Morning Wire — Trump’s Safety Blueprint & Russia Peace Talks Pending | 8.25.25

Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe (Daily Wire)
Date: August 25, 2025
Guests: Cabot Phillips (Daily Wire), Tim Pierce (Daily Wire), Guy Dampier (Prosperity Institute), J.D. Vance (VP), Sergei Lavrov (Russian FM)

Episode Overview

This episode of Morning Wire delivers comprehensive updates on President Trump’s sweeping anti-crime measures in Washington D.C., their expansion to other major U.S. cities, and the national debate arising from these actions. The episode also covers the state of Russia-Ukraine peace talks, explores tensions surrounding U.S. and allied intelligence sharing, and examines Spain’s political defiance of Europe’s anti-immigration trend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s D.C. Crime Crackdown & Expansion Plans

• D.C. Results:

  • Since Trump’s intervention (starting August 12), the city reports:
    • Carjackings down 80%
    • Robberies and car break-ins down 40%+
    • 0 homicides in past 10 days
    • Nearly 1,000 arrests (many for violent crime)
  • Trump on social media:
    • “Washington, D.C. is safe again. The crowds are coming back, the spirit is high. And our D.C. national Guard and police are doing a fantastic job. They are out in force and not playing games.” — Trump (02:52)

• Political Fallout:

  • Praise and backlash; accusations from the left of racially motivated targeting.
  • Trump allies counter that 95% of D.C. murder victims are Black, framing it as protection for Black communities.

• Nationwide Blueprint:

  • Indications that Trump wants to replicate actions in cities like Chicago and New York.
  • Legal obstacles: Federal jurisdiction easier in D.C.; would face state opposition and possible legal battles elsewhere.
  • Illinois Governor Pritzker calls it “an authoritarian power grab”; Chicago Mayor Johnson vows to “rise up” in response.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Crime has dropped over 35% in the nation's capital in 10 days because of what Donald J. Trump has accomplished..." — J.D. Vance (03:39)
  • "We're going to remain firm. We'll take legal action. But the people in this city are accustomed to rising up against tyranny." — Brandon Johnson, Chicago Mayor (05:30)
  • “Allowing vagrants and armed robberies to take over your city, that’s a policy choice...if you just empower local law enforcement...we can take back American streets.” — J.D. Vance, VP (05:51)

2. FBI Raid on John Bolton

• Event Summary:
  • On Friday, FBI raids conducted on the Maryland home and D.C. office of John Bolton (former Trump NSA, now critic of Trump).
  • DOJ investigation into Bolton’s possible mishandling of classified documents and use of a private email server.
• Administration Response:
  • FBI Director Cash Patel: “No one is above the law.” (06:22)
  • Deputy Director Dan Bongino emphasizes zero tolerance on public corruption.
• Context:
  • The raid is mired in political controversy and media speculation.

3. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

• Diplomatic Activity:
  • Trump has met separately with Putin (Russia) and Zelensky (Ukraine), also bringing European leaders into dialogues.
  • Next step—get Putin and Zelensky in the same room—remains elusive.
• Current Stance:
  • Kremlin: Discussions have not sufficiently progressed for a summit, citing an unready agenda.
    • “Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky when the agenda would be ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all.” — Sergei Lavrov (07:48)
• U.S. Position:
  • Trump administration claims progress; cites Moscow’s new flexibility, but skepticism remains.
  • V.P. J.D. Vance: “They've actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands...But we're engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith.” (09:27)
  • Emphasizes that Trump has applied more economic pressure than the previous administration.
• Tensions Behind the Scenes:
  • Pentagon is blocking Ukraine from using U.S. long-range missiles on Russian soil to avoid escalation that could derail talks.
  • U.S. restricts intelligence sharing about talks even with Five Eyes allies; possible tit-for-tat, as allies may have withheld info from U.S. during prior administration.

4. Spain’s Pro-Immigration Policy Amid European Crackdown

• Spain’s Outlier Status:
  • While most of Europe tightens immigration, Spain’s Socialist Workers Party eases residency for migrants and considers amnesty (could grant citizenship to 1 million people).
  • Economy seen as primary driver—recent “bounce back” from COVID downturn.
• Immigration Profile:
  • Many migrants from Latin America (Colombians, Venezuelans, Peruvians)—cultural integration easier than migrants from Africa or the Islamic world.
    • “Most Latin American immigrants can apply for citizenship after just two years...That is still having a profound effect on Spanish society. Nearly 20% of the population was born overseas.” — Guy Dampier (11:49)
  • Spain also home to world’s largest Moroccan community outside Morocco.
  • Local tensions: Notable incidents of violence, rising anti-immigrant sentiment, local bans on Muslim religious festivities.
• Political Outlook:
  • Socialists losing popularity; right-wing parties rising in polls (~50% PP and Vox).
  • Government beset by corruption scandals—further eroding support.
    • “We’ve had Spanish police search the party’s HQ, another top figure had to resign recently amidst allegations from women...they discovered an illegal tobacco workshop.” — Guy Dampier (14:48)
  • Liberals tout Spain as a model, but its distinct circumstances mean mass migration is unpopular, mirroring wider European trends.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Crime in D.C. / Trump’s Role
  • “Crime has dropped over 35% in the nation’s capital in 10 days because of what Donald J. Trump has accomplished.” — J.D. Vance (03:39)
  • “Washington, D.C. is safe again. The crowds are coming back, the spirit is high, and our D.C. National Guard and police are doing a fantastic job. They are out in force and not playing games.” — Trump (via Cabot Phillips, 02:52)
  • “Allowing vagrants and armed robberies to take over your city, that’s a policy choice...we can take back American streets.” — J.D. Vance (05:51)
• State and Local Pushback
  • “An authoritarian power grab of major cities.” — Governor J.D. Pritzker, Illinois (04:55)
  • “We’ll take legal action. But the people in this city are accustomed to rising up against tyranny.” — Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago (05:30)
• FBI Raid
  • “No one is above the law.” — Cash Patel, FBI Director (06:22)
• Russia-Ukraine Talks
  • “Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky when the agenda would be ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all.” — Sergei Lavrov, Russian FM (07:48)
  • “[The Russians] have actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands...Of course, they haven’t been completely there yet or the war would be over.” — J.D. Vance (09:27)
• Spain’s Immigration Debate
  • “Nearly 20% of the population was born overseas...that’s a huge number.” — Guy Dampier (11:49)
  • “The [Spanish] Socialist government is becoming more and more unpopular, and immigration is definitely playing its part.” — Guy Dampier (14:48)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Trump’s Crime Crackdown: Results & National Plan — 02:33 to 05:51
• FBI Raid on John Bolton — 06:12 to 07:03
• Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations — 07:07 to 11:13
• Spain’s Immigration Policy & Political Fallout — 11:17 to 15:49

Summary Takeaways

• The Trump administration is touting dramatic crime reductions in D.C., sparking discussion about exporting the model to other crime-struck cities despite significant legal and political resistance.
• The FBI’s investigation of John Bolton highlights ongoing accountability for White House officials, but also stirs controversy.
• Russia-Ukraine peace talks have made some progress, but hard stances remain on both sides. The U.S. is limiting Ukraine’s offensive capabilities and sharing less intelligence with allies, aiming to keep the diplomatic process under tight control.
• Spain’s approach to immigration stands in stark contrast to Europe’s general anti-immigration wave, but is fomenting local backlash and correlates with waning Socialist fortunes.

This episode provides a no-spin, nuts-and-bolts round-up on breaking policy and political developments, punctuated by sharp, relevant insights from guests and officials.