Marc Fogel Freed & Trump’s Green Energy Reversal | Afternoon Update | 2.11.25

Summary

Morning Wire: Marc Fogel Freed & Trump’s Green Energy Reversal | Afternoon Update | 2.11.25

Date Released: February 11, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley (Editor-in-Chief), Georgia Howe
Co-Hosts/Reporters: Amanda Presegiacomo, Tim Pierce, Mairead Elordi

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1. Marc Fogel Freed from Russian Detention

Time Stamp: [00:26]

Georgia Howe opens the episode with breaking news about the release of Mark Fogel, a Pennsylvania teacher who had been held captive in Russia since 2021. According to National Security Adviser Mike Waltz:

“President Trump secured his release. Mr. Witkoff had left Russian airspace with Mark Fogel.” (00:26)

Fogel is set to be reunited with his family after negotiations led by President Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

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2. Trump Administration Targets the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Time Stamp: [00:47]

John Bickley introduces a significant development involving the CFPB. Reporter Amanda Presegiacomo provides an in-depth analysis:

“Enforcement Director Eric Halperin and Supervision Lorelei Salis were placed on administrative leave yesterday. Both reportedly resigned shortly after.” (00:55)

The Trump administration appears to be systematically dismantling the CFPB, an agency established under President Obama. Acting Director Russell Vogt has ordered all 1,700 employees to suspend work, warning that non-compliance could result in further dismissals. This move aligns with Republican criticisms that the CFPB overreaches in its regulatory functions.

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3. USAID Accused of Funding Extremist Groups

Time Stamp: [01:27]

Georgia Howe discusses a controversial report alleging that USAID has directed millions of dollars to organizations linked to terrorism. The Middle East Forum uncovered:

“$164 million in grants tied to radical organizations, with at least $122 million benefiting terror-affiliated groups, including a Gaza-based charity reportedly working with Hamas.” (01:27)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, overseeing USAID, has announced plans to potentially abolish the agency amidst these allegations, intensifying debates over its role and oversight.

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4. Dismissal of Co-Defendants in Trump’s Classified Documents Case

Time Stamp: [02:00]

John Bickley updates listeners on the legal battles surrounding former President Trump. Reporter Tim Pierce explains:

“The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today to drop charges against Trump's valet Wald Nada and Mar-a-Lago employee Carlos de Oliveira after the Justice Department withdrew its case following Trump's return to the White House.” (02:08)

Both individuals were accused of obstructing justice by allegedly moving classified files at Trump’s Florida estate. The dismissal marks the end of a nearly two-year-long case.

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5. FEMA Fires Employees Over Unauthorized Migrant Housing Payments

Time Stamp: [02:30]

Georgia Howe reports on recent actions taken by FEMA concerning migrant housing funds:

“FEMA has fired four employees, including the agency's chief financial officer, over the unauthorized $59 million in payments to luxury hotels in New York City.” (02:30)

Despite FEMA's acting administrator stating that payments have been suspended, New York City officials deny receiving any notification of a funding freeze, highlighting a contentious dispute over the handling of migrant accommodations.

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6. Trump and King Abdullah II Discuss Gaza Policies

Time Stamp: [03:16]

Georgia Howe covers the high-stakes meeting between President Trump and King Abdullah II of Jordan regarding Gaza:

Donald Trump: “We’re going to make sure that there's going to be peace and there's not going to be any problem and nobody's going to question it... eventually we'll have economic development at a very large scale, maybe the largest scale on that site.” (03:29)

Despite tensions in Jordan, King Abdullah II offered:

King Abdullah II: “We can take 2,000 children that are either cancer children or in very ill state to Jordan as quickly as possible...” (03:51)

The discussions come amid threats from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to terminate the ceasefire deal if hostages are not released by a specified deadline.

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7. Trump Reverses Biden-Era Green Energy Regulations

Time Stamp: [04:12]

Georgia Howe addresses environmental policy shifts under the Trump administration. Reporter Mairead Elordi elaborates:

“In a Truth Social post today, Trump instructed EPA chief Lee Zeldin to reinstate his first-term environmental orders, loosening restrictions on sinks, showers, toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, and light bulbs.” (04:34)

Trump argues that Biden’s regulations increased appliance costs and reduced efficiency. With the GOP holding Congress, there is significant momentum for passing legislation that blocks Biden’s energy efficiency mandates on various household appliances, signaling a robust pro-energy agenda.

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8. Severe Storm Threatens Los Angeles Area

Time Stamp: [05:03]

In the final news segment, Georgia Howe warns of an impending massive storm approaching Los Angeles:

“The National Weather Service warns this could be the strongest storm of the season with up to 8 inches of rain in the mountains and 4 inches along the coast.” (05:03)

Areas burned by previous fires are at heightened risk for mudslides, particularly in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Officials are urging residents to prepare for potential flooding as forecasts are updated.

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Conclusion

John Bickley wraps up the update by directing listeners to Daily Wire’s website for more detailed coverage on the day’s stories, including Trump's tariff strategies, legal issues surrounding Doge, and ongoing FEMA controversies. The team promises to return the following morning with another comprehensive edition of Morning Wire.

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Notable Quotes:

• John Bickley: “This is your Morning Wire afternoon update.” (00:18)
• Donald Trump: “We’re going to make sure that there's going to be peace and there's not going to be any problem and nobody's going to question it...” (03:29)
• King Abdullah II: “We can take 2,000 children that are either cancer children or in very ill state to Jordan as quickly as possible...” (03:51)

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For more information on these stories, visit dailywire.com.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

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[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Tuesday, February 11th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Georgia Howe]

A Pennsylvania teacher being held prisoner in Russia will be reunited with loved ones after President Trump secured his release. Mark Fogel was detained back in 2021, according to a statement from National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The president and his special envoy, Steve witkoff announced that Mr. Witkoff had left Russian airspace with Mark Fogle.

[John Bickley]

Two top officials at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have been relieved of their duties. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presegiacomo has more.

[Amanda Presegiacomo]

This is the latest in a series of moves from the Trump administration to shut down the agency. Enforcement Director Eric Halperin and supervision Lorelei Salis were placed on administrative leave yesterday. Both reportedly resigned shortly after. Acting Director Russell Vogt has ordered all 1700 CFPB employees to stay home and halt work, warning that violations could lead to further dismissals. The cfpb, created under President Obama, has long been criticized by Republicans who argue that it overreaches in financial regulation.

[Georgia Howe]

A new report claims USAID funneled millions to extremist groups linked to terrorism. The Middle east forum uncovered $164 million in grants tied to radical organizations, with at least 122 million benefiting terror affiliated groups, among them a Gaza based charity reportedly working with Hamas and an NGO whose staffers called for violence against Jews. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who's currently leading the controversial agency, says it may soon be abolished.

[John Bickley]

Two co defendants in President Trump's classified documents case had their indictments dismissed. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has the details.

[Tim Pierce]

The case now comes to an end, nearly two years after it began. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today to drop charges against Trump's valet Wald Nada, and Mar A Lago employee Carlos de Oliveira after the Justice Department withdrew its case following Trump's return to the White House. Both men were accused of obstructing justice by allegedly moving classified files at Trump's Florida estate.

[Georgia Howe]

FEMA has fired four employees allegedly involved in sending millions of dollars to New York City for housing migrants. DHS confirmed the firings this morning, which includes the agency's chief financial officer over the unauthorized $59 million in payments to luxury hotels. FEMA's acting administrator says payments have been suspended, but New York City officials dispute the claims, saying they haven't been notified of any funding freeze.

[Advertiser]

This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com morningwire all lowercase established in 2025 has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Head over to shopify.com morningwire to start selling with Shopify today.

[Georgia Howe]

President Trump is doubling down on his plans for Gaza while hosting King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House. Trump said the US Intends to take hold and cherish Gaza while relocating Palest.

[Donald Trump]

We'Re going to make sure that there's going to be peace and there's not going to be any problem and nobody's going to question it and we're going to run it very properly and eventually we'll have economic development at a very large scale, maybe the largest scale on that site.

[Georgia Howe]

Despite some anger in Jordan, King Abdullah did make the following offer at the beginning of their meeting.

[King Abdullah II]

One of the things that we can do right away is take 2,000 children that are either cancer children or in very ill state to Jordan as quickly as possible and then wait for I think the Egyptians to present their plan on how we can work with the president to work on the Gaza challenges.

[Georgia Howe]

The meeting comes as both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say the ceasefire deal is off if the hostages aren't released by noon on Saturday. This all comes after Hamas announced it's delaying the next release of Israeli hostages. President Trump is reversing many of the Biden era green energy regulations. Daily Wire reporter Mairead Elordi has the latest.

[Mairead Elordi]

In a Truth Social Post today, Trump instructed EPA chief Lee Zeldin to reinstate his first term environmental orders, loosening restrictions on sinks, showers, toilets, washing machines, dishwashers and light bulbs. He argues Biden's rules made appliances more expensive and less effective. Republican lawmakers are also pushing bills to block Biden's efficiency mandates on coolers, freezers and water heaters. With GOP control of Congress, Trump's pro energy agenda could move quickly.

[Georgia Howe]

And a massive storm is rolling toward Los Angeles, bringing the risk of heavy rain, flooding and landslides. Just before Valentine's Day, the National Weather Service warns this could be the strongest storm of the season with up to 8 inches of rain in the mountains and 4 inches along the coast. Burn areas face a high risk of mudslides, especially in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Los Angeles and Ventura counties have a 40% chance of extreme rainfall fall, while San Diego and the Inland Empire could see up to 2 inches. Officials urge residents to prepare for potential flooding as forecasters refine rainfall estimates in the coming days. Those are your Drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, we covered some key stories this morning, including Trump's tariff war, Doge's legal battles, and FEMA progress and controversy. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.