Trump’s Hush Money Win & FEMA’s Head Grilled | 11.20.24

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: "Trump’s Hush Money Win & FEMA’s Head Grilled"
Release Date: November 20, 2024

Presented by The Daily Wire's Editor-in-Chief, John Bickley, and co-host Georgia Howe, "Morning Wire" delivers comprehensive coverage of the latest developments in politics, culture, education, sports, and more. In this episode, released on November 20, 2024, the hosts delve into two major stories: Donald Trump's ongoing hush money legal battle and the intense congressional scrutiny of FEMA's leadership.

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1. Donald Trump's Hush Money Case: Potential Delay or Dismissal

Overview: The episode opens with Daley Weyer announcing that Donald Trump's legal team is celebrating as prosecutors in the hush money case seek a prolonged delay. This development is significantly influenced by the Supreme Court's recent immunity decision in July.

Key Points:

• Supreme Court Immunity Decision: John Bickley highlights that the prosecutors' request for a delay stems from the Supreme Court ruling that grants presidents presumptive immunity in certain legal cases [00:09].

• Case Details: Tim Rice, Deputy Managing Editor, explains that the case involves Trump’s alleged hush money payments to an adult film star. Originally facing sentencing next week, Trump's potential delay could extend his time in office by four years if the case is postponed until after the 2029 election [02:06].

• Options for Prosecutors: The prosecutors are considering either a delay or a complete dismissal of the case. Tim Rice mentions the unprecedented nature of this situation and references former Federal Prosecutor Andy McCarthy’s insights on the shifting political landscape affecting the prosecution's approach [02:49].

• Political Motivations: John Bickley discusses the prosecution's initial goal to impact Trump's electoral prospects, which may be less relevant post-election, potentially reducing their incentive to proceed aggressively [03:02].

• Legal Nuances: McCarthy points out that Trump remains technically innocent until formally convicted. To dismiss the case based on prosecutor error, an appeal would require a conviction, which Trump likely seeks to avoid [03:33].

• Potential Outcomes: John Bickley explains a "middle ground" scenario where if Judge Juan Merchan finds that the prosecutors violated Supreme Court principles, Trump’s conviction could be vacated without the need for an appeal, effectively ending the case [04:06].

Notable Quotes:

• John Bickley [00:09]: "This is largely based on the Supreme Court's immunity decision in July."
• Tim Rice [02:06]: "Trump very quickly went from facing four years in prison to enjoying four more years in the White House."
• John Bickley [03:02]: "The goal of the prosecution was to bruise Trump up in the run up to the election... that goal is no longer operative."

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2. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell Grilled on Capitol Hill

Overview: The podcast transitions to a heated congressional hearing where FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was interrogated over her agency’s directive to bypass homes displaying Trump signs during Hurricane Milton relief efforts.

Key Points:

• Incident Details: The controversy arose from internal FEMA directives that instructed relief workers to avoid homes with Trump signs, prompting accusations of political bias [05:19].

• Congressional Hearing: Mark Green, a Congressman on the Transportation Committee, provides context, explaining that initial FEMA responses claimed ignorance and labeled the incident as isolated. However, evidence surfaced suggesting broader directives across multiple states [05:44].

• Criswell’s Testimony: During the hearing, Criswell attempted to downplay the incident, stating, "I do not believe that this employee's actions are indicative of any widespread cultural" issues within FEMA [06:53]. However, Congressman Mark Green challenged her stance, citing statements from the fired official, Marnie Washington, who indicated similar directives were issued in Florida and North Carolina [07:10].

• Contradictory Statements: Criswell faced tough questions about the consistency of FEMA officials' accounts, revealing discrepancies between her statements and reports from other FEMA employees [07:15-07:26].

• Bipartisan Reactions: While some Democratic members expressed serious concerns, others, including ranking member Jamie Raskin, defended Criswell, praising FEMA’s overall performance and suggesting the issue was overblown [08:13].

• Ongoing Investigations: John Bickley noted that FEMA is collaborating with the inspector general to assess the extent of the issue, but initial reviews suggest it was an isolated incident [07:58].

Notable Quotes:

• Deanne Criswell [07:13]: "She said it's reprehensible and isolated. Both statements can't be true."
• Mark Green [05:44]: "Higher ups at FEMA initially pleaded ignorance... but according to Marnie Washington, this was not an isolated incident."

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3. President-Elect Trump’s Plan to Use Military for Deportations

Overview: The episode shifts focus to President-Elect Trump's controversial plan to deploy the military in mass deportations of illegal aliens, a cornerstone of his immigration agenda.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Announcement: President-Elect Trump confirmed his intention to declare a national emergency to activate the military for deportations, aiming to address the presence of violent gangs like Trende Aragua across 16 states [09:01].

• Military Deployment Details: Dan Crenshaw discusses the logistical aspects, noting that depending on the military's role, Trump may require congressional approval or state governors' consent for federalizing the National Guard [09:34].

• Homeland Security Memo: A leaked memo revealed the expansion of Venezuelan gang Trende Aragua into 16 states, heightening concerns about national security and the need for decisive action [12:05].

• Comparisons to Historical Precedents: Panelists drew parallels between Trump’s deportation plans and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, highlighting the potential for civil liberties violations [11:26].

• Public and Political Reactions: Critics, including Democrats and civil liberties groups like the ACLU, have voiced strong opposition. ACLU is initiating legal actions to obtain details about deportation operations, fearing human rights abuses [12:19].

• Local Government Responses: Cities like Boston, led by Mayor Michelle Wu, pledge non-cooperation with federal deportation efforts, despite federal policies taking precedence [11:39].

Notable Quotes:

• John Bickley [10:04]: "We'll do deportation operation with the priorities we just talked about."
• Dan Crenshaw [10:43]: "Critics have made some pretty extreme claims about what Trump's deportation plan could be."
• Cabot Phillips [11:39]: "Trying to implement a policy like this here in the United States is like nothing we've ever seen."

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4. Homeland Security’s Trende Aragua Threat

Overview: In a related segment, the podcast addresses a leaked Homeland Security memo indicating that Trende Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, has established a presence in 16 states, exacerbating concerns over border security and gang activity.

Key Points:

• Gang Expansion: Dan Crenshaw explains that cartels like Trende Aragua are capitalizing on previous lax border policies to expand their operations, embedding themselves into local gang structures across multiple states [12:33].

• Legislative Actions: Crenshaw aims to secure more support in the upcoming Congress to tackle these emerging threats, emphasizing the administration’s focus on immigration as a top priority [13:31].

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Crenshaw [12:33]: "This entire business has become very much a market. You’re going to see local gang members who grew up there on the streets who have made deals with cartels."
• Daley Weyer [13:31]: "It's been Trump's top issue for nearly a decade now."

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Conclusion

In this episode of "Morning Wire," John Bickley and Georgia Howe provide in-depth analysis of Donald Trump's legal challenges concerning the hush money case and his ambitious immigration enforcement plans involving military deployment. Additionally, the podcast examines FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell's contentious congressional hearing over alleged partisan biases in disaster relief efforts. The episode underscores the ongoing political battles and policy debates shaping the current American political landscape.

Notable Closing Remarks:

• Daley Weyer [13:36]: "Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back later this afternoon with more news you need to know."

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the "Morning Wire" podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners seeking to stay informed on critical national issues.

Transcript

[Daley Weyer]

Donald Trump's legal team is celebrating after prosecutors in the hush money case ask for a years long delay.

[John Bickley]

This is largely based on the Supreme Court's immunity decision in July.

[Georgia Howe]

We break down the potential ways the case moves forward.

[Daley Weyer]

I'm Daley Weyer, Editor in chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Wednesday, November 20th, and this is Morning Wire. FEMA's director is grilled on Capitol Hill after her agency was caught skipping homes with Trump signs.

[Deanne Criswell]

Even though it said all those practical things, the part about avoiding the Trump homes, that's not a best practice. That's not commonplace. Is that what you're saying?

[John Bickley]

That is nowhere in our policy.

[Georgia Howe]

And the media melts down as President Elect Trump confirms he will use the military to assist in deportations.

[John Bickley]

And if other countries say they won't take them back, hold on to your britches because here they come.

[Daley Weyer]

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

[Cabot Phillips]

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[Georgia Howe]

New York prosecutors have asked to delay Donald Trump's hush money case until after he leaves office in 2029, and Trump's attorneys are looking to dismiss the case altogether.

[Daley Weyer]

Here with the details is Daily Wire Deputy Managing editor Tim Rice. Hey, Tim. So this is a pretty big update in this case. First question, is this definitely a win for Trump?

[Tim Rice]

Well, certainly in the short term. Sentencing for this case, which involves Trump's alleged hush money payments to an adult film star, was set for next week. So Trump very quickly went from facing four years in prison to enjoying four more years in the White House. Prosecutors now say they need time to decide how Trump's reelection impacts their case now that the Supreme Court has ruled presidents have what's called presumptive immunity, immunity in cases like these. It's now up to Judge Juan Merchan to decide whether to grant this stay or dismiss the case outright. Trump's defense team is pushing for the latter, saying that prosecutors used certain evidence that was made inadmissible by the Supreme Court's immunity decision.

[Daley Weyer]

All right, so the options are a delay or a dismissal. Do we have any sense of which way things will go?

[Tim Rice]

It's hard to say because this is an unprecedented situation. We talked to former Federal Prosecutor Andy McCarthy about this, and he made that point. McCarthy also noted that shifting political realities could affect how New York prosecutors approached the case.

[John Bickley]

The goal of the prosecution was to bruise Trump up in the run up to the election, and the election's over, you know, so that goal that they had, which I think gave him an incentive not only to prosecute him, but try to give him a meaningful sentence that really is no longer operative because we're in this post trial phase. So they're not as hot to proceed as they were prior to the election. So that's got some practical consequence to it.

[Tim Rice]

Now, all that sounds pretty good for Trump, but McCarthy says he's still in a somewhat tricky situation. That's because, contrary to Democrats rhetoric, Trump isn't technically a convicted felon, and he won't be until he's formally sentenced. But if Trump wants to dismiss the case by citing prosecutor error, he'll need to appeal, which would require him first being convicted, which he probably doesn't want. Are you still with me?

[Daley Weyer]

Yeah, but I kind of wish one of us had gone to law school at this point. So is there any way out of this?

[Tim Rice]

Believe it or not, yes. I'll let McCarthy explain.

[John Bickley]

The middle ground here is that his post trial motion relies on immunity. And if Judge Merchand were to find that Bragg so violated the principles laid out by the Supreme Court that the conviction has to be vacated or the guilty verdicts have to be vacated, then they would be vacated. Trump wouldn't be a convicted felon. There'd be no reason to go on with an appeal, and presumably Marchon would drop the case.

[Tim Rice]

So there are a lot of competing interests at play here.

[Daley Weyer]

Tim, thanks for reporting.

[Tim Rice]

You bet.

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[Daley Weyer]

All eyes were on FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell yesterday. Criswell was grilled by lawmakers investigating the agency's instruction to relief to skip the homes of Trump supporters.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with the details on the fiery hearing is Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips. So, Cabot, a really stunning story that has outraged millions of Americans. Now it sounds like lawmakers are taking some action. What can you tell us?

[Mark Green]

So first, a quick refresher. This all stems from the Daily Wire's exclusive reporting. Earlier this month, our reporters reviewed internal correspondence showing that a FEMA official had ordered relief workers to skip the homes of Trump supporters as they surveyed damage following Hurricane Milton. That story prompted an immediate response from lawmakers, including those on the House Oversight and Transportation Committees, which called FEMA Administrator Dan Criswell to testify yesterday. Ahead of that hearing, we caught up with Congressman Mark Green, who sits on the Transportation Committee, to hear about the purpose of these hearings.

[Cabot Phillips]

How long was this guidance in place? Who put this guidance together?

[John Bickley]

Who approved it?

[Cabot Phillips]

How many Americans were caught in other natural disasters and have been impacted? These are all questions that we as American people and of course, we as a committee, deserve answers to.

[Mark Green]

Now, higher ups at FEMA initially pleaded ignorance, saying they were shocked and horrified by our reporting, but assuring Americans it was an isolated incident. And that is more or less what we heard from Administrator Criswell yesterday, who tried to downplay the incident throughout her testimony.

[John Bickley]

I do not believe that this employee's actions are indicative of any widespread cultural.

[Mark Green]

Problems at female but according to Marnie Washington, the official who was fired after sending out that directive, this was not an isolated incident. She told multiple outlets that similar directives were given throughout Florida and North Carolina. Here's Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan grilling Criswell on that point.

[Deanne Criswell]

Administrator Criswell, is Ms. Washington lying to us?

[John Bickley]

Washington has.

[Deanne Criswell]

She said it's common practice. You said it's reprehensible and isolated. Both statements can't be true. So someone's not giving us the facts. And I'm kind of trying to figure out who's not telling the truth.

[John Bickley]

The actions that Ms. Washington took were unacceptable.

[Deanne Criswell]

Well, you had another employee. Now they remain anonymous. But I think one of my colleagues pointed this out. Earlier, a FEMA official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Ms. Washington likely received, quote, very clear guidance from her supervisors. Is that not accurate? Is that person lying, too?

[Mark Green]

Later on, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds cited an Anonymous report from a separate FEMA official who said relief workers routinely avoid conservative areas around the country. But again, Administrator Criswell repeated her denial.

[John Bickley]

We are working with the inspector general to determine whether or not this is broader than this. But the evidence that I have seen so far shows that this was an isolated incident and it has not gone beyond what this one employee did.

[Georgia Howe]

So was there bipartisan concern about this?

[Mark Green]

So there were a few Democratic members who did express serious concern over the story. But a number, including ranking member Jamie Raskin, defended Criswell and essentially argued that FEMA does fantastic work and that the story was being blown out of proportion.

[Cabot Phillips]

We could be here today celebrating the workforce of 22,000 FEMA workers, but instead we are invited to focus on one so called intermittent employee in Florida whose team encountered what she called political hostility while canvassing door to door for FEMA in Florida. Thereupon, as I understand it, she made the judgment that her workers were unsafe.

[Mark Green]

So FEMA saying this is an isolated incident, but Republicans in Congress are clearly skeptical. Regardless, don't expect the story to go away anytime soon.

[John Bickley]

Right.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, people want to know if this goes up the chain. Cabot, thanks for reporting. President elect Donald Trump confirmed this week his intention to use the military to help mass deport illegal aliens from the U.S. trump's announcement comes as a Homeland Security memo revealed that Venezuelan gang Trende Aragua now has a presence in 16 states.

[Daley Weyer]

Here to talk about Trump's deportation plan is Daily Wire reporter Tim Pearce. Tim, so first, what would using military force for deportations actually look like?

[Dan Crenshaw]

Well, Trump has confirmed that he plans to declare a national emergency and activate the military, but that still isn't much detail on how a militarized deportation effort would work. Depending on how the military is used, Trump may need congressional approval or. Or he could need the approval of state governors if he wants to federalize the National Guard. Then there are the drug cartels that operate south of the border. And many Republicans in Congress have said the US Military needs to be used to deal with them. Here's Trump's border czar, Tom Homan on Trump's priorities after he takes office.

[John Bickley]

Well, look, I think the president's been clear on the stage as far as the deportation operation. We will prioritize public safety threats and national security threats because they're the biggest. They pose a big danger to the United States. He's got three rails. We'll do deportation operation with the priorities. I just talked to out of the gate. That'd be the priorities. Second thing is secure that border, Lock that border down and catch, release and secure the border. The third rail is we got over 300,000 missing children.

[Daley Weyer]

Now, Trump's opponents are already preparing to undermine his immigration agenda, despite that being a key part of his platform. And that's a key reason why he won. Where are the efforts being made so far to undermine him?

[Dan Crenshaw]

Right. Critics have made some pretty extreme claims about what Trump's deportation plan could be. During a panel on cnn, one of the guests, Julie Roginsky, co founder of Lift Our Voices, said that American troops could end up shooting American citizens.

[John Bickley]

What I'm telling you right now, practically speaking, is that there will be people, American citizens, who will prevent these little kids from being dragged out of these shelters. There are. And what's going to happen to these people? What is going to happen to the military when the military opens fire on us? No one's.

[Dan Crenshaw]

We're way down a rabbit hole here. Another guest on the same panel, Paul Rykoff, compared Trump's deportation effort to internment camps for American Japanese citizens during World War II.

[Cabot Phillips]

Trying to ask them to sort through who's who and implement a policy like this here in the United States is like nothing we've ever seen, actually. I mean, hold on. Maybe the only precedent we have is internment camps during World War II against Japanese Americans.

[Dan Crenshaw]

And some elected officials are now pledging to do what they can to obstruct deportations. Here's Boston's Democratic Mayor, Michelle Wu, promising not to cooperate.

[Tim Pearce]

Look, elections have consequences. And the federal government is responsible for a certain set of actions. And cities, no individual city can reverse or override some parts of that. But what we can do is make sure that we are doing our part to protect our residents in every possible way.

[Dan Crenshaw]

The American Civil Liberties Union has already started on legal action to get more information about the airline used for deportation flights. The leftist group said that the information would be key to understanding the roadmap Trump wants to use to deport millions of illegal aliens.

[Daley Weyer]

Now, in a related story that's made a lot of headlines, a Homeland Security memo leaked to the public revealed that Trin Aragua members have spread to at least 16 states. Now caused a lot of alarm for good reason. What do we know about that?

[Dan Crenshaw]

Yeah, it's part of a larger movement by gangs and cartels and other criminal organizations south of the border to expand into the United States. Those groups have made an aggressive push, especially in the last few years, and have taken advantage of lax border policies underneath the Biden administration. Morningwire spoke with Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw about this, and here's what he said. This entire business has become very much a market. And in any market there are people who do certain things and specialize in certain things. You're not going to see Sinaloa members as the drug dealers on the streets of whatever city you're living in. You're going to see local gang members who grew up there on the streets who have made deals with cartels and you take their shipments from the cartels. The cartels are ultimately facilitators and they hire whatever facilitator they need in whatever area they need. Crenshaw is hoping to get a lot more help on this in the next Congress. He's likely to get it, too. As important as the immigration is to the incoming Republican administration.

[Daley Weyer]

Right? It's been Trump's top issue for nearly a decade now. Tim, thanks for joining us.

[Dan Crenshaw]

Thanks for having me.

[Georgia Howe]

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

[Cabot Phillips]

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