Trump’s ‘Golden Age of America’ Begins | 1.21.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Trump’s ‘Golden Age of America’ Begins | 1.21.25
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Presented by: The Daily Wire

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1. Inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President

Georgia Howe opens the episode by announcing Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President of the United States:

[00:19] Georgia Howe: "Donald Trump is inaugurated the 47th President of the United States and vows to weed out corruption and restore trust in the federal government."

In his inaugural address, Donald Trump sets an optimistic tone, proclaiming the start of America's resurgence:

[00:28] Donald Trump: "The golden age of America begins. Right now, a tide of change is sweeping the country. Sunlight is pouring over the entire world. From this moment on, America's decline is over."

2. Day One Executive Actions

Georgia Howe and co-host Cabot Phillips discuss Trump's immediate actions following his inauguration:

[00:43] Georgia Howe: "Trump takes Sweeping Action Day 1 on his key promise declaring a national emergency at the border and deporting criminal illegal aliens."

Donald Trump emphasizes halting illegal entries and repatriating criminals:

[01:04] Donald Trump: "All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came."

Cabot Phillips highlights the breadth of Trump's executive orders:

[01:17] Cabot Phillips: "And a series of shock and awe executive orders look to transform the nation on everything from gender to free speech to energy."

Trump underscores the economic potential with natural resources:

[01:25] Donald Trump: "We will be a rich nation again and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it."

3. Inaugural Address and National Vision

Trump's inaugural speech is dissected, showcasing his commitment to reclaiming American sovereignty and justice:

[03:11] Donald Trump: "From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first. Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department, and our government will end."

He also addresses government corruption:

[04:05] Donald Trump: "As we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair. We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders or more importantly, its own people."

4. Response to Biden's Final Hour Actions

The podcast addresses the context of Trump's actions, contrasting them with former President Joe Biden's final decisions:

[05:27] Cabot Phillips: "Right. Serious allegations they're now shielded from."

This includes Biden's controversial pardons of family members and officials, which Trump capitalizes on by pledging to address similar issues.

5. Pardons and Judicial Reforms

Post-inauguration, Trump announces his intention to pardon those associated with the January 6th events:

[05:42] Kevin: "A lot of anticipation about how he would handle the January six pardons. And Trump did not disappoint his base in his first moves on this."

[05:57] Donald Trump: "You know, tonight I'm going to be signing on the J6 hostages pardons. Get them out. And as soon as I leave, I'm going to the Oval Office and we'll be signing pardons for a lot of people. A lot of people."

The podcast highlights that Trump has already pardoned most individuals charged by the Biden administration, with only a few remaining cases:

[06:13] Kevin: "Trump has so far already signed pardons for all but a handful. He's commuted those final sentences and will do, quote, further research on them."

6. Notable Moments from the Inauguration Day

A lighter yet memorable moment from the inauguration is recounted:

[06:29] Kevin: "Another memorable moment from the day came during the swearing in when the music in the venue malfunctioned right as Carrie Underwood was supposed to sing America the Beautiful. After a long, awkward moment of confusion, Underwood stepped up with a beautiful acapella rendition and the crowd joined in."

7. Executive Orders Overview

Amanda Presto Giacomo details the broad scope of Trump's executive orders beyond immigration:

a. Gender Policies

Trump defines sex as male and female, impacting federal agencies and banning gender marker changes on official documents:

[11:15] Amanda Presto Giacomo: "Trump officially defined sex as male and female. The order requires federal agencies to reflect biological sex and it bans gender marker changes on passports and IDs."

Kristen Wagner from the Alliance Defending Freedom comments on the significance:

[12:10] Kristen Wagner: "They can no longer say that federal law requires this in terms of the agency action. And now the power of the federal government in all of the places that it shows up is actually on the opposite side of this fight."

b. Free Speech Restoration

Trump aims to end government censorship, targeting federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs:

[12:45] Amanda Presto Giacomo: "Trump also signed an EO to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America."

He rejects "social engineering" of race and gender:

[13:15] Donald Trump: "I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit based."

c. Energy and Environmental Policies

Declares a national energy emergency to boost drilling and withdraws from the Paris Climate Accords:

[13:31] Amanda Presto Giacomo: "Trump also declared a national energy emergency. Those orders will allow more drilling in Alaska and the electric vehicle mandate in leasing to wind farms, and it withdraws us from the Paris climate accords."

d. Government Weaponization

Targets perceived political biases and prosecutions under the Biden administration:

[14:19] Donald Trump: "Under my leadership, we will restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law."

e. Renaming Landmarks

Reverts the names of significant geographic locations to their traditional names:

[14:26] Amanda Presto Giacomo: "And finally, Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. And he renamed Mount Denali, a mountain in Alaska, back to Mount McKinley."

8. Border Security and Immigration Reforms

Spencer Lindquist elaborates on Trump's comprehensive border strategies:

[07:56] Spencer Lindquist: "This is a major step in his effort to secure the border. The declaration allows the executive branch to take some immediate action by enabling Trump to use the military, including both the armed forces and the National Guard, and they'll be able to construct physical barriers and repel migrant invasions."

Key measures include reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, ending "catch and release," and halting the CBP One app:

[08:15] Donald Trump: "First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. We will reinstate my remain in Mexico policy. I will end the practice of catch and release, and I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country."

The termination of the CBP One app is highlighted as a significant move to prevent inadmissible migrants from entering:

[09:28] Spencer Lindquist: "The new White House will attempt to end birthright citizenship for illegal aliens... Trump is also designating cartels as terrorist organizations."

Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, outlines his priorities:

[10:19] Donald Trump: "We're going to start the deportation operation focusing on criminals and public safety threats. And we're going to start looking for over 300,000 missing children."

Additionally, the Judiciary Committee's upcoming hearing on immigration enforcement underscores the Republican unified front:

[10:28] Spencer Lindquist: "The Judiciary Committee's first hearing of the year will take place on January 22, and it'll be titled Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America."

9. Conclusion and Future Outlook

Georgia Howe and the team wrap up the episode by emphasizing the comprehensive and swift nature of Trump's initial actions, projecting a transformative presidency aimed at fulfilling campaign promises and addressing longstanding issues.

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Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump: "The golden age of America begins." (00:28)
• Donald Trump: "From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world." (03:11)
• Donald Trump: "Under my leadership, we will restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law." (14:19)

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This episode of Morning Wire provides an in-depth analysis of President Trump's inaugural actions, executive orders, and policy directions, painting a picture of a bold and immediate approach to governance aimed at reversing previous administration policies and setting the stage for what the hosts describe as America's "golden age."

Transcript

[Kevin]

And crown my good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

[Georgia Howe]

Donald Trump is inaugurated the 47th President of the United States and vows to weed out corruption and restore trust in the federal government.

[Donald Trump]

The golden age of America begins. Right now, a tide of change is sweeping the country. Sunlight is pouring over the entire world. From this moment on, America's decline is over.

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. It's Tuesday, January 21st and this is Morning Wire. Trump takes Sweeping Action Day 1 on his key promise declaring a national emergency at the border and deporting criminal illegal aliens.

[Donald Trump]

All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.

[Cabot Phillips]

And a series of shock and awe executive orders look to transform the nation on everything from gender to free speech to energy.

[Donald Trump]

We will be a rich nation again and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.

[Georgia Howe]

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

[Sponsor]

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[Georgia Howe]

President Trump addressed the nation yesterday in his second inaugural speech laying out his transformative vision for the next four years.

[Cabot Phillips]

Reporting from D.C. is Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips, who braved the cold along with the rest of the Daily Wire team there. Hey Cabot. So quite a day yesterday with Trump headlining not just the inaugural ceremony, but multiple events. First, what were the takeaways from the inauguration?

[Kevin]

Yeah, I experienced firsthand why they chose to move the ceremony indoors. It was absolutely frigid. I am still thawing out. I met folks from around the country and world for that matter, who had come to DC to celebrate and they certainly got their chance. The entire city felt like a giant Trump party. And because the ceremony was not on the National Mall, impromptu viewing parties formed all across the city all day long. When Trump gave his Inaugural address. After taking the oath of office, he struck an optimistic but defiant tone, saying the golden age of America was about to begin.

[Donald Trump]

From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first. Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department, and our government will end.

[Kevin]

Along with presenting that extremely optimistic view of the country's future under his administration, Trump also did not shy away from a key theme of his campaign, widespread government corruption. He vowed to immediately begin taking action to rip it out, root and stem.

[Donald Trump]

As we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair. We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders or more importantly, its own people.

[Kevin]

And we should note that Trump supporters say the timing of that declaration could not be more appropriate as the now former President Joe Biden issued a series of extremely controversial preemptive pardons in his literal final hour in office. Those included open ended pardons for five members of his immediate family. Also among those pardoned before any charges have been brought were Dr. Anthony Fauci, former US Army General Mark Milley, and members of the J6 Committee, including Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. There was a lot of blowback over those, but even more so over Biden's decision to pardon his own brother James and his wife, his sister Valerie and her husband and his brother Francis. This all comes, of course, amid a number of allegations against the Bidens for corruption, as well as fears on the left that Trump will pursue charges.

[Cabot Phillips]

Right. Serious allegations they're now shielded from.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Cabot Phillips]

Now, Trump also laid out some of his key executive actions, which we'll get to next segment. But in his post inaugural rally yesterday evening, he announced some pardons of his own. Tell us about that.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Right.

[Kevin]

A lot of anticipation about how he would handle the January six pardons. And Trump did not disappoint his base in his first moves on this. He announced to the crowd at the Capitol One arena that he was about to sign some of his initial pardons of what he called the J6 hostages and teased a lot more to come.

[Donald Trump]

You know, tonight I'm going to be signing on the J6 hostages pardons. Get them out. And as soon as I leave, I'm going to the Oval Office and we'll be signing pardons for a lot of people. A lot of people.

[Kevin]

As we reported, the Biden administration slapped over 1400 people with charges and convicted more than 900. Trump has so far already signed pardons for all but a handful. He's commuted those final sentences and will do, quote, further research on them. So we'll be tracking how he handles those cases going forward.

[Cabot Phillips]

Right.

[Kevin]

And one final note before we go. Another memorable moment from the day came during the swearing in when the music in the venue malfunctioned right as Carrie Underwood was supposed to sing America the Beautiful. After a long, awkward moment of confusion, Underwood stepped up with a beautiful acapella rendition and the crowd joined in.

[Cabot Phillips]

Really a remarkable moment and day. Kevin, thanks so much for reporting.

[Kevin]

Anytime.

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[Cabot Phillips]

President Trump has signed a slate of executive orders focused on immigration and border security, including declaring a national emergency.

[Georgia Howe]

Here to discuss is Daily Wire investigative reporter Spencer Lindquist. So, Spencer, arguably Trump's biggest priority issue here. So, as expected, we've seen a series of actions immediately on the border. First off, tell us, what does this national emergency declaration actually do?

[Spencer Lindquist]

This is a major step in his effort to secure the border. The declaration allows the executive branch to take some immediate action by enabling Trump to use the military, including both the armed forces and the National Guard, and they'll be able to construct physical barriers and repel migrant invasions. Trump previewed some of his immigration actions in his inaugural address yesterday.

[Donald Trump]

First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. We will reinstate my remain in Mexico policy. I will end the practice of catch and release, and I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, yesterday you were on a press call with incoming White House officials where this issue was discussed. What did you learn?

[Spencer Lindquist]

Right. Some of these actions reinstate policies that Trump rolled out during his first administration, but others are completely new, just like you heard there in his inaugural address. He will reinstate the remain in Mexico policy from his first term. He'll also resume the construction of the border wall. In another big move, Trump brought an end to the CBP1 app. That's the controversial app that allowed migrants to remotely schedule their asylum applications and then easily enter the United States. In total, about 1 million migrants were allowed into the country under Biden through this program. And more than a quarter million of those are believed to have been inadmissible migrants that should have never been allowed in. So that program is now already gone under Trump.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, so far, these were mostly campaign trail promises. What are some of the newer and possibly controversial orders?

[Spencer Lindquist]

Right. Some of these executive orders are much more wide reaching and have the potential to totally transform the state of play on this issue. The new White House will attempt to end birthright citizenship for illegal aliens. And that's an effort that's likely to be challenged in court. If it's successful, it alters the incentive structure behind illegal immigration. When I was on the border, ranchers and law enforcement told me stories of pregnant women who illegally entered the country and gave birth less than a mile into the United States just so that their children would become American citizens. Trump is also designating cartels as terrorist organizations. The White House officials say that much of the folks will be on trend. Aragua, the violent Venezuelan gang that infamously took over apartment buildings in Colorado under the Biden administration.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, laid out some of his Week 1 priorities. What are those?

[Spencer Lindquist]

That's right. Homan talked to Daily Wire's new White House correspondent, Mary Margaret Olehan. Here's what he had to say.

[Donald Trump]

We're going to start the deportation operation.

[Kevin]

Focusing on criminals and public safety threats. And we're going to start looking for.

[Donald Trump]

Over 300,000 missing children.

[Spencer Lindquist]

It isn't just Trump who will be focusing on immigration. However, we exclusively reported last week that the Judiciary Committee's first hearing of the year will take place on January 22, and it'll be titled Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America. It'll focus on the Biden administration's failures on the border and the steps the Trump administration and the legislature can take to secure it.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, clearly a very unified effort by Republicans on this issue. Spencer, thanks for reporting.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Thank you.

[Cabot Phillips]

Trump wasted no time on day one, signing numerous executive orders in a matter of hours of his swearing in ceremony.

[Georgia Howe]

Here to discuss Trump's executive orders is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presto Giacomo. So, Amanda, we just heard about Trump's action on the border. That's arguably been his biggest priority. What other issues has he addressed so far?

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Yeah, where to begin? Trump has signed executive orders, memos and proclamations right away, and those targeted the gender issue, free speech, energy, TikTok, government weaponization, and he even renamed the Gulf of Mexico. Trump is no Longer a Washington, D.C. rookie and he's had four years to identify high impact changes. And that's what he's trying to do with these orders. Now, on gender, Trump officially defined sex as male and female. The order requires federal agencies to reflect biological sex and it bans gender marker changes on passports and IDs. It also aims to block taxpayer funded gender transition treatments for federal prisoners while increasing privacy protections in women's spaces. And the order bans compelled speech in the form of preferred pronouns in government facilities, workplaces and schools. Morning Wire spoke to Alliance Defending Freedom President and CEO Kristen Wagner about just how significant this order is in terms of putting the weight of the federal government against these progressive policies.

[Kristen Wagner]

The difference here is they can no longer say that federal law requires this in terms of the agency action. And now the power of the federal government in all of the places that it shows up is actually on the opposite side of this fight. And in addition, the Trump administration can go a step further and it can deprive institutions as well as state governments of federal funding when they refuse to recognize biological reality and common sense.

[Georgia Howe]

Certainly that's been a major campaign issue. What else did the executive orders cover?

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Trump also signed an EO to quote, immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America. The Daily Wire has been particularly interested in this topic as we found ourselves specifically targeted by government entities for censorship. Also on the chopping block were federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives within the federal government. The order will axe any equity initiatives that have been pushed under former President Biden. And it slashes so called environmental justice programs. Here's Trump discussing that.

[Donald Trump]

I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit based.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Additionally, Trump declared a national energy emergency. Those orders will allow more drilling in Alaska and the electric vehicle mandate in leasing to wind farms, and it withdraws us from the Paris climate accords. It will also stop federal efforts to limit gas stoves and certain showerheads and dishwashers. Trump also took on the weaponization of the federal government, which was a major theme of his campaign for obvious reasons. This order directs Trump's AG to dig into government records to uncover any action that was taken to punish perceived political opponents, while obviously looking into numerous prosecutions of Trump himself. The order will zero in on the Biden administration's apparent targeting of parents speaking out at school board meetings, the prosecution of more than 1500 people associated with January 6th, and other Americans seemingly targeted over politics.

[Donald Trump]

Under my leadership, we will restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Rule of and finally, Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. And he renamed Mount Denali, a mountain in Alaska, back to Mount McKinley. In 2015, President Obama had changed the name to Denali to reflect the Alaskan native name. But Trump maintains that America should proudly embrace its own history.

[Georgia Howe]

So again, that's very on theme with the Make America Great Again agenda. Amanda, thanks for reporting.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

You're welcome.

[Cabot Phillips]

Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back this afternoon with more news you need to know.