Trump’s Title 42 Plans & Apple’s US Jobs Pledge | Afternoon Update | 2.24.25

Summary

Morning Wire: Trump’s Title 42 Plans & Apple’s US Jobs Pledge | Afternoon Update | February 24, 2025

Hosted by Georgia Howe and John Bickley, the Daily Wire’s "Morning Wire" delivers comprehensive updates on the latest developments in politics, culture, education, sports, and more. In the February 24, 2025 episode, the hosts delve into significant topics including Trump’s immigration policies, federal union challenges, international health concerns, major corporate investments, high-profile political appointments, and notable shifts within the media landscape.

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1. Trump’s Reinstitution of Title 42 Border Policy

Tim Pierce opens the discussion by addressing former President Donald Trump's plans to reinstate the pandemic-era border policy, Title 42, aimed at expediting deportations.

• Title 42 Overview: Originally implemented in 2020 under Trump, Title 42 classifies illegal migrants as public health risks, particularly concerning diseases like tuberculosis. Although President Biden terminated the policy in 2023, Trump’s move signifies a potential return to stricter immigration controls.

• Current Border Situation: Since Trump's return to office earlier in the month, illegal border crossings have significantly decreased, with only 396 illegal entries reported across the southwestern border regions.

Notable Quote:

[01:49] President Trump: "I thought it was great because we have people that don't show up to work and nobody even knows if they work for the government. So by asking the question, tell us what you did this week. What he's doing is saying, are you actually working? And then if you don't answer like you're sort of semi fired or you're fired because a lot of people are not answering because they don't even exist."

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2. Federal Unions Challenge Doge Email Ultimatum

Georgia Howe transitions to a legal challenge faced by federal unions opposing the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) recent email directive.

• The Ultimatum: Federal employees received an email mandating them to report their weekly accomplishments by midnight, threatening termination for non-compliance.

• Union's Argument: The unions contend that this requirement breaches federal regulations, leading to an emergency intervention in federal court.

Notable Quote:

[02:10] Legal Analyst: "The news comes as Doge along with the EPA have frozen over $67 million in grants awarded to environmental groups under the Biden administration."

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3. Pope Francis’s Critical Health Condition

Tim Pierce provides an update on Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized in Rome due to a severe lung infection and early signs of kidney dysfunction.

• Health Status: The 88-year-old pontiff is resting after a stable night, with no signs of sepsis—a critical concern given his previously removed lung segment. He is currently receiving oxygen and blood transfusions.

Notable Quote:

[02:47] Cardinal Timothy Dolan: "State we of the Catholic family and so many of our friends and neighbors find ourselves this morning at the bedside of a dying father."

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4. Apple’s $500 Billion US Jobs Pledge

Georgia Howe reports on Apple’s substantial commitment to the US economy, pledging $500 billion and the creation of 20,000 new jobs over the next four years.

• Investment Details: Apple plans to construct a new 250,000 square-foot AI server facility in Houston, Texas, along with several data centers across eight states.

• Trump’s Response: Former President Trump attributes Apple's investment to his tariff policies, stating it signals confidence in his economic strategies.

Notable Quote:

[03:35] Mike Allen (Axios Co-Founder): "This gives Trump the leverage to say to other companies, apple can do this. Apple is bringing these jobs into the U.S., apple is investing in the U.S. Why can't you? Why won't you?"

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5. Senator Marsha Blackburn Demands Release of Epstein Records

Tim Pierce covers Senator Marsha Blackburn’s initiative urging the FBI to release unredacted records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s associates.

• Senatorial Action: Blackburn has formally requested the release of Epstein’s flight logs, Ghislaine Maxwell’s records, and IRS files detailing financial ties, emphasizing the need for transparency to aid Epstein survivors.

Notable Quote:

[04:40] Senator Marsha Blackburn: "We know that Jeffrey Epstein helped develop a global trafficking ring and by getting this information, it will help us begin to break apart some of this human trafficking, sex trafficking that's taking place around the globe. We understand that human trafficking has become $150 billion a year business."

• Context: Epstein’s death in custody in 2019 has left numerous questions unanswered, with Attorney General Pam Bondi confirming that his client list is under review for potential disclosure.

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6. Trump Appoints Dan Bongino as FBI Deputy Director

Georgia Howe announces President Trump’s appointment of Dan Bongino as the Deputy Director of the FBI, a position not requiring Senate confirmation.

• Significance: Bongino, a well-known media personality with anti-establishment views, will serve under newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel, continuing Trump’s trend of placing like-minded individuals in key law enforcement roles.

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7. Media Shakeups: Lester Holt and MSNBC’s Primetime Changes

Tim Pierce and Georgia Howe discuss notable changes within major media outlets.

• Lester Holt’s Departure: Lester Holt, a staple anchor of NBC's Nightly News for over two decades, is stepping down to focus on Dateline NBC. NBC has yet to announce his successor, highlighting the ongoing transformations within traditional news networks.

• MSNBC’s Primetime Overhaul: Sister network MSNBC is revamping its primetime lineup, including the cancellation of Joy Reid’s 7 PM show. The network plans to introduce younger left-wing talents such as Simone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez. Additionally, Jen Psaki is expected to take on more hours, while Rachel Maddow will transition from a daily show to a weekly format.

Notable Quote:

[03:35] Mike Allen: "This gives Trump the leverage to say to other companies, apple can do this. Apple is bringing these jobs into the U.S., apple is investing in the U.S. Why can't you? Why won't you?"

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Conclusion

The Morning Wire’s February 24, 2025 episode presents a multifaceted overview of critical national and international issues. From Trump's immigration policies and significant corporate investments to high-stakes political appointments and shifts within the media landscape, the episode offers listeners insightful analysis and direct quotes from key figures. Whether discussing the health of a global religious leader or the complexities of federal employment regulations, Georgia Howe and John Bickley ensure that the audience stays informed with accurate and engaging coverage.

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For more detailed coverage on these stories and additional updates, visit dailywire.com. Tune in tomorrow morning for another comprehensive edition of Morning Wire.

Transcript

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[Georgia Howe]

Trump to reinstate pandemic era border policy Federal unions challenge Doge and Pope Francis remains in critical condition I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. It's Monday, February 24th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Tim Pierce]

In an effort to speed up deportations, Trump plans to reinstate a pandemic era border policy. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has the latest.

[News Reporter]

According to CBS, the CDC is planning to bring back Title 42. That's the order from Trump's first term that classified illegal migrants as public health risks over diseases such as tuberculosis. Title 42 was first implemented in 2020 under Trump and later ended President Biden in 2023. It remains unclear when the measure will take effect. Meanwhile, border crossings have plummeted since Trump's return to office earlier this month. Just 396 illegal aliens were encountered across sections of the once overwhelmed southwest border.

[Georgia Howe]

A group of federal unions has challenged the Doge email ultimatum. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has the details.

[Legal Analyst]

Today in federal court, the unions argued that the Office of Personnel Management's email requiring government employees to report their weekly accomplish violates federal regulations. The message, sent Saturday gave employees until midnight tonight to respond or risk being fired. The unions are seeking emergency intervention. Trump addressed the email during a press conference today.

[Trump]

I thought it was great because we have people that don't show up to work and nobody even knows if they work for the government. So by asking the question, tell us what you did this week. What he's doing is saying, are you actually working? And then if you don't answer like you're sort of semi fired or you're fired because a lot of people are not answering because they don't even exist.

[Legal Analyst]

The news comes as Doge along with the EPA have frozen over $67 million in grants awarded to environmental groups under the Biden administration.

[Tim Pierce]

Pope Francis remains hospitalized in Rome, battling a severe lung infection in early signs of kidney dysfunction. The Vatican says the 88 year old pontiff is resting after a stable night while his condition remains critical. Doctors report no signs of sepsis, which is a major concern given his frail health. Francis, who had part of a lung removed in his youth, is receiving oxygen and blood transfusions. Cardinal Timothy Dolan acknowledged the pope's fragile.

[Cardinal Timothy Dolan]

State we of the Catholic family and so many of our friends and neighbors find ourselves this morning at the bedside of a dying father.

[Georgia Howe]

Apple is pledging $500 billion and 20,000 new jobs in the U.S. over the next four years. Apple will build a new 250,000 square foot AI server facility in Houston, Tex. Texas, as well as several data centers in eight states. Trump says the investment in U.S. manufacturing is a direct response to his tariff threats, as Apple currently makes most of its products in China. Cook made smaller pledges during the Biden administration and the first Trump administration, but didn't follow through. Trump calls Apple's plan a sign of faith in what we are doing. Axios co founder Mike Allen gives Trump the credit for Apple's US Investment.

[Mike Allen]

This gives Trump the leverage to say to other companies, apple can do this. Apple is bringing these jobs in the into the U.S. apple is investing in the U.S. why can't you? Why won't you?

[Advertiser Host]

This episode is brought to you by Balance of Nature. Get your daily dose of fruits and veggies that you can take anywhere. Head to balanceofnature.com and use promo code WIRE for 35% off your first order as a preferred customer. Plus get a free bottle of fiber and Spice. That's balanceofnature.com promo code wire.

[Tim Pierce]

Senator Marsha Blackburn is pressing the FBI's new director to release the unredacted records on Jeffrey Epstein's associates. In a letter today, Blackburn called for full transparency, demanding Epstein's flight logs, Ghislaine Maxwell's records and IRS files on their financial ties. New FBI Director Kash Patel previously pledged to work toward disclosure, but it's unclear how much will be released. Blackburn told Morning Wire that it's important to release this now so Epstein survivors see justice.

[Senator Marsha Blackburn]

We know that Jeffrey Epstein helped develop a global trafficking ring and by getting this information, it will help us begin to break apart some of this human trafficking, sex trafficking that's taking place around the globe. We understand that human trafficking has become $150 billion a year business.

[Tim Pierce]

Epstein died in custody in 2019, sparking ongoing speculation. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently confirmed that Epstein's client list is under review for potential release.

[Georgia Howe]

President Trump has tapped another famous figure for a Cabinet position. In a truth social post last night, Trump announced that Dan Bongino has been named Deputy director of the FBI. The position does not requ Senate confirmation. Bongino will serve under newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel the move continues Trump's trend of selecting anti establishment figures to top law enforcement roles.

[Tim Pierce]

Lester Holt, the longtime anchor of NBC's Nightly News, is stepping down. Holt's been with the network for more than two decades. He'll now focus full time on Dateline NBC starting this summer. NBC has yet to name his replacement. NBC, like other legacy outlets, is experiencing a major shakeup post Trump, Trump's electoral victory.

[Georgia Howe]

And sister network MSNBC is reportedly shaking up their primetime offerings as well, most notably canceling Joy Reid's 7pm show. The readout. The far left commentator is expected to be replaced by a younger set of three left wing talents, including Simone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele and Alicia Menendez. Jen Psaki is expected to pick up additional hours and Rachel Maddow will be stepping back from a daily show and returning to a weekly slot.

[Tim Pierce]

All right, those are your drive home updates this afternoon. To learn for more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning we covered some big stories, including Trump's Pentagon overhaul, the cartel crackdown and Maine digging in its heels over boys and girls sports. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.