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.

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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.