Kash Patel Confirmed & Vance Opens CPAC | Afternoon Update | 2.20.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Kash Patel Confirmed & Vance Opens CPAC | Afternoon Update | 2.20.25
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Host: Georgia Howe & John Bickley
Presented by The Daily Wire

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1. Confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI Director

Timestamp: 00:33

Kash Patel has been officially confirmed as the new Director of the FBI, receiving a narrow Senate vote of 51-49 along party lines. This confirmation marks a significant shift in the agency's leadership as Patel steps into the role previously held by Christopher Wray.

John Bickley highlighted the political dynamics of the confirmation:

"Only two GOP senators voted no, Maines Susan Collins and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski."
(00:33)

Senator Mark Wayne Mullen of Oklahoma expressed strong support for Patel, emphasizing his commitment to revitalizing the FBI’s core mission.

Mark Wayne Mullen stated:

"He's not there to destroy the FBI. He's there to get them back on Mission Focus... protecting the American people, not taking directive orders from a Democrat party..."
(01:01)

2. Hamas Releases Bodies of Hostages

Timestamp: 01:31

In a recent development, Hamas has released the bodies of four hostages as part of a ceasefire agreement. The tragic victims include 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, 31-year-old Sherry Vibas, her two children Ariel (4) and Kafir (9 months at the time of kidnapping).

Cassie Akiva, Daily Wire reporter, provided a detailed account:

"Israel received the bodies of four hostages held by Hamas today after the terror group paraded them on stage in front of cheering crowds and upbeat music..."
(01:40)

The ceremony included symbolic gestures such as Israeli flags and a rabbi reciting Psalm 83, marking a solemn moment for the affected families awaiting final confirmations and burial arrangements.

3. Mitch McConnell Announces Retirement

Timestamp: 02:32

Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has announced that he will not seek reelection, marking the end of an era for the influential Republican leader. At 83 years old, McConnell delivered a brief speech on the Senate floor, receiving a standing ovation from his peers.

Georgia Howe reported:

"McConnell is the longest serving Kentucky senator, having served seven terms in the upper chamber after being first elected back in 1985."
(02:32)

Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has declared his candidacy to fill McConnell's seat, setting the stage for a competitive primary.

4. J.D. Vance Opens CPAC 2025

Timestamp: 03:05

Vice President J.D. Vance inaugurated the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) with a dynamic speech addressing key issues such as immigration, the economy, and foreign policy.

Mark Wayne Mullen highlighted Vance's engagement:

"The vice president took questions on a variety of topics... Later, he warned drug dealers to get out of our country and had a message of support for young men."
(03:15)

During the Q&A, Vance received a standing ovation for his previous high-profile speech in Munich, where he criticized European censorship.

J.D. Vance emphasized the importance of cultural identity for young men:

"Don't allow this broken culture to send you a message that you're a bad person because you're a man... We actually think God made male and female for a purpose..."
(03:15)

Additionally, Elon Musk is scheduled to speak at CPAC later in the day, promising further high-profile discussions.

5. Potential Doge Dividend for Taxpayers

Timestamp: 04:49

The podcast explored President Trump's proposal to allocate a "Doge dividend" to American taxpayers, stemming from significant savings achieved through the adoption of Dogecoin (Doge) under Elon Musk's leadership.

Tim Rice, Deputy Managing Editor, detailed the plan:

"As part of an investment conference in Miami, Trump praised Doge's efforts... The proposed plan would allocate another 20% of these savings to reduce the national debt."
(04:56)

While the specifics regarding feasibility and congressional approval remain unclear, the initiative aims to provide taxpayers with financial relief by tapping into Doge-mediated savings.

6. President Trump's Executive Order Cutting Funds to Illegal Immigrants

Timestamp: 05:22

President Trump has enacted a new executive order aimed at eliminating federal funds directed toward illegal immigrants, reinforcing policies that prioritize American citizens.

John Bickley reported on the executive action:

"The president signed an order late Wednesday to ensure that, quote, taxpayer resources are used to protect the interests of American citizens, not illegal aliens."
(05:32)

Key provisions include:

• Termination of financial benefits for illegal immigrants.
• Prohibition of taxpayer funds supporting sanctuary policies.
• Designation of criminal organizations such as MS-13 and Trendi Aragua as terrorist entities.

7. IRS Layoffs Announcement

Timestamp: 05:59

In a move to reduce the federal workforce, the IRS is set to lay off up to 6,000 employees. This decision targets probationary staff with less than one to two years of service, excluding roles deemed critical for the tax filing season.

Tim Pierce, Daily Wire reporter, explained:

"Today's firings target probationary employees... Those being reduced are not deemed critical to filing season."
(06:07)

The layoffs are part of President Trump's broader strategy to streamline federal operations, reversing the Biden administration's expansion of the IRS workforce.

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Conclusion

The February 20, 2025, episode of Morning Wire delivered comprehensive updates on pivotal national issues, including the confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI Director, significant political shifts with Mitch McConnell's retirement, and major policy changes under President Trump's administration. The discussion also delved into international affairs with the release of hostages by Hamas and highlighted influential voices like Vice President J.D. Vance at CPAC. Additionally, emerging financial proposals such as the Doge dividend and substantial IRS layoffs indicate ongoing transformations within the federal landscape. For in-depth coverage and further details, listeners are encouraged to visit dailywire.com.

Transcript

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[Georgia Howe]

Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director. Mitch McConnell won't seek re election and taxpayers may get a Doge dividend. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. It's Thursday, February 20th, and this is your Morning W Afternoon Update.

[John Bickley]

Kash Patel was confirmed as director of the FBI today. The Senate voted mostly along party lines, 51 to 49 to confirm President Trump's pick to head the bureau. Only two GOP senators voted no, Maines Susan Collins and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski. Patel will serve a 10 year term replacing Christopher Wray. Morning Wire spoke to Oklahoma Senator Mark Wayne Mullen, who believes Patel is the perfect choice to reform the FBI.

[Mark Wayne Mullen]

He's not there to destroy the FBI. He's there to get them back on Mission Focus. He's there to support the field agents to put them back on Mission Focus of protecting the American people, not taking directive orders from a Democrat party that's wanting to investigate students for showing up to school board meetings or classifying Catholics. And I'm not joking when I say this as a possible terrorist because they disagreed with the Democrat agenda.

[Georgia Howe]

This morning, Hamas released the bodies of four hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement. Daily Wire reporter Cassie Akiva has more on the exchange.

[Cassie Akiva]

Israel received the bodies of four hostages held by Hamas today after the terror group paraded them on stage in front of cheering crowds and upbeat music. The hostages included 83 year old Oded Lifshitz, 31 year old Sherry Vibas and her two young children, 4 year old Ariel and Kafir, who was only 9 months old when he was kidnapped. On stage was a picture of the four fallen hostages with an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu depicted as a vampire and a missile with a sign stating they were killed by USA bombs. The coffins were received by Red Cross representatives who transported them to the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza where they were checked for hidden explosives. They were wrapped with Israeli flags in a small ceremony where a rabbi recited Psalm 83. Once the bodies are officially identified, families will be given the final confirmation and can proceed with burying their loved one.

[Georgia Howe]

Kentucky Senator and former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will not seek reelection. The powerful senator got a standing ovation after announcing his decision in a short speech on the Senate floor this morning. Today is his 83rd birthday. McConnell stepped down from his leadership role last year after encountering some health challenges. McConnell is the longest serving Kentucky senator, having served seven terms in the upper chamber after being first elected back in 1985. Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has run for McConnell's seat.

[John Bickley]

Vice President J.D. vance kicked off the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, today just outside D.C. daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips reports.

[Mark Wayne Mullen]

The vice president took questions on a variety of topics, including immigration, the economy and foreign policy, where he received a standing ovation for his high profile speech in Munich, Germany, last week in which he called out Europeans for censorship. Later, he warned drug dealers to get out of our country and had a message of support for young men.

[J.D. Vance]

My message to young men is don't allow this broken culture to send you a message that you're a bad person because you're a man, because you like to tell a joke, because you like to have a beer with your friends, or because you're competitive. The cultural message, and I think the president's and mine is the exact opposite. But our cultural message is I think that it wants to turn everybody, whether male or female, into androgynous idiots who think the same, talk the same and act the same. We actually think God made male and female for a purpose, and we want you guys to thrive as young men and as young women, and we're going to help with our public policy to make it possible to do that.

[Mark Wayne Mullen]

Elon Musk is also scheduled to speak at CPAC later this afternoon.

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[Georgia Howe]

Could American taxpayers receive a Doge dividend? Daily Wire Deputy Managing editor Tim Rice has details.

[Ad Sponsor]

President Trump announced Wednesday night that he's considering giving taxpayers 20% of the money being saved by Doge as a tax break. Speaking in an investment conference in Miami, Trump praised Doge's efforts under Elon Musk, highlighting $55 billion in savings already achieved. The proposed plan would allocate another 20% of these savings to reduce the national debt. Details on the feasibility of this proposal and whether congressional approval is required have not been disclosed.

[John Bickley]

President Trump is cutting all federal funds directed to illegal immigrants. Daily Wire investigative reporter Spencer Lindquist has more on Trump's new executive order.

[Ad Sponsor]

The president signed an order late Wednesday to ensure that, quote, taxpayer resources are used to protect the interests of American citizens, not illegal aliens. The order directs all federal departments and agencies to end any programs that provide any financial benefits to those illegally in the country. It also bars the use of any taxpayer money to support so called sanctuary policies. And it designates criminal organizations such as Ms. 13 and trendy Aragua as terrorist organizations.

[Georgia Howe]

And the IRS is set to lay off as many as 6,000 employees today. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has the numbers.

[John Bickley]

IRS employees received an email Wednesday ordering them to the office today with all of their government issued equipment. These layoffs are part of Trump's efforts to reduce the federal workforce. Today's firings target probationary employees who have less than one to two years of service and have fewer job protections. The Biden administration hired thousands of new agents, many in customer service and compliance, bringing the total number of employees at the agency up to 100,000. Those being reduced are not deemed critical to filing season.

[Georgia Howe]

Those are your Drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning we covered some major stories, including RFK's big changes to Health and Human Services and the war of words between Trump and Zelensky. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.