Trump Pauses Tariffs & Illegal Alien Fines | Afternoon Update | 4.9.25

Summary

Morning Wire Episode Summary
Episode: Trump Pauses Tariffs & Illegal Alien Fines | Afternoon Update | 4.9.25
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Co-hosts: Cabot Phillips, Spencer Lindquist, Amanda Presto Giacomo, Pam Bondi

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1. US-China Trade Relations

Trump Pauses and Revises Tariffs

President Donald Trump announced a pause on reciprocal tariffs imposed on numerous countries, signaling a potential shift in trade relations. However, China remains a focal point of contention as Trump escalates duties on Chinese goods to 125%. This move is a direct response to Beijing's 84% tariffs on U.S. goods and adds to the existing 50% tariff on Chinese imports.

Notable Quotes:

• Trump (via John Bickley [00:52]): “I hope China will soon realize that the days of ripping off the USA are over.”
• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant (via John Bickley [00:55]): Described China’s retaliatory measures as a “losing proposition for Beijing.”

China's Retaliation and EU Involvement

In retaliation, China's Commerce Ministry has imposed export bans on several U.S. companies, including Shield AI and Sierra Nevada Corporation. The European Union responded by implementing 25% duties on American goods such as almonds, orange juice, and steel, with expectations of further countermeasures next week.

Analysis by Pam Bondi [01:33]: “They have some very smart economists... They can raise their tariffs, but so what?”

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2. NASA Nomination and Space Policy

Jared Isaacman's Vision for NASA

Jared Isaacman, the Trump administration's nominee for NASA administrator, expressed ambitious plans to ensure U.S. dominance in the new space race against China without necessitating a larger budget. At his Senate confirmation hearing, Isaacman outlined simultaneous missions to the Moon and Mars, emphasizing NASA's financial robustness and strategic priorities.

Notable Quotes:

• Jared Isaacman (via Georgia Howe [02:55]): “We can absolutely do that. We can figure out the space economy in low Earth orbit... chart a course for Mars and do all the other things? Absolutely.”

Key Objectives:

• Nuclear Propulsion: Enhancing propulsion technologies for deeper space missions.
• Space Debris Cleanup: Addressing orbital debris to secure safe space operations.
• Loyalty to NASA: Isaacman emphasized prioritizing NASA's agenda over partnerships with private entities like Elon Musk.

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3. Illegal Immigration Enforcement

Hefty Fines for Illegal Aliens

The Trump administration is set to enforce a 1996 law that imposes fines of $998 per day on illegal aliens refusing to self-deport. This measure aims to retroactively apply penalties for up to five years, potentially resulting in fines exceeding $1 million per individual. Properties of those unable to pay may be seized and sold.

Detailed Report by Spencer Lindquist [03:30]: “The administration plans to enforce the law retroactively for up to five years... The government could even seize and sell off the property of illegal aliens who are unable to pay the fine.”

Scope and Enforcement:

• Affected Individuals: Approximately 1.4 million illegal aliens with active removal orders.
• Enforcing Agencies: Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Justice's Civil Asset Forfeiture Division.

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4. AP's Access to the White House

Legal Victory for The Associated Press

A federal judge ruled that the White House's ban on The Associated Press (AP) from Oval Office events is unconstitutional, citing a violation of the First Amendment through viewpoint discrimination.

Notable Quotes:

• Judge Trevor McFadden (via Amanda Presto Giacomo [04:18]): “The administration offered no other plausible explanation for how it treated the AP and that the Constitution forbids viewpoint discrimination even in a non-public forum like the Oval Office.”

Case Details:

• Dispute: AP's refusal to use the term "Gulf of America" instead of the "Gulf of Mexico."
• Outcome: AP will regain access to White House briefing rooms, ensuring media impartiality.

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5. Maine's Transgender Policies and Federal Funding

Federal Funding Withdrawn Over Transgender Policies

The Justice Department has withdrawn over $1 million in federal funding from Maine's Department of Corrections due to the state's decision to house a transgender man, Andrew Balcer, in a women's prison. Balcer, a double murderer, was sentenced to 40 years for stabbing his parents to death.

Notable Quotes:

• Pam Bondi (via Cabot Phillips [05:39]): “They were letting him be housed in a female prison. No longer. We will pull your funding. We will protect women in prison.”

Additional Developments:

• The Education Department has issued a compliance deadline of April 11 for Maine regarding Title IX, with further legal actions pending for non-compliance.
• Pam Bondi’s Defense: Emphasized the administration's commitment to protecting women in various sectors.

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6. Public Opinion on Transgender Medical Procedures

Poll Reveals Majority Oppose Federal Funding

A Signal poll commissioned by the American Principles Project indicates that 66% of Americans oppose the use of federal funds for transgender medical procedures. The survey highlights significant disapproval across the political spectrum, including 42% of Democrats, with voter support shifting 14 points toward Republicans when informed that a Democrat backs such policies.

Context:

• The findings emerge amidst intense debates over transgender rights and related policies, influencing political and legislative agendas.

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7. Texas Senate Race: Ken Paxton vs. John Cornyn

Ken Paxton Announces Senate Bid

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Republican John Cornyn in the 2026 election. Paxton criticizes Cornyn's positions on key issues such as gun control, Ukraine aid, and border security.

Notable Quotes:

• Ken Paxton (via Cabot Phillips [06:55]): “It’s definitely time for a change in Texas... that’s what I plan on doing.”

Campaign Highlights:

• Paxton’s Promises: Advocate for Republican values, support for Donald Trump’s policies, and opposition to the D.C. establishment.
• Cornyn’s Stance: Emphasizes the importance of Trump’s endorsement and existing Republican frameworks.
• Poll Insights: Recent polls show Paxton leading Cornyn by 20 points, indicating a significant challenge within the party.

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Conclusion

In this episode of Morning Wire, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe, along with their team, provided comprehensive updates on critical national and international issues. From Trump's aggressive trade policies and immigration enforcement to significant developments in space exploration, media access, transgender rights, and political dynamics in Texas, the discussion offered in-depth analysis and diverse perspectives. Notably, the episode underscored the administration's strategic moves in economic, social, and political arenas, reflecting the ongoing challenges and debates shaping the United States.

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For more detailed coverage and updates, visit dailywire.com.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcer]

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[Georgia Howe]

Trump smacks China while pausing tariffs for other countries Illegal immigrants will soon see hefty fines if they choose not to self deport, and Maine loses out on more federal funding over its transgender policies. Hello, I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. It's Wednesday, April 9th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Cabot Phillips]

President Trump paused the sweeping reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries this week, saying many have reached out to make deals, though one country he says won't be so lucky. Daily Wire's senior editor Cabot Phillips has the latest.

[John Bickley]

While the president paused tariffs for other countries, he upped the ante on China, raising duties on goods from the country to 125%. The move comes after Beijing slapped an 84% tariff on US goods in response to the president adding a 50% tariff on Chinese imports on top of several others. Trump took to Truth Social, saying he hopes China will soon realize that, quote, the days of ripping off the USA are over. Earlier today, China's Commerce Ministry vowed to, quote, fight to the end while slapping export bans on several US Companies, including Shield AI and Sierra Nevada Corporation. On Fox News this morning, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant dismissed the move from China as a, quote, losing proposition for Beijing.

[Pam Bondi]

They have some very smart economists, the academicians, technocrats within their bureaucracy, and they would be telling the leadership that we do not have the edge here. They are the surplus country. Their exports to the US Are five times our exports to China so they can raise their tariffs, but so what?

[John Bickley]

For their part, the European Union also responded with retaliatory tariffs this morning, proving 25% duties on American goods like almonds, orange juice and steel. EU officials say a second round of countermeasures measures is expected next week.

[Georgia Howe]

Trump's nominee for NASA administrator vowed that the US Will dominate the new space race with China without needing a bigger budget. Astronaut and billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman pledged simultaneous moon and Mars missions, defended NASA's financial strength, and warned that space is the ultimate high ground that America must not surrender. Isaacman also promised loyalty to NASA over Elon Musk, his previous business partner. He went on to outline goals for nuclear propulsion, deep space missions and space debris cleanup. He made the statements at his Senate confirmation hearing. Do you believe it is possible to stand up a full mission mission to the moon and a full mission to the Mars simultaneously?

[Jared Isaacman]

Senator, I, as I, as I mentioned my prepared remarks, I think we can absolutely do that. We can figure out the space economy in low Earth orbit. We can run more scientific missions. This, this is the agency that went from sending Alan Shepard on a suborbital mission and eight years later we saw Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the surface of the moon. Do I think that we can get back to the moon, chart a course for Mars and do all the other things? Absolutely.

[Cabot Phillips]

Send her the Trump administration is set to fine illegal aliens nearly $1,000 a day for refusing to self deport. Daily Wire reporter Spencer Lindquist has the story.

[Spencer Lindquist]

The Trump administration will enforce a 1996 law that allows it to fine illegal aliens $998 every day that they stay in the United States past the date that they are ordered to be removed from the country. The administration plans to enforce the law retroactively for up to five years, meaning that illegal aliens could be charged over $1 million each for remaining in the country illegally. The government could even seize and sell off the property of illegal aliens who are unable to pay the fine. That financial penalty could be imposed on the roughly 1.4 million illegal aliens who currently have active removal orders. These fines could be levied by either Customs and Border Protection or or the Department of Justice's Civil Asset Forfeiture Division.

[Georgia Howe]

The Associated Press will once again be allowed in the White House briefing room. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presto Giacomo has the details.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

A federal judge has ruled that the White House's ban on the AP from Oval Office events is unconstitutional. U.S. district Judge Trevor McFadden ruled yesterday that the White House violated the First Amendment by discriminating based on a viewpoint. The dispute is over the AP's refusal to use the term Gulf of America instead of the now officially defunct Gulf of Mexico. McFadden, who is a Trump appointee, wrote that the administration offered no other plausible explanation for how it treated the AP and that the Constitution forbids viewpoint discrimination even in a non public forum like the Oval Office.

[Sponsor Announcer]

This episode is brought to you by NetSuite. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com MorningWire the guide is free to you at netsuite.com Morningwire Again, that's netsuite.com MorningWire.

[Cabot Phillips]

Maine is in the headlines again over its transgender policies. The Justice Department has pulled over $1 million in federal funding from the Department of Corrections in the Pine Tree State after its decision to hold a trans identifying man and double murderer in a women's prison. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the funding cut as a path toward protecting women, citing Andrew Balcer's placement in the female facility. Here's Bondi on Fox News earlier this week.

[Pam Bondi]

They were letting him be housed in a female prison. No longer. We will pull your funding. We will protect women in prison. We will protect women in sports. We will protect women throughout this country. No more of that.

[Cabot Phillips]

Bolser was sentenced to 40 years for stabbing his parents to death. The DOJ's move follows a series of federal warnings to Maine on transgender policies. The Education Department has also given the state until April 11 to comply with Title IX or face further legal action.

[Georgia Howe]

A new poll shows that 66% of Americans oppose the use of federal money for transgender medical procedures. A new poll from Signal commissioned by the American Principles Project found swing voters and even 42% of Democrats disapprove of taxpayer funded gender transitions. Voter support shifted 14 points toward Republicans when told a Democrat backed such policies. The findings come as transgender issues dominate.

[Cabot Phillips]

Political debate, there's a Texas sized showdown shaping up in the Lone Star State. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he's running for the Senate, challenging Republican John Cornyn in 2026. Speaking on Fox News, Paxton slammed Cornyn's positions on gun control, Ukraine aid and border security.

[Ken Paxton]

It's definitely time for a change in Texas. We have another great US Senator, Ted Cruz, and it's time we have another great senator that will actually stand up and fight for Republican values, fight for the values of the people of Texas, and also support Trump, Donald Trump, in the areas that he's focused on in a very significant way. And that's what I plan on doing.

[Cabot Phillips]

Paxton pledged to take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment, while Cornyn noted Trump's endorsement would be important. Trump once considered Paxton for attorney general but has not yet weighed in. A recent poll shows Paxton leading Cornyn by 20 points.

[Georgia Howe]

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 big stories, including Trump's recent legal wins, the stock market turbulence amid the trade war and the administration's plan to hold talks with Iran. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.