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

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."

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."

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

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