Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: Sanctuary City Scrutiny & 2024 Hollywood Hits | 12.24.24
Release Date: December 24, 2024
Host: John Bickley
Co-Host: Georgia Howe
Reporter Guests: Tim Pierce, Christian Toto
Producer: Brandon
1. Shocking Crime and Sanctuary City Debate
Incident Overview
At the very start of the episode, Georgia Howe (00:03) highlights a disturbing incident: "A woman is set on fire in a New York subway in a shocking crime by a Guatemalan migrant." This crime becomes the focal point for a broader discussion on sanctuary city policies.
Host Commentary
John Bickley (00:08) ties the incident to immigration enforcement, stating, "It was allowed to happen because our city refuses to cooperate with ICE. And so we need President Trump and Tom Homan desperately to come in and clean up our city and secure our border."
Detailed Breakdown
Tim Pierce (02:13) provides an in-depth analysis of the crime, revealing that the suspect is a Guatemalan national who was previously deported but re-entered the U.S. illegally. Pierce explains, "The suspect first entered the US in 2018, was removed after a few days, then returned and lived in NYC shelters from 2023 until his arrest this past weekend."
Political Perspectives
Tom Homan (02:39) criticizes Democratic immigration policies, asserting, "This is another example of illegal aliens killing American citizens almost a daily occurrence... This is on this administration. As far as Governor Hoch is concerned, shame on her. She supports sanctuary status in that state."
Census Data and Migration Trends
Georgia Howe (03:22) introduces new census data indicating a significant influx of foreign-born migrants to blue states like New York, juxtaposed with domestic outmigration. Tim Pierce (03:32) elaborates, noting that from 2023 to 2024, the U.S. experienced its highest annual population growth in over two decades, "driven mainly by international migration," with 2.8 million immigrants arriving in the past year alone.
Impact on Blue States
Pierce (05:02) discusses the implications of this migration trend, highlighting that sanctuary policies and expansive entitlement programs in blue states attract immigrants. He notes, "Immigrants are attracted to blue areas... because these areas have higher taxes, higher unemployment rates, and more expensive standards of living, along with sanctuary policies and entitlement programs."
Criminal Activity Debate
The conversation shifts to the debate on immigrant-related crime. Pierce (05:48) acknowledges the ongoing discourse: "Crime committed by aliens is preventable with tough border enforcement," aligning with Homan's stance that lax immigration leads to increased violent crime.
2. Presidential Pardons and Death Row Commutations
Biden’s Pardon Move
Georgia Howe (06:33) reports that President Biden commuted the sentences of 37 death row inmates, shielding them from the death penalty. She introduces Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice (06:42) to delve deeper into the specifics.
Details of the Pardons
Christian Toto (06:53) describes the profiles of some of the pardoned individuals, emphasizing the severity of their crimes. For instance, Thomas Sanders (06:53) was "convicted in 2014 of kidnapping and murdering 12-year-old Lexis Roberts after shooting her mother in the head."
Political Implications
Toto (07:42) suggests that Biden’s actions may be politically motivated: "It's more a political calculation than some kind of grand moral statement." He references Biden's statement about not wanting a new administration to resume executions, hinting at strategic positioning before leaving office.
Controversies and Criticisms
Toto (08:24) points out that Biden's pardon spree, including high-profile cases like his son Hunter, has sparked backlash. He also mentions a recent Wall Street Journal expose alleging Biden's declining mental faculties, leading to calls for investigations into the legitimacy of these pardons. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton (08:24) has called for such an investigation, questioning who authorized the pardons if Biden is indeed impaired.
Future Developments
Tim Rice (09:45) anticipates further developments, especially with potential investigations led by Trump’s Justice Department, which could result in some pardons being overturned. He concludes, "We certainly will. And we'll also be sure to follow up if Biden pardons anyone else before leaving office."
3. 2024 Hollywood Box Office Performance
Year-End Review
Georgia Howe (09:55) introduces the segment on Hollywood's performance in 2024, with Christian Toto joining the discussion. They reflect on the successes and failures of the year's film releases.
Box Office Hits
John Bickley (10:16) highlights Disney's strong comeback in 2024, contrary to their disappointing performance in 2023. Key successes include "Inside Out 2," "Deadpool," "Wolverine," and "Moana." He attributes Disney’s turnaround to a focus on rebooting old properties and leveraging existing intellectual properties (IPs).
Box Office Misses
Conversely, Bickley (10:55) discusses several underperforming films such as "Joker Fallih Doe," "Horizon An American Saga Ends" featuring Kevin Costner, "Madame Web," "Kraven the Hunter," "The Crow," and "Borderlands." These failures are attributed to weak storytelling and an inability to connect with audiences.
Woke Politics in Films
Georgia Howe (11:32) raises the issue of "woke" politics in movies, probing whether 2024 saw a peak or decline in such themes. Bickley (11:45) responds affirmatively, indicating a reversal in progressive messaging with mainstream films avoiding heavy-handed political narratives. He cites examples like "Inside Out 2," "Twister," and "Bad Boys," emphasizing their focus on "straightforward storytelling, escapism, humor, relatable situations."
Anticipated Holiday Releases
As the episode approaches its end, Bickley (12:39) shares recommendations for upcoming holiday films. Highlights include "The Complete Unknown," a biographical film about Bob Dylan featuring Timothee Chalamet, and "The Brutalist," a historical drama starring Adrien Brody. These films are expected to resonate with audiences seeking quality storytelling without overt political agendas.
Host Endorsements
Georgia Howe (13:31) expresses personal enthusiasm for "The Complete Unknown," stating, "I know I'm gonna go see the Bob Dylan film," encouraging listeners to explore these upcoming releases.
4. Closing Remarks and Schedule Update
Schedule Announcement
Georgia Howe (13:39) informs listeners about the upcoming schedule changes during the Christmas and New Year period. Producer Brandon (13:44) adds that while regular programming may be briefly paused, the team will continue to provide new content through interviews and special episodes, ensuring listeners stay informed.
Final Sign-Off
Georgia Howe (14:01) concludes the episode by reassuring listeners, "Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back tomorrow with a special Christmas edition of Morning Wire."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- John Bickley (00:08): "It was allowed to happen because our city refuses to cooperate with ICE. And so we need President Trump and Tom Homan desperately to come in and clean up our city and secure our border."
- Tim Pierce (02:13): "The suspect first entered the US in 2018, was removed after a few days, then returned and lived in NYC shelters from 2023 until his arrest this past weekend."
- Tom Homan (02:39): "This is on this administration. As far as Governor Hoch is concerned, shame on her. She supports sanctuary status in that state."
- John Bickley (11:45): "We've seen a real reversal [on woke politics]. Mainstream... there's been a real backpedal in this arena."
- Georgia Howe (13:31): "I know I'm gonna go see the Bob Dylan film."
Conclusion
In this episode of Morning Wire, Hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe tackle pressing issues surrounding immigration and sanctuary city policies, critically examine President Biden's controversial commutations of death row inmates, and provide a comprehensive review of Hollywood's 2024 box office landscape. Through insightful discussions and expert guest contributions, the episode offers listeners a nuanced perspective on the intersection of politics, crime, and culture.