Morning Wire: Mail-In Ballot Scrutiny & Trump’s Cartel Confrontation | 08.20.25

Hosts: John Bickley, Georgia Howe
Date: August 20, 2025
Main Guests: Megan Basham, Tim Pierce, Cabot Phillips, Caroline Levitt

Overview

This episode of Morning Wire delivers a fact-driven dive into three crucial stories dominating U.S. political discourse: President Trump’s renewed push to eliminate mail-in voting and electronic voting ahead of the 2026 midterms; an aggressive U.S. military deployment to confront Latin American drug cartels, specifically by targeting Venezuela; and updates from the White House about high-stakes Ukraine peace negotiations and a crackdown on D.C. crime.

Detailed Breakdown

1. Trump’s Push to End Mail-In Voting and Electronic Voting Machines

[02:41–06:25]

Key Points:

• President Trump’s Agenda:

  • Trump announced plans for an executive order to end mail-in voting, labeling the practice as "fraudulent."

  • He also voiced opposition to electronic voting, labeling it as more expensive and less accurate than traditional watermarked paper ballots.

    "We're going to end mail-in voting. It's a fraud if you have mail-in. Even Jimmy Carter... said you will never have an honest election if you have mail-in."
    — President Trump [03:20]

• Legal Feasibility:

  • Senior Reporter Megan Basham clarified the complexity: election administration is primarily a state power, though Congress regulates federal elections.

  • An earlier Trump order requiring voter citizenship was legally blocked, suggesting similar legal challenges ahead.

    “This order, if it comes to pass, is very likely to face those same kind of legal challenges.”
    — Megan Basham [04:03]

  • The GOP-backed SAVE Act, enforcing proof of citizenship for voting, has passed the House and has significant Republican support in the Senate.

• Democratic Response:

  • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declared on X that any measure “making it more difficult for Americans to vote will be dead on arrival.”

  • Colorado’s Secretary of State, Jenna Griswold, asserted mail-in ballots are secure, adding she will oppose Trump’s efforts.

    "We have vote by mail. We send it to every active voter... And in 2024, 92% of Republican voters chose to use their mail ballots."
    — Jenna Griswold [05:44]

• Who Uses Mail-In Ballots?

  • Basham noted while Griswold claims mail-in ballots are neutral, Democrats disproportionately use them—an 18-point party split.

    "Democrats are much more likely to use mail-in voting."
    — Megan Basham [05:58]

2. U.S. Military Escalation Against Venezuelan Drug Cartels

[07:33–10:45]

Key Points:

• Military Deployment:

  • The Trump administration sent three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, 4,000 sailors and marines, spy planes, and at least one attack submarine to waters near Venezuela, targeting drug cartels.

    “It's a big show of muscle by the Trump administration... These are warships equipped with the advanced Aegis Combat System...”
    — Tim Pierce [07:51]

• Venezuelan Response:

  • President Maduro called U.S. threats "extravagant, bizarre and outlandish," reportedly mobilizing 4.5 million militiamen.

• White House Stance:

  • Press Secretary Caroline Levitt denounced Maduro, calling his regime a “narco terror cartel” and reiterating U.S. policy is to consider him a fugitive and not the legitimate Venezuelan president.

    “The Maduro regime is not the legitimate government of Venezuela... He is a fugitive head of this cartel who has been indicted in the United States for trafficking drugs.”
    — Caroline Levitt [08:45]

• Legal Authority for Direct Action:

  • The U.S. has placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro.

  • Tim Pierce noted a legal precedent: The U.S. previously invaded Panama to capture Noriega, with legal justification from then-OLC head Bill Barr.

    “That decision was backed up by a legal memo... The president had the authority to direct the arrest of fugitives in other countries... with or without the consent of those countries.”
    — Tim Pierce [10:07]

3. White House Updates: Ukraine Peace Talks, D.C. Crime Crackdown, Economic News

[11:46–16:12]

A. Ukraine Peace Deal Progress

• Status of Talks:

  • Positive signals after a White House summit and a direct call between Trump and Putin; a trilateral meeting with Zelensky is in discussion.

    “European leaders... are now singing a very different tune, expressing downright optimism towards [Trump’s] approach with Putin.”
    — Kevin (White House reporter) [12:03]

    "A month or two, you're going to have another 40,000 people dead in a month or two. You have to do it tonight. And I did..."
    — President Trump [12:51]

• Use of U.S. Forces:

  • Trump did not rule out U.S. peacekeepers in Ukraine but later, the White House insisted, “US boots will not be on the ground.”

    “The president has definitively stated US Boots will not be on the ground in Ukraine.”
    — Caroline Levitt [13:53]

• Ongoing Conflict:

  • Despite progress, Putin intensifies attacks to gain ground ahead of a deal.

B. D.C. Crime Crackdown

• Federalization of D.C. Police:

  • Nearly 500 arrests, with dozens of illegal guns seized; focus on high-crime areas.

  • Large reduction in crime: Car thefts down 21%, violent crime 22%, robberies 46%, carjackings 83%.

    “According to the union representing the D.C. police Department... car thefts are down 21%, violent crime is down 22%, robberies 46%, and carjackings... 83%.”
    — Kevin [15:18]

C. Economic Signals

• Markets and Policy:

  • Dow Jones at all-time high, contradicting earlier predictions about Trump's tariff policies.

  • Hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut to further spark economic growth, especially in the housing market.

    “Investors remain optimistic that the worst turmoil is behind us and that economic growth is on the way.”
    — Kevin [15:27]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump (regarding urgency of Ukraine peace):
  "A month or two, you're going to have another 40,000 people dead... You have to do it tonight." [12:51]

• Megan Basham (on voting law challenges):
  “By congressional design, states have the power to administer elections, but the power to regulate those federal elections lies with Congress.” [04:03]

• Tim Pierce (military precedent):
  “[Bill] Barr said that the president had the authority to direct the arrest of fugitives in other countries with or without the consent of those countries.” [10:07]

• Caroline Levitt (on foreign policy critics):
  “The so called experts in the foreign policy establishment... have the nerve to try and lecture the President Trump, who has solved seven global conflicts in seven months, about peace.” [13:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mail-in Voting & Legal Debates: [02:41–06:25]
• Military Move Against Cartels: [07:33–10:45]
• Ukraine Peace Talks & D.C. Crime: [11:46–16:12]
• Economy & Rate Cuts: [15:27–16:12]

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a brisk, matter-of-fact tone, leavened by pointed commentary from guests and officials. Direct quotes from Trump, Democratic leaders, and administration officials are included to reflect the occasionally combative, urgent rhetoric surrounding these major stories. In line with Morning Wire’s style, the approach is factual but unapologetically framed from a center-right perspective.

For listeners: This episode is essential for understanding the legal, political, and international dimensions shaping the current headlines—from how Americans will vote, to how the U.S. projects power abroad, to the on-the-ground effects of federal policing and economic policy.