Morning Wire – "Homan Crackdown Inbound & Government Shutdown Averted?"

Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Georgia Howe (Jon Bickley off)
Guests: Megan Basham (Culture Reporter), Tim Pierce (Reporter), Luke Rosiak (Reporter)
Theme:
Today's episode gives a comprehensive update on mounting immigration tensions in Minnesota, shifting political landscapes, a potential government shutdown averted, and a sweeping crackdown on minority federal contractor fraud.

1. Crackdown on Anti-ICE Activists in Minnesota

Segment Timestamp: 02:44–06:55

Key Discussion Points:

• Tom Homan’s Minnesota Press Conference:

  • Tom Homan, acting as the "border czar," addressed the public for the first time since being dispatched to Minnesota to respond to organized resistance against ICE.
  • Homan made it clear his focus is “restoring law and order” and committed to remain on the ground until “the problem is gone”—widely interpreted as a direct challenge to sanctuary city policies in Minneapolis.

    “Law and order are going to be restored ... I’ll remain on the ground until, quote, the problem is gone.” – (Megan Basham quoting Homan, 03:28)

• Zero Tolerance for Anti-ICE Activism:

  • Despite national backlash over recent deaths of activists Renee Goode and Alex Preddy, Homan pushed back on critics, pledging accountability for those obstructing officers.
  • Homan blamed bloodshed squarely on agitators, urging peaceful advocacy instead of interference.

    "If you want certain laws reformed, then take it up with Congress. I'm just asking to keep it peaceful. You interfere, impede, assault an ICE officer, you will be arrested." – Tom Homan (04:17)

• Changing Political Dynamics:

  • While Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey remains entrenched in supporting sanctuary policies, both Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison have shown willingness to cooperate.
  • AG Ellison pledged to allow greater ICE access to jails and promised police response to assaults on federal agents, signaling a shift.
  • Local police have started arresting street agitators, suggesting the tide is turning.

Memorable Moments:

• Homan’s blunt, law-and-order stance set the tone for a dramatically more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
• The deaths of activists brought national scrutiny, adding pressure to both law enforcement and progressive city leaders.

2. Amy Klobuchar Joins Governor’s Race Amid Chaos

Segment Timestamp: 05:13–06:55

Key Discussion Points:

• Klobuchar’s Announcement:

  • Senator Amy Klobuchar announced her candidacy for governor, perceiving a strategic opportunity amid Minneapolis’ tumult.
  • She highlighted her bipartisan credentials and promises to tackle corruption and restore order—positioning herself as a moderate alternative.

    "Just yesterday, I was ranked number one in the Senate for bipartisan bills and number three out of 100 for getting bills passed into law. … I will make sure the people who steal taxpayer money go to jail and root out the fraud by changing the way state government works." – Amy Klobuchar, campaign video (06:07)

• Political Calculus:

  • Megan Basham analyzed that Klobuchar offers a stark contrast to outgoing Governor Walz, emphasizing "kitchen table issues" and a friendlier, centrist persona.
  • Analyst speculation that a successful governor term could set up another presidential run in 2028.

    "She cuts a very different figure than Walz. Much more moderate, much more focused on the middle class..." – Megan Basham (06:32)

3. Government Shutdown (Nearly) Averted

Segment Timestamp: 08:05–11:13

Key Discussion Points:

• Deal Struck in the Senate:

  • White House and Senate Democrats negotiated a deal to fund the government through September 30 for most departments; Department of Homeland Security funded short-term under a two-week continuing resolution.
  • Central sticking points: Democratic demands for less aggressive ICE activity ("no more roving patrols," clear agent identification), fueled by recent incidents in Minneapolis.

• House to Return After Recess:

  • Despite Senate deal, the House is out on recess and not due back until Monday—meaning a brief shutdown is possible but likely with minimal real-world impact.

    “Most government workers don’t work weekends anyway… assuming we make it to Monday, the vast majority of government … will be funded.” – Tim Pierce (10:05)

• Trump’s Role:

  • President Trump signaled support for the deal, urging a bipartisan "yes" vote and hoping to expedite House action.

• Ongoing Tension:

  • House Speaker Mike Johnson faces challenges corralling support from conservative members, and predicts further negotiation over DHS funding.

Notable Quotes:

• “Federal agents shot and killed Alex Preddy, an American citizen, in broad daylight. … Enough is enough.” – Chuck Schumer (08:50)
• “If the spending package can make it through the House […] expect the House Freedom Caucus to come up with its own list of demands.” – Tim Pierce (10:56)

4. 8A Federal Minority Contractor Program Scandal

Segment Timestamp: 11:20–16:05

Key Discussion Points:

• Mass Bans from 8A Program:

  • 1,000 companies (about 25% of all participants) banned from the minority contracting program for failing to provide records to prove real work was done.
  • The 8A program gives women and minority-owned businesses no-bid access to federal contracts, but is rife with so-called “pass-through” fraud.

• Investigation and Congressional Testimony:

  • Daily Wire’s Luke Rosiak described how newly imposed document requirements quickly outed likely fraudsters—many simply refused to submit any records.

    “You actually don’t have to look at the records … a lot of these purported fraudsters have seemingly self-identified by just refusing to cooperate.” – Luke Rosiak (12:57)

• Scope of Fraud:

  • Non-compliant firms landed $5B in contracts in recent years.
  • Pentagon (biggest client) acknowledged hundreds of millions of dollars in no-bid contracts were going out “literally nearly every single day.”

    “They take a 10%, 20%, sometimes 50% fee off the top and then pass the contract off to a giant consulting firm... For decades … this program 8A has been a breeding ground for fraud.” – Pete Hegseth (13:57)

• Striking Example:

  • Story of Rhonda Valez, a homeless musician who, with a new LLC certified as a disadvantaged business, secured $19M to supply military uniforms, only to pass the contract to a different (white, male-owned) factory.
  • Valez’s aggressive, offensive email responses highlighted the dysfunction and unusual personalities involved.

    "[She] sent me 10 emails that railed against evil Jews and said I had demonic male energy..." – Luke Rosiak (15:45)

Humorous Moment:

• Georgia Howe jokingly to Rosiak: “We’ve been meaning to talk to you about your demonic male energy…” (15:53)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Tom Homan (Immigration Enforcement):
  “If you want certain laws reformed, then take it up with Congress.… If you interfere, impede, assault an ICE officer, you will be arrested.” – 04:17

• Amy Klobuchar (Governor’s Race):
  “I don’t like fraud or waste in government. I will make sure the people who steal taxpayer money go to jail…” – 06:07

• Chuck Schumer (ICE Operations):
  “Saturday in the streets of Minneapolis was a moral abomination. Federal agents shot and killed Alex Preddy…” – 08:50

• Pete Hegseth (Contracting Fraud):
  “For decades, this program 8A has been a breeding ground for fraud. And this administration is finally doing something about it.” – 13:57

• Luke Rosiak (Investigative Reporting):
  “A lot of these purported fraudsters have seemingly self-identified by just refusing to cooperate.” – 12:57

Episode Flow & Tone

• Direct and Informative: The hosts and guests focus on rapid, clear breakdowns of complex current events.
• No-Nonsense, Slightly Wry: Especially in dialogue about government inefficiencies and fraud, speakers interject dry humor.
• Balanced Analysis: While Daily Wire maintains a right-of-center tone, voices from across the political spectrum are highlighted (Klobuchar, Schumer, Hegseth).
• Action-Oriented: Calls to accountability—both in immigration enforcement and federal contracting—underscore the episode’s themes.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of Morning Wire dives into the chaos in Minnesota around anti-ICE protests, with Tom Homan vowing a crackdown even as local leaders begin to cooperate with harsher enforcement. The episode discusses the political fallout, namely Senator Amy Klobuchar's timely entrance into the governor's race as a moderate reformer. On the federal front, Senate Democrats and the White House have averted a shutdown with a temporary deal, but House drama looms. Finally, the show covers the biggest purge yet of fraudulent minority contractors gaming a decades-old program, exposing eye-opening examples and bipartisan calls for reform. The tone is brisk, serious, occasionally biting, and packed with direct quotes and clear context throughout.