RFK Restructures HHS & Tourist Submarine Sinks | Afternoon Update | 3.27.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary: “RFK Restructures HHS & Tourist Submarine Sinks | Afternoon Update | 3.27.25”

Release Date: March 28, 2025

Hosts: John Bickley (Editor-in-Chief, The Daily Wire) and Georgia Howe

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The latest episode of Morning Wire, presented by The Daily Wire, delivers a comprehensive afternoon update on significant developments across politics, law enforcement, public health, and more. Hosted by John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe, this episode delves into the restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a high-profile arrest within the notorious Ms. 13 gang, and the tragic sinking of a tourist submarine in the Red Sea, among other pressing issues.

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1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Restructures Health and Human Services

Reporter: Amanda Presto Giacomo
Timestamp: [00:36] – [01:25]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serving as Health and Human Services Secretary, unveiled a significant restructuring plan aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the agency and reducing government expenditures. As part of a directive aligned with a recent Trump administration executive order, HHS will implement an initial reduction of approximately 10,000 jobs, projected to save taxpayers $1.8 billion annually. However, Kennedy emphasized that these cuts are merely the first phase. The ultimate goal is to decrease the workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 through early retirement programs and the Fork in the Road initiative.

Notable Quote:

“We're going to streamline our agency and eliminate the redundancies and invite everyone to align behind a simple, bold mission. We're going to save taxpayers nearly $2 billion a year, and we're going to return HHS to its original commitment to public health and gold standard science.”
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [01:25]

Kennedy stressed that the restructuring is not solely focused on downsizing but also on realigning HHS to better address chronic diseases and uphold high scientific standards.

2. Federal Appeals Court Blocks Trump’s Use of Alien Enemies Act

Reporter: John Bickley
Timestamp: [03:53] – [04:28]

A significant legal development saw a federal appeals court uphold a block on former President Donald Trump's utilization of the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged criminal threats. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 decision that these deportations must remain paused amid ongoing legal challenges. Judge Patricia Millett, writing for the majority, highlighted the necessity of maintaining legal protections for the plaintiffs until their cases are fully adjudicated. In dissent, Judge Justin Walker argued for jurisdictional appropriateness, suggesting that the cases should have been filed in Texas rather than D.C. The administration is poised to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.

3. Arrest of Top Ms. 13 Leader

Reporter: Amanda Presto Giacomo
Timestamp: [02:39] – [03:53]

In a significant law enforcement victory, the FBI apprehended a 24-year-old suspected top leader of the violent Ms. 13 gang in Woodbridge, Virginia. Although the individual's name has not been publicly released, officials confirm his position among the top three leaders operating within the United States. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel oversaw the operation from a tactical center, describing it as a “clean, safe operation” that enhances security both locally and nationally.

Notable Quotes:

“He is an illegal alien from El Salvador and he will not be living in our country much longer.”
— FBI Director Kash Patel [03:13]

“The FBI carried out the takedown in coordination with local police, the ATF and ICE.”
— Attorney General Pam Bondi [03:42]

President Donald Trump lauded the arrest on social media, labeling it “a big deal” and commending the efforts of Bondi, Patel, and the cooperating agencies.

4. Secret Service’s Youngest Member Reports for Duty

Reporter: Amanda Presto Giacomo
Timestamp: [06:16] – [07:09]

In a heartwarming segment, DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old cancer survivor, was formally inducted as an honorary Secret Service agent. Celebrated for his resilience, DJ has undergone over 13 surgeries since his brain cancer diagnosis in 2018. During his induction ceremony, DJ expressed profound inspiration and gratitude, delivering a powerful message of faith and perseverance to other young cancer patients.

Notable Quote:

“Have faith, believe in God and listen to your parents.”
— DJ Daniel [06:35]

DJ’s journey and his new role were highlighted as symbols of hope and determination, with prominent figures like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secret Service Director Sean Curran in attendance.

5. Signal Chat Leak Prompts Calls for Reforms

Speaker: Marco Rubio
Timestamp: [01:56] – [02:18]

Following the unintended exposure of a private Signal chat group comprising top Trump administration officials due to a journalist's accidental addition, Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the incident. Rubio assured the public that no sensitive information compromising national security or the lives of servicemen was disclosed. He emphasized that the White House is undertaking measures to prevent such lapses in the future.

Notable Quote:

“That shouldn't have happened and the White House is looking at it, but none of the information on there at any point threatened the operation of the lives of our servicemen.”
— Marco Rubio [02:18]

6. Sinking of Tourist Submarine in the Red Sea

Reporter: Amanda Presto Giacomo
Timestamp: [04:28] – [04:59]

A tragic incident unfolded in the Red Sea as a tourist submarine operated by Sinbad Submarines sank, resulting in the loss of six Russian nationals out of the 45 passengers aboard. The submarine, affiliated with the Sinbad Hotel, was on a coral reef tour when it went underwater unexpectedly. While 29 passengers were rescued, the reasons behind the sinking remain unclear, and initial reports indicate that nine individuals sustained injuries during the ordeal.

7. Diversity Nonprofit Files for Bankruptcy Amid Fraud Allegations

Reporter: John Bickley
Timestamp: [04:59] – [05:54]

The National Diversity Council, a prominent diversity nonprofit, has declared bankruptcy amidst serious allegations of financial misconduct by its top executives. Founder Dennis Kennedy, along with the CEO and CFO, are accused of misappropriating donor funds for personal enrichment. The lawsuit details Kennedy’s exorbitant salary of over $400,000 annually for minimal work, alongside attempts by the CEO and CFO to secure $3 million in back pay. In response to board intervention, Kennedy allegedly established a deceptive organization mirroring the council's name to continue his for-profit diversity consulting endeavors. Despite these accusations, Kennedy is actively promoting an upcoming high-profile diversity conference in Los Angeles, featuring notable figures like Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey, with proceeds benefiting his personal ventures.

8. Egg Prices Drop Nationwide, Shoppers Await Relief

Reporter: Amanda Presto Giacomo
Timestamp: [05:54] – [06:16]

Despite a third consecutive week of declining egg prices nationwide, consumers continue to encounter high prices in stores, with some cartons nearing $10. Financial experts attribute this discrepancy to retailers' slow adjustment to wholesale price decreases, as they are still moving inventory purchased at higher costs. It is anticipated that shoppers will begin to experience price reductions once new, more affordable inventory replaces the existing stock.

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Closing Remarks:

John Bickley wrapped up the episode by reminding listeners of past morning stories, including intensive Capitol Hill hearings, the Senate GOP’s condemnation of attacks on Tesla, and the escalating issue of dangerous swatting incidents. The episode concluded with an invitation to visit dailywire.com for more in-depth coverage and a tease for the next morning’s edition of Morning Wire.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the March 27, 2025, afternoon update of Morning Wire, providing listeners with a clear and detailed overview of the episode’s content.

Transcript

[Advertiser Voice]

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[John Bickley]

RFK takes dramatic steps to address the health of Health and Human services. A top Ms. 13 leader is busted, and the Secret Service's youngest member reports for duty. I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, March 27th. This is your MORNING Wire Afternoon update.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is restructuring the agency. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presto Giacomo has the latest.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Kennedy announced today that his department will cut around 10,000 jobs in a sweeping plan aimed at cutting government costs. The move is part of a Trump administration executive order focused on improving efficiency across federal agencies. HHS says the initial cuts will save taxpayers $1.8 billion each year. But Kennedy says that this is just round one. Through early retirement programs and the Fork in the Road initiative, the department aims to eventually reduce its workforce of 82,000 down to 62,000. Kennedy says that the goal is not just about downsizing, but realigning HHS with its mission of tackling chronic disease. Here's Kennedy making that announcement.

We're going to streamline our agency and eliminate the redundancies and invite everyone to align behind a simple, bold mission. We're going to save taxpayers nearly $2 billion a year, and we're going to return HHS to its original commitment to public health and gold standard science. I want everyone who works here to be proud of this agency, to be proud of their work, to feel a renewed inspiration and their own sense of responsibility for our success in restoring America to good health.

[John Bickley]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says there will be reforms and changes made after the Signal chat mishap. Rubio told reporters Wednesday that he expects changes moving forward after a Signal chat group of top Trump administration officials leaked because a journalist was accidentally added to the group. Rubio made the remarks during a joint presser with Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness.

[Marco Rubio]

I've been assured by the Pentagon and everyone involved that none of the information that was on there, though not intended to be divulged, obviously that was a mistake and that shouldn't have happened and the White House is looking at it, but that none of the information on there at any point threatened the operation of the lives of our servicemen. And in fact it was a very successful operation and it's an ongoing operation, but that was the intent behind it.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

One of the top leaders of the notoriously violent Ms. 13 gang is in US custody. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more.

[Pam Bondi]

The FBI says the 24 year old suspect was arrested today in Woodbridge, Virginia, just outside of D.C. while his name hasn't been released, officials confirm he is among the top three Ms. 13 leaders operating in the United States. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel observed the arrest from a tactical operations center. Bondi called the mission a clean, safe operation and said the arrest makes Virginia and the country a lot safer.

[Kash Patel]

He is an illegal alien from El Salvador and he will not be living in our country much longer. He's in custody this morning, one of the top leaders right here near our nation's capital. I just cannot thank Governor Youngkin enough for his leadership in this effort. This has been a joint effort with state and local agencies. FBI Director Patel, thank you so much.

[Pam Bondi]

The FBI carried out the takedown in coordination with local police, the ATF and ice. President Trump praised the arrest on social media, thanking Bondi, Patel and others for their efforts and calling it, quote, a big deal.

[John Bickley]

A federal appeals court has upheld a block on President Trump's use of the Alien Enemies act to deport alleged trend criminals. In a 2 to 1 decision, the D.C. circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the deportations must remain paused while legal challenges continue. Judge Patricia Millett said lifting the block now could remove the plaintiffs from U.S. legal Protection before their case is fully heard. Judge Justin Walker dissented, arguing that the cases should have been filed In Texas, not D.C. the administration is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Tragedy strikes in Egypt after a tourist submarine sank in the red Sea, killing six. According to the Associated Press. All six victims were Russian nationals. The sub had 45 people on board when it went under during a tour to view the coral reefs. 29 passengers were rescued, but officials say miners were among those on board. The submarine belonged to Sinbad Hotel and was operated by Sinbad submarines. The cause of the sinking is still unknown. Nine people were injured during the incident.

[John Bickley]

A major diversity nonprofit has filed for bankruptcy, accusing its top leaders of stealing millions. Daily Wire investigative reporter Luke Rosiak has the exclusive.

[Advertiser Voice]

The National Diversity Council said its founder Dennis Kennedy and two top executives schemed to use donor funds to enrich themselves. A lawsuit said Kennedy paid himself a grossly excessive salary of more than $400,000 a year for 10 hours of work a week while using the nonprofit as a front for his for profit diversity consulting business. After Kennedy, the CEO and the CFO tried to pay themselves $3 million in so called back pay. The board intervened and Kennedy allegedly set up a lookalike organization with the same name to tr. Despite the accusations, Kennedy is promoting a high profile diversity conference next month in Los Angeles featuring Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey with ticket proceeds apparently going to his for profit firm.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

For the third week in a row, egg prices have dropped nationwide, but shoppers are still seeing sky high prices with some cartons reaching nearly $10. Financial experts say grocery stores are slow to adjust prices because they're still selling through older inventory bought at the higher cost. Until wholesale savings reach retailers, shoppers may not see relief on the shelves.

[John Bickley]

And a 13 year old cancer survivor who was named an honorary Secret Service agent during Trump's joint address reported for duty today.

[Kash Patel]

We're here today at this special agent graduating ceremony, the class of 445 with DJ who is a Secret Service agent and also director.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

That's right at our news station.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Yes.

[Kash Patel]

Looking for the best and the greatest.

[John Bickley]

DJ Daniel joined Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secret Service Director Sean Curran for a tour of the facility. He got to experience high speed vehicle training and got a close look at the presidential limo known as the Beast. DJ has undergone more than 13 surgeries and continues to inspire others despite being diagnosed with brain cancer back in 2018. His message to other kids fighting cancer have faith, believe in God and listen to your parents.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

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 major stories, including a busy day of Capitol Hill hearings, the Senate GOP condemns Tesla attacks and the dangerous swatting trend. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.