SCOTUS Upholds Trans Treatment Ban & Iran Strike Looms? | 6.19.25

Summary

Morning Wire Episode Summary: SCOTUS Upholds Trans Treatment Ban & Iran Strike Looms
Release Date: June 19, 2025

Presented by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe

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1. Supreme Court Upholds Tennessee’s Transgender Medical Procedures Ban

Overview:
The episode opens with a significant Supreme Court decision affirming Tennessee's legislation that bans transgender medical procedures for minors. This ruling is hailed as a pivotal victory for parents and conservative groups while delivering a substantial setback to transgender activism.

Key Points:

• Court Decision:
  The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in the landmark case United States vs. Scremetti. The majority opinion, penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, declared that Tennessee's law does not violate the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. Roberts criticized the plaintiffs for "contorting the meaning of the term medical treatment" and ignoring the "underlying medical concern the treatment is intended to address" (02:10).

• Conservative Perspective:
  John Bickley emphasized the ruling's strength, stating, "the main argument from the other side... was a fatal flaw in the argument" (04:09). This perspective underscores the conservative belief that the treatments pose risks with minimal benefits for minors.

• Implications for Other States:
  With over 20 states already enacting similar bans, the Supreme Court's decision paves the way for these laws to remain intact and encourages additional states to follow suit. Additionally, a recent HHS review supports skepticism about the efficacy of these treatments for children (05:56).

Notable Quotes:

• Justice Clarence Thomas:
  “There is no medical consensus on how best to treat gender dysphoria in children...” (05:01)

• Chloe Cole (Detransitioner):
  “...abusing children with these procedures is detrimental to their development and they deserve better.” (04:23)

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2. Escalating Tensions with Iran: Potential Strikes on the Horizon

Overview:
The discussion shifts to the intensifying conflict between the United States and Iran. With President Trump applying pressure on Iran to surrender, the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East remains volatile.

Key Points:

• Iran’s Stance:
  Ayatollah Khamenei declared Iran's unwavering position against U.S. demands for unconditional surrender. He warned, “Any military intervention... will lead to irreparable consequences” (07:34).

• Military Developments:
  Israel has targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities, successfully eliminating 11 of Iran's top 12 military leaders. Experts predict potential Iranian missile strikes on U.S. military installations in neighboring countries if Trump initiates joint operations with Israel (07:43).

• Internal Struggles in Iran:
  Iran faces severe economic turmoil with historic inflation rates and energy shortages exacerbated by sanctions and military strikes. Speculation arises about possible internal uprisings against the Ayatollah's regime, though restrictions on dissent make the outcome uncertain (09:14).

• Public Opinion & Policy:
  According to Rasmussen polling, 57% of Americans favor strikes to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, while 69% prefer negotiation despite supporting airstrikes. President Trump criticized Iran's lack of diplomatic engagement, stating, “Why didn't you negotiate with me two weeks ago?” (10:24; 10:22).

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump:
  “I may do it. I may not do it. Nobody knows what I'm going to do.” (08:36)
  “Why didn’t you negotiate with me before all this death and destruction?” (09:01)

• Ayatollah Khamenei:
  “The United States must know that our people will not surrender...” (07:43)

• Justice Clarence Thomas:
  “…leading voices in this area have relied on questionable evidence and have allowed ideology to influence their medical guidance.” (05:01)

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3. Immigration Policies Under Fire: Protests and Political Strife in Blue Cities

Overview:
The episode delves into the contentious battle over immigration policies spearheaded by President Trump. Major Democratic-run cities are resisting aggressive deportation efforts, leading to widespread protests, arrests, and political confrontations.

Key Points:

• Resistance in Major Cities:
  Cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago are at the forefront of opposing ICE operations. Measures include suspending online portals for illegal alien ID applications and blocking data sharing with federal authorities. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated their commitment to "fight giving over any data to the federal government" (11:56).

• Violence and Arrests:
  Protests have sometimes turned violent, resulting in arrests of both ordinary citizens and high-profile Democratic figures. Examples include:

  • Congresswoman LaMonica McIver was charged after disturbances at an ICE facility in Newark.
  • New York City Comptroller Brad Landner was arrested for impeding law enforcement during a protest.
  • Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a Homeland Security press conference (12:34; 14:02).

• Trump’s Rhetoric and Actions:
  President Trump intensified his criticism of Democratic-led cities, accusing them of exploiting immigration to influence voting and ensuring that major cities remain hotspots for illegal immigration. He asserted that no illegal aliens escaped enforcement in May, highlighting a 93% decline in encounters since the previous year (12:55; 15:06).

• Immigration Policy Outcomes:
  Under Trump’s administration, border security has tightened significantly. In May, border enforcement encountered fewer than 9,000 illegal aliens, compared to over 117,000 the previous year (15:06).

Notable Quotes:

• Chloe Cole:
  “Most of the pushback is in major cities... We are a welcoming city, which means our local law enforcement do not dub or behave as federal ICE agents.” (11:56; 12:50)

• President Trump:
  “Biden allowed 21 million people to come into our country... They think they're going to use them to vote. It's not going to happen.” (12:55)
  “If you spit, we hit and we will hit you with a felony.” (14:02)

• Chloe Cole:
  “At least not any that got away from law enforcement or were caught on camera.” (15:06)

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Conclusion

The June 19, 2025, episode of Morning Wire covers pivotal developments in both domestic policy and international relations. The Supreme Court's affirmation of Tennessee's transgender treatment ban marks a significant conservative victory with ripple effects across multiple states. On the international stage, the U.S. continues to navigate a precarious relationship with Iran amid escalating tensions and potential military engagements. Domestically, immigration policies remain a hotbed of conflict, with major cities resisting federal enforcement, leading to increased political and social unrest. Hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe provide insightful analysis, supported by expert interviews and firsthand reports, ensuring listeners are well-informed on these critical issues.

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Note: Timestamps in brackets refer to the time in the podcast transcript where the quotes or information were mentioned.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

The Supreme Court upholds Tennessee's ban on transgender medical procedures for minors.

[John Bickley]

There is a huge risk to kids from these procedures with very little, if any, benefit.

[Cabot Phillips]

The 6:3 decision is a landmark victory for parents and conservatives and a defining blow to transgender activism.

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley. It's Thursday, June 19th, and this is Morning Wire.

[Cabot Phillips]

The US continues to fortify the Middle east as Trump ramps up the pressure on Iran to surrender.

[Donald Trump]

Why didn't you negotiate with me two weeks ago? You could have done fine. You would have had a country.

[Georgia Howe]

And as Trump escalates deportation plans, Democrats make headlines by getting themselves arrested.

[Tim Pierce]

Before I could even get out my question, I was physically and aggressively forced.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

Out of the room.

[Cabot Phillips]

Thanks for waking up with Morning wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.

[Tim Pierce]

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[Cabot Phillips]

Major win for conservative activists and parent groups, the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Tennessee law banning transgender drugs and.

[Georgia Howe]

Surgeries for this landmark ruling paves the way for other states to follow Tennessee's lead. Daily Wire investigative reporter Mairead Elordi is here now with more. So, Mairead, tell us about this ruling.

[Mairead Elordi]

Hi Georgia, the court ruled 6 to 3. In the case called United States vs. Scremetti, justices decided that Tennessee's law does not violate the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. The plaintiffs in this case, which included trans identifying teens and their families, claimed that Tennessee's law banning puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and surgeries for minors discriminated against them on the basis of sex. Chief Justice John Roberts penned the court's opinion and rejected the Plaintiff's argument that Tennessee's law discriminates on the basis of sex. He also said the plaintiffs, quote, contort the meaning of the term medical treatment. Roberts wrote, quote, notably absent from their framing is a key aspect of any medical treatment. The underlying medical concern the treatment is intended to address. Daily Wire's White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olihan was at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. We just talked to a couple people that came out of the court that were in there when the decision came down. They told us they were really surprised by the expressions on the judge justices faces when this decision came down. For example, Justice Amy Coney Barrett looked a little angry, they said, as she listened to one of the liberal justices dissents, while the liberal justices also looked a little upset as they listened to the majority opinion which obviously came down in favor of this Tennessee law. We spoke with Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Scarmetti, whose name is on this case, about the victory. He explained what he saw as the flaws in the plaintiff's arguments.

[John Bickley]

So the main argument from the other side when we did the oral argument in front of the court was if you have a boy who wants testosterone to resolve a developmental defect, then they can get it, but a girl who wants testosterone to deepen her voice can't. And the dissenting justices thought that this was some sort of discrimination. But with any medical treatment, you're not just handing someone a drug, you're giving them a treatment to treat a specific condition. And different drugs have different effects on different conditions. And we differentiate between those purposes all the time. So I thought that was a fatal flaw in the argument on the other side.

[Mairead Elordi]

As a reminder, Tennessee lawmakers were inspired to introduce and pass the law following Daily Wire host Matt Walsh's explosive investigation into Vanderbilt University's gender clinic.

[Chloe Cole]

Right.

[Georgia Howe]

A lot of parents and activists are celebrating today. On that note, what are they saying?

[Mairead Elordi]

They are absolutely. We spoke with Chloe Cole, a detransitioner who has been outspoken the harms of transgender drugs and surgeries for children. I believe that every child in America deserves the chance to grow up whole and to be given the time to do so. And this is a ruling that is going to allow children that time that I never was given. At 15 years old, I underwent an irreversible surgery to remove my breasts. Absolutely no child should ever be given the chance to go through any of this because it is abusive and it's detrimental their development and they deserve better.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, going back to the court's opinion, what issues did the conservative justices point to?

[Mairead Elordi]

Chief Justice Roberts noted that the number of minors requesting sex transition treatments has increased in recent years and meanwhile, European countries have cracked down on these procedures and drugs. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion in which he said, quote, there is no medical consensus on how best to treat gender dysphoria in children and quote, recent revelations suggest that leading voices in this area have relied on questionable evidence and have allowed ideology to influence their medical guidance. Meanwhile, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissent that was joined by the two other liberal leaning justices, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Sotomayor claimed that teens needing transgender drugs, quote, can be a question of life or death. Advocates of these drugs and surgeries have pushed a similar line to parents of trans identifying children for years, even as newer evidence has shown that these treatments do not improve children's mental health.

[Georgia Howe]

So what are the implications of this ruling for other states?

[Mairead Elordi]

So far, more than 20 states have bans similar to Tennessee's ban, and this ruling definitely lays the groundwork for them to remain in place and even for more states to enact bans. Meanwhile, medical skepticism around these drugs and procedures is only growing. Last month, the HHS released a review saying the, quote, science and evidence do not support the use of these drugs and procedures for children.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, this was a hard fought victory for a lot of activists. We're going to be tracking the effects. Mairead, thanks for reporting.

[Mairead Elordi]

Thanks, Georgia.

[Tim Pierce]

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[Georgia Howe]

As the war between Israel and Iran approaches its seventh day, the ayatollah says his country will never surrender.

[Cabot Phillips]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here to break it all down for us. A Cabot. So Trump's still weighing potential strikes. Meanwhile, we have Iran taking a defiant tone. What's the latest?

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

Yeah. On Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei made clear to the world that he. He would never agree to President Trump's demands for an unconditional surrender. In a video statement, the tyrannical leader said, quote, the United States must know that our people will not surrender, and any military intervention by them will lead to irreparable consequences. The expectation from military experts is that if Trump does move forward and join Israel's offensive, the Iranians would respond by launching missiles at American military installations across the Middle east, particularly those in Iraq, Syria, and Kuwait, which are just across the Iranian border right now. That video from the Ayatollah came a day after President Trump threatened to strike him personally. And as Israel continues to hammer Iranian nuclear and military facilities. To date now the Israelis have killed 11 of the top 12 ranking military leaders of Iran.

[Tim Pierce]

Right.

[Cabot Phillips]

The top brass in Iran has really been wiped out. What are we hearing now from Trump?

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

So he's reportedly still weighing his options, but at the moment, he's keeping his cards close to the chest. Speaking at the White House Wednesday, Trump made very clear that every option is on the table.

[Donald Trump]

I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble and they want to negotiate. And I said, why didn't you negotiate with me before all this death and destruction?

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

Now, President Trump also made clear that whatever course he takes, he is intent on avoiding a long, drawn out conflict, like we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Cabot Phillips]

Now, we've heard a lot of talk about potential regime change that's picking up in the last few days. What's the latest there?

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

Yeah. According to some outsiders, the Ayatollah's iron grip on Iran could be in danger, not just from external attacks by Israel, but more importantly, from internal dissent from the Iranian people themselves. Even before this war, the country had been plagued by historic inflation. Last year, it was 32%. The year before, 45%. And in the last week alone, Iran's currency has fallen 13%, while strikes on oil and natural gas refineries have led to energy shortages. While we've also seen widespread blackouts and Internet being cut out, they're struggling Just to keep the lights on.

[Cabot Phillips]

Indeed.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

And all of that comes after years of sanctions from the west have really crippled the country's economy. Given that economic turmoil, there is growing speculation that an internal uprising against Ayatollah could come in the near future. But there's just no way of knowing how real that possibility is. For more on whether Israel itself is seeking a regime change, we spoke with Simcha Rathman, a member of Israel's Knesset, or their Parliament.

[Donald Trump]

Regime change should happen in Iran, but.

[Tim Pierce]

I don't think the goal of the war per se is the regime change. The goal is to make sure that.

[Donald Trump]

Israel is not under threat.

[Tim Pierce]

Of course, when.

[Donald Trump]

When the current regime has invested for.

[Tim Pierce]

So many years so much effort in the goal of destroying State of Israel, if we are taking it away from. From. Might weaken him. Of course, we can all hope so. But the goal is to remove the danger for Israel and its citizens.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

Now, it's worth noting when you talk about a regime change, there are some who say the war could actually galvanize support for the Ayatollah. And even if there were a grassroots movement against his regime, we have not seen evidence of it yet, as the regime has restricted Internet access and arrested anyone who dissents publicly against the government. Now, stateside, we've seen a number of polls showing public support for U.S. intervention. For example, in the latest Rasmussen polling, 57% of Americans support American strikes to destroy Iran's nuclear program, compared to just 30% who oppose them. But it's also worth noting there, 69% of Americans say that even if they support airstrikes, they would prefer the two sides negotiate an agreement. But as Trump said Wednesday, Iran had their chance at diplomacy and refused to compromise.

[Cabot Phillips]

Now they're facing the consequences of that decision. Cap, thanks so much for reporting.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

Absolutely.

[Cabot Phillips]

Blue cities are in rebellion against Trump's immigration agenda. Protests and riots threaten immigration officers, while Democratic officials openly challenge the federal government.

[Georgia Howe]

Here to talk about the fight over deportations is Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce. So, Tim, where is the most pushback coming from?

[Chloe Cole]

Yeah, most of the pushback is in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. And the resistance involves everything from activist coordination to impede ICE operations and local officials getting in between ICE and local law enforcement. For example, Chicago has suspended an online portal for illegal aliens to apply for IDs. The city keys program was shut down after ICE subpoenaed its records. The Chicago city clerk then shut it down and told the Chicago Tribune that, quote, we're going to fight giving over any data to the federal government. Mayor Brandon Johnson has been adamant that Chicago will take to the streets if it has to, to resist Trump. Here's Johnson on MSNBC on Sunday.

[Tim Pierce]

We're going to continue to resist and we're going to do it in many different ways, whether it's taken to the streets or to the courts or policy. One of the things that I am very proud of is that we are a welcoming city, which means our local law enforcement do not dub or behave as federal ICE agents.

[Chloe Cole]

Of course, comments like that haven't stopped Trump from targeting these cities. He made this clear on Monday.

[Donald Trump]

Biden allowed 21 million people to come into our country. Of that vast numbers of those people were murderers, killers, people from gangs, people from jails. They emptied their jails out into the U.S. most of those people are in the cities, all blue cities, all Democrat run cities, and they think they're going to use them to vote. It's not going to happen.

[Georgia Howe]

So a lot of back and forth over this, but as we've seen in Los Angeles, the riots are having some pretty serious consequences. How's the Trump administration handling it?

[Chloe Cole]

Well, it's not just the Trump administration, but local law enforcement, too. A bunch of new charges were announced Tuesday from state and federal officials. U.S. attorney Bill Asale and LA County District Attorney Nathan Hockman held a press conference and outlined dozens of counts, from curfew violations to assault on law enforcement. Here's a salee on just one of the suspects charged.

[Tim Pierce]

Angus Johnson confronted a California National Guardsman and after heckling him, he spit on him. Johnson then spit on other federal police officers present who are trying to keep the peace. As our president said, if you spit, we hit and we will hit you with a felony.

[Chloe Cole]

Hockman said that his district attorney's office has charged at least 30 people. The US Attorney has brought an additional 20 counts. Lawmakers on both sides have condemned any violence, but Democrats also seem to court their own run ins with law enforcement. Your member, New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, was charged after chaos erupted at an ICE detention facility in Newark. More recently, New York City Comptroller Brad Landner, who is a candidate for mayor, was arrested outside an immigration court on Tuesday. Police said he was impeding law enforcement. Then there was California Senator Alex Padilla, who had to be forcefully removed from a Homeland Security press conference last week. He surprised security and shouted questions at Secretary Noem. Padilla gave a speech on the Senate floor afterwards.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

I was forced to the ground.

[Mairead Elordi]

First.

[Tim Pierce]

On my knees and then flat on.

[Chloe Cole]

My chest the cases are racking up quickly for Democrats right now.

[Georgia Howe]

Concurrently with all of this, though, President Trump has been pushing forward some new policies on the southern border. What's new there?

[Chloe Cole]

Yeah, at the southern border, not a single illegal alien entered the US in the month of May. Again, not a single one. At least not any that got away from law enforcement or were caught on camera. In all, border enforcement encountered just under 9,000 illegal aliens between ports of entry last month. That's a 93% decline since last May when that number was more than 117,000.

[Georgia Howe]

Wow. So a huge turnaround. Tim, thanks for reporting.

[Chloe Cole]

Good to be on.

[Cabot Phillips]

Thanks for waking up with us. And if you're watching on YouTube, like and subscribe, we'll be back this evening with more news you need to know.

[Mairead Elordi]

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