Morning Wire: New Jersey Drone Saga & East Palestine Settlement | Afternoon Update | January 28, 2025

Hosted by John Bickley and Georgia Howe, Morning Wire delivers a comprehensive afternoon update on the latest developments in politics, culture, education, sports, and more. In this episode, released on January 28, 2025, the hosts delve into significant national issues, including the White House press briefing, federal policies on loans and grants, immigration enforcement in New York City, Senate confirmations, environmental settlements, and notable shifts in media personnel.

1. White House Press Briefing and the New Jersey Drone Saga

Mary Margaret Olihan reported on the inaugural White House press briefing under the Trump administration, highlighting the administration's efforts to engage with a broader media landscape.

• Expansion of Media Access: Press Secretary Caroline Levitt announced that independent journalists, podcasters, new media, and social media influencers would now have access to the Brady Briefing Room. Levitt emphasized the administration's adaptability to the evolving media environment amidst declining trust in traditional media.

  "The Trump administration is adapting to the new media landscape as traditional media faces record low trust levels," (Levitt, 01:26).

• New Jersey Drone Saga: The briefing addressed concerns over the proliferation of drones in New Jersey. Levitt clarified that the drones were authorized by the FAA for research and recreational purposes, emphasizing that these were not hostile entities.

  "The drones that were flying over New Jersey... were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons. This was not the enemy," (Unknown Speaker, 01:04).

2. Federal Freeze on Loans and Grants

John Bickley discussed President Trump's recent executive order freezing federal loans and grants, halting trillions of taxpayer dollars from various financial assistance programs. Essential services like Social Security and Medicare remain unaffected.

"No funds will be withheld from Social Security, Medicare and other select programs, but the rest are paused indefinitely," (Bickley, 01:45).

The Office of Management and Budget is set to review pending programs, anticipating potential conflicts with lawmakers over the freeze. Bickley indicated that further details would be elaborated in the next episode.

3. New York City Immigration Crackdown

Mary Margaret Olihan covered the intensified immigration enforcement in New York City, highlighting federal raids aimed at deporting individuals with serious criminal charges.

• Homeland Security Actions: Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary, joined federal agents in executing raids that led to numerous arrests, including an Interpol-wanted fugitive from the Dominican Republic and a suspected ringleader involved in a high-profile Aurora, Colorado break-in.

  "Officials say the raids led to the arrest of an alleged Trende Aragua ringleader... ensuring public safety," (Noem, 02:26).

• Community Impact: Neighbors described the raids as intense, noting officers breaking down doors to apprehend dangerous suspects, underscoring the administration's focus on removing violent illegal immigrants.

4. House Oversight Committee on Sanctuary Cities

John Bickley reported that the House Oversight Committee has summoned mayors from Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City to testify about their sanctuary city policies. Chairman James Comer criticized these policies for hindering federal immigration enforcement and compromising public safety.

• Mayor Michelle Wu's Stand: Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston, responded to criticism by asserting the city's commitment to safety while respecting federal and local jurisdictional boundaries.

  "We will continue to do what we do on the city side, which is keeping everyone safe here," (Wu, 03:30).

5. Senate Confirmations of Trump Administration Officials

Mary Margaret Olihan highlighted the Senate's confirmation of key Trump administration nominees:

• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant: Confirmed with a 68-29 vote, Besant is expected to advocate for renewing and expanding Trump's tax cuts. He outlined economic goals including 3% annual growth, deficit reduction, and increased domestic oil production.

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy: Also confirmed with bipartisan support, Duffy is set to oversee national transportation policies.

6. Norfolk Southern and East Palestine Settlement

John Bickley detailed the $22 million settlement reached between Norfolk Southern and the village of East Palestine, Ohio, nearly two years after a catastrophic train derailment released toxic chemicals into the environment.

• Settlement Allocation: Funds from the settlement are designated for local priorities, including public infrastructure and park improvements. Additionally, Norfolk Southern committed $600 million for a class-action settlement benefiting residents affected by the derailment.

7. Renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Mount McKinley

Mary Margaret Olihan reported on President Trump's executive order officially renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Google Maps. This change follows the reinstatement of Mount McKinley to its original name after President Obama had renamed it Denali in 2015.

"President Trump signed an executive order designating the change," (Olihan, 04:51).

8. Jim Acosta Departing CNN

John Bickley announced that longtime CNN anchor and Trump critic Jim Acosta is leaving the network after nearly 18 years. Acosta, known for his confrontational style during press briefings with former President Trump, cited CNN's decision to move his show to a midnight slot as a key reason for his departure.

"After giving all of this some careful consideration... I've decided to move on," (Acosta, 05:35).

Acosta plans to announce his next steps soon and thanked his viewers for their support. In response, President Trump criticized Acosta on Truth Social, calling him a "major loser."

Conclusion

Mary Margaret Olihan wrapped up the episode with "Drive Home updates," directing listeners to additional coverage on significant stories such as Trump's military rehaul, China's advancements in artificial intelligence, and gunfire incidents at the southern border. The hosts encouraged listeners to visit dailywire.com for more information and teased the next morning's full edition of Morning Wire.

Notable Quotes:

• "The drones that were flying over New Jersey... were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons. This was not the enemy." — Unknown Speaker (01:04)

• "No funds will be withheld from Social Security, Medicare and other select programs, but the rest are paused indefinitely." — John Bickley (01:45)

• "We will continue to do what we do on the city side, which is keeping everyone safe here." — Michelle Wu (03:30)

• "After giving all of this some careful consideration... I've decided to move on." — Jim Acosta (05:35)

• "President Trump is adapting to the new media landscape as traditional media faces record low trust levels." — Caroline Levitt (01:26)

For more detailed coverage and analysis, visit dailywire.com.