Trudeau Calls It Quits & Biden’s Drilling Ban | 1.7.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Trudeau Calls It Quits & Biden’s Drilling Ban | 1.7.25 Release Date: January 7, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of Morning Wire, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe delve into significant political developments affecting North America. The primary focus centers on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation amidst declining popularity and President Joe Biden's last-minute ban on offshore oil drilling in the United States. Additionally, the episode covers New York Governor Kathy Hochul's controversial congestion pricing plan in Midtown Manhattan. The discussion is enriched with insights from Daily Wire’s editorial team and guest commentators, providing listeners with a comprehensive analysis of these pivotal events.

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Justin Trudeau Resigns as Canadian Prime Minister

Overview of Resignation

The episode begins with Georgia Howe announcing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to resign due to dwindling approval ratings and internal party turmoil.

• Georgia Howe [00:03]: “Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling it quits amid plummeting approvals and rising discontent within his own party.”
• John Bickley [00:10]: “Their only objection is that he is no longer popular enough to win an election and keep them in power.”

Reasons Behind the Resignation

Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice provides an in-depth analysis of the factors leading to Trudeau's resignation.

• Tim Rice [01:42]: “Trudeau's been bleeding support as Canadians blame him for a tanking economy and skyrocketing inflation. He's caught flack for his left-wing environmental policies, which have led to soaring energy costs, and his push for increased immigration, which has fueled the housing crisis.”

Political Implications

John Bickley comments on the broader implications of Trudeau’s exit on Canadian politics and upcoming elections.

• John Bickley [03:35]: “Every Liberal MP in power today and every potential Liberal leadership contender fighting for the top job helped Justin Trudeau break the country over the last nine years. Now, while leaderless Liberals focus on saving their jobs and fighting each other for power, the country spirals out of control.”

Future Leadership and Election Outlook

Tim Rice outlines the next steps in Canada’s parliamentary system following the resignation.

• Tim Rice [03:08]: “First, the Liberal Party needs to elect a new leader. Parliament, which was supposed to resume on January 27, will be suspended until March 24. At that point, there'll be another election where the new Liberal Party leader will likely face off against rising Conservative Party leader Pierre Poiliev.”

Pierre Poiliev’s Trumpian Rhetoric

The upcoming Conservative leader, Pierre Poiliev, is drawing comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating a shift in Canadian political rhetoric.

• John Bickley [04:14]: “We need a carbon tax election now to choose between the NDP Liberal, costly coalition that taxes your food, punishes your work, doubles your housing costs and unleashes crime and drugs in your community, or common sense Conservatives who will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, and stop the crime.”
• Tim Rice [04:44]: “Poliev has drawn a lot of comparisons to Trump and that side of him really came through.”

Notable Quotes:

• Pierre Poiliev [04:54]: “Wokeism seeks to divide people into these different groups and subgroups. And we're going to get back to the basic principle that people are judged based on their individual character and humanity rather than by their group identity.”

Conclusion on Trudeau’s Resignation

The segment concludes with reflections on Trudeau’s departure and the potential direction of Canadian politics.

• Georgia Howe [05:28]: “While a Canadian politician quoting Lincoln. That's not something you hear every day.”
• John Bickley [10:04]: “With less than two weeks left in office, President Biden still attempting to make consequential changes. Now we'll see if President Trump is able to reverse them.”

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President Biden’s Offshore Drilling Ban

Executive Order Details

The discussion shifts to President Joe Biden's sweeping executive order banning offshore oil and gas drilling across vast regions in the United States, issued just two weeks before the end of his administration.

• Georgia Howe [06:22]: “In a sweeping executive order Monday, President Biden announced a permanent ban on offshore drilling in large portions of the Atlantic and Pacific.”
• Cabot Phillips [06:38]: “President Biden issued a stunning executive order that will ban offshore oil and gas drilling permanently along the entire east coast, the coasts of California, Washington, and Oregon, and other enormous swaths of the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska's Bering Sea. All told, the order will prevent more than 625 million acres from being drilled.”

Rationale Behind the Ban

President Biden justified the ban by emphasizing environmental protection and the sufficiency of existing energy reserves.

• Justin Trudeau [06:31]: “My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses and beachgoers have known for a long time, that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation's energy needs. It is not worth the risks.”

Potential for Reversal

The possibility of President Donald Trump reversing the ban is examined, highlighting legal and political challenges.

• Justin Trudeau [07:27]: “It'll be very difficult. That's because Biden's order invoked the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, a 1953 law that grants the president fairly broad authority to block any oil and gas development in federal waters. And importantly, that law does not specifically give future presidents the power to overturn such action.”
• John Bickley [08:00]: “It's ridiculous. I'll unban it immediately. I will unban it. I have the right to unban it immediately. We have oil and gas at a level that nobody else has, and we're going to take advantage of it.”

Political Reactions and Controversies

The executive order has sparked a heated debate between Democrats and Republicans, with significant backlash from various stakeholders.

• Faith Burns [09:19]: “Well, it definitely puts us at a disadvantage. And the one thing that it does is basically it guarantees that energy prices will stay high... Energy is the foundation of everything in our economy.”

Impact on Energy Markets

Critics argue that the ban will constrain energy supply, driving up prices and hindering economic growth.

• John Bickley [10:04]: “So with less than two weeks left in office, President Biden still attempting to make consequential changes. Now we'll see if President Trump is able to reverse them. And in his famous words, drill, baby, drill.”

Notable Quotes:

• Trump Press Secretary Caroline Levitt [08:18]: “A disgraceful decision designed to exact political revenge on the American people who gave President Trump a mandate to increase drilling and lower gas prices. Rest assured, Joe Biden will fail.”

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Plan

Implementation of Congestion Pricing

Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced congestion pricing in Midtown Manhattan, aiming to reduce traffic and fund public transportation, though it has met with significant opposition.

• Georgia Howe [10:22]: “New York Governor Kathy Hochul's sweeping congestion pricing for residents and commuters in Midtown Manhattan has officially gone into effect, sparking backlash from both sides of the aisle.”
• Amanda Presto Giacomo [10:46]: “This toll imposes a $9 charge on vehicles entering Midtown Manhattan and below... By 2028, the toll jumps to $12, and by 2031, you're looking at a $15 charge.”

Governor Hochul’s Defense and Political Maneuvering

Despite initial resistance, Hochul has positioned the toll as a necessary measure for environmental and infrastructural benefits.

• Amanda Presto Giacomo [10:46]: “Hochul argues that this is needed to bring down carbon emissions and to reduce traffic and fund New York's troubled public transportation... The state wants to bring in $500 million per year during the first three years and eventually $1 billion when the toll hits $15.”

Public and Political Backlash

The congestion pricing plan has faced lawsuits and strong opposition from various groups, including commuters, unions, and neighboring states.

• John Bickley [12:25]: “That is a 40% reduction.”
• Amanda Presto Giacomo [12:53]: “New Jersey's Democrat Governor Phil Murphy, for example, has sued to try to stop the toll program... Firefighter unions say that the tax will unfairly cost firefighters personally as well as all other residents and actually slow response times.”

Firefighters’ Opposition

Firefighter unions argue that the toll adversely affects their operations and personal finances.

• Tim Rice [13:56]: “All we were asking for was an exemption for our members bringing their vehicles into the zone.”
• John Bickley [14:01]: “Those vehicles are regularly used to transport.”
• Tim Rice [14:04]: “Firefighters to and from their detail to another firehouse when there's a shortage in one spot and they need them somewhere else. We were denied at every turn.”

Hochul’s Stance and Future Implications

Governor Hochul remains steadfast despite mounting resistance, contending that the toll will ultimately benefit the city’s infrastructure and environment.

• Amanda Presto Giacomo [14:12]: “Despite all of this, Hochul has not budged on the issue. And Mayor Eric Adams likewise has not offered firefighters support. His office said in a statement that they don't expect the tax to impact emergency responses.”

Notable Quotes:

• Uniformed Firefighters Association President [14:01]: “All we were asking for was an exemption for our members bringing their vehicles into the zone.”

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Conclusion

The Morning Wire episode provides a thorough examination of Justin Trudeau’s resignation amidst political instability in Canada, President Biden’s aggressive environmental policy shift with his offshore drilling ban, and New York’s contentious congestion pricing initiative. Through expert analysis and impactful quotes, the hosts highlight the ramifications of these decisions on both national and international stages. As these stories develop, Morning Wire continues to offer listeners insightful perspectives on the evolving political landscape.

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Notable Advertisements Skipped:

• Black Rifle Coffee discount offer
• Roan's workwear promotion

End of Summary

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling it quits amid plummeting approvals and rising discontent within his own party.

[John Bickley]

Their only objection is that he is no longer popular enough to win an election and keep them in power.

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor in chief John Bickley. It's Tuesday, January 7th, and this is Morning Wire. President Biden says offshore oil drilling is banned, baby. Banned just two weeks before leaving office.

[Faith Burns]

This move really is a slap in the face to everybody, especially future generations.

[Cabot Phillips]

And as New York Governor Kathy Hochul imposes a controversial toll plan, Trump and others vow to oppose it.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

This is a cash grab that will cost people thousands of dollars to commute.

[Cabot Phillips]

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

[Brandon]

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[Cabot Phillips]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his plan to resign after nearly a decade in power.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with the latest on the significant development is Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice. So, Tim, a big announcement, though maybe not so shocking. How did we get here?

[Tim Rice]

Well, Georgia, Trudeau's been bleeding support as Canadians blame him for a tanking economy and skyrocketing inflation. He's caught flack for his left wing environmental policies, which have led to soaring energy costs, and his push for increased immigration, which has fueled the housing crisis. Towards the end of last year, polls showed Trudeau's support dip to around 20%, which means he's leaving office as one of the least popular figures in Canadian politics. Calls for him to resign picked up towards the end of the year as several figures in his government resigned, including Deputy Prime Minister Christia Freeland, one of his closest allies. Trump's threat of imposing tariffs on Canada also took a toll on Trudeau, so no one was really surprised when he announced his decision to resign in OT yesterday morning.

[Justin Trudeau]

I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election. And it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal.

[Tim Rice]

Battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, Canada's parliamentary system is different from ours. Can you explain what happens when a Prime minister resigns?

[Tim Rice]

Yeah. So as Trudeau said, he's stepping down, not just as prime minister, but also as party leader. So first, the Liberal Party needs to elect a new leader. Parliament, which was supposed to resume on January 27, will be suspended until March 24. At that point, there'll be another election where the new Liberal Party leader will likely face off against rising Conservative Party leader Pierre Poliev, who's been one of Trudeau's harshest critics. Here was Poiliev's reaction to Trudeau's resignation.

[John Bickley]

Justin Trudeau is finally leaving. But what has really changed? Every Liberal MP in power today and every potential Liberal leadership contender fighting for the top job helped Justin Trudeau break the country over the last nine years. Now, while leaderless Liberals focus on saving their jobs and fighting each other for power, the country spirals out of control. An out of control housing emergency, an out of control migrant crisis, an out of control $62 billion deficit, not to mention tariff threats from the United States.

[Tim Rice]

Poliev ended his remarks by calling for Canadians to make a change in the upcoming election.

[John Bickley]

This cannot go on. We need a carbon tax election now to choose between the NDP Liberal, costly coalition that taxes your food, punishes your work, doubles your housing costs and unleashes crime and drugs in your community, or common sense Conservatives who will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, and stop the crime.

[Georgia Howe]

So Poliev is clearly gearing up for a campaign and some of his rhetoric is sounding a little bit Trumpian. Is that accurate?

[Tim Rice]

Absolutely. Poliev's drawn a lot of comparisons to Trump and that side of him really came through. In a recent interview with Canadian psychologist and Daily Wire plus host Jordan Peterson.

[John Bickley]

Wokeism seeks to divide people into these different groups and subgroups. And we see the results in a 250% increase in hate crimes. But we're gonna get back to the basic principle that people are judged based on their individual character and humanity rather than by their group identity. And that is actually ironically, the most unifying thing we can do to bring our country back together. And as Lincoln put it, to bind up the nation's wounds.

[Georgia Howe]

While a Canadian politician quoting Lincoln. That's not something you hear every day.

[Tim Rice]

No, and certainly not something you'd expect to hear from Trudeau, right?

[Georgia Howe]

Well, we're going to be keeping an eye on this upcoming election. Tim, thanks for reporting.

[Tim Rice]

Anytime.

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[Georgia Howe]

In a sweeping executive order Monday, President Biden announced a permanent ban on offshore drilling in large portions of the Atlantic and Pacific.

[Cabot Phillips]

Here are the specifics. Is Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips Akabut so a move that's turning heads in Washington and abroad. Tell us more.

[Justin Trudeau]

Yeah. On Monday, just two weeks before leaving office, President Biden issued a stunning executive order that will ban offshore oil and gas drilling permanently along the entire east coast, the coasts of California, Washington, and Oregon, and other enormous swaths of the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska's Bering Sea. All told, the order will Prevent more than 625 million acres from being drilled. For context, that is a chunk of land larger than all of Mexico and Spain combined. In a statement announcing the move, President Biden said, quote, my decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses and beachgoers have known for a long time, that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation's energy needs. It is not worth the risks.

[John Bickley]

All right.

[Cabot Phillips]

So could President Trump reverse this order?

[Justin Trudeau]

Well, it'll be very difficult. That's because Biden's order invoked the Outer Continental Shelf lands Act, a 1953 law that grants the president fairly broad authority to block any oil and gas development in federal waters. And importantly, that law does not specifically give future presidents the power to overturn such action. So any reversal, if it's even legally possible, would likely have to come through new legislation passed in Congress. Regardless, though, President Trump told Hugh Hewitt yesterday that he will work to overturn it.

[John Bickley]

It's ridiculous. I'll unban it immediately. I will unbet it. I have the right to unban it immediately. We have oil and gas at a level that nobody else has, and we're going to take advantage of it.

[Cabot Phillips]

So Trump sounding confident that he can reverse at least some of this. So what sort of political reaction have we seen to this move?

[Justin Trudeau]

Yeah, Democrats argue that we already have plenty of oil and gas reserves that are currently being tapped into. They say America is already at all time highs in oil production under the Biden administration, which is true. And that nearly all of the land included in the order is not currently being drilled anyway. For their part, Republicans say it's insane to handcuff ourselves in the future by making oil rich areas untouchable for future generations. They also argue the timing of the move makes it clear Biden is trying to hamper oil and gas production under President Trump's second term. And they basically question why Biden waited until the last days of his presidency if this was such a pressing matter. For example, Trump Press Secretary Caroline Levitt called the order a, quote, disgraceful decision designed to exact political revenge on the American people who gave President Trump a mandate to increase drilling and lower gas prices. Rest assured, Joe Biden will fail. More from those who oppose the order. I spoke with Faith Burns, a fellow for energy policy at the right of center. Americans for Prosperity.

[Faith Burns]

Well, it definitely puts us at a disadvantage. And the one thing that it does is basically it guarantees that energy prices will stay high. If anybody was going to do anything to make sure that future generations don't have a shot at the American dream, this would be what to do. Because if you take over 600 million acres of land area, outside of even the ability to have oil and gas drilled there, then that means there's going to be a limited space where you can look for oil and gas. And it goes back to the supply and demand concept. If the demand is high and the supply is low, then the price of your product is going to be high. And energy is the foundation of everything in our economy.

[Justin Trudeau]

So with less than two weeks left in office, President Biden still attempting to make consequential changes. Now we'll see if President Trump is able to reverse them. And in his famous words, drill, baby, drill.

[Cabot Phillips]

Yeah, a lot of people hoping he does just that. Kevin, thanks for reporting.

[Justin Trudeau]

Anytime.

[Cabot Phillips]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul's first in the nation. Congestion pricing for residents and commuters in Midtown Manhattan has officially gone into effect, sparking backlash from both sides of the aisle.

[Georgia Howe]

Here to discuss the toll and blowback is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presto Giacomo. So, Amanda, this New York congestion toll just went into effect this past Sunday. Give us the specifics and also Hochul's reasoning for implementing it.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Hey, Georgia. So this toll imposes a $9 charge on vehicles entering Midtown Manhattan and below. That's south of 60th street during peak hours, which are pretty much all day long. On weekdays, peak hours are considered 5am to 9pm and on weekends, 9am to 9 p'm. And there's still a toll on off hours, though it is reduced. It's also worth highlighting that $9 is just the starting point. By 2028, the toll jumps to $12, and by 2031, you're looking at a $15 charge. For those who regularly drive into this area, the toll will be costing them thousands of dollars a year. Now, Hochul argues that this is needed to bring down carbon emissions and to reduce traffic and fund New York's troubled public transportation, specifically the Metropolitan Transportation authority, or the MTA. The state wants to bring in $500 million per year during the first three years and eventually $1 billion when the toll hits $15.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, Hochul was against this just as recently as June. So did she explain why she's reversed course?

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Well, initially, she argued publicly that it was too burdensome for New Yorkers, especially at a time when we're dealing with inflation. Behind the scenes, though, Hochul was responding to vulnerable Democrats in her state that were worried about their upcoming elections. They thought the toll would be used against them and hurt Democrats election prospects. So it follows that after the election, Hochul changed her mind on the tax. This time, though, she landed at that nine dollar starting point. When she announced the toll, she actually gave some interesting spin and she told New Yorkers that she was actually saving them money.

[Georgia Howe]

You heard that correctly. It was $15 before, and now it is $9.

[John Bickley]

That is a 40% reduction.

[Georgia Howe]

This lower toll will save daily commuters nearly $1,500 annually.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

So some politician. Matthew, right there. Commuters were not paying this toll at all, and now they're paying that $9 toll, and that somehow saves them 40%.

[Georgia Howe]

So that spin, though, clearly didn't work. There's been very intense opposition to this program, both from actually. Tell us about that.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Yeah, it's basically some climate activists, the MTA and Hochul versus everybody else. New Jersey's Democrat Governor Phil Murphy, for example, he has sued to try to stop the toll program. Tolls could end up costing some Jersey residents who commute to New York city an estimated $5,700 per year. Separately, the United Federation of Teachers, which is typically a Democrat ally, has also filed suit. The New York Farmers Bureau has spoken out against the toll and Manhattan residents have filed a class action lawsuit. Additionally, congressional Republicans have found some support from Democrats in an effort to try to stop the toll program and President Elect Donald Trump, who will likely have some big name Democrat supporters. He vowed this past summer to rescind the federal approval for the program. Firefighters are against the toll, too. This comes despite Hochul and the MTA specifically arguing that it will cut down traffic and therefore cut down emergency response times. Firefighter unions say that the tax will unfairly cost firefighters personally as well as all other residents and actually slow response times. Here's the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

[Tim Rice]

All we were asking for was an exemption for our members bringing their vehicles into the zone.

[John Bickley]

Those vehicles are regularly used to transport.

[Tim Rice]

Firefighters to and from their detail to another firehouse when there's a shortage in one spot and they need them somewhere else. We were denied at every turn.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Union leaders also say that firefighters frequently use their personal vehicles for transporting their heavy equipment. They say that if they're forced to buy additional fire trucks to avoid that, it'll cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Despite all of this, Hochul has not budged on the issue. And Mayor Eric Adams likewise has not offered firefighters support. His office said in a statement that they don't expect the tax to impact emergency responses.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, we're going to see very soon if that's true. Amanda, thanks for reporting.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

You're welcome.

[Cabot Phillips]

Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back this afternoon with more news. You need to.