Trump’s Economic Line & Minnesota Tactic Shift | 1.28.26

Summary

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Morning Wire – Trump’s Economic Line & Minnesota Tactic Shift | 1.28.26

Podcast: Morning Wire
Hosts: John Bickley, Georgia Howe
Date: January 28, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Morning Wire centers on President Trump's aggressive economic messaging and his evolving approach to immigration enforcement, particularly in Minnesota following recent unrest. Other key topics include shifting U.S. trade dynamics with allies, fallout from Trump’s tariff policies, and a looming partial government shutdown centered on Homeland Security funding. The episode features in-depth reporting, notable quotes from Trump and key players, and reactions from both domestic and international perspectives.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Economic Message and Iowa Rally

[02:47 – 04:37]

• President Trump continues his nationwide campaign, focusing on economic achievements and advocating for Republican Senate control in upcoming midterms.
• Trump’s economic pitch includes touting booming growth, rising incomes, and the implementation of aggressive tariffs.
• He positions current economic skepticism as a "messaging problem" rather than a fundamental issue.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [03:44]:
  “Just after one year of President Trump, our economy is booming, incomes are rising, investment is soaring, inflation has been defeated. Our border is closed, totally closed.”

• Donald Trump [04:09]:
  “We recently issued $12 billion in farm relief … because you were screwed by other countries. …We have so much money from the tariffs coming in. So you couldn't have done that before. We're a rich country now.”

• Senior Editor Cabot Phillips emphasizes Trump’s bullish stance on tariffs, intended to spur domestic manufacturing, reduce reliance on China, and force allies into more favorable deals.

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2. Global Trade Shakeups: The EU & Canada Respond

[04:37 – 07:34]

• Europe:
  • The EU, frustrated by Trump’s tariffs and hardball tactics on issues like Greenland, NATO, and Ukraine, has announced a major trade agreement with India to diversify away from U.S. dependency.
  • The agreement is described by EU head Ursula von der Leyen as the “mother of all deals,” reducing tariffs on key goods and enabling entry into India’s car market.
• India-EU Partnership:
  • Emphasized on shared pluralism and strategic partnership.
  • Seen as a clear alternative to U.S. unilateralism.

Notable Quotes:

• Ursula von der Leyen [05:55]:
  “The European Union and India are natural strategic partners because we have so much in common. …Unity in diversity is the motto on your side and on our side.”

• Cabot Phillips [06:18]:
  “Von der Leyen went on to say that … we are showing a fractured world that another way is possible. Again, maybe a veiled shot there at Trump.”

• Canada:

  • Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a ‘strategic partnership’ with China, further lowering tariffs and opening markets for Chinese electric vehicles—prompting Trump to threaten 100% retaliatory tariffs.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bickley [07:29]:
  “Well, Trump told us for years now that his favorite word is tariff, so not surprised to see that response.”

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3. Minnesota Immigration Tactic Shift after Shooting

[08:42 – 13:34]

• In the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy by federal agents in Minneapolis, the Trump administration is recalibrating personnel and messaging for immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is under fire for aggressive raids and public statements. Trump stands behind her leadership.
• Tom Homan, the new border czar, initiates dialogue with Minnesota’s governor for ongoing coordination.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [09:50]:
  “I think [Secretary Noem is] doing a very good job. The border is totally secure. …Now we have a border where no one is coming through.”

• Protests erupt at the state Capitol ("ICE out now!") reflecting opposition to federal enforcement.

• Judicial pushback: Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz demands ICE leadership appear in court, accusing the administration of violating due process.

Notable Quotes:

• Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz (quoted by Tim Pierce) [11:57]:
  “This court has been extremely patient with respondents, even though respondents decided to send thousands of agents to Minnesota…without making any provision for dealing with the hundreds of habeas petitions and other lawsuits that were sure to result.”

• Discussion around the case of Juan Hugo Tobia Robles underscores tensions over due process rights and mandatory detention.

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4. Approaching Government Shutdown Over DHS Funding

[14:10 – 17:24]

• A partial government shutdown looms as Senate Democrats hold up a House-passed budget, pressing for restrictions on Homeland Security funding due to recent events in Minneapolis.
• Negotiations are tense, with Democrats seeking to separate DHS funding for ICE/Border Patrol controls while Republicans resist.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bickley [15:04]:
  “So we could see votes as early as tomorrow. Have there been any negotiations at this point?”

• Cameron Arcan [15:10]:
  “Well, things are looking bleak, and it's simply because there's a debate over whether or not that funding should be included and lumped in with other funding bills that already exist.”

• The possible impact of a shutdown would affect agencies beyond immigration, notably FEMA and TSA, with both sides using these as leverage.

• Bipartisan calls for investigation into the Minneapolis shooting, and ongoing debate over the administration’s executive authority on deportation.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (Chronological with Timestamps)

• Donald Trump on Economic Success [03:44]:
  “Our economy is booming, incomes are rising, investment is soaring, inflation has been defeated. Our border is closed, totally closed.”

• Donald Trump on Tariffs and Farm Relief [04:09]:
  “We have so much money from the tariffs coming in. …We're a rich country now.”

• Ursula von der Leyen on Partnership (as quoted) [05:55]:
  “Pluralism and respect for human dignity is at our core… unity in diversity is the motto on your side and our side.”

• Donald Trump on Noem and the Border [09:50]:
  “I think he's done a very good job. …Now we have a border where no one is coming through.”

• Protesters at Minnesota State Capitol [11:11]:
  (Chanting) “ICE out now.”

• Judge Schiltz on Due Process [11:57]:
  “This court has been extremely patient with respondents…without making any provision for dealing with the hundreds of habeas petitions…”

• Cameron Arcan on Shutdown Dynamics [15:10]:
  “…There's a debate over whether or not that funding should be included and lumped in with other funding bills…”

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Structural Timeline of Major Segments

| Time | Segment | Speaker(s) | |----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------| | 02:47–04:37 | Trump touts economic wins and tariffs | Trump, Cabot Phillips | | 04:37–07:34 | Europe and Canada pursue trade deals in reaction to tariffs | Cabot Phillips | | 08:42–13:34 | Minnesota tactic shift, ICE controversy, legal developments | Tim Pierce, Trump, Howe | | 14:10–17:24 | Looming government shutdown over DHS funding | Cameron Arcan, Bickley |

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Tone and Language

The discussion is factual but clearly slanted towards a conservative perspective. Hosts maintain an authoritative newsroom style, guided by direct reporting and attributed statements. Trump’s quotes directly spotlight his trademark brash confidence, while the reporting on protests and judicial actions contextualizes the political turmoil and resistance his policies have spurred.

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Summary Conclusion

This episode offers a fast-moving look at how Trump’s aggressive economic and immigration policies are shaping both domestic politics and America’s global standing. With rising trade tensions, evolving alliances, intensifying protests, and a potential government shutdown, the stakes for policy, law, and public opinion are high. For listeners, the episode delivers facts and voices straight from the frontlines of America's political fights as the midterms approach.

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Transcript

[John Bickley]

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[Tim Pierce]

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[Georgia Howe]

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[John Bickley]

President Trump touts his first year economic wins in a rally in Iowa as US Allies look elsewhere for trade deals.

[Donald Trump]

Under my leadership, economic growth is exploding to numbers unheard of. And we're just getting started.

[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Wednesday, January 28th. This is Morning Wire.

[Georgia Howe]

The White House is recalibrating their approach in Minnesota, shifting both personnel and rhetoric on the unrest. Mr. Homan has been working alongside Secretary Noem and again, he's uniquely positioned to continue this correspondence with state and local authorities. And that's what he's going to be doing.

[John Bickley]

And the countdown to another shutdown is on as Senate Democrats hold up a House passed budget bill over homeland security funding. I hate shutdowns. I'm one of the people that helped.

Negotiate the end of the last shutdown.

But I can't vote for a bill.

That includes ICE funding under these circumstances.

[Georgia Howe]

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

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[Georgia Howe]

President Trump hit the campaign trail Tuesday to tout his economic agenda as Europe finds a new trading partner and sends a message to Washington.

[John Bickley]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here to discuss. Morning, Cabot. So let's start with the president's address in Iowa yesterday. What did we hear from him?

[Cabot Phillips]

Yeah, as we've talked about on the show, Trump has been traveling the country in recent months, really working to convince the American people that he is making progress on the economy. While the president himself won't be on the ballot again, he's essentially campaigning for Republican control of the Senate come November. And Iowa Senate seat is going to be up for grabs. So these speeches are basically campaign stops and tell us a lot about the message we're going to hear from the GOP over the next nine months.

[John Bickley]

Always comes back to the midterms.

[Cabot Phillips]

It really does, John. Now, remember, polling shows that most Americans are still pessimistic about the state of things, economically speaking. And the White House is convinced that it's all just a messaging problem. So here is the message that President Trump is going with.

[Donald Trump]

Just after one year of President Trump, our economy is booming, incomes are rising, investment is soaring, inflation has been defeated. Our border is closed, totally closed.

[Sponsor Voice]

And.

[Donald Trump]

America is respected all over the world.

[Cabot Phillips]

Now, as expected, the president remains bullish on his tariff policies, which he says are just now starting to really pay dividends. Have a listen.

[Donald Trump]

We recently issued $12 billion in farm relief. We gave them far because you were screwed by other countries. I said, how much is the number to our great Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins? He's doing a great job. I said, brooke, what's the number? And she said, $12 billion. And I wrote a check for $12 billion because we have so much money from the tariffs coming in. So you couldn't have done that before. We're a rich country now.

[John Bickley]

Now, on that topic, we've seen some major developments abroad in response to Trump's tariffs. Let's get into that. What's going on?

[Cabot Phillips]

Right. Since regaining The White House. Trump has used tariffs to spur domestic manufacturing, open up new markets for American products, and importantly, reduce our reliance on China. He says, for national security purposes and more broadly, to send a message that we're not going to be bullied by their unfair trade policies. Well, amid this ongoing trade war, much of Europe now considers the US A trade adversary, and they're basically looking to do the same thing, except in this scenario, we are their China. Remember, the EU is furious with Trump over his hardball tactics on Greenland, NATO funding the war in Ukraine, and tariffs. He's essentially told them, we're the number one economy. You need us. If you don't like the deals I'm offering, go find another partner. And now the EU is trying to do just that. On Tuesday, the European Union announced the framework of a massive trade deal with India, the world's most populous nation. That agreement will eliminate or greatly reduce nearly all tariffs between the two sides, mostly on agricultural products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. It'll also allow Europe to finally sell their cars on the Indian market. EU head Ursula von der Leyen called this the, quote, mother of all deals. Here she is on Tuesday with some comments that a lot of people viewed as veiled shots at Trump.

[Georgia Howe]

The European Union and India are natural strategic partners because we have so much in common. Pluralism and respect for human dignity is at our core, but we respect this diversity. Unity in diversity is the motto on.

[Sponsor Voice]

Your side and on our side.

[Cabot Phillips]

Von der Leyen went on to say that, quote, india and Europe have made a clear choice, the choice of strategic partnership, dialogue, and openness. We are showing a fractured world that another way is possible. Again, maybe a veil shot there at Trump right now for Europe. While this deal is massive, it still reportedly only makes up for about a quarter of export losses caused by American tariffs. But again, it's clear proof that they are trying to find other dance partners besides the U.S. right.

[John Bickley]

And as we've been tracking, the EU isn't the only ally of the U.S. who's taking this approach. I'm talking about Canada, of course. Tell us about what's going on there.

[Cabot Phillips]

Yeah. China has been open about their desire to take advantage of this trade war and the volatility it might be causing and use it as a chance to cozy up with Western nations who are frustrated with the US and it looks like Canada is now willing to take them up on the offer. This month, Prime Minister Mark Carney traveled to Beijing for a series of meetings with Xi Jinping and emerged with a, quote, strategic partnership that will lower tariffs between the two countries and open up the Canadian market for cheap Chinese electric vehicles. That, as you can imagine, outraged Trump, who accused the Canadians of violating the US Mexico Canada Trade Agreement. He responded by threatening them with additional 100% tariffs.

[John Bickley]

Well, Trump told us for years now that his favorite word is tariff, so not surprised to see that response.

[Cabot Phillips]

Yeah, exactly.

[John Bickley]

Kevin, thanks for reporting.

[Cabot Phillips]

Absolutely.

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[John Bickley]

President Trump is shuffling his personnel and changing his administration's message after the death of Alex Preddy in Minneapolis, but he remains committed to deporting dangerous illegals in Minnesota.

[Georgia Howe]

Here to talk about the latest on the pushback from Minnesota to President Trump's immigration agenda is Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce. So, Tim, President Trump seems to be attempting a reset of sorts here. What's he doing?

[Tim Pierce]

Yeah, the president is moving around his personnel on immigration and as our immigration reporter Jenny Terre reported yesterday, that seems to be about a change in approach to deportations. The president had a two hour meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as part of this restructuring. Here's Jenny with the latest.

[Georgia Howe]

As President Trump looks to shift his strategy on mass deportations, Noem is facing criticism for making immigration raids more aggressive and for appearing to get ahead of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Freddie by calling him a domestic terrorist and suggesting he showed up armed to massacre federal agents. Some congressional Democrats, including moderate Democratic Senator John Fetterman have called on Trump to oust know him. Trump, however, appears to be standing his ground. Listen to his response to the mounting pressure.

[Donald Trump]

I think he's done a very good job. I think he's doing a very good job. The border is totally secure. You know, you forget we had a border border that I inherited where millions of people were coming through. Now we have a border where no one is coming through.

[Tim Pierce]

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, has started to get settled and meet with state and local officials, including Governor Tim Walls, and they agree to an ongoing dialogue over continued federal immigration operations.

[Georgia Howe]

And now, as we've already reported, this really blew up because of the death of Alex Preddy, who we've since learned may have had a previous run in with law enforcement. What do we know about Preddy's history?

[John Bickley]

Right.

[Tim Pierce]

According to cnn, Preddy was known to federal officers already a week before his fatal confrontation with Border Patrol. Preddy was involved in a prior violent confrontation with federal officers. He actually broke a rib after officers tackled him while he was protesting or obstructing immigration enforcement while they attempted to arrest an illegal alien. The Department of Homeland Security, though, has said it has no record of the incident.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, on the ground in Minnesota, tensions seem to be about as high as ever with a very large crowd of protesters invading the state Capitol building yesterday. What do we know about that incident?

[Tim Pierce]

It was a pretty wild sight. Demonstrators crowded into the state Capitol to protest against ice. Here's what that sounded like.

[Donald Trump]

ICE out now.

[John Bickley]

ICE out now.

[Donald Trump]

ICE out.

[Tim Pierce]

And this came after Walls and the federal government seemed to be reaching toward an agreement of some sort. But if this is any indication, it doesn't appear that Minnesota's anti ICE activist community will be okay with anything short of a complete stop to federal immigration operations in the state.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, a federal judge in Minnesota has demanded that the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement appear in court later this week. The judge himself admits this is a, quote, extraordinary step. And the order suggests that acting ICE Director Todd Lyons could be held in contempt. Why is this judge so upset with Todd Lyons?

[Tim Pierce]

Right. Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz said that the Trump administration violated a court order to give illegal aliens due process. The judge wrote in a three page order, quote, this court has been extremely patient with respondents, even though respondents decided to send thousands of agents to Minnesota to detain aliens without making any provision for dealing with the hundreds of of habeas, petitions and other lawsuits that were sure to result. This judge was irritated about one case in particular, that of Juan Hugo to buy Robles to buy Robles is from Ecuador and he has lived in the US illegally for the past 30 years. ICE officers with an arrest warrant detained him on January 6, but Judge Schiltz said that he must be released because he was not first served a notice to appear.

[Georgia Howe]

Now this seems pretty similar to other suits that we've seen. Is this a unique case?

[Tim Pierce]

No, not really. The Tobias Robles case is just one of many over the government's policy of mandatory detention, which is an expansive read on the executive's authority to detain and deport illegal immigrants. Under previous administrations, illegal aliens who have been in the US For a long time have been given more due process. But the Trump administration says that that's an arbitrary choice and one not required by federal law, since these aliens, no matter how long they've been in the country, should still be considered applicants for admission. The administration has taken a similar approach to illegals who have had prior deportation orders. In some of those cases, the deportation orders are years old or the aliens home country has refused to take them back, which has created some complications. But the administration says that its due process requirements regardless, have already been fulfilled.

[Georgia Howe]

So an open legal question for the courts to decide now. Tim, thanks for reporting.

[Tim Pierce]

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[Georgia Howe]

In Washington, we're inching closer to a partial government shutdown on Friday as the Senate debates funding for Homeland Security.

[John Bickley]

Daily Wire political reporter Cameron Arcan has more details on this developing situation. Morning Cameron. So what can we expect to see this week?

So funding for the federal government is expected to expire on Friday, but the problem is that the House is out of town this week because they already approved those spending bills and sent them to the Senate. Now, since the shooting that we saw in Minneapolis over the weekend, the tone has definitely shifted a little bit and Dems want a shutdown over DHS funding because they want strings attached to it. Now Fox News reported that the bills could go up for votes in the Senate on Thursday and there could be some sort of negotiations hashed out, but it is not looking good right now, meaning we could very well be seeing a partial government shutdown headed into this weekend.

All right so we could see votes as early as tomorrow. Have there been any negotiations at this point?

Well, things are looking bleak, and it's simply because there's a debate over whether or not that funding should be included and lumped in with other funding bills that already exist. Keep in mind, if there was changes made to this DHS funding, it would then have to go back to the House. Now, you have Democrats like Elizabeth Warren calling for the bill to be separated so that way they can place restraints on ICE and Border Patrol. As you have people like Fetterman and House Democrats wanting for Secretary Noem to be fired. That wouldn't necessarily be a leverage point for a shutdown, but we could see something like that emerge. On the flip side, you have people like Senate Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton warning against a mob veto saying this is not going to fly. Especially when we see that, you know, the House already approved these bills, and that can make this debate even messier and drag out longer.

Right now, a lot of critics have said that stopping DHS funding would be pointless and potentially just create other issues. Tell us about that argument.

Yes. So sources I've talked with at DHS and the White House have said that a lot of this would really be impacting funding to FEMA and tsa. Because the big catch here about this debate and why the Democrats want to use this right now, now to put restrictions on ice, even though a lot of that funding for Trump's immigration agenda happened under the one big beautiful bill act that was already approved. So the massive funding of ICE officers and some of the stuff with the border wall and all that, that was already approved. So.

Right.

Using this is a way to see if there could be restrictions put in place by essentially using those other agencies at this point as a leverage. Now, there have been bipartisan calls for an investigation into the SH that we saw in Minneapolis. But we're seeing on the House side and in the Senate side some potential restrictions being floated on some of these immigration operations, such as stopping, masking. It's unclear if any of this would have any success at this point, but as we head into a pretty serious shutdown battle, you know, we saw one last year. It will be interesting to see what ends up coming out of it.

Yeah. Well, we'll be watching very closely in these coming days. Cameron, thank you so much for reporting.

Thank you.

[Georgia Howe]

Before we sign off, a programming note, as some of you have noticed, we've not been able to do video this week. That is because of the winter storm that's come through Nashville. But no worries. We will be coming back to video as soon as conditions permit. And we will be back this evening with more news you need to know on Evening Wire.