Morning Wire – "No Kings" Returns & Protest Funding Exposed?

Date: October 20, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Guests: Cabot Phillips, Amber Jo Cooper, Seamus Bruner, Tim Pierce

Brief Overview

This episode of Morning Wire delves into the resurgence of the “No Kings” anti-Trump protests across the United States, exploring both the demographics and motivations of protestors as well as the financial underpinnings of the movement. The hosts also break down President Trump's ongoing immigration crackdown, the government’s response to escalating protests, legal battles over National Guard deployments, and developing news on the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire with reactions from the Trump administration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. “No Kings” Protests Return Across the U.S.

Timestamps: 02:18–05:45

• Scale & Demographics

  • Hundreds of thousands (potentially over a million) participated in “No Kings” protests across 2,000+ U.S. locations — a follow-up to similar rallies from June.
  • Demonstrations were largely peaceful but saw pockets of violence in Portland (3 arrests), Chicago (15 arrests), and Los Angeles (tear gas deployed).
  • Notably, the protest demographic skewed older than typical political rallies.
    • Amber Jo Cooper: “It was a much older crowd than you typically see with—I’d say most attendees being over the age of 60.” [03:34]

• Protest Motivations

  • Anger over ICE deportations and Trump’s deployment of the National Guard highlighted as primary complaints.
  • Additional grievances: Trump’s rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, and accusations of authoritarianism.
    • Amber Jo Cooper: “Demonstrators also accused the administration of being fascist. Many called Trump not just a king, but a Nazi.” [03:34]
  • Media commentary noted the older-than-expected protest crowds.

• Violence & Policing

  • Violent incidents are mainly concentrated in well-known hotspots.
  • Federal response and subsequent legal action (see below).

2. Legal Front: National Guard Deployments and Court Battles

Timestamps: 04:24–05:45

• Trump’s Argument:

  • Claims National Guard deployment is necessary to protect federal agencies/facilities from left-wing threats.
  • Facing lawsuits in Illinois, Oregon, California, and Tennessee, often resulting in temporary blocks by federal courts.

• Key Legal Update:

  • Seven Tennessee officials filed a lawsuit backed by ‘Democracy Forward’. Though an immediate hold was denied, a court date is set for Nov. 3.
  • The White House has appealed to the Supreme Court to permit continued National Guard deployment, particularly in Chicago.
    • Cabot Phillips: “They filed a formal request Friday calling for them to intervene and allow the Guardsmen to continue being deployed.” [05:36]

3. Attempts to Combat International Drug Smuggling

Timestamps: 05:45–06:23

• Recent strike on a suspected drug-smuggling submarine in South America left two drug-runners alive. They were repatriated to their respective countries for prosecution.
  • Cabot Phillips quoting Trump: “Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narco terrorists trafficking illegal drugs by land or by sea.” [05:53]

4. Exposing the Funders: $300 Million in “Dark Money”

Timestamps: 07:32–11:43

• Peter Schweitzer’s Investigation:

  • Nearly $300 million in billionaire-backed network money has fueled protest organizers.
  • Seamus Bruner: “We found dozens of official organizers and partner organizations... really closer to $300 million in the last five years have gone into the partner organization. So this is basically anything but grassroots, right?” [08:04]
  • Protest mobilization is underpinned by extensive funding from major left-leaning networks, including:
    • George Soros/Open Society Foundations
    • Arabella Advisors/Network
    • Tides Network & Ford Foundation

• Broader Pattern of “Riot Inc.”

  • The funding and organization of left-wing protests form a persistent pattern, tracked as “Riot Inc.”

• Accountability & Law Enforcement Response

  • The Trump administration, via DOJ and FBI, is pursuing so-called “follow the money” probes against protest funders.
    • Seamus Bruner: “They all seem very locked in on this issue, wanting to get to the money, not just the boots on the ground and the people committing the violence.” [09:52]
  • Following Trump’s official designation of ANTIFA as a terrorist organization, the possibility of new investigative levers is discussed.
    • Seamus Bruner: “It’s a forcing function that really gets … law enforcement agencies [to] open up broader investigations.” [10:35]

• Debate Over ANTIFA’s Status

  • Democrat critics call the ANTIFA designation a ‘mythical’ move. Bruner counters:
    • Seamus Bruner: “It’s preposterous to say that ANTIFA isn’t an organization just because it doesn’t have… some sort of corporate entity. There’s all kinds of groups that don’t have corporate entities that can be investigated as organizations.” [11:13]

5. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Holds by a Thread

Timestamps: 11:47–15:10

• U.S. Oversight and Continuing Violations

  • U.S. State Department warned of imminent Hamas violations against Gazans (not Israelis), prompting Israeli retaliation after an attack killed two IDF soldiers.
    • Tim Pierce: “The situation is tenuous, but not unexpected. The Trump administration knew going into this that it would likely take strict US Oversight to keep the violence in check.” [12:06]
  • Vivid social media evidence of violence against civilians is cited, raising concerns about Hamas control.

• Ceasefire Details

  • IDF maintains position behind a “yellow line” as agreed in the ceasefire.
  • Netanyahu responded to attacks with airstrikes and strong rhetoric; Hamas admitted to attacks but cited loss of contact with their Gaza-based cells.
  • Ongoing tension over the return of Israeli hostages’ bodies — “the group has said it needs more time to locate those bodies.” [14:26]

• Trump Administration’s Peace Stance

  • Despite violence, Trump remains optimistic about expanding the Abraham Accords.
    • Trump (via Tim Pierce): “The Abraham Accords are a miracle in a way... They stayed in and they’re doing incredibly well.” [14:52]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Amber Jo Cooper, on protest demographics:
  “It was a much older crowd than you typically see with—I’d say most attendees being over the age of 60.” [03:34]

• Seamus Bruner, on protest funding:
  “This is basically anything but grassroots, right?” [08:45]

• Seamus Bruner, on accountability:
  “They all seem very locked in on this issue, wanting to get to the money, not just the boots on the ground and the people committing the violence. But who is financing this?” [09:52]

• Seamus Bruner, on ANTIFA’s structure:
  “It’s preposterous to say that ANTIFA isn’t an organization just because it doesn’t have… some sort of corporate entity.” [11:13]

• Tim Pierce, on the Middle East situation:
  “The Abraham Accords are a miracle in a way. And the four countries that went in initially…they stayed in and they’re doing incredibly well.” [14:52]

Important Segment Timestamps

• No Kings Protests Overview & Violence: 02:18–04:24
• Legal Challenges to National Guard Deployments: 04:24–05:45
• International Drug Smuggling/Trump’s Response: 05:45–06:23
• Funding Exposé & Riot Inc.: 07:32–11:43
• Middle East Ceasefire & US Policy: 11:47–15:16

Tone & Language

The tone throughout the episode is direct, fact-focused, and urgent, in line with Morning Wire’s style. Guests and hosts are critical of protest organizers’ funding, firmly supportive of law enforcement responses, and consistently skeptical about the grassroots nature of the activism. Reporting on Israel/Gaza is empathetic but subject to a “hard facts first” approach, while political and legal topics remain measured and analytical, frequently quoting official sources and direct statements.

Summary prepared for listeners who want all core details, memorable moments, and context–without commentary, ads, or digressions.