Trump Plans Executive Action & Guantanamo Flights Begin | Afternoon Update | 2.4.25

Summary

Morning Wire: Trump Plans Executive Action & Guantanamo Flights Begin | Afternoon Update | 02.04.25

Hosted by John Bickley and Georgia Howe

---

1. Cabinet Confirmations

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard Advance in Senate

In today's updates, Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips reports on two of President Trump's most debated cabinet nominees making significant progress in their confirmation processes.

Georgia Howe details that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. successfully overcame the Senate Finance Committee by a narrow 14-13 party-line vote,[00:35] paving his way to a floor vote for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services. Concurrently, Tulsi Gabbard has advanced through the Senate Intelligence Committee for her nomination as Director of National Intelligence with a tight 9-8 party-line vote,[00:35] despite facing a challenging confirmation hearing. Howe notes that Gabbard garnered crucial support from Senators Collins, Lankford, and Young, who were previously undecided during her hearing. Her commitment to stronger oversight on intelligence leaks was a key factor in securing their votes. More detailed coverage on these confirmations is expected tomorrow morning.

---

2. Executive Action on Department of Education

Trump Considers Drastic Reduction of Education Department

President Trump is contemplating utilizing his executive authority to significantly diminish the Department of Education, with plans to eventually advocate for its complete abolition through Congress. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice provides an in-depth analysis of this potential move.[01:10]

Rice explains that the proposed executive order would eliminate the majority of the department's functions, transfer certain programs to other federal bodies, and maintain only those functions mandated by law. This initiative aligns with Trump's campaign promise to devolve education control back to the states and halt what he describes as the "indoctrination of American youth." The implementation of this plan may be postponed until after the Senate confirms Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon, as there are concerns it might influence her approval.

Erica Donalds from the America First Policy Institute highlights the perceived failures of the federal Department of Education, citing stagnating NAEP scores where only a third of eighth graders are proficient in reading and math.[02:04] Donalds emphasizes that returning educational power and funding to parents will create better academic environments for children.

---

3. Executive Order on Men in Women’s Sports

Trump to Sign Order Addressing Gender Participation in Athletics

The Trump administration is set to implement an executive order concerning the participation of men in women's sports. Mary Margaret Olihan, Daily Wire White House correspondent, provides the latest details on this development.[02:30]

Olihan reports that the order, scheduled for signing tomorrow, comes amidst intense national debate and is influenced by high-profile cases like that of Riley Gaines competing against Leah Thomas. The order's specifics regarding age ranges and grade levels remain unclear. This move aligns with Trump’s campaign emphasis on fairness and safety in women’s athletic spaces and coincides with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, underscoring the administration's commitment to protecting female athletic opportunities.

Congressman August Pflueger supports the order, stating, “[03:27] This is common sense. This is fairness… It's helping all women. It's helping our society come to grips with… it's okay to be a male, but you need to play male sports… This is an American thing.”

---

4. Opposition from New York Attorney General

Letitia James Challenges Trump's Executive Order on Gender Affirmation

In response to Trump's executive order banning federal funds for child sex-change procedures, New York Attorney General Letitia James has instructed hospitals to disregard the order and continue providing gender-affirming treatments to minors. John Bickley highlights this conflict.[03:56]

James emphasized compliance with New York state laws over federal directives, stating, “regardless of the availability of federal funding, we write to further remind you of your obligations to comply with New York state laws.” This stance underscores the ongoing tug-of-war between federal initiatives and state-level protections regarding gender affirmation for minors.

---

5. Federal Workforce Resignations

Mass Resignations Hit Federal Workforce as Trump Implements Buyout Program

Over 20,000 federal employees have accepted the Trump administration's invitation to resign, aiming to reduce the federal workforce by 10%. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo provides the latest developments.[04:51]

The buyout program offers federal workers the option to receive salaries through September, even after leaving their positions. While current resignations account for about 1%, a significant increase is expected as the September deadline approaches. Unions warn that the program is an attempt to pressure employees into quitting, a claim the Office of Personnel Management aims to address with detailed guidance.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt clarifies, “[05:34] Last week the order simply directs federal agencies to come up with a return to work plan… this isn't a purge… It's not forcing every single individual in Washington, D.C. to return to work only if they are able.”

---

6. Transfer of Detained Migrants to Guantanamo Bay

Trump Administration Expands Guantanamo Bay’s Capacity for Migrants

The administration has initiated the transfer of detained illegal immigrants to Guantanamo Bay, marking a significant shift in immigration enforcement strategy. Cabot Phillips reports that the first two flights have already arrived at the US Naval base in Cuba.[05:49]

Historically used to detain migrants intercepted at sea, Guantanamo's capacity of 120 detainees is poised for a substantial increase, with plans to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to enforce stricter immigration controls and address rising apprehensions at US borders.

---

7. Escalating US-China Trade Tensions

China Responds to Trump’s New Tariffs with Increased Levies

In retaliation to Trump's newly imposed 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, China has enacted a 15% levy on coal and liquefied natural gas, and a 10% tax on crude oil, agricultural equipment, and large engine cars. John Bickley outlines the escalating trade conflict.[06:15]

These tariffs add to the existing duties already imposed on Chinese goods, intensifying the trade war between the two superpowers. Additionally, Beijing has announced restrictions on the export of rare earth metals, which are crucial for the technology sector. The situation remains tense as President Trump is slated to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future to negotiate and potentially de-escalate the trade tensions.

---

Conclusion

Today's Morning Wire Afternoon Update provided comprehensive coverage on significant political developments, including pivotal cabinet confirmations, major executive actions by President Trump, heated debates on gender and sports, substantial federal workforce changes, immigration enforcement strategies, and escalating trade conflicts with China. For more in-depth analysis and ongoing coverage, visit dailywire.com.

Transcript

[Sponsor Voice]

This episode is brought to you by Good Ranchers Tired of mystery meat at the grocery store? Make new meat your New year's resolution@good ranchers.com subscribe now using Code Wire to get $25 off free express shipping and your choice of add ons for an entire year. Good Ranchers American Meat delivered.

[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Tuesday, February 4th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Cabot Phillips]

Two of President Trump's most controversial cabinet picks are moving closer to being confir. Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips has more.

[Georgia Howe]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Has passed the Senate Finance Committee hurdle by a narrow 1413 party line vote. He now heads to a floor vote in his bid to head up the Department of Health and Human Services. Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard has made it through the Senate Intelligence Committee in her nomination for Director of National Intelligence. Despite having a tough confirmation hearing, she made it through with a narrow 98 party line vote. Ahead of the vote, Gabbard secured critical GOP support from Senators Collins, Lankford and Young, who had been on the fence during her hearing. She defended her record, pledging stronger oversight on intelligence leaks. We'll have more on the confirmations tomorrow morning.

[John Bickley]

President Trump is considering using his executive powers to gut the Department of Education. He then plans to push Congress to abolish the agency entirely. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has the details.

[Tim Rice]

The order would slash most of the department's functions, reassign some programs to other federal agencies and retain certain functions required by law. The move aligns with Trump's campaign promise to return control of education education to the states and stop the agency from promoting what he calls the indoctrination of American youth. The plan may be delayed until after Education secretary designate Linda McMahon's Senate confirmation, as officials worry it could impact her confirmation. If implemented, the order would mark one of the most significant federal education rollbacks in US History. As Erica Donalds of the America First Policy Institute told News Nation, this order gives power back to parents.

[Erica Donalds]

You know that the Department of Education at the federal level has certainly failed us. The NAEP scores continue to show us that, as last week we saw just a third of our eighth graders in America are reading and doing math proficiently on grade level. What President Trump wants to do and what he got elected to do was put the power and ultimately the funding in the hands of parents to decide the best education environment for their children. And we think that is what's going to help children thrive academically.

[Cabot Phillips]

The Daily Wire has learned that the president is also set to sign an executive order related to men competing in women's sports. Daily Wire White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olihan has the scoop.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

We first reported that Trump will sign the order tomorrow, surrounded by advocates for women's sports and opponents of gender ideology. It's currently unclear what exactly the bill will cover as far as age ranges and grades. But the move comes amid growing national debate fueled by high profile cases like that of Riley Gaines, who competed against a male athlete who went by Leah Thomas. This issue was a key concern for American parents, especially suburban women, during the 2024 election, and the Trump campaign leaned into the topic aggressively, citing fairness and safety in women's spaces. The signing coincides with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, emphasizing the administration's focus on protecting female athletic opportunities. Morningwire also spoke to Congressman August Pflueger. Here's what he told us.

[August Pflueger]

This is common sense. This is fairness. It is being transparent. It's helping not Republican women, not Democrat women. It's helping all women. It's helping our society come to grips with it's okay to be a male, but you need to play male sports. It's okay to be a woman, you need to play women's sports. I think the first litmus test is just go check in with your communities and ask them what they think. Because I guarantee you this isn't a Republican or a Democrat thing. This is an American, American thing.

[John Bickley]

New York Attorney General Letitia James is telling hospitals to ignore Trump's executive order and to continue performing sex change procedures on minors. In a letter to hospitals, James cited state discrimination laws, warning that refusing to provide so called gender affirming cure would result in a violation. James wrote, quote, regardless of the availability of federal funding, we write to further remind you of your obligations to comply with New York state laws. Trump's executive order bans federal money from going toward child sex change procedures, something he called a dangerous trend.

[Sponsor Voice]

This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com morningwire all lowercase established in 2025 has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Head over to shopify.com morningwire to start selling with Shopify today.

[John Bickley]

Over 20,000 federal workers are taking the Trump administration up on their invitation to resign. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo has more.

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

As we've previously reported, the buyout deal allows federal workers to continue receiving salaries through September even after leaving their posts. The Trump administration aims to cut the federal workforce by 10%. And while the current number only comes out to about 1%, they do expect a spike as Thursday's deadline approaches. Meanwhile, unions are urging caution, calling the program an effort to pressure workers into quitting. The Office of Personnel Management has provided detailed guidance to address concerns, with more departures expected soon. Here's White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt.

[Caroline Levitt]

Last week the order simply directs federal agencies to come up with a return to work plan. And so this isn't a purge, and this isn't forcing every single individual in Washington, D.C. to return to work only if they are able. And of course, within the law, the.

[Cabot Phillips]

Trump administration has begun the transfer of detained illegal immigrants to Guantanamo Bay. The first two flights landed this morning at the US Naval base in Cuba. Guantanamo has historically held migrants intercepted at sea, but its current capacity of 120 detainees is set to expand dramatically. The administration plans to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants as part of its broader immigration enforcement strategy.

[John Bickley]

And China is now hitting back after Trump's new 10% tariff on all Chinese imports. China's now slapping a 15% levy on coal and liquefied natural gas and 10% on crude oil, agricultural equipment and large engine cars. Trump's newly imposed 10% tariff is on top of others that were already hoisted onto Chinese imports. Beijing will also restrict exports of rare earth metals, vital for tech. President Trump is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping soon.

[Cabot Phillips]

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 the ongoing tariff war, growing immigration protests and the USAID shutdown. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.