Morning Wire – Shutdown Chaos Escalates & Pelosi Bows Out | November 7, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Morning Wire, host Georgia Howe steers listeners through a turbulent week in American politics as the longest government shutdown in US history enters its 40th day. The episode explores the mounting travel chaos as a result of the stalemate, examines the high-stakes political maneuvers unfolding in Congress—including President Trump's push for the "nuclear option"—and delves into Nancy Pelosi's monumental decision to retire. The show also spotlights record-low illegal border crossings and the evolving challenges facing immigration enforcement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating Chaos from the Prolonged Government Shutdown

• Impact on Everyday Life
  • With the shutdown reaching historic duration, significant disruptions loom, especially in air travel. Air traffic controllers are working unpaid and understaffed, compelling the FAA to reduce flights at 40 airports, with total flight capacity cut by 4% immediately and potentially up to 10% in high-traffic hubs.
  • "That's going to impact hundreds of thousands of travelers and put even more pressure on lawmakers to get a deal done." — Cabot Phillips (02:44)
• Political Stalemate
  • Republicans refuse to support a budget extension containing healthcare subsidies that may benefit illegal immigrants.
  • Senate Democrats consider a new "minibus" spending package to break the impasse—a move requiring some bipartisan support.

Key Segment

• 02:26–04:44: Government shutdown updates, flight disruptions, new spending package proposal.

2. President Trump Leans on GOP to End Stalemate—Calls for 'Nuclear Option'

• Shift in White House Messaging
  • After Democratic victories in recent elections, Trump and GOP strategists recognize the political cost of the shutdown, pivoting from blaming Democrats to expressing concern over Republican fallout.
  • Trump pressures party leaders to eliminate the Senate filibuster ("nuclear option") to force a resolution.
  • "He told them that the shutdown did, in fact, impact the elections and that Republicans were not viewed favorably, which is a shift in messaging from what the White House has been saying." — Mary Margaret Olahan (05:35)
• Resistance Within the GOP
  • Many Senate Republicans publicly oppose doing away with the filibuster, wary of setting a precedent for the opposing party.

Notable Quote

• "The Democrats will exercise their rights and it will be done in the first day they take office, regardless of whether or not we do it. The Democrats want to end the filibuster. Don't you understand that?" — President Trump (via reporting, 06:38)

Key Segment

• 05:03–07:03: Trump's advocacy for nuclear option; internal Senate debate.

3. Nancy Pelosi Announces Retirement After Decades of Influence

• Timing and Context
  • Pelosi announces she will not seek reelection, paving the way for new contenders in her San Francisco district.
  • Announcement follows Prop 50 election; not a surprise, but a major milestone.
• Polarizing Legacy
  • Loved on the left, reviled by the right; even as speaker emerita, Pelosi remained a significant behind-the-scenes force, including pushing Biden out of the 2024 race.
  • "There has been no greater honor for me than to stand on the House floor and say, I speak for the people of San Francisco..." — Nancy Pelosi (09:33)
  • "I thought she was an evil woman, who did a poor job, who cost the country a lot in damages and in reputation." — President Trump, reacting to Pelosi’s retirement (10:02)
• Future Leadership & Succession
  • Progressive candidates like State Senator Scott Weiner, AOC’s former chief of staff, and Pelosi’s daughter Christine Pelosi are potential contenders.
  • "I think what we're going to see now is this passing of the torch in the Democratic Party." — Cameron Arcand (11:57)

Key Segment

• 08:13–12:26: Pelosi’s retirement, legacy reflections, and possible successors.

4. Border Crisis Update – Historic Lows and Aggressive Enforcement

• Plummeting Illegal Crossings
  • Border Patrol reports the lowest October on record ("just 30,000 illegal crossings"), attributed mainly to executive action with no new laws or additional funding.
  • "Take that down from 10 to 12,000 a day during the prior administration... we are closer than we've ever been [to operational control], but we are not even close to being done." — Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks (13:36)
• Increase in Deportation Raids—and Resistance
  • With improved border security, agents are detailed to assist ICE with mass deportation raids nationwide.
  • Attacks on ICE agents are surging: One agent describes a violent assault during a Texas arrest involving a repeat offender with a history of child sexual abuse (15:00–15:58).
  • "It's a lot different than the job I left. Everybody's running, everybody's fighting." — Anonymous ICE agent on new frontline challenges (16:42)
• New Normal for Enforcement
  • The Trump administration is recruiting more (including retired) officers to meet enforcement demands; more violent encounters are occurring due to a tougher stance on illegal immigration.

Key Segment

• 12:42–16:51: Border crossing statistics, enforcement updates, ICE agent testimony.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the shutdown's impact:
  "This is now the longest government shutdown in history… significant impacts coming to air travel." — Cabot Phillips (02:44)
• Pelosi’s farewell:
  "I have truly loved serving as your voice in Congress and I've always honored the song of St. Francis…with a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative." — Nancy Pelosi (09:33)
• Trump on Pelosi:
  "I thought she was an evil woman, who did a poor job, who cost the country a lot in damages and in reputation." — President Trump (10:02)
• Border Patrol Chief on success:
  "Not one single new law has been passed regarding immigration and not one single dime of new money had been given to the United States Border Patrol. And look what we've done in nine months." — Mike Banks (14:05)
• ICE agent on today's reality:
  "It's a lot different than the job I left. Everybody's running, everybody's fighting." — Anonymous ICE agent (16:42)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Shutdown Impacts & Negotiations: 02:26–04:44
• Trump Pushes Filibuster Removal: 05:03–07:03
• Nancy Pelosi Bows Out: 08:13–12:26
• Border & Immigration Enforcement: 12:42–16:51

This episode provides a brisk, fact-driven overview of crucial national developments, maintaining The Daily Wire's trademark direct and conversational tone throughout. Even listeners who missed the broadcast will feel caught up on the political, legislative, and enforcement turning points shaping this pivotal week in America.