Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump’s Greenland Deal & D.C. Marches for Life | 1.23.26
Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley, Georgia Howe
Guests: Cabot Phillips, Amanda Presto Giacomo, Dan Ryan, Pam Bondi, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Lila Rose, Dr. Marty Makary

Overview

This episode dissects three major stories:

• The Trump administration's Greenland military deal
• DOJ crackdowns on church protestors in Minneapolis
• The administration’s move to ban aborted fetal tissue research, coinciding with the March for Life in Washington, D.C. It closes with an analysis of Australia’s controversial new anti-hate legislation in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Greenland Deal — Security and Strategy

Segment Begins: [02:40]

Key Points:

• President Trump reached a landmark agreement with European allies regarding Greenland.
• The U.S. will not gain outright control but will greatly expand its military presence; some new bases could be sovereign U.S. territory.
• European NATO allies will also increase their military footprint with a new joint mission, “Arctic Sentry,” to counter Russian influence.
• Republicans pitch this as a negotiating win for Trump; critics on the left see it as a backpedal.

Notable Quotes:

• Cabot Phillips:
  “That agreement does stop short of giving the US outright control of Greenland, but reportedly makes way for the US to expand their military presence on the island and potentially opens the door for new bases to be considered sovereign U.S. territory.” [03:06]
• President Trump (via quote aired):
  “We’re going to have all military access that we want. We’re going to be able to put what we need on Greenland because we want it. We’re talking about national security and international security.” [04:10]
• Trump hints at constructing the “Golden Dome,” a missile defense system inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome. [04:19]

2. DOJ Responds to Minneapolis Protests

Segment Begins: [04:32]

Key Points:

• Recent protests escalated when activists—protesting ICE—stormed a Minnesota church, harassing clergy and worshippers.
• DOJ, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, arrested three individuals said to have orchestrated the protest, including activist leaders Nakima Armstrong and Chantal Allen. Charges include violating the FACE Act and conspiracy to deprive rights.
• Notably, Don Lemon (journalist and ex-CNN host) participated in the protest and faces potential charges; a magistrate judge has (for now) declined to indict him.
• The administration, represented by both Bondi and Vice President Vance, vows to prosecute violent agitators, emphasizing peaceful protest as acceptable but drawing a hard line at violence or interference with worship.

Notable Quotes:

• Pam Bondi:
  “We will protect our pastors. We will protect our churches. We will protect Americans of faith.” [05:53]
• Pam Bondi (on protest rights):
  “Protest me. Protest our immigration policy, but do it peacefully. If you assault a law enforcement officer, the Trump administration and the Department of Justice is going to prosecute you to the fullest extent into the law.” [06:20]

3. Aborted Fetal Tissue Ban & The March for Life

Segment Begins: [08:14]

Key Points:

• The NIH (National Institutes of Health) bans the use of abortion-derived human fetal tissue in federally funded research (effective immediately). Tissue from miscarriages remains permissible.
• Move hailed as a major win for pro-life advocates, timed with the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
• The March for Life is headlined by VP J.D. Vance; the theme is “Life is a Gift”; record turnout anticipated despite harsh weather.
• Pro-life leaders raise alarms about the increase in chemical/medication abortion (notably, mifepristone) post-Roe. Calls for stronger regulations continue.
• The FDA is reviewing the safety and data on mifepristone, noting that such analyses take time.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (NIH Director):
  “Now that there’s better technology, there’s no scientific harm to this, we’re still gonna be able to do the science we need while at the same time getting rid of this use of aborted human fetal tissue, which so many people—including me—find morally abhorrent.” [08:59]
• Lila Rose (Live Action founder):
  “The on-demand sale of the abortion pill via our postal mail system is the biggest public health crisis that we are facing. There are thousands of women going to the emergency room with severe health complications ... there are hundreds of thousands of children being killed in this country annually by the abortion pill.” [10:29]
• Lila Rose:
  “The FDA can in a moment make a ruling to ensure that the abortion pill requires at least one doctor's visit. The FDA could pull mifepristone ... from the market tomorrow ... that could happen within 24 hours.” [11:08]
• Dr. Marty Makary (FDA Commissioner):
  “Some people think that study can be done overnight, but a proper study at any university takes time ... The government shutdown was definitely a bit of a setback. But we are committed to getting this study done expeditiously.” [11:42]

4. Australia’s Post-Massacre Legislation and Civil Liberties Debate

Segment Begins: [12:58]

Key Points:

• Prompted by the Bondi Beach massacre, Australia’s parliament passed strict anti-hate and gun reform laws.
• The new anti-hate law enables the potential banning of political or religious organizations if they’re deemed to promote “hate crime,” even absent criminal acts.
• Penalties include criminal charges and up to 15 years imprisonment for group membership; new powers enable expulsion from Australia under expanded immigration rules.
• Dan Ryan (National Conservative Institute of Australia) expresses concern that these laws target speech and association rather than addressing root causes like immigration integration.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Ryan:
  “Now they have the power to essentially outlaw ... certain political groups if particular criteria are satisfied ... But we've never really had anything quite like that before.” [13:26]
• Dan Ryan:
  “It will be a criminal offence to be a member of those groups, which would bring ... up to 15 years [in jail]. It's one thing to ban an organization which is actively engaged in terrorist activities, but this is a slightly different law ... which would apply even when there isn’t necessarily a criminal act that has taken place.” [15:12]
• Dan Ryan:
  “A lot of the worst legislation in history is done because people feel like we've got to do something, and the solution is worse than the problem.” [15:50]

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Trump’s “Trump Land” joke (quickly walked back) highlights the podcast’s slightly tongue-in-cheek, but serious, approach to big news. [03:06]
• Pam Bondi’s forceful defense of churches and faith communities echoes the hardline posture of the current DOJ [05:53]
• Pro-life voices on the show exude both triumph and continued urgency over abortion policy, medical research, and chemical abortion regulation.
• The Australia segment demonstrates self-critical, probing discussion on the balance between national security, civil liberties, and multicultural policy, with Dan Ryan voicing caution against governmental overreach borne of tragedy.

Important Timestamps

• Trump’s Greenland Deal Discussion: [02:40]
• Minneapolis DOJ Crackdown: [04:32]
• Aborted Fetal Tissue Ban & March for Life: [08:14]
• Australia’s Anti-Hate Law: [12:58]

Conclusion

This episode delivers trenchant analysis of the Trump administration’s hard-nosed foreign and domestic agenda—from military strategy in Greenland to law-and-order crackdowns at home, while spotlighting major victories and ongoing advocacy in the pro-life movement. In closing, it features debate about civil liberties versus security in Australia, revealing the real-world complexity of policy responses to violence and cultural controversy.

For more news and exclusive coverage, listeners are encouraged to check out Daily Wire’s reporting and follow ongoing developments from the March for Life.