Trump Defends Hegseth & Duffy’s Minnesota Ultimatum | 12.3.25

Summary

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Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump Defends Hegseth & Duffy’s Minnesota Ultimatum
Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe

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Overview

This episode of Morning Wire addresses mounting federal actions under President Trump’s administration, with coverage of airstrikes against narco-terrorists, a stern ultimatum to Minnesota over improperly licensed truck drivers, developments on a major immigration-related fraud scandal, and a Supreme Court case that could affect pro-life pregnancy centers nationally. The show features insight from Daily Wire staff and outside experts, notable direct quotes from officials, and analysis of the political atmosphere heading into the midterms.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Cabinet: Hegseth and Narco-Terrorist Strikes

[02:34 – 04:29]

• Context: President Trump held his ninth cabinet meeting of the year, far outpacing past administrations.
• Spotlight: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth under scrutiny for alleged airstrikes against drug smugglers, specifically accusations he ordered a second strike to target survivors.
  • The White House is firmly supporting Hegseth, labeling targeted individuals as enemy combatants.
  • Hegseth defended ongoing operations:

    "We've only just begun, striking narco boats. We've had a bit of a pause." – Pete Hegseth ([03:35])

  • Rebuttal to allegations: The New York Times reported, based on anonymous US officials, that Hegseth did order a strike but was not responding to surveillance showing survivors—vindicating him against the harshest claims.

2. National Guard Targeting: Updates and Aftermath

[04:29 – 05:14]

• Incident: National Guardsmen were attacked in D.C.—Sarah Beckstrom was killed, Andrew Wolf remains hospitalized.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi’s remarks:

  "I was there when the surgeons came in ... He's a miracle. And if everyone in this country can continue to pray for that family, he's got a long road ahead of him. But he is a miracle." ([04:46])

• The accused shooter pled not guilty to murder and related charges and will be held without bond; DOJ to pursue the death penalty.

3. Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations: Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow

[05:14 – 06:10]

• Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meet with Putin.
  • Putin criticized new US peace plan revisions from Europe and Ukraine, calling them blockades to peace, saying Europe is "on the side of war."
  • Russia’s demands: Permanent control of Donbass, limited Ukrainian forces, international recognition of seized territory.
  • Ukrainian President Zelensky remains firmly opposed, so a deal seems distant.

4. Tennessee Special Election: GOP Holds but Margin Shrinks

[06:10 – 06:54]

• Election outcome: Trump-backed Republican Matt Van Epps defeats Democrat Afton Bain in a deep red district, though the Democratic performance was stronger than expected.
• Implications:

  "Democrat voters are very fired up right now." – Kevin ([06:54])

5. Minnesota Ultimatum: Commercial Driver Licenses and Federal Funding

[08:02 – 10:05]

• Findings: Audit reveals widespread improper licensing of foreign drivers in Minnesota, drawing federal action spearheaded by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

• Ultimatum: Over $30 million in federal highway funding will be withheld unless Governor Tim Walz revokes illegally issued commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to non-citizens/non-compliant residents.

  > "People that should never have a driver's license driving a big rig on American roads, endangering the American people, shameful." – Kevin ([08:57])
  

• Other states, including California (where 17,000+ such licenses have been issued), face similar scrutiny and threats of funding loss.
• Recent tragedy cited: Fatal accident caused by an illegal immigrant truck driver; broader concerns about road safety and immigration enforcement.

6. Fraud Scandal in Minnesota’s Somali Community

[10:05 – 11:12]

• Treasury Department Investigation: Allegations that billions in Minnesota tax dollars were stolen via fraud, with some funds routed to Al Shabaab terrorists.

• "Waltz is a grossly incompetent man. There's something wrong with him. Somalians ripped off that state for billions of dollars." – Donald Trump ([10:51])

• Welfare fraud, foreign oversight failures, and the governor’s competence come under harsh criticism.

• "The Welfare is like 88%. They contribute nothing. I don't want them in our country. I'll be honest with you." – Donald Trump ([11:05])

7. Fiery Immigration Rhetoric and Policy Moves

[11:12 – 12:04]

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Post on X: Urges Trump for a travel ban on nations "flooding our nation with killers, leeches and entitlement junkies."

  > "Our forefathers built this nation on blood, sweat and the unyielding love of freedom, not for foreign invaders to slaughter our heroes, suck dry our hard earned tax dollars or sn[atch] the benefits owed to Americans. We don't want them. Not one."
  

• Trump has paused asylum claims from 19 countries following the D.C. National Guard attack.

8. Supreme Court: First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin

[12:24 – 17:11]

• Case challenges New Jersey’s "project strike" against pro-life pregnancy centers, focusing on an intrusive subpoena for donor info and accusations of state harassment.
• Attorney Erin Hawley (ADF):
  • Feels optimistic after oral argument, citing:
  • Justice Barrett’s concern about state hostility:

    "You had this project strike on the pregnancy centers ... [NJ AG] had declared war on pregnancy centers." – Justice Barrett paraphrased ([13:48])

  • Justice Kagan’s warning about First Amendment implications:

    "If I receive a subpoena that demands donor names ... I don't want my name and address and phone number out there." ([14:34])

  • Justice Thomas presses on lack of complaints:

    > "Did you have complaints that formed the basis of your concern about... No, about this crisis pregnancy center."  
    – Justice Thomas and NJ Attorney ([15:35–15:52])
    

• Implications: The case could set precedent for the level of state scrutiny and legal harassment permissible against pro-life/controversial organizations.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Hegseth on Counter-Narco Operations:

  "We've only just begun, striking narco boats." ([03:35])

• Bondi on Injured Guardsman:

  "He's a miracle...he's got a long road ahead of him." ([04:46])

• Trump on Minnesota & Immigration Fraud:

  "Somalians ripped off that state for billions of dollars. This beautiful place, and I see these people ripping it off." ([10:51]) "The Welfare is like 88%. They contribute nothing. I don't want them in our country. I'll be honest with you." ([11:05])

• Kristi Noem on a Travel Ban:

  "Flooding our nation with killers, leeches and entitlement junkies..." ([11:12])

• Justice Kagan on Donor Privacy:

  "If I receive a subpoena that demands donor names, like a I don't want my name and address and phone number out there." ([14:34])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:34–04:29] – Trump Cabinet and Hegseth airstrikes defense
• [04:29–05:14] – Update on D.C. National Guard shootings
• [05:14–06:10] – US envoys meet Putin on Ukraine peace
• [06:10–06:54] – Tennessee special election analysis
• [08:02–10:05] – Minnesota CDL scandal and ultimatum
• [10:05–11:12] – Somali immigration fraud scandal
• [11:12–12:04] – Kristi Noem’s travel ban plea, asylum policy
• [12:24–17:11] – Supreme Court hears case on pregnancy centers

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Episode Tone & Language

The episode maintains a brisk, urgent, and often combative tone, especially when discussing immigration, fraud, and legal challenges facing conservative causes. Commentary is direct, with hosts and guests frequently echoing Trump administration rhetoric and highlighting perceived failures of Democratic officials and federal bureaucracies.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This episode provides an in-depth look at major federal offensives, from war on drugs to tough immigration enforcement and the legal landscape for pro-life groups. It features direct commentary from administration officials, on-the-ground reporters, and legal advocates, all wrapped in pointed analysis as the 2026 midterms loom.

Transcript

[Host/Announcer]

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[John Bickley]

President Trump convenes his cabinet while further rallying behind War Secretary Hegseth and his strikes on narco terrorists.

[Cabot Phillips]

We've only just begun striking narco boats.

[Kevin]

And putting narco terrorists at the bottom of the ocean.

[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Wednesday, December 3rd. This is Morning Wire.

[Georgia Howe]

The Trump administration hands Minnesota a stark revoke the licenses of non citizen truck drivers or lose millions in federal funding.

[Kevin]

They've gone through sham schools and they're not safe on American roadways.

[John Bickley]

And the Supreme Court appeared skeptical of New Jersey's sweeping probe into a pro life pregnancy center. We speak to one of the attorneys in the case.

[Georgia Howe]

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

[Cabot Phillips]

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[Georgia Howe]

President Trump gathered his Cabinet Tuesday and defended Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, vowing to continue his strikes against narco terrorists.

[John Bickley]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here with the highlights. Hey, Cabot. So the president assembling his team yesterday for another cabinet meeting. A lot of eyes, a lot of cameras in the room for this one. What did we hear?

[Kevin]

Well, first, it's worth pointing out this is now the ninth cabinet meeting of President Trump's first year back. President Biden had nine Cabinet meetings in his entire four year term. So Trump moving fast here. Coming in. All eyes, though, were on Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who has come under a lot of fire, as we've talked about on the show, for allegedly ordering airstrikes that targeted a number of drug smugglers who had survived an initial strike on their boat. The White House has really rallied around Hegseth in the last few days, reiterating that these alleged cartel members have been designated as terrorists and essentially enemy combatants of the US and on Tuesday, Hegseth really struck a defiant tone, vowing to continue the strikes.

[Cabot Phillips]

We've only just begun, striking narco boats. We've had a bit of a pause.

[Kevin]

Because it's hard to find boats to strike right now, which is the entire point.

[Cabot Phillips]

Right. Deterrence has to matter, not arrest and.

[Host/Announcer]

Hand over and then do it again.

[Kevin]

And big picture here. It is worth noting the original reporting on this story against Hegseth is now facing a flood of scrutiny. The New York Times, of all places, came out with a new story this week refuting the main allegation against Hegseth, that he specifically ordered a second strike to kill survivors. The Times cited five anonymous U.S. officials, each of whom said separately that Hegseth did order a strike to kill the drug smugglers. But until this is the important part, quote, his order was not a response to surveillance footage showing that at least two people had survived. And he did not address what should be done if there were survivors. So looks like a lot of vindication there for Hegseth.

[John Bickley]

Now Trump also asked for updates about the National Guardsmen that were targeted in D.C. what did we learn?

[Kevin]

Right. In one of the more somber moments, Attorney General Pam Bondi honored the life of Sarah Beckstrom and then offered an update on Andrew Wolf. That's the guardsman fighting for his life right now in a D.C. hospital.

[Host/Announcer]

I was there when the surgeons came in and he they wanted you to know this. He's a miracle. And if everyone in this country can continue to pray for that family, he's got a long road ahead of him. But he is a miracle.

[Kevin]

Now, the alleged shooter in that case did appear virtually in court yesterday from a hospital bed where he was formally charged with murder and then a slew of other charges. The suspect pleaded not guilty on all of those charges. He'll be held without bond throughout the trial. And Bondi also said the Justice Department will be seeking the death penalty.

[John Bickley]

Now, one person notably absent from that Cabinet meeting was special envoy Steve Witkoff. He was in Moscow. What's the latest there?

[Kevin]

Yeah, Witkoff and Jared Kushner both were meeting with Putin directly in Moscow. And Putin made clear to them that he was not happy with the latest changes made to the US Peace plan that's on the table right now, specifically the changes that came from Europe and Ukrainian officials. He said that the two were, quote, aimed at only one thing, to block the entire peace process. He then went on to accuse Europe of being, quote, on the side of war. Now, Russian officials say that Putin reiterated his demands to Witkoff and Kushner about what he wanted to see to end the war. He wants Russian control of the Donbass region, a limit of Ukraine's armed forces in the future, and importantly, international recognition of the territory seized by Russia. Zelensky, though, has been strongly opposed to each of those aspects, particularly the land swap. So this could be a long process. We're probably still a ways off from a deal.

[John Bickley]

Yeah, I'm sure you're right there. Now, before you go, the special election in Tennessee, we've been following that very closely here. What happened?

[Kevin]

Yeah, as Trump put it, the eyes of the world were on Tennessee as Democrats poured in millions of dollars hoping to pick up a seat in a deep red district that Trump won by 22 points just last year. But ultimately, Trump backed Republican Matt Van Epps did prevail, defeating far left Democrat Afton Bain, though it was a bit closer than the GOP would have liked. Democrats already looking to spin these results as a victory and proof that they have the momentum ahead of the midterms. Republicans say they're going to hold their majorities in D.C. next year. But but if last night was any indication, it is going to be a tough battle. Looks like Democrat voters are very fired up right now.

[John Bickley]

Well, midterms and off year elections like this one are always tough for the party in power. Kevin, thanks so much for reporting.

[Kevin]

Absolutely.

[Cabot Phillips]

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[John Bickley]

Minnesota is facing federal pressure after an audit found widespread improper licensing of foreign drivers, underscoring broader immigration oversight issues.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with more is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Press Ta Giacomo. So Amanda, more troubling immigration news coming out of Minnesota this time relating to commercial driver's licenses. What is the Trump administration claiming is happening there?

[Amanda Press Ta Giacomo]

Well, they presented some really jaw dropping findings and now they're taking action. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that the federal government, they're going to withhold more than $30 million in highway funding from Minnesota. That's unless Democrat Governor Tim Walz revokes a large number of commercial driver's licenses that were issued illegally to drivers whose immigration or res status did not comply with federal law. Duffy gave Walls 30 days to fix this or the funding is going to be withheld.

[John Bickley]

Governor Tim Waltz of Minnesota gave 33%.

[Kevin]

Of these licenses unlawfully. People that should never have a driver's license driving a big rig on American roads, endangering the American people, shameful.

[Amanda Press Ta Giacomo]

Officials in the Walls administration, they say they're reviewing this letter from the Department of Transportation and they claim that they take safety on their roads safety seriously. Now, commercial driver's licenses for illegals or people with improper status have been a focus for months now and that's due to some really devastating crashes that have killed Americans. Just yesterday, the Daily Wire's Jenny Terror reported that a newlywed couple was tragically killed in a collision allegedly caused by an illegal immigrant truck driver with a California license. The Indian national involved in this crash has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment. The Department of Transportation has found that California authorities have issued more than 17,000 non domiciled commercial driver's licenses to foreign drivers. The Trump administration is similarly threatening to withhold tens of millions of federal dollars from California. And a number of other states, including red states, are being scrutinized over this issue, too.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, speaking of immigration issues in Minnesota, this is the second major scandal in just a few days related to immigration. A few days ago, we reported on a very widespread fraud scandal in the state that's been connected to the Somali community there. And there have been some updates. Can you tell us what's happened?

[Amanda Press Ta Giacomo]

Yeah. So now the Treasury Department is looking into this scandal. As you said, Georgia, billions of Minnesota tax dollars were allegedly stolen by fraudsters. And shockingly, some of that money was funneled to Al Shabaab terrorists. This again happened under Tim Walls tenure. So putting a spotlight back on him, particularly when it comes to oversight of foreigners. Now, President Trump was asked about this scandal yesterday during a Cabinet meeting. Here's his very frank reaction.

[John Bickley]

Waltz is a grossly incompetent man. There's something wrong with him. Somalians ripped off that state for billions of dollars. This beautiful place, and I see these.

[Cabot Phillips]

People ripping it off.

[John Bickley]

The Welfare is like 88%. They contribute nothing. I don't want them in our country. I'll be honest with you.

[Amanda Press Ta Giacomo]

Now, all of this immigration news and scandal does seem to tie back to a very fiery statement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She posted on X this week that she asked President Trump for a travel ban on all countries that have been, quote, flooding our nation with killers, leeches and entitlement junkies. She said that our forefathers built this nation on blood, sweat and the unyielding love of freedom, not for foreign invaders to slaughter our heroes, suck dry our hard earned tax dollars or sn the benefits owed to Americans. We don't want them. Not one. Now, Noem's statement there does seem to reference the recent fatal targeting of National Guard members in Washington, D.C. that was allegedly done by an Afghan national. And in the wake of that incident, President Trump already paused asylum claims from 19 different countries.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, just in case people didn't catch it, that was billions with a B for that fraud scandal just in Minnesota. Amanda, thanks for reporting.

[Amanda Press Ta Giacomo]

You're welcome. America's first responders rely on FirstNet, a.

[Georgia Howe]

Wireless network built with and for first responders, covering the nation and keeping us all safe.

[Amanda Press Ta Giacomo]

FirstNet built with AT&T.

[Georgia Howe]

Learn [e-mail] Public Safety first the Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on a case involving a state allegedly intimidating and harassing a pregnancy center for not conducting abortions. The case, First Choice Women's Resource Centers v. Platkin, could set precedent on state's ability to similarly target pregnancy centers and pro life organizations.

[John Bickley]

Joining us now to discuss is Aaron Hawley, general counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, one of the attorneys arguing the case for First Choice and who successfully argued to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. Thanks for joining us. So this case stems from New Jersey's Democrat attorney general targeting pregnancy resource centers. That's the claim from your client, First Choice. He created a strike force. He issued a consumer alert against them and then issued a subpoena to First Choice that was extremely intrusive. That included asking for donor information going back 10 years. So we've just heard oral arguments before the Supreme Court. By the line of questioning from the justices, do you have a sense of how they appear to be leaning?

[Host/Announcer]

So I'll have to paraphrase an old boss of mine and after arguing he would say, you know, I would rather be our side than their side. And I think that's definitely true. After this oral argument, if you think about some of the questions the justices were asking, Justice Barrett, for example, pointed out the hostility that New Jersey has shown toward pregnancy care centers.

[Georgia Howe]

You had this project strike on the pregnancy centers. You know, the attorney general had essentially, you know, what your friends on the other side would say declared war on pregnancy centers. So if it is true that the non self executing subpoena is enough, if it's in the context of other government statements, why wouldn't that be satisfied here?

[Host/Announcer]

Justice Jackson seemed very concerned about this idea that you never get into federal court. Not only does it shut you out initially, but even once you go to state court because of various legal doctrines, you can never come back to federal court.

[Kevin]

In cases like Whole Women's Health, for instance, this court noted that there may not always be available a federal forum for a federal constitutional claim challenging.

[Georgia Howe]

So you're not saying they wouldn't be precluding. You're saying there are times when it's too bad.

[Host/Announcer]

Justice Kagan took a really practical view of the case. She's not one that you would maybe expect to be ideologically aligned with First Choice. And yet she made the common sense point, if I receive a subpoena that demands donor names, like a I don't want my name and address and phone number out there. And so she was saying that this is going to chill the First Amendment rights of recipients in sort of a common sense way. And it seemed like a majority or certainly several members of the court were really understanding the effect the subpoena had both on First Choice Women's Resource center as well as its donors.

[John Bickley]

So that seems pretty promising for First Choice. Were there any particularly surprising moments to you in the arguments, anything you weren't anticipating?

[Host/Announcer]

So one kind of highlight of the oral argument was the fact that the New Jersey attorney general has never said that he received a single complaint against First Choice by anyone. And so Justice Thomas really leaned into that and asked the New Jersey attorney.

[Kevin]

Did you have complaints that formed the basis of your concern about.

[Cabot Phillips]

The fundraising activities here?

[Kevin]

We certainly had complaints about crisis pregnancy centers petition?

[Cabot Phillips]

No, about this crisis pregnancy center.

[John Bickley]

So I think we've been clear from.

[Kevin]

The outset that we haven't had complaints about this specific. So you had no basis to think that they were deceiving any of their contributors.

[John Bickley]

Now, it's worth noting many of the arguments we heard related to sort of procedural issues in terms of access to the Supreme Court in New Jersey and then the proper use of subpoenas. If we do see a ruling in favor of First Choice, how could that impact specifically pregnancy centers across the country?

[Host/Announcer]

So the particular legal issue is sort of an access to federal courts issue. And what is required if you have to have chilling, which we think happens when you're served a subpoena demanding your donor names or if you have to have something else. But I think it could broadly impact pregnancy centers in one particular way, and that's because the New Jersey attorney general has really shown a lot of hostility toward these pregnancy care centers. Again, issuing consumer alerts telling New Jerseyans to be aware of them, partnering with Planned Parenthood to issue a consumer alert. And so I would hope that at least a justice or some justices would point out that that sort of harassment can contribute to a chill, and that should protect pregnancy centers across the nation, not just in New Jersey.

[John Bickley]

All right. So a potentially significant impact there across the country. Erin Hawley, thank you so much for joining us.

[Host/Announcer]

Thanks for having me.

[Georgia Howe]

Thanks for waking up with us. And if you're listening to the show now, you can watch the show for free on Daily Wire. Plus, we'll be back later this evening with more news you need to know.

[Kevin]

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[Cabot Phillips]

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[Kevin]

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