Trump to Void Biden Pardons & VA Trans Service Scrutiny | Afternoon Update | 3.17.25

Summary

Morning Wire: Trump to Void Biden Pardons & VA Trans Service Scrutiny | Afternoon Update | 3.17.25

Released on March 17, 2025

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1. President Trump’s Move to Void Biden’s Pardons

Hosts: George Howe and Tim Rice

The episode opens with a significant political development: President Trump has announced his intention to nullify the pardons granted by former President Biden during the last days of his administration.

Key Points:

• Tim Rice reports that Trump claims the pardons are invalid because they were signed using an "auto pen," asserting that Biden had no direct knowledge of these actions. At 00:51, Rice states, “President Trump says he'll void pardons made during former President Biden's final days.”

• John Bickley elaborates, noting, “In a statement, Trump argued that the pardons are not valid because they were signed by an auto pen and that his predecessor had no knowledge of the pardons” (00:51).

• A Political Analyst criticizes the legitimacy of the pardons, highlighting their questionable authorization: “Somebody was using an auto pen to sign off and to give pardons to... the J6UN Select Committee, they gave pardons with an I don't think Biden knew anything about it” (00:59).

• John Bickley continues, mentioning that among those pardoned were members of the January 6th committee, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and General Mark Milley. The Heritage Foundation's oversight project has raised concerns about Biden’s use of the auto pen, questioning his direct involvement in such significant legal decisions (01:16).

2. Voice of America Shutdown

Hosts: George Howe and Tim Pierce

The shutdown of the state media network, Voice of America (VOA), marks another contentious move by President Trump.

Key Points:

• George Howe introduces the topic: “State media network Voice of America has been silenced after an executive order from President Trump” (01:38).

• Tim Pierce provides details, explaining that Trump’s order has dismantled several government offices, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). He notes, “Trump criticized VOA for promoting biased content and what he calls divisive propaganda” (01:47).

• The executive order aims to reduce or eliminate non-essential functions within USAGM, leading to significant layoffs at VOA and its affiliates. Pierce highlights that USAGM head Kari Lake criticized the agency’s financial burden, stating, “how much money the agency is costing taxpayers” (02:22).

• A Commentator adds context by discussing the Biden administration's recent actions: “They signed a brand new lease for this building... it's costing the taxpayer a fortune” (02:22), pointing out the financial implications of the agency's operations.

3. Resumption of Border Wall Construction in Arizona

Host: Tim Rice

President Trump has initiated the construction of a border wall in Arizona, reversing President Biden’s previous halt on such projects.

Key Points:

• Tim Rice reports that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has confirmed the commencement of a 7-mile wall project in the Rio Grande Valley, costing approximately $70 million (02:51).

• This move follows Biden’s termination of wall construction, contrasting sharply with Trump’s first term, during which around 450 miles of barriers were erected.

• Vice President J.D. Vance expresses optimism about completing the entire border wall by 2029, as Rice states: “Vice President J.D. vance expressed hopes to complete the entire border wall by 2029” (02:51).

• Additionally, Rice mentions that illegal border crossings have significantly decreased since Trump assumed office, underscoring the administration’s focus on border security (02:51).

4. Severe Storm Recovery Efforts in the Central and Eastern US

Host: George Howe

The podcast addresses the aftermath of a powerful storm system that wreaked havoc across multiple regions in the central and eastern United States.

Key Points:

• George Howe outlines the severity of the storms, which included violent tornadoes and blizzard conditions, resulting in at least one fatality (03:20).

• Over 1,000 reports of severe weather were filed, including 56 tornadoes across 10 states, with significant damage in Missouri, Arkansas, and Alabama.

• In response, President Trump has pledged federal assistance, while local officials have declared states of emergency to manage the recovery efforts (03:20).

5. Scrutiny of VA’s Transgender Medical Services

Hosts: Tim Rice and Luke Rosiak

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is under fire for providing transgender medical services despite federal regulations that ban gender alterations.

Key Points:

• Tim Rice introduces the issue: “The Department of Veterans affairs is under fire for providing transgender medical services despite federal regulations banning gender alterations” (04:13).

• Luke Rosiak delves into the controversy, revealing internal documents from the Biden era that show the VA offered comprehensive transgender services, including hormone therapy and voice training, but excluded surgeries. These services were allegedly promoted using vague procedure codes to redirect funds towards body hair removal, misleading taxpayers (04:26).

• The Trump administration has halted these procedures for new patients while allowing ongoing treatments for veterans already enrolled, aiming to reallocate funds to support severely injured veterans. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated, “the money saved would be redirected to support severely injured vets” (05:03).

6. Forever 21 Files for Bankruptcy and Closes US Stores

Host: George Howe

In a significant retail development, Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy for the second time, leading to the permanent closure of all its US stores.

Key Points:

• George Howe reports that Forever 21, once a youth fashion leader with peak sales of $4 billion in 2015, has struggled due to rising costs and shifting consumer trends toward online rivals like Shein and Temu (05:03).

• The brand’s dependence on brick-and-mortar stores proved unsustainable amid the rise of ultra-cheap, fast fashion e-commerce platforms. Despite attempts to restructure, Forever 21’s assets are being wound down with no potential buyers identified (05:37).

7. West Virginia Takes Legal Action Against NCAA

Host: Tim Rice

West Virginia is challenging the NCAA over the exclusion of its men’s basketball team from the tournament.

Key Points:

• Tim Rice outlines that the state of West Virginia, led by Governor Patrick Morrissey, is suing the NCAA, arguing that WVU was unfairly snubbed from the tournament (05:37).

• Governor Patrick Morrissey defends the team’s qualification, stating, “111 out of the 111 bracketologists projected WVU to make the tournament” and emphasizing their “six Quad One wins” (05:57).

• Tim Rice adds that Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormack has also expressed disappointment, reinforcing the belief that West Virginia deserved a spot in the NCAA tournament (06:25).

• The NCAA tournament is scheduled to begin the following day, with ongoing debates about the selection process and fairness (06:25).

Conclusion

George Howe wraps up the afternoon update by summarizing additional coverage, including Democratic leadership challenges, Trump’s foreign policy initiatives, and SpaceX’s mission to rescue stranded astronauts. Listeners are encouraged to visit dailywire.com for more in-depth stories and to stay tuned for the full edition of Morning Wire the next morning (06:35).

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Notable Quotes:

• John Bickley (00:51): “In a statement, Trump argued that the pardons are not valid because they were signed by an auto pen and that his predecessor had no knowledge of the pardons.”

• Political Analyst (00:59): “Somebody was using an auto pen to sign off and to give pardons to... I don't think Biden knew anything about it.”

• Tim Pierce (01:47): “Trump criticized VOA for promoting biased content and what he calls divisive propaganda.”

• Governor Patrick Morrissey (05:57): “111 out of the 111 bracketologists projected WVU to make the tournament. And for good reason.”

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This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions and insights from the Morning Wire episode, providing listeners who missed the show with a detailed overview of the major topics covered.

Transcript

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[George Howe]

Trump plans to make Biden's pardons null and void, Voice of America loses its voice and a major clothing retailer files for chapter 11. George I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. It's Monday, March 17th. Happy St. Patrick's Day, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Tim Rice]

President Trump says he'll void pardons made during former President Biden's final days. Daily Wire deputy Managing editor Tim Rice has the latest.

[John Bickley]

In a statement, Trump argued that the pardons are not valid because they were signed by an auto pen and that his predecessor had no knowledge of the pardons.

[Political Analyst]

Somebody was using an auto pen to sign off and to give pardons to. As an example, just one example, but the J6UN Select Committee, they gave think of it, they gave pardons with an I don't think Biden knew anything about it.

[John Bickley]

Among those pardoned were members of the January 6th committee and figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and General Mark Milley. The Heritage Foundation's oversight project initially raised concerns over Biden's use of the auto pen to sign significant legal orders. Critics of Biden's mental acuity argue that the use of the auto pen for key documents raises serious questions about his direct involvement in the decision making process.

[George Howe]

State media network Voice of America has been silenced after an executive order from President Trump. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has the details.

[Tim Pierce]

The order dismantled several government offices, including VOA's parent organization, the U.S. agency for Global Media. Trump criticized VOA for promoting biased content and what he calls divisive propaganda. The order calls for the reduction or elimination of non essential components and functions within usagm, with significant layoffs and termination of employment for some staff, including those at VOA and its affiliates. Trump's order followed heightened scrutiny of VOA's coverage, particularly its portrayal of Hamas. USAGM head Kari Lake released a video on social media last week exposing how much money the agency is costing taxpayers.

[Commentator]

The Biden administration, folks who were running this agency before, right before they left office, signed a brand new lease for this building, a 15 year lease that's going to cost the taxpayer nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. Here's the kicker, they already have a building that they're located in that is paid off that they could have renovated or updated, but they chose instead to get us into a lease that's costing the taxpayer a fortune.

[Tim Rice]

Border wall construction is set to begin again in Arizona. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the 7 mile project will be built in the Rio Grande Valley. It's going to cost about 70 million million and it follows President Biden ending wall construction. Trump's first term saw approximately 450 miles of barriers built. Vice President J.D. vance expressed hopes to complete the entire border wall by 2029. Meanwhile, illegal border crossings have dropped dramatically since Trump took office.

[George Howe]

Recovery efforts are underway in the central and eastern US Following a powerful storm system. The storms brought everything from violent tornadoes to blizzard conditions across multiple regions at least were killed as a result. The storm systems began Friday, unleashing over 1,000 reports of severe weather, including 56 tornadoes across 10 states. Significant damage has been reported in Missouri, Arkansas and Alabama. Meanwhile, Trump is pledging federal assistance while local officials have declared states of emergency.

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[Tim Rice]

The Department of Veterans affairs is under fire for providing transgender medical services despite federal regulations banning gender alterations. Daily Wire investigative reporter Luke Rosiak has more.

[Luke Rosiak]

Internal documents from the Biden era show the VA offering essentially everything other than surgery, including prosthetic male appendages and breasts. The documents show the VA also offered hormone therapy and voice training and used the Fill in the Blank's form letter to convince outside surgeons to do sex changes. It trained staff how to use a vague, unlisted procedure code to bill body hair removal to taxpayers. The Trump administration today said it's put a stop to these procedures except for veterans already undergoing them. VA Secretary Doug Collins said the money saved would be redirected to support severely injured vets.

[George Howe]

One time Youth fashion leader Forever 21 is permanently closing all of its US stores after filing for bankruptcy for the second time. While the brand peaked in 2015 with $4 billion in sales, lately it's struggled with rising costs and changing consumer trends. Online rivals like Shein and Temu, offering ultra cheap, fast fashion have overtaken the brand, especially as Forever 21's reliance on brick and mortar stores proved challenging. Despite efforts to restructure, the company's assets are now being wound down with no clear buyer in sight.

[Tim Rice]

And the state of West Virginia is taking legal action against the ncaa. Officials argue that the West Virginia University men's basketball team was snubbed. Governor Patrick Morrissey argues that the team deserves to be in the NCAA tournament. He cites their, quote, strong 1912 record. Here's Morrissey in a press conference today.

[Governor Patrick Morrissey]

111 out of the 111 bracketologists projected WVU to make the tournament. And for good reason. The selection committee for years has talked about the importance of Quad One wins. Now, for those who don't know much about a quad one win, this is when you defeat a team ranked first through 75th. Obviously, it depends upon whether you're home, neutral site or away. West Virginia had six Quad One wins.

[Tim Rice]

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormack also expressed disappointment, stating West Virginia deserved a spot. The NCAA tournament kicks off tomorrow and continues throughout the week.

[George 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 major stories, including the Democrats leadership dilemma, Trump's aggressive foreign policy moves and SpaceX efforts to bring two stranded astronauts home. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning. Full edition of MORNING WIRE.