RFK Confirmed & Trump’s Buyout Moves Forward | Afternoon Update | 2.13.25

Summary

Morning Wire Afternoon Update | February 13, 2025

Presented by The Daily Wire's Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe, the "Morning Wire Afternoon Update" for February 13, 2025, delivers comprehensive coverage of the latest developments in politics, culture, and more. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary

Reporter: Tim Rice

The episode kicks off with the Senate's confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The vote largely followed party lines, highlighting the contentious nature of his appointment.

• Key Points:

  • RFK Jr.'s confirmation followed intense scrutiny, especially regarding his past claims linking vaccines to autism.
  • Despite opposition, particularly from some GOP senators, RFK Jr. secured the position by committing to transparent vaccine policies and public health initiatives.
  • This confirmation coincides with the approval of Tulsi Gabbard as Trump's Director of National Intelligence and the advancement of Kash Patel's nomination out of committee.

• Notable Quote:

  • John Bickley at [00:19]: "RFK is confirmed, Trump's worker buyout moves forward and Hamas agrees to release more hostages."

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2. New York Governor Kathy Hochul Postpones Meeting with President Trump

Reporter: Tim Pierce

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has delayed a scheduled meeting with President Trump following a lawsuit by the Department of Justice (DOJ) challenging New York's sanctuary policies.

• Key Points:
  • The DOJ's lawsuit targets New York's "Green Light" law, which allows illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses and restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
  • Pam Bondi explains the implications:

    "They're giving a green light to any legal alien in New York, where law enforcement officers cannot check their identity if they pull them over. (...) it puts their lives on the line every single day." ([01:33])

  • Hochul criticizes the lawsuit as "dramatic" and argues against federal agents having unrestricted access to DMV records.
  • The legal action mirrors similar challenges in Illinois amid the Trump administration's intensified immigration policies.
  • Additionally, Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams to discuss cooperation on deporting criminal illegal aliens and locating missing migrant children.

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3. Trump's Government Workers Buyout Program Advances

Reporter: Tim Rice

The Trump administration's buyout initiative for federal employees is progressing, offering substantial financial incentives for government workers to resign voluntarily.

• Key Points:
  • The "deferred resignation" program provides up to eight months of pay and benefits to federal employees who decline to return to office.
  • Despite union opposition claiming the program's illegality, a federal judge ruled that the unions lacked standing to sue, allowing the program to proceed.
  • Approximately 75,000 federal employees have accepted the buyout, with agencies like the CIA participating by extending similar offers to their workforce.
  • With the court's decision, the program is now officially closed as the deadline has passed.

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4. Calls to Cut Federal Funding to Planned Parenthood

Reporter: Mary Margaret Olihan

Conservative groups are urging the Trump administration to eliminate all federal funding to Planned Parenthood, citing their extensive use of taxpayer money and controversial services.

• Key Points:

  • In a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vogt, pro-life leaders demand a comprehensive review of public funds allocated to Planned Parenthood.
  • They reference Government Accountability Office data indicating that Planned Parenthood received over $1.5 billion in Medicaid and grants.
  • The letter highlights that in 2022, Planned Parenthood performed nearly 400,000 abortions and has expanded its services to include transgender medical procedures, such as hormone therapy and surgery referrals.
  • Advocates argue that these services are indirectly funded by taxpayers, especially following policy changes in the Biden era that removed barriers separating federal funds from abortion services.

• Notable Quote:

  • Mary Margaret Olihan at [03:04]: "They cited Government Accountability Office data showing that Planned Parenthood received over 1.5 billion in public funding through Medicaid and grants."

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5. Car-Ramming Incident in Munich, Germany

Reporter: Tim Rice

A disturbing incident occurred in Munich where a migrant with a known criminal history deliberately rammed his vehicle into a group of protesters, resulting in multiple injuries.

• Key Points:

  • The attack injured 28 individuals, including children, and the driver, previously convicted of drug and theft offenses, has been detained by authorities.
  • Bavarian Minister President Marcus Sode condemned the act, labeling it as an "attack" and emphasized the urgent need for change in Germany's policies.
  • This incident follows a similar tragic car-ramming event in December that resulted in six fatalities, highlighting ongoing security concerns.

• Notable Quote:

  • Marcus Sode at [03:47]: "Something has to change in Germany and quickly."

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6. Controversy Over Explicit LGBT Book in New York School District

Reporter: Amanda Presaci Giacomo

Parents in New York's Penfield Central School District voiced strong opposition after school board members walked out during a meeting addressing an explicit LGBT-themed book in the elementary school library.

• Key Points:

  • The book, "Rainbow Parade," portrays a young girl with two mothers attending a Pride parade, with illustrations depicting BDSM elements, drag queens, and nudity.
  • During the meeting, school board members dismissed verbal complaints from parents, insisting that grievances be submitted in writing instead.
  • Pam Bondi relays the tension:

    "We're here at our board meeting, right? Conducting our business, you guys." ([04:49])

  • Kimberly Derosa, a parent, informed The Daily Wire that upcoming school board elections in May may see some of the contested candidates running for new positions.
  • Superintendent Tasha Potter did not provide a comment on the matter.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Amanda Presaci Giacomo at [04:29]: "The book, which was on display at the elementary school library, features a young girl with two mothers who take her to a Pride parade."
  • Tim Rice at [05:05]: "It's hard meeting."
  • Tim Rice at [05:10]: "She said the truth."

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Conclusion

The "Morning Wire Afternoon Update" for February 13, 2025, provides an in-depth examination of significant national and international events, highlighting the Biden administration's challenges, the Trump administration's initiatives, and ongoing cultural debates. From RFK Jr.'s confirmation and immigration policy clashes to controversies in education and international security incidents, the episode delivers a comprehensive overview for listeners seeking informed perspectives on current affairs.

For more detailed coverage on these stories and additional updates, visit dailywire.com.

Transcript

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[John Bickley]

RFK is confirmed, Trump's worker buyout moves forward and Hamas agrees to release more hostages. I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, February 13th, and this is Morningwire afternoon update.

[Tim Rice]

The Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As health and Human Services secretary in a vote mostly along party lines. Daily Wire Deputy Managing editor Tim Rice has the latest.

[Sponsor Ad]

Mitch McConnell was the lone Republican standout who joined Democrats to vote against Kennedy. RFK faced heated confirmation hearings over his past claims about vaccines and their potential links to autism. Despite concerns, GOP senators and Kennedy made key commitments on vaccine policy and public health transpar. The move follows confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national Intelligence, and comes on the same day that Kash Patel's nomination advances out of committee.

[John Bickley]

New York governor Kathy Hochul has postponed a meeting with President Trump after the DOJ sued her state over sanctuary policies. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has the details.

[Pam Bondi]

The lawsuit challenges New York's green light law, which grants drivers licenses to illegal immigrants and limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Here's Pam Bondi.

[Unknown Speaker]

They're giving a green light to any legal alien in New York, where law enforcement officers cannot check their identity if they pull them over. Law enforcement officers do not have access to their background. And if these great men and women pull over someone and don't have access to their background, they have no idea who they're dealing with and it puts their lives on the line every single day.

[Pam Bondi]

Hochul pushed back, calling the move dramatic and insisting federal agents should not have unlimited access to DMV records. The lawsuit follows similar legal action against Illinois as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration crackdown. Meanwhile, Trump's border czar Tom Homan met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams seeking cooperation on deporting criminal illegal aliens and locating missing migrant children.

[Tim Rice]

The Trump administration's buyout program for government workers can move forward. The deferred resignation program offered federal employees unwilling to return to the office up to eight months of pay and benefits in exchange for their resignations. Unions argued the program was illegal, but a federal judge has ruled they lacked standing to sue. About 75,000 federal employees have accepted the offer, while agencies like the CIA have extended buyouts to their workforce. With the court's decision, the program is now officially closed. As the deadline has passed, conservative groups.

[John Bickley]

Are calling on the Trump administration to cut all federal funding to Planned Parenthood. Daily Wire White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olihan has the exclusive.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

In a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vogt, pro life leaders urged a full review of taxpayer dollars allocated to the organization. They cited Government Accountability Office data showing that Planned parenthood received over 1.5 billion in public funding through Medicaid and grants. The letter also highlights that Planned parenthood performed nearly 400,000 abortions in 2022 and has increasingly provided transgender medical services, including hormone therapy, surgery referrals. Advocates argue that taxpayer money is indirectly funding those procedures, particularly after Biden era policies removed safeguards ensuring that federal funds were separated from abortions.

[Tim Rice]

A migrant with a known criminal record rammed a car into a group of protesters in Munich, Germany, today, injuring 28 people, including children. Authorities say the driver, who was known to police for drug and theft offenses, has been detained. Bavarian Minister President Marcus Sode called it an attack, saying something has to change in Germany and quickly. The incident follows a deadly car ramming in December that left six dead.

[John Bickley]

Parents in New York's Penfield Central School District are expressing outrage after school board members walked out on them. The walkout occurred after parents raised concerns about an explicit LGBT book titled Rainbow Parade. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presaci Giacomo has the story.

[Amanda Presaci Giacomo]

The book, which was on display at the elementary school library, features a young girl with two mothers who take her to a Pride parade. Illustrations show men in sexual BDSM gear, drag queens and others are naked. The meeting ended abruptly on Tuesday after board members told parents that they must submit written complaints instead of voicing them at the meeting.

[Tim Rice]

That's not, that is not how you object. So if you cannot again followed by what we have asked you to do, we will ask for you all. We will ask those people who cannot do that to be removed. We are, we are here at our board meeting, right? Conducting our business, you guys.

[John Bickley]

It's hard meeting.

[Tim Rice]

She said it. She said the truth.

[Amanda Presaci Giacomo]

Kimberly derosa, who attended the meeting, told the Daily Wire that parents will vote for new school board members in May and said that some of the candidates for those positions were in attendance at Tuesday's meeting. Superintendent Tasha Potter did not respond to a request for comment.

[John Bickley]

All right, those are your Drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it. This morning, we covered some key, key stories, including Trump's phone call with Putin, Doge's contentious Capitol Hill hearing, and the freeing of Mark Fogel. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.