Penny Jurors Deadlocked & Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens | Afternoon Update | 12.6.24

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: Penny Jurors Deadlocked & Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens | Afternoon Update | 12.6.24
Release Date: December 6, 2024
Host/Author: The Daily Wire – John Bickley and Georgia Howe

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1. Deadlocked Jury in Daniel Penney's Manslaughter Trial

Key Discussion:
The episode opens with a detailed update on the ongoing trial of Daniel Penney, who faces manslaughter charges following the death of Jordan Neely on the New York City subway in May 2023.

Details:

• Charges: Manslaughter related to the chokehold death of Jordan Neely.
• Jury Status: Jurors have notified the judge that they cannot reach a unanimous verdict on the top charge.
• Defense Argument: Penney acted in defense of passengers from an unarmed but erratic individual.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bickley [00:30]: “Jurors sent a note to the judge this morning saying they remain divided on the top charge of manslaughter and whether Penny recklessly caused Neely's death.”
• Potential Consequences: If convicted, Penney faces up to 15 years in prison.

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2. Biden Administration Considers Preemptive Pardons for Controversial Figures

Key Discussion:
The potential for the Biden administration to issue preemptive pardons for several high-profile individuals has sparked significant debate.

Details:

• Individuals Considered: Anthony Fauci, Liz Cheney, General Mark Milley, and Adam Schiff.
• Motivation: Concerns over possible retribution from the Trump administration.
• Political Reaction:
  • Supporters: Some Democrats believe pardons should be used sparingly.
  • Opponents: Others warn that preemptive pardons could establish a dangerous precedent.

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Presta Giacomo [01:08]: “These preemptive pardons are being considered for Anthony Fauci, Liz Cheney, general Mark Milley and Adam Schiff.”

Conclusion:
No final decision has been made, but the Biden team is preparing for all eventualities.

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3. Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens Amidst Restoration and Political Implications

Key Discussion:
The grand reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral marks a significant milestone in its restoration following the devastating fire in April 2019.

Details:

• Restoration Timeline: Initially pledged by President Emmanuel Macron to be completed in five years.
• Funding: $900 million funded by global donors, including Americans.
• Significance: Represents beauty, faith, and human achievement.

Political Angle:

• Donald Trump's Involvement:
  • Event: Trump will embark on his first overseas trip as president to attend the reopening.
  • Impact: The election of Trump and his policies were highlighted at the New York Times Deal Book Summit.
  • Reactions from Business Leaders:
    • Ken Griffin [02:54]: “If we're talking about Trump, I'm actually very optimistic this time around. He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation.”
    • Jeff Bezos: Expressed hope that Trump's regulatory agenda would succeed, despite previously not endorsing a candidate.

Notable Quotes:

• Ken Griffin [02:54]:

  “If I can help him do that, I'm going to help him. If you look at the deficit and the national debt and how gigantic it is as a portion of GDP, these are real problems and they're real long-term problems. And the way you get out of them is by outgrowing them.”

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4. Decline in FBI Favorability Ratings

Key Discussion:
Favorable views of the FBI have significantly declined over the past decade, particularly among Republican voters.

Details:

• Current Ratings: Only 41% of Americans view the FBI favorably.
• Trend: An 18% decline since 2014.
• Partisan Breakdown:
  • Republicans: Approval fell from 62% in 2014 to 26% in 2024.
  • Democrats: Ratings fluctuated, peaking at 79% in 2022 and now at 67%.
• Implications: Donald Trump’s nomination of Cash Patel as FBI Director has not faced opposition from GOP senators, potentially leading to reforms.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Pierce [03:25]: “Donald Trump's nomination of Cash Patel as FBI director has drawn no opposition from GOP senators so far, setting the stage for potential reforms under the incoming administration.”

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5. Whistleblower Exposes Chaos in Massachusetts Migrant Shelters

Key Discussion:
A whistleblower has revealed severe issues within Massachusetts migrant shelters, attributing problems to Governor Maura Healey's policies.

Details:

• Whistleblower Identity: John Featherston, former director of a migrant shelter in Marlboro, Massachusetts.
• Claims:
  • Conditions: Chaos, violence, rape, and wasteful spending.
  • Specific Incidents:
    • A man impregnating his daughter and committing rapes within the shelter.
    • Lack of appropriate legal measures to detain violent individuals.
• Governor's Policy: Extended right to shelter law to migrant families, leading to overcrowding and unsafe conditions.

Notable Quotes:

• John Featherston [04:26]:

  “There was a gentleman in the hotel that impregnated his own daughter and got very violent. We were in Middlesex County. They had me send him to Worcester County to another district, and for the life of me don't understand why he wasn't locked up. A man who admits that he committed a rape, you're just gonna put in another shelter so he can rape again another day? It makes no sense.”

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6. Income Thresholds for the Top 1% Vary Greatly by State

Key Discussion:
The definition of being in the top 1% of earners varies significantly across different states in the U.S.

Details:

• National Average: Nearly $800,000 annual income to be in the top 1%.
• Highest Thresholds:
  • Washington, D.C.: $1.22 million
  • Connecticut, Massachusetts, California: All above $1 million
• Lowest Threshold:
  • West Virginia: $426,000
• Data Source: Based on adjusted gross income from residents' tax filings.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Rice [05:27]:

  “Americans need nearly $800,000 in annual income to be in the top 1% of earners nationally, but the threshold varies wildly by state.”

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7. Surge in Consumer Optimism Reaches Highest Level in Over Three Years

Key Discussion:
Consumer optimism has seen a significant uptick in November, reflecting positive economic sentiments following recent political developments.

Details:

• Optimism Index: Real Clear Market’s index rose to 53.2%, the highest in over three years.
• Categories Improved:
  • Six-Month Economic Outlook
  • Personal Finance Outlook
  • Confidence in Federal Economic Policies
• Driver: Donald Trump's election led to increased optimism regarding economic policies.
• Voter Sentiment:
  • Independent Voters and Non-Investors: Showed significant gains, indicating broad-based economic hope.

Notable Quotes:

• Ash Short [06:11]: “The survey focuses on three categories. The six-month economic outlook, the personal finance outlook and confidence in federal economic policies all rose significantly following Donald Trump's election last month.”

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Conclusion

The Morning Wire episode delivered a comprehensive afternoon update covering critical judicial developments, federal political maneuvers, significant cultural events, shifts in public opinion towards federal institutions, pressing local governance issues, economic disparities across states, and a notable rise in consumer confidence. Through insightful discussions and firsthand accounts, host John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe provided listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current national landscape.

For deeper insights and full episode details, visit dailywire.com and tune into Morning Wire every morning.

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Notable Sponsors:

• Responsible Man: “Visit responsibleman.com and use code wire for 60% off your order.”
• Shopify: “Get a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/morningwire.”

Transcript

[Sponsor]

This episode is brought to you by responsible man. Visit responsibleman.com and use code wire for 60% off your order. That's responsible man.com code wire.

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. It's Friday, December 6th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Ash Short]

Jurors deliberating in Daniel Penney's trial say they are currently unable to reach a verdict. Daily Wire senior editor Ash Short has the details.

[John Bickley]

Daniel Penney is charged with manslaughter stemming from the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on the New York City subway back in May 2023. Jurors sent a note to the judge this morning saying they remain divided on the top charge of manslaughter and whether Penny recklessly caused Neely's death. The defense argues that Penney acted to protect passengers from Neely, who witnesses described as erratic but unarmed. If convicted of manslaughter, Penney could face up to 15 years in prison.

[Ash Short]

The Biden administration is considering preemptive pardons for controversial figures. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presta Giacomo has more.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

The pardon issue has been discussed at the highest levels of the Biden White House, according to Politico. These preemptive pardons are being considered for Anthony Fauci, Liz Cheney, general Mark Milley and Adam Schiff. Biden staffers say the president is concerned about possible retribution from the Trump administration. The unprecedented move has sparked debate among Democrats, with some urging parties only as necessary and others warn a preemptive pardon could set a dangerous precedent. No decision has been made, but Biden's team is preparing for all possibilities.

[Ash Short]

Notre Dame Cathedral reopens to the public this weekend, marking a triumphant milestone in its restoration. The historic Gothic landmark and Catholic church was nearly destroyed by fire in April 2019. It's since been painstakingly rebuilt. France's President Emmanuel Macron had pledged a five year timeline for reopening, a promise many thought at the time to be too ambitious. The $900 million restoration project, funded by donors worldwide and that includes Americans, highlights the reverence for Notre Dame as a symbol of beauty, faith and human achievement. Donald Trump will make his first overseas trip since being elected president to attend the grand reopening. The election of Donald Trump and the impact of his policies took center stage at this year's New York Times deal. Book Summit Speakers shared cautious optimism about Trump's plans to cut regulation and government spending, even among some who had previously criticized him. Citadel founder Ken Griffin said the election results signaled America is open for business again and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos defended the Washington Post decision not to endorse a presidential candidate and expressed hope that Trump's regulatory agenda would succeed.

[Ken Griffin]

If we're talking about Trump, I'm actually very optimistic this time around. He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help him do that, I'm going to help him. If you look at the deficit and the national debt and how gigantic it is as a portion of gdp, these are real problems and they're real long term problems. And the way you get out of them is by outgrowing them.

[Georgia Howe]

Favorable views of the FBI have dropped sharply over the last decade. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has the story.

[Tim Pierce]

According to a new Gallup poll, just 41% of Americans now say the agency is doing an excellent or good job. That's a decline of 18% since 2014, driven largely by a steep drop in Republican approval. Favorable views among the GOP fell from 62% in 2014 to 26% in 2024. Democratic approval, meanwhile, has fluctuated, peaking at 79% in 2022 before settling at 67% today. Donald Trump's nomination of cash Patel as FBI director has drawn no opposition from GOP senators so far, setting the stage for potential reforms under the incoming administration.

[Sponsor]

This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com morningwire that's shopify.com morningwire.

[John Featherston]

A.

[Ash Short]

Whistleblower in Massachusetts says Governor Maura Healey's hatred of Trump has blinded her to the immigration problems in her state. Daily Wire reporter Cassie Akiva has more.

[John Featherston]

A former director of a Massachusetts migrant shelter exposed the chaos, violence, rape and wasteful spending that haunt these shelters. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Wire, John Featherston, who managed a hotel turned migrant shelter in Marlboro, Massachusetts from November 2023 to July 2024, said that he took the job to assist people in need. But Massachusetts has a right to shelter law, which mandates that the state provide housing and necessities to homeless families with children or pregnant women. The governor extended this to migrant families, leading to an influx of migrants turning a once functional hotel into an unsafe environment. John claims that there was violence and even rapes occurring in his shelter.

[Unnamed Whistleblower]

There was a gentleman in the hotel that impregnated his own daughter and got very violent. We were in Middlesex County. They had me send him to Worcester county to another district, and for the life of me don't understand why he wasn't locked up. A man who admits that he committed a rape, you're just gonna put in another shelter so he can rape again another day? It makes no sense.

[Georgia Howe]

Are you part of the 1%? Your answer could change depending on which state you live in. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has the numbers.

[Sponsor]

Americans need nearly $800,000 in annual income to be in the top 1% of earners nationally, but the threshold varies wildly by state. Washington, D.C. leads the pack, where residents need to earn a hefty $1.22 million a year to qualify. D.C. is followed closely by Connecticut, Massachusetts and California, all above the $1 million mark. West Virginia has the lowest threshold, where earning $426,000 places residents in the top 1%. The findings are based on the adjusted gross income on residents tax filings.

[Ash Short]

Consumer optimism soared in November. The real clear market's optimism index climbed to 53.2%. That's its highest level in over three years, reaching positive territory for the first time in 30. The survey focuses on three categories. The six month economic outlook, the personal finance outlook and confidence in federal economic policies all rose significantly following Donald Trump's election last month. Independent voters and non investors posted significant gains signaling broad economic hope.

[Georgia Howe]

Those are your Drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and for more in depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune into our full episode of Morning Wire every morning.