Morning Wire (10.13.25): “Trump’s Historic Israel Trip & Government Paychecks Shut Down”
Podcast: Morning Wire
Date: October 13, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley (with Georgia Howe off)
Notable Guests: Tim Pierce, Mary Margaret Olahan, Luke Rosiak, Brent Buchanan
Overview
This episode dives into three major stories shaping US and international headlines:
- President Trump’s historic trip to Israel for advancing a precarious peace deal and meeting hostage families.
- The ongoing federal government shutdown, with new rounds of layoffs and Trump’s vow to prioritize troop pay.
- Political tremors in Virginia’s governor and attorney general races, following a scandal involving violent texts from a Democratic candidate.
1. President Trump’s Historic Israel Visit
[02:25–07:09]
Key Points:
- Trump in Israel: President Trump’s whirlwind visit is aimed at supporting the ongoing ceasefire and advancing his peace deal.
- Scheduled to begin at 2:30am ET, with meetings including Israeli leaders and hostage families.
- Ceasefire Details: The release of 48 hostages (20 reportedly alive, the rest deceased) in exchange for 1,950 Palestinian prisoners/detainees is at the core of the agreement.
- “This is really what the first part of the ceasefire hinges on—the release of 48 hostages from Gaza.” – Tim Pierce [05:08]
- Emotional Element: Trump set to give a speech in the Israeli Knesset. His popularity in Israel is highlighted by rallies and visible displays of support (e.g., MAGA hats in Tel Aviv).
- “The people of Israel really love President Trump… The crowd exploded [at rallies] every time Trump’s name was mentioned.” – Tim Pierce [04:10]
- Next Steps: After Israel, Trump will go to Egypt for a ceremony focused on Gaza and regional peace.
- US Involvement Clarified: Vice President J.D. Vance affirms that US troops present are only monitoring the ceasefire and humanitarian aid—not new “boots on the ground.”
- “…the President is not planning to put boots on the ground in Israel.” – J.D. Vance (clip) [06:28]
Memorable Quote:
“There was a rally yesterday in Tel Aviv… every time Trump’s name was mentioned, the crowd exploded. He maybe got the loudest applause from everyone except for the IDF.”
— Tim Pierce [04:10]
Notable Moment:
- Trump will award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon return to the US, marking a significant political gesture. [04:43]
2. Government Shutdown & Paycheck Fallout
[08:13–12:32]
Key Points:
- Shutdown Entering Week 2: Disagreement in Congress continues, with Democrats blocking a “clean” continuing resolution and demanding increased funding.
- Reduced Workforce: With non-essential staff absent for two weeks and “nothing catastrophic” reported, the Trump administration is considering making some layoffs permanent.
- “What if we’ve been running the government on a skeleton crew… and nothing catastrophic has happened?” – Luke Rosiak [09:01]
- Layoffs Begin: Over 4,000 federal employees have received 60-day layoff notices, including:
- 1,400 at the IRS
- 1,000+ at HHS
- 20% of Dept. of Education staff
- 400+ at HUD (primarily in the Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity office)
- Many affected positions reflect Biden-era expansions.
- Legal & Practical Fallout: Federal employee unions are filing lawsuits, but much of the staffing is returning to pre-Biden levels.
- Contractors vs. Federal Employees: Contractors will not be paid; federal employees have historically received back pay, though Trump may change this precedent.
- “The Trump administration… has actually flirted with the idea that maybe this time there won’t be a back pay.” – Luke Rosiak [11:44]
- Troop Pay Prioritized: Trump directs the Department of War to reallocate funds and ensure that military personnel are paid through the shutdown.
- “The Department of War is gonna move money around… and make sure that at least the troops don’t miss a paycheck.” – Luke Rosiak [11:56]
Memorable Quote:
“Maybe some of these employees should remain home permanently.”
— Luke Rosiak [09:01]
3. Virginia’s Political Earthquake: Governor & AG Races
[12:35–16:26]
Key Points:
- Turning Tide in Races: Recent scandals and debates have shifted momentum in Virginia’s gubernatorial and attorney general contests.
- Democrat Abigail Spanberger (governor) and Democrat Jay Jones (AG) are under pressure.
- Scandal Impact: Jay Jones faces backlash over leaked texts endorsing violence against Republicans. Democratic silence on the matter is damaging.
- “Democrats were leading… that attorney general’s race has flipped totally upside down now. The Republican leads by two…” – Brent Buchanan [13:26]
- Down-ballot Effect: The AG scandal is pulling down support for Spanberger in the governor’s race.
- Winsome Earl Sears (Republican, lieutenant governor) is rapidly closing the gap, now trailing by only 4.5 points versus 7 points in September—despite being outspent.
- Transgender Policy Backlash: Spanberger’s refusal to address questions about biological males in girls’ locker rooms is hurting her candidacy.
- “…she refused to answer the question if she would be okay if men changed in a locker room with her own daughters.” – Brent Buchanan [14:57]
- Potential Fallout: Buchanan predicts Democrats may eventually force Jones out to contain losses in higher races.
- “They might make him the sacrificial lamb.” – Brent Buchanan [15:32]
Memorable Quotes:
“Because of the scandal with Democrat Jay Jones… it’s really flipped the race on its head.”
— Brent Buchanan [13:26]
“If Northern Virginia is doing anything right now, it’s embarrassing this country with saying that [biological males in girls’ locker rooms] is an okay behavior.”
— Brent Buchanan [14:57]
Timestamps & Key Segments
- [02:25–07:09] Trump’s Israel trip: Hostage negotiations, peace deal, US military presence clarified.
- [08:13–12:32] Shutdown fallout: Government layoffs, agency cuts, impact on contractors, troop pay.
- [12:35–16:26] Virginia elections: AG texting scandal, debate fallout, polling shifts.
Notable Quotes
- “The people of Israel really love President Trump.” – Tim Pierce [04:10]
- “What if we’ve been running the government on a skeleton crew… and nothing catastrophic has happened?” – Luke Rosiak [09:01]
- “If Northern Virginia is doing anything right now, it’s embarrassing this country with saying that that is an okay behavior.” – Brent Buchanan [14:57]
Tone & Style
The episode maintains Morning Wire’s straightforward, fact-first, and conversational tone with guests directly breaking down the implications of major stories. Reporting is brisk, contextual, and focused on policy, political impact, and real-time developments unfolding as the episode airs.