Morning Wire Episode Summary: "Nashville Mayor Investigated & Europe’s Speech Police | 5.29.25"

Release Date: May 29, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Podcast: Morning Wire by The Daily Wire

1. Investigating Nashville Mayor’s Obstruction of ICE

[00:04] Georgia Howe: Nashville's mayor is under investigation for obstructing ICE.

[00:08] Congressman Andy Ogles: "Now you can have a woke mayor who wants to cry and whine in his Cheerios about it. But I'm going to say we're going to stand with the President, we're going to stand with Pam Bondi, we're going to stand with ICE. Heck, I'll go out there and I'll help ICE."

John Bickley and Georgia Howe delve into the recent developments in Nashville, where Mayor Freddie O'Connell is under scrutiny for allegedly hindering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Congressman Andy Ogles, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, spearheads the investigation, accusing city officials of actively obstructing ICE’s efforts to deport criminal illegal immigrants.

Key Points:

• Executive Orders: Mayor O'Connell issued an executive order mandating local law enforcement to report all interactions with federal authorities, simultaneously encouraging citizens to file complaints against such collaborations. This has purportedly led to increased tensions and violence against law enforcement officers.

• Investigation Scope: The Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees are conducting a joint investigation to determine if Nashville officials have diverted federal funds to support illegal immigrants. Congressman Ogles highlighted incidents, such as State Representative Acton Ben blocking ICE vehicles, as evidence of criminal obstruction.

• Broader Implications: Ogles emphasizes the strategic importance of Nashville as a transit hub for various criminal activities, including human trafficking and drug distribution. He asserts that obstruction not only aids illegal immigrants but also empowers sophisticated criminal enterprises targeting American communities.

Notable Quote:

• Congressman Andy Ogles [02:55]: "When the mayor of Nashville, when this state rep in Nashville is standing up and defending these people, we literally caught rapists and murderers and child traffickers and human smugglers and drug dealers. This is who was caught up by ICE."

2. Europe’s Crackdown on Free Speech and U.S. Counteractions

[00:35] John Bickley: As Europe cracks down on free speech, the Trump administration ramps up pressure on leaders across the continent. Report from Budapest.

[07:50] Mary Margaret Olihan: President Trump and the administration are calling attention to Europe's free speech issues, utilizing the full power of their platform to advocate for fundamental liberties.

[07:59] Jason Miller: The primary focus at the EU-US forum in Hungary is Europe’s deteriorating stance on free speech. Senior State Department officials are actively pressuring countries like Ireland and France to uphold citizens' rights to free expression, religion, and privacy. Key issues include France’s arrest of Marine Le Pen and Ireland's Digital Services Act, which critics argue could lead to widespread censorship.

Key Points:

• State Department Initiatives: The U.S. is proactively engaging with European nations to challenge legislative measures that threaten free speech. The Digital Services Act in Ireland and political arrests in France are at the forefront of these discussions.

• Public Sentiment in Europe: According to Matt Mauers, a State Department veteran, European populations are increasingly disillusioned with the status quo, evident in recent election outcomes that favor leaders opposing overregulation and advocating for reduced bureaucratic control.

• Influence of President Trump: J.D. Vance highlights Trump’s significant impact on European politics, noting that his administration’s policies are fostering a united front against EU overreach. Vance emphasizes that Europe is reevaluating its relationship with the EU, particularly concerning trade and regulatory frameworks.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Miller [09:22]: "We're seeing it right now play out in the trade relationship that President Trump has been negotiating with the EU and recent developments that are happening as recently as the last few hours, where they're saying that now by early July, they have a goal of getting a framework in place."

• J.D. Vance [10:35]: "You're seeing election results bear out that Europeans are fed up with the status quo. The bureaucrats in Brussels, the overregulation, the over taxation, the fact that they're clamping down on free speech. They're doing nothing to address the unchecked migration that's jeopardizing security and jobs."

3. Republican Criticism of the Government Accountability Office (GAO)

[11:36] John Bickley: Republicans express growing frustration with the GAO, accusing it of politicizing its reports and obstructing President Trump’s agenda.

[12:00] Matt Mauers: The GAO, traditionally a nonpartisan agency ensuring federal funds are appropriately used, is now under fire from Republicans who claim it has become biased. Recent GAO reports have criticized the Department of Transportation for violating the Impoundment Control Act by freezing a Biden-era electric vehicle charging program—a move that GOP leaders perceive as obstructive.

[12:45] Georgia Howe: Despite being a Republican-led organization, Congress members are dissatisfied with the GAO’s recent actions.

[12:55] Matt Mauers: The GAO's assertion that Congress cannot use the Congressional Review Act to revoke California’s Clean Air Act waiver has provoked strong reactions. [13:14] Majority Leader John Thune: "We are facing something of a novel situation because the first time ever the Government Accountability Office has decided to insert itself into the process and affirmatively declare that an agency rule submitted to Congress as a rule is not a rule."

Key Points:

• Political Interference Allegations: Republicans argue that the GAO is overstepping by involving itself in legislative processes, traditionally reserved for Congress, thereby hindering Republican-led initiatives.

• DOGE’s Involvement: The Department of Defense’s Office of General Entity (DOGE) sought meetings with GAO officials to discuss downsizing, but was rebuffed, highlighting tensions between executive actions and legislative oversight.

Notable Quote:

• Majority Leader John Thune [13:14]: "It's an extraordinary deviation from precedent for an agency that should be defending Congress's power instead of constraining it."

4. Elon Musk’s Withdrawal from Doge Initiatives

[14:23] Matt Mauers: Elon Musk is reducing his involvement with Doge due to frustrations with the political climate and legislative changes. Musk expressed disappointment in a recent spending bill, which he believes jeopardizes the initiatives that DOGE is undertaking.

Key Points:

• Spending Bill Concerns: Musk criticizes the bill for increasing the budget deficit and undermining DOGE’s efforts, leading him to step back from active participation.

• Impact on Doge Projects: The withdrawal of a key figure like Musk signals potential challenges for DOGE, especially in navigating the new legislative landscape shaped by President Trump’s administration.

Notable Quote:

• Elon Musk [14:23]: "Frankly, the massive spending bill, which increases the budget deficit, not just decrease it and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."

Conclusion

In this episode of Morning Wire, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe tackle significant issues ranging from local governance challenges in Nashville to broader geopolitical concerns involving Europe’s stance on free speech. The discussion also highlights internal conflicts within Republican circles regarding the GAO and touches upon the intersection of technology, business, and politics with Elon Musk’s recent decisions affecting Doge initiatives. Notable quotes from key figures like Congressman Andy Ogles and J.D. Vance underscore the podcast’s focus on accountability, freedom, and the ongoing struggle against perceived political overreach.

Note: Advertisements, introductory segments, and non-content sections have been omitted to maintain focus on the core discussions and analyses presented in the episode.