crackdown targeting illegal immigrants deemed public safety threats, these raids have been postponed to preserve their element of surprise. Tom Homan, Border Czar, confirmed the delay, noting the administration's intent to maintain operational secrecy.

Concurrently, congressional efforts are underway to introduce legislation aimed at retaining non-citizens convicted of theft and other crimes in detention. The Lake and Riley Act, which passed the Senate at [04:23], is poised to reach President Trump's desk pending House approval. This bill empowers states to sue the federal government for inadequate enforcement of immigration laws.

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5. Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Report Blocked

In a significant legal development, John Bickley reports at [04:23] that Volume Two of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on President Trump has been blocked by Judge Eileen Cannon. The ruling cited concerns that releasing details about Trump's classified documents case to Congress could lead to prejudicial outcomes. While Trump's legal team successfully restricted access to the full report, Volume One, which addresses election interference, had been partially disclosed. Trump has dismissed the findings as a "fake report," further escalating tensions between his administration and investigative authorities.

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6. Gulf Coast Blizzard Warning Issued

A rare and severe winter storm has prompted Blizzard warnings across parts of the Gulf Coast, including Louisiana. Amanda Presto Giacomo details at [04:47] the forecast of heavy snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures expected to disrupt travel and daily life across multiple states. Louisiana officials have admitted to being unprepared for such an event, leading to urgent calls for residents to remain indoors.

Governor Jeff Landry issued a stern warning at [05:10], stating, "It is extremely important to stay off the road unless you absolutely need to be on the road. Stay at home and stay warm." The storm has already resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights, with expectations that conditions will remain hazardous through Thursday.

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7. Ryan Corbett Returns Home After Taliban Captivity

A heartening story concludes the episode as John Bickley shares the return of Ryan Corbett, who has been held captive by the Taliban for over two years. Daily Wire reporter Mare Delordi provides an update at [05:42] that Corbett has been reunited with his family following complex negotiations during the final hours of President Biden's administration and the early days of Trump's presidency.

Anna Corbett, Ryan's wife, expressed profound gratitude in a statement at [06:25], "Today our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan's life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives." The exchange reportedly involved the release of a convicted drug trafficker and another American, William Wallace McKenty, in return for Corbett's freedom. However, two additional Americans remain imprisoned in Afghanistan as Taliban detainees.

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For more in-depth coverage on these stories and the latest news, visit dailywire.com and tune into the full episodes of Morning Wire every morning.

Transcript

[Sponsor Voice]

This episode is brought to you by Acorns. Join the over 13 million all time customers who have already saved and invested with Acorns. Head to acorns.com wire or download the Acorns app to get started. Paid non client endorsement compensation provides incentive to Positively promote Acorns Tier 1 compensation provided investing involves risk. Acorn Advisors LLC and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. View important [e-mail] wire.

[John Bickley]

I'm Daly Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Tuesday, January 21st, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update. Marco Rubio has become the first confirmed member of President Trump's Cabinet. Daily Wire White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olihan has more.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

The former Florida senator was sworn in by Vice President J.D. vance as the new Secretary of State. Rubio says his focus will be on strengthening, securing and prospering the United States. He also emphasized that any State Department actions must align with these goals. Today, confirmation hearings have picked back up with several of Trump's Cabinet picks inching closer to confirmation. Scott Besant, Trump's Treasury Secretary nominee, as well as Pete Heigseth, Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, have both made it through their respective committees. They will both face floor votes in the coming days. Meanwhile, VA Secretary picked Doug Collins and U.S. ambassador to the UN nominee Elise Stefanik faced questioning today. Here's a bit from Stefanik saying no American taxpayer dollars should go towards funding terrorism.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

I think we can look to organizations within the UN system such such as unhcr, such as the World Food Program working with usaid, which are proven organizations. They still need reform efforts and modernization but don't have the terrorist ties that UNWRA had, particularly that were exposed during the October 7 Hamas attack against Israel. Oath Keepers leader Stuart Rhodes and ex Proud Boys chief Enrique Tarrio are free from prison after Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people connected to J6 Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presto Giacomo reports.

[Donald Trump]

Rhodes and Tarrio were convicted of seditious conspiracy, though neither of them actually entered the Capitol building. Tarrio was serving out a 22 year sentence and Rhodes was nearly two years into his 18 year term. Trump defended the pardons, saying that these individuals had been destroyed. In addition to the pardons, Trump has directed the Justice Department to ask for the dismissal of about 450 cases that are still being litigated. Here's Trump making those actions official.

[Jeff Landry]

We hope they come out tonight. Frankly, they're expecting approximately 1500 people.

[John Bickley]

18 Democrat led states and two cities have filed a lawsuit to challenge President Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship. The order is set to take effect on February 19. The challenging states and cities argue that the move violates the Constitution and long standing legal precedent. But the Trump administration says the policy aims to strengthen national security and immigration enforcement. Here's Trump signing the executive order last night.

[Jeff Landry]

We're the only country in the world that does this with birthright, as you know, and it's just absolutely ridiculous. But you know, we'll see. We think it. We have very good grounds. Certainly people have wanted to do this for decades.

[Sponsor Voice]

This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Let's get you talking in a new language. Babbel's gifting our listeners 60% off [e-mail] wire again, that's babel.com wire rules and restrictions may apply.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

ICE raids in Sanctuary cities have been temporarily put on hold as officials investigate a reported leak in the agency. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce reports ICE.

[Tom Homan]

Had prepared a large scale crackdown targeting illegal immigrants deemed threats to public safety. Meanwhile, migrants in New York City have left shelters in anticipation of these raids. Border czar Tom Homan confirmed the delay and said the administration wants to keep some element of surprise to the raids. As ICE gets ready to move in, Congress is working on legislation to keep non citizens convicted of theft and other crimes in detention. The Lake and Riley act that passed the Senate last night could be one of the first bills to land on President Trump's desk. It still needs final approval in the House. The bill allows states to sue the government for failing to enforce immigration laws.

[John Bickley]

Volume two of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on President Trump has been blocked. Judge Eileen Cannon ruled that releasing details about Trump's classified documents case to Congress could risk prejudice. While Trump's legal team sought to block both volumes, the first volume covering election interference, was partially released. Trump has dismissed the findings as a fake report.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

For the first time ever, parts of the Gulf coast, including Louisiana, are under a blizzard warning as a powerful winter storm sweeps through the South. Heavy snow, ice and dangerously cold temperatures are expected to cripple travel across multiple states, with officials urging residents to stay home. Louisiana officials warn they're unprepared for the snow. Here's Governor Jeff Landry warning residents about the conditions.

[Jeff Landry]

Let me emphasize this. The state has been working for over eight days to do everything in its power to prepare for this winter storm. And I urge you to please heed what we are saying and what your local officials are saying as well. It is extremely important to Stay off the road unless you absolutely need to be on the road. Stay at home and stay warm.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Thousands of flights have already been canceled as the storm is expected to persist through Thursday.

[John Bickley]

And Ryan Corbett is back home with his family after over two years in Taliban captivity. Daily Wire reporter Mare Delordi has the latest.

[Anna Corbett]

Over the weekend, Morning Wire spoke with Ryan's wife, Anna, about the ongoing negotiations and how both the Biden and Trump administrations were approaching it. She told a bit about the conditions Ryan has been living in.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

He's lost a lot of weight. This is having a bad effect on his health. Obviously. He's only 41 and having constant headaches, ringing in his ears, fainting, discolored extremities. I mean, he's told me that I wouldn't recognize him. And our communication was very sparse for a long time now.

[Anna Corbett]

But now he's home. Just hours after President Trump took office, a deal was reportedly struck in the final hours of Biden's presidency which traded a convicted drug trafficker and terrorist for both Corbett and another American, William Wallace McKenty. Corbett's family said the following in a statement, quote, today our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and PR to God for sustaining Ryan's life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, Unquote. Meanwhile, two more Americans remain in Afghanistan as Taliban prisoners.

[John Bickley]

All right, those are your Drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and for more in depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune in to our full episode of Morning Wire. Every morning.