Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed & Cartel Drug Tunnels | Afternoon Update | 2.12.25

Summary

Morning Wire Summary: Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed & Cartel Drug Tunnels | Afternoon Update | 02.12.25

Released February 12, 2025 | Presented by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and Co-Host Georgia Howe

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1. Senate Confirms Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

Key Points:

• Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed by the Senate to serve as President Trump's Director of National Intelligence.
• The confirmation proceeded despite significant opposition from Senate Democrats and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
• Gabbard faced intense scrutiny regarding her past views on NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and U.S. intelligence operations.
• Supporters laud her focus on reducing bureaucracy and enhancing national security, while critics express concerns over her positions on surveillance and foreign policy.

Notable Quotes:

• Georgia Howe [00:44]: "Gabbard was voted through despite strong opposition from Senate Democrats and minority leader Mitch McConnell."
• Georgia Howe [00:44]: "Supporters say she will focus on cutting bureaucracy and strengthening national security, while critics question her stance on surveillance and foreign policy."

2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Advances to Final Confirmation Vote for HHS Secretary

Key Points:

• The Senate has also moved forward with invoking cloture for the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary.
• His nomination is now poised for a final confirmation vote following strong debates and partisan discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• Georgia Howe [00:44]: "The Senate also voted to invoke cloture for nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary. He now heads for a final confirmation vote."

3. Government Efficiency Subcommittee Heated Hearing

Key Points:

• The Delivery of Government Efficiency subcommittee held its first hearing, marked by intense exchanges.
• Chair Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized the nation's debt crisis, stating, "the American people are in debt slavery to everyone who owns our debt."
• Democrats, represented by Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, criticized proposed cuts to various federal departments and agencies, expressing concerns over dismantling essential services.
• Republicans, including Rep. Eric Burleson, defended the cuts as necessary measures to address the nearing $37 trillion national debt.

Notable Quotes:

• Marjorie Taylor Greene [01:16]: "The American people are in debt slavery to everyone who owns our debt."
• Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett [01:51]: "We know that they are trying to get rid of the Department of Education, USAID, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. They're laying off FAA workers. They are going after the FDA, the CDC, the HHS, the FBI, agents."
• Rep. Eric Burleson [02:06]: "We face an existential debt crisis. We're nearing $37 trillion in national debt."

4. Mark Fogle's Release: A Prisoner Exchange with Russia

Key Points:

• President Trump welcomed Mark Fogle, an American teacher who was wrongfully detained in a Russian prison for over three years, to the White House.
• The release concluded a prolonged ordeal that began during the Biden administration, with the Fogle family maintaining hope for his freedom through Trump's advocacy.
• In exchange for Fogle's release, the U.S. exchanged Russian prisoner Alexander Vinny, who pleaded guilty to money laundering related to a $4 billion cryptocurrency exchange platform.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bickley [03:25]: "I feel like the luckiest man on earth right now."
• John Bickley [03:29]: "Am not a hero in this at all. President Trump is a hero. These men that came from the diplomatic service are heroes."

5. Trump Announces Negotiations with Putin to End Ukraine War

Key Points:

• President Trump declared that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to commence negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
• This announcement follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's statement rejecting NATO membership for Ukraine, signaling a strategic shift towards diplomacy.
• Hegseth emphasized the necessity for a negotiated peace and warned against prolonged conflict, advocating for capable troops to back any peace agreements without invoking NATO's Article 5.

Notable Quotes:

• Pete Hegseth [04:03]: "These troops should be deployed as part of a non-NATO mission and they should not be covered under Article 5."

6. Sophisticated Tunnels: Cartel Drug Smuggling Evolves

Key Points:

• Mexican drug cartels are employing advanced tunnel systems, complete with rail networks, to smuggle drugs into the United States.
• These tunnels are intricately constructed beneath storefronts and warehouses, complicating the Trump administration's efforts to curb drug trafficking.
• Former DEA agent Michael Brown highlighted the complexity of these tunnels, questioning the engineering expertise behind their construction and the necessity for increased cooperation with the Mexican government.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Brown [05:48]: "These tunnels are very elaborate and lead to several questions."

7. Congressional Report Highlights Increased Chinese Espionage Threats

Key Points:

• A new congressional report reveals a significant uptick in Chinese espionage activities targeting the United States over the past four years.
• The House Committee on Homeland Security documented over 60 China-backed operations aimed at stealing military and trade secrets and silencing dissidents within the U.S.
• The FBI is reportedly opening a new counterintelligence case against China every 12 hours, with 60% of all trade theft cases linked to Beijing.
• Congressman August Pfluger emphasized a hardline approach against China, commending former Trump officials for their tougher stance.

Notable Quotes:

• Congressman August Pfluger [06:36]: "We are going to take a hard line approach, both on the legislative effort but also on making sure that the FBI continues to do their job, to prevent these folks and the bad actors from gaining influence and surveilling American citizens or American national security interests."
• Congressman August Pfluger [06:36]: "Their ultimate goal is their ultimate goal."

8. Jordan's King Abdullah II Opposes Palestinian Displacement from Gaza

Key Points:

• King Abdullah II of Jordan expressed opposition to the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza following a meeting with President Trump.
• He reaffirmed Jordan's commitment to rebuilding Gaza without forcing residents from their homes and praised Trump's role in brokering a ceasefire.
• The discussions also encompassed security concerns and potential economic cooperation between Jordan and the United States.

Notable Quotes:

• Georgia Howe [07:52]: "Abdullah reaffirmed Jordan's commitment to rebuilding Gaza without forcing people from their houses."

9. Disney and Other Corporations Scaling Back DEI Initiatives

Key Points:

• Disney is retracting its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts by discontinuing the Reimagine Tomorrow initiative and altering executive performance evaluations.
• The company is also revising content advisories on classic films and renaming employee resource groups.
• This move follows a trend among other major corporations, including Google and Meta, to reassess DEI programs under the Trump administration's influence.

Notable Quotes:

• Georgia Howe [08:18]: "Disney is scaling back on DEI. A company memo confirms the removal of the Reimagine Tomorrow initiative and a shift in how executive performance is evaluated."

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Additional Updates:

• AI Policy and DOJ Scrutiny: Earlier in the morning, J.D. Vance outlined Trump's AI policy, while Jim Jordan discussed concerns over the Department of Justice.
• Foreign Policy and NGOs: President Trump intensified crackdowns on non-governmental organizations, aligning with broader policy shifts.

Notable Quote:

• Georgia Howe [08:43]: "In case you missed it, this morning we covered some other big stories, including J.D. Vance laying out Trump's AI policy, Trump cracking down on NGOs and Jim Jordan discusses Doge and the DOJ."

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Stay Informed: For more detailed coverage on these stories, visit DailyWire.com.

This summary was crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of the Morning Wire podcast episode for those who have not yet listened. Join us tomorrow morning for another edition of Morning Wire.

Transcript

[John Bickley]

This episode is brought to you by Beam. Groggy and exhausted is no way to start off your day, which is why we're introducing Beam's Dream Powder, a science backed healthy hot cocoa. For sleep. Head to shopbeam.com wire and use code wire at checkout for up to 40% off.

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. It's Wednesday, February 12th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update. The Senate has confirmed former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as President Trump's Director of National Intelligence.

[John Bickley]

N52NAESER 48 nomination is confirmed under the previous order. The motion to reconsider is considered, made and laid upon the table, and the president will immediately be notified of the Senate's actions.

[Georgia Howe]

Gabbard was voted through despite strong opposition from Senate Democrats and minority leader Mitch McConnell. Gabbard faced heated questioning over her past views on NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and US Intellig operations. Supporters say she will focus on cutting bureaucracy and strengthening national security, while critics question her stance on surveillance and foreign policy. The Senate also voted to invoke cloture for nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As health and Human Services Secretary. He now heads for a final confirmation vote.

[John Bickley]

The Delivery of Government Efficiency subcommittee held its first hearing today, which got heated at some points. Daily Wire's senior editor Cabot Phillips has the latest. Subcommittee chair Marjorie Taylor Greene opened the hearing by saying the American people are in debt slavery to everyone who owns our debt. The issue of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has very much become a partisan issue, with Democrats saying it's wrong to let him access databases like the US treasury payment system. Meanwhile, Republicans say government spending is out of control and long overdue for an audit. Here's Democrat Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett criticizing what Doge is suggesting.

[Georgia Howe]

We know that they are trying to get rid of the Department of Education, usaid, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. They're laying off FAA workers. They are going after the fda, the cdc, the hhs, the FBI, agents.

[John Bickley]

But Republicans like Rep. Eric Burleson in Missouri argue the cuts are necessary, saying we face an existential debt crisis. We're nearing $37 trillion in national debt. What does that mean? That means when the epic, which is the Economic Policy Innovation center, says we have 18 trillion left, that's it, 18 trillion left to take out and we're spending $2 trillion in debt every year. We are literally at a at a point in which the dollar will be worth nothing.

[Georgia Howe]

Late last night, President Trump welcomed Mark Fogle to the White House. Fogle is an American teacher who was wrongfully detained in a Russian prison for over three years. Daily Wire reporter Cassie Akiva, who's been in touch with the Fogle family during the saga, has the story. The three and a half year nightmare for the Fogle family that started during the Biden administration has finally ended. After watching the previous administration prioritize more famous detainees like Brittney Griner, the Fogle family clung to hope that he would be released. The main source of that enduring hope was Donald Trump, who famously met with Mark's 95 year old mother Malfean at his Butler, Pennsylvania rally. She was actually set to take the stage until the would be assassin began shooting. Here's what she told the Daily President Trump did indeed remember Mark's name and welcomed him to the White House late last night.

[John Bickley]

I feel like the luckiest man on earth right now.

[Georgia Howe]

I want you to know that I.

[John Bickley]

Am not a hero in this at all. President Trump is a hero. These men that came from the diplomatic service are heroes. The senators and representatives that pass legislation in my honor to get me home are the heroes.

[Georgia Howe]

In exchange for Fogle, the US released Russian prisoner Alexander Vinny who pled guilty to money laundering 4 billion doll cryptocurrency exchange platform that he operated. He had been facing a 20 year prison sentence.

[John Bickley]

President Trump says he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin quote, negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. This comes after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine in his first address before the alliance. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has more in the social media post. Today, Trump disclosed a call between the two leaders saying they would work together very closely. Trump said he would call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to inform him of the conversation with Putin. The announcement follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's address to NATO in which he said restoring Ukraine's pre2014 borders is unrealistic and that President Trump is prioritizing diplomacy to end the war. Speaking to the Ukraine Defense Contract Group in Brussels, Hegseth emphasized the need for a negotiated peace, not prolonged conflict. Here's the Defense Secretary Any security guarantee must be backed by capable European and non European troops. If these troops are deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine at any point, they should be deployed as part of a non NATO mission and they should not be covered under Article 5. Hegseth warned that the US is shifting focus to border security and deterring threats from China. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant met with Ukraine's President Zelensky to discuss a rare earth investment deal. Zelensky is reviewing the proposal and will likely respond Friday when he meets with Vice President J.D. vance. This episode is brought to you by Black Rifle Coffee. Head to BlackRiffleCoffee.com and use code Daily Wire for 20% off your purchase. That's BlackRiffleCoffee dot com code DailyWire.

[Georgia Howe]

Mexican drug cartels are using sophisticated tunnels with rail systems to smuggle drugs into the US the hidden tunnel entrances, often below storefronts and warehouses, are making the Trump administration's crackdown on drug smuggling more difficult. As former DEA agent Michael Brown told Fox, these tunnels are very elaborate and lead to several questions.

[John Bickley]

Who are the engineering firms in Mexico, right? Who has the intellectual capacity to build one of these sophisticated tunnels, to start looking at those companies and those architects and those engineers, right? Working it from the Mexican side. But of course that would require more cooperation from the Mexican government, which is another question.

[Georgia Howe]

Despite the sharp decline in illegal border crossings since Trump's return to office, authorities say cartel tunnels remain a major threat.

[John Bickley]

A new congressional report finds that Chinese espionage threats against the US have increased over the past four years. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce breaks down the findings. The House Committee on Homeland Security's threat snapshot report, obtained by the Daily wire, documents over 60 cases of China backed operations that includes efforts to steal military and trade secrets as well as silence dissidents on US Soil. According to the report, the FBI opens a new counterintelligence case against China every 12 hours, with 60% of all trade theft cases linked to Beijing. The report also highlights recent arrests, including one of a Chinese national accused of stealing AI secrets from Google. Congressman August Pfluger sits on that committee. Here's what he told we in Congress and especially on the Homeland Security committee, are going to take a hard line approach, both on the legislative effort but also on making sure that the FBI continues to do their job, to do their work to prevent these folks and the bad actors from gaining influence and surveilling American citizens or American national security interests, which is really, I think, their ultimate goal. The committee criticized the Biden administration's handling of China, but praised Trump officials, including Secretaries Marco Rubio and Kristi Noem, for taking a tougher stance on Beijing.

[Georgia Howe]

Jordan's King Abdullah II says he opposes the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza following yesterday's meeting with President Trump at the White House. In a statement, Abdullah reaffirmed Jordan's commitment to rebuilding Gaza without forcing people from their houses. Abdullah praised Trump's role in brokering a ceasefire and urged continued U.S. leadership. The meeting also covered security concerns and economic cooperation between the two nations.

[John Bickley]

And Disney is scaling back on dei. A company memo confirms the removal of the Reimagine Tomorrow initiative and a shift in how executive performance is evaluated. Disney is also adjusting content advisories on classic films and renaming employee resource groups. The changes come as other corporations, including Google and Meta, reevaluate DEI efforts under the Trump administration.

[Georgia Howe]

Those are your Drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning we covered some other big stories, including J.D. vance laying out Trump's AI policy, Trump cracking down on NGOs and Jim Jordan discusses Doge and the DOJ. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.