Morning Wire Summary: Trump's Ukraine U-Turn & Biden’s Auto-Pen Admissions | July 15, 2025

Released: July 15, 2025

1. Trump’s Strategic Shift on Ukraine and Russia

Timestamp: 00:04 - 05:05

In today’s episode, Georgia Howe kicks off the discussion by highlighting a significant development in U.S. foreign policy: President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on Russia. This comes through the imposition of additional tariffs and the arming of Ukraine with advanced military weaponry, signaling a robust stance against Russian aggression. Howe notes, “Trump amps up the pressure on Russia, imposing additional tariffs and arming Ukraine with military weapons” [00:04].

Donald Trump echoes this aggressive approach: “We’re very, very unhappy with him, and we’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days” [00:13]. This marks a notable departure from Trump’s initial isolationist policies regarding Ukraine.

Cabot Phillips, Daily Wire senior editor, provides context on this strategic pivot. He explains that Trump initially sought to halt the “endless flow of American treasure to Ukraine,” freezing new weapons and financial aid upon taking office with the aim of pushing for peace negotiations. However, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stalled peace talks and continued military actions, Trump has shifted tactics to ensure Ukraine remains well-armed. “Trump is taking a very different approach, essentially telling Putin if he will not end the war, he'll ensure Ukraine is armed to the teeth” [02:00].

The new deal involves a massive sale of weapons to NATO, including Patriot missiles, artillery shells, and air defense systems, slated to be dispatched to Kyiv imminently. These weapons potentially include long-range offensive missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory. Trump articulates his vision for peace, stating: “I think this is a chance at getting peace. Europe has a lot of spirit for this war. They really think it's a very, very important thing to do” [03:33].

Unlike the Biden administration, which provided billions in weapons and cash without stringent conditions, Trump’s deal ensures that the U.S. receives compensation for its support. Matt Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, emphasizes shifting the defense burden to European taxpayers: “We move the burden off the American taxpayer for European defense and onto European taxpayers, where it should be” [04:05]. Tim Pierce further adds, “By the European population” [04:16], underscoring the commitment to European responsibility in defense matters.

In addition to military support, Trump is deploying economic threats against Russia and its trading partners. He has issued a 50-day deadline for Russia to agree to peace, threatening “severe tariffs” on any country conducting business with Moscow. This strategic move predominantly targets major economies like China and India, which are heavily reliant on Russian oil [04:36 - 05:05].

2. The Epstein Case and DOJ Leadership Changes

Timestamp: 05:05 - 06:08

Georgia Howe transitions to domestic issues, focusing on the ongoing Epstein case and recent changes within the Department of Justice (DOJ). She highlights a significant shakeup at the DOJ, where FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino reportedly threatened to resign unless Attorney General Pam Bondi was replaced. However, the situation appears to be stabilizing, with Trump publicly supporting both Bongino and Bondi, describing Bondi as “a good guy who is in good shape” [05:12].

Mayor Margaret Olihan, Daily Wire White House reporter, reveals that Vice President JD Vance has been instrumental in mediating tensions between the FBI and DOJ leadership. This internal stabilization has led to a slight cooling of conservative media outrage regarding Trump’s handling of the Epstein investigation. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain if the broader GOP base will ease its criticism [05:12 - 06:08].

3. Political Landscape: Trump’s Strengths and Potential Challenges

Timestamp: 07:20 - 11:43

Despite a series of political victories, Trump and the GOP face potential headwinds as discussed by Jon Bickley and Brent Buchanan, President of Signal Polling. One pressing concern is Elon Musk’s threat to form an alternative political party. Buchanan assesses the viability of Musk’s proposition, noting Musk’s declining favorability: “Elon Musk... was upside down by eight points... now upside down by 25 points” [07:56]. This unfavorable perception suggests that Musk’s America Party is unlikely to gain substantial traction, thereby minimizing its potential impact on the GOP [07:40 - 08:39].

Turning to Trump’s own standing, Buchanan challenges the mainstream media narrative suggesting a decline in Trump’s popularity. Based on Signal Polling data, Trump remains “upside down by five” in favorability, a stable position that Buchanan interprets as indicative of Trump’s resilience: “He is Teflon Don” [08:49 - 09:37].

The discussion then shifts to ICE raids and immigration, highlighting how these actions solidify Trump’s “law and order” messaging. Buchanan argues that such measures resonate strongly with voters concerned about cultural decay and the rule of law, further consolidating Trump’s support: “These ICE raids are actually something that is dividing the electorate further, but it's dividing it to Donald Trump's advantage” [09:43 - 10:39].

Looking ahead, Buchanan emphasizes the importance of effective communication of Republican achievements. He advises prioritizing clear, voter-centric messages to maintain and build upon their current successes: “It's how well do they communicate the key issues... Republicans... have to make it real to the voter” [10:52 - 11:43].

4. Biden’s Auto-Pen Controversy and Executive Actions

Timestamp: 11:48 - 15:43

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to President Joe Biden’s use of the “auto pen” for executive actions during his final days in office. Georgia Howe introduces Tim Pierce, Daily Wire reporter, to dissect the controversy surrounding Biden’s unprecedented pardons and commutations. Pierce explains that while Biden claims full control over the auto pen, allowing his staff to expedite orders based on pre-approved criteria, numerous high-profile cases have raised questions about the legitimacy and oversight of these actions. For instance, Biden personally approved the pardon of General Mark Milley and blanket pardons for his family members, aiming to protect them from political prosecution [12:23 - 13:34].

Critics, including Republican Senator Eric Schmidt of Missouri, allege potential legal violations such as fraud, forgery, and misuse of government property, as reported by CNN and documented by the House Oversight Committee [14:33]. Donald Trump vehemently condemns Biden’s actions, declaring: “I guarantee he knew nothing about what he was signing” and labeling the auto pen use as “maybe one of the biggest scandals that we've had in 50 to 100 years” [14:58].

Biden’s defense centers on the necessity and efficiency of the auto pen for handling a large volume of executive actions. However, the lack of direct oversight and inclusion of individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as Adrian Peeler—a man convicted of conspiracy to murder—has intensified scrutiny. Pierce notes that while Biden acknowledges lobbying efforts for certain pardons, he does not adequately address the vetting failures that allowed heinous criminals to receive clemency [13:45 - 15:43].

The controversy surrounding the auto pen extends beyond pardons, encompassing various executive orders signed without clear presidential approval, indicating a broader issue within Biden’s administration regarding checks and balances [15:30].

Conclusion

In this episode of Morning Wire, John Bickley and Georgia Howe provide an in-depth analysis of pressing national and international issues. From Trump’s strategic maneuvers in the Ukraine-Russia conflict to the intrigues of Biden’s executive actions, the discussion offers listeners a comprehensive overview of the current political climate. Notably, the episode underscores the resilience of Trump’s political standing amidst emerging challenges and highlights the intensifying scrutiny over Biden’s executive authority. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Morning Wire remains committed to delivering the facts and insights necessary for informed discourse.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump: “We’re very, very unhappy with him, and we’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days” [00:13].

• Donald Trump: “I think this is a chance at getting peace. Europe has a lot of spirit for this war. They really think it's a very, very important thing to do” [03:33].

• Matt Whitaker: “We move the burden off the American taxpayer for European defense and onto European taxpayers, where it should be” [04:05].

• Donald Trump: “I guarantee he knew nothing about what he was signing” [00:47, 14:58].

• Senator Eric Schmidt: Highlighting potential legal violations related to Biden’s auto pen usage [14:33].

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