Taliban Frees George Glezmann & Trump Gives Maine Deadline | Afternoon Update | 3.20.25

Summary

Morning Wire: Taliban Frees George Glesmann & Trump Gives Maine Deadline | Afternoon Update | 3.20.25

Release Date: March 20, 2025

In this episode of Morning Wire, Hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe delve into a series of pressing national and international issues, ranging from the release of an American hostage by the Taliban to legislative battles in Maine. The following summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode.

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1. Release of American Hostage George Glesmann

Reporter: Mourad Elordi
Key Figures: George Glesmann, Adam Bol, Secretary of State Marco Rubio

After enduring over two years in Taliban captivity, American citizen George Glesmann is finally returning home. Taken hostage in December 2022 while visiting Kabul as a tourist, Glesmann’s release marks a significant development in U.S.-Taliban relations.

Georgia Howe provides an overview of the negotiation process:

“His release comes after negotiations between the Trump administration and Qatari officials, with the Taliban calling it a goodwill gesture.” (00:45)

Glesmann's journey home involved a transition through Qatar, where he was greeted by U.S. Hostage Envoy Adam Bol. The release followed direct talks with Afghan officials, though the implications for future U.S.-Taliban relations remain uncertain. Secretary of State Marco Rubio lauded the effort:

“We welcome George home safely, a testament to persistent diplomatic efforts.” (00:55)

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2. Hamas Resumes Rocket Attacks on Tel Aviv

Reporter: Laurel Libby
Key Issues: Ceasefire breakdown, regional terrorism

Hamas has reignited hostilities by launching several rockets at Tel Aviv, marking their first attack since the recent ceasefire expired.

Laurel Libby reports:

"The Israeli Defense Forces say that three long-range missiles were launched from the Gaza Strip. One of them was shot down while the two others fell in open areas." (01:26)

Additional tensions arose as Houthi terrorists in Yemen attempted missile attacks, all of which were intercepted by Israeli defenses. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended on Tuesday following Israeli military strikes on Gaza and troop movements into central Gaza. Israel attributes the resumption of attacks to Hamas’s refusal to extend the ceasefire, applying increased pressure on the terror group.

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3. Republicans' Push Against "Activist Judges" Blocking Trump's Agenda

Reporter: Tim Rice
Key Figures: Jim Jordan, Stephen Breyer, Judge James Boasberg

Congressional Republicans are mobilizing to counter what they perceive as "activist judges" impeding President Trump's legislative initiatives.

According to Tim Rice:

"A spokesman for House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the threat posed by judges with political agendas..." (02:13)

The immediate catalyst is a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who temporarily stopped Trump's deportation flights targeting Venezuelan nationals under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. President Trump has vehemently opposed Judge Boasberg’s decision, calling for his impeachment and questioning judicial authority on national security matters.

Former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer criticized Trump's stance:

“It was wrong to impeach a judge over judicial decisions.” (02:38)

In contrast, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan expressed strong disapproval of Judge Boasberg’s actions:

“I think you might have here a judge who's acting in a political fashion... This is ridiculous.” (02:53)

Jordan suggests that traditional appellate remedies are insufficient in addressing what Republicans view as political motivations in judicial decisions.

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4. Trump Administration Targets Maine's Sports Policies

Reporter: Mourad Elordi
Key Figures: Laurel Libby, Governor Janet Mills

The Trump administration is intensifying pressure on Maine to enforce Title IX by removing male participants from women’s sports. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared Maine in violation and issued a 10-day ultimatum.

Georgia Howe introduces the issue:

“The Trump administration is ramping up pressure on Maine, giving a deadline to remove males from women's sports.” (03:41)

State Representative Laurel Libby expresses skepticism about the state's compliance:

“I don't believe that they will... I believe this will ultimately resolve in the courts.” (04:08)

Meanwhile, Democrats in Maine are advancing a contentious bill to allocate tampons to men's restrooms statewide, despite significant voter opposition. Libby anticipates political repercussions:

“I think the Democrats can expect a reckoning at the polls in 2026 if they continue to push this radical left-wing agenda.” (04:35)

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5. Funding Cuts to New York Nonprofit Deportation Defense Aid

Reporter: Spencer Lindquist
Key Organization: Catholic Migration Services
Key Figures: Representatives from Catholic Migration Services

The Trump administration has halted nearly $300,000 in federal funding designated for Catholic Migration Services, a New York-based nonprofit providing deportation defense and naturalization services for migrants.

Spencer Lindquist details:

“Catholic Migration Services is one of the many religiously affiliated groups that has had its funding frozen by the administration over its role in facilitating mass migration.” (04:55)

This decision reverses a grant approved by the Biden administration post-2024 election, underscoring the ongoing policy shifts between administrations regarding migrant support services.

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6. New York Court Strikes Down Illegal Immigrants Voting Law

Reporter: Mourad Elordi
Key Issues: Voting rights, legal challenges

A significant legal decision was made as a New York Court of Appeals ruled 6-1 to strike down a controversial law permitting illegal immigrants in New York City to vote in local elections. The court cited violations of the state constitution, which restricts voting to U.S. citizens.

The 2021 law aimed to include approximately 800,000 green card holders in local electoral processes, a move backed by certain city leaders but fiercely opposed by Republicans who argued it compromised the integrity of elections.

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7. South African Explorers Trapped in Antarctica

Reporter: Mourad Elordi
Key Issues: Expedition hardships, mental health crises

Nine South African explorers are currently stranded in Antarctica's harsh conditions, with the team unable to receive reinforcements until December when the weather becomes more accommodating. Among the crew, one member has reportedly succumbed to severe psychological distress, leading to violent and harassing behavior towards colleagues.

Details include:

• The research station outpost is 2,000 miles from civilization.
• The affected crew member became "deeply disturbed" shortly after the expedition commenced.
• The situation remains critical as the team faces prolonged isolation with limited resources.

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Conclusion

The Morning Wire episode on March 20, 2025, presents a comprehensive update on significant geopolitical events, domestic policy battles, and humanitarian crises. From the triumphant return of an American hostage to contentious legislative actions in Maine, the episode underscores the complex interplay of international relations, judicial influence, and political maneuvering shaping current affairs.

For a deeper dive into these stories and more, visit dailywire.com.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript for reference.

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This summary is intended to provide a detailed overview of the Morning Wire episode for listeners and those unable to tune in.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcer]

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[John Bickley]

An American held hostage by the Taliban for two years finally heads home, Hamas restarts rocket launches and Republicans gear up to fight judges blocking Trump's agenda I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georg Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, March 20, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Mourad Elordi]

American citizen George Glesman is heading home after over two years in Taliban captivity. Daily Wire reporter Mourad Elordi has the latest.

[Georg Georgia Howe]

The 65 year old was taken hostage while visiting Kabul as a tourist in December of 2022. His release comes after negotiations between the Trump administration and Qatari officials, with the Taliban calling it a goodwill gesture. Glesman left Kabul and flew to Qatar, where he was met by US Hostage envoy Adam Bol. This release follows direct talks with Afghan officials, though it's unclear if this signals a shift in US Taliban relations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio celebrated the release, welcoming Glesman home.

[John Bickley]

Hamas launched several rockets at Tel Aviv today, marking the terror group's first attack since the ceasefire ended earlier this week. Daily Wire reporter Cassia Akiva has more.

[Laurel Libby]

The Israeli Defense Forces say that three long range missiles were launched from the Gaza Strip. One of them was shot down while the two others fell in open areas. The Houthi terrorists in Yemen also joined in on the attack in recent days, though their missiles were intercepted by Israeli forces before entering Israeli airspace. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended Tuesday after Israel executed strikes on Gaza and began to move its troops back into central Gaza. Israel says it's applying pressure on Hamas after the terror group refused multiple proposals to extend the ceasefire deal.

[Mourad Elordi]

Congressional Republicans are considering their options to combat what they call activist judges who have slowed down President Trump's agenda. Daily Wire deputy Managing editor Tim Rice has the details.

[Tim Rice]

A spokesman for House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the threat posed by judges with political agendas, stating the speaker looks forward to working with the Judiciary Committee to explore constitutional measures to address the issue. The move follows a recent ruling by U.S. district Judge James Boasberg, who temporarily halted Trump's deportation flights targeting Venezuelan nationals under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. In response, Trump criticized Boasberg and called for his impeachment, questioning judicial authority in matters of national security. Former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer today criticized Trump's comments, saying it was wrong to impeach a judge over judicial decisions. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, however, had a difference in opinion.

[Jim Jordan]

Well, normally, as Chief Justice Roberts has pointed out, the remedy for bad decisions is the appellate court. But it seems to me you may have something a little different here. I think you might have here a judge who's acting in a political fashion. I mean, he basically said, wait. Not basically. He did say turn the plane around, bring back gang members, hardened criminals who've done all kinds of bad things, who are here illegally. Turn the plane around and bring those bad guys back to the country. I think just on its face, this is ridiculous.

[Sponsor Announcer]

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[Jim Jordan]

Off.

[Mourad Elordi]

The Trump administration is ramping up pressure on Maine, giving a deadline to remove males from women's sports. So far, the governor has refused to do so. Earlier this week, the Department of Health and human services said Maine's in violation of Title 9 by allowing such competition to happen. HHS gave the group 10 days to adhere to Title IX rules, warning of enforcement if they don't. Morning Wire spoke to State Representative Laurel Libby about how she thinks this will play out.

[Georg Georgia Howe]

While I would like to see Governor.

[Laurel Libby]

Mills and the Democrat majority do the.

[Georg Georgia Howe]

Right thing, I don't believe that they will.

[Laurel Libby]

I'm grateful to see the Trump administration.

[Georg Georgia Howe]

Taking action on behalf of Mean Girls.

[Laurel Libby]

And I believe this will ultimately resolve in the courts.

[Mourad Elordi]

Democrats in the state show no signs of backing down either, as they push forward a bill to put tampons in men's restrooms statewide. That's despite how wildly unpopular the issue is with voters. Here's Libby again.

[Laurel Libby]

I would not be surprised to see it become law, but I think the.

[Georg Georgia Howe]

Democrats can expect a reckoning at the polls in 2026 if they continue to.

[Laurel Libby]

Push this radical left wing agenda.

[John Bickley]

A New York nonprofit that provides deportation defense for illegal aliens has had its federal funding cut by the Trump administration. Daily Wire reporter Spencer Lindquist has more.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Catholic Migration Services was set to receive nearly $300,000 from the Department of Homeland Security to provide naturalization services for migrants. The grant, which was approved by the Biden administration shortly after the 2024 election, has now been frozen by the Trump Administration. The nonprofit organization provides a range of services beyond naturalization assistance and even provides legal aid to illegal aliens who have been given orders of removal from the United States. Catholic Migration Services is one of the many religiously affiliated groups that has had its funding frozen by the administration over its role in facilitating mass migration.

[Mourad Elordi]

A controversial law allowing illegal immigrants in New York City to vote has been struck down. A New York Court of appeals ruled 6 to 1 today, saying the law violated the state's constitution, which restricts voting to U.S. citizens only. The 2021 law had been supported by some city leaders and aimed to give the city's 800,000 green card holders a voice in local elections. Republican opponents argued it was unconstitutional and undermined the integrity of the voting process. And Nine South African explorers are trapped in Antarctica, with one member of the team reportedly gone mad. The three women and six men are locked in a research station outpost 2,000 miles from civilization and cannot be relieved until December, when the weather is at its warmest. One unidentified male member of the crew is accused of violently beating, threatening and sexually harassing at least two of his colleagues. According to emails sent to authorities, the unidentified crew member became, quote, deeply disturbed within weeks of embarking on the 13 month expedition. All right.

[John Bickley]

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 the attacks on Tesla, a new investigative report by the Daily Wire, and the problem of judicial overreach. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.