Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Trudeau Calls It Quits & Biden’s Drilling Ban | 1.7.25 Release Date: January 7, 2025
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
Notable Advertisements Skipped:
- Black Rifle Coffee discount offer
- Roan's workwear promotion
End of Summary