U.S.-Russia Talks Begin & DOGE Targets IRS | 2.18.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: U.S.-Russia Talks Begin & DOGE Targets IRS | 2.18.25 Release Date: February 18, 2025 Host/Author: John Bickley & Georgia Howe

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1. US-Russia Negotiations on Ukraine War

Overview: The episode opens with Georgia Howe setting the stage for a pivotal week in international politics as the United States and Russia attempt to "hit reset" on their strained relations. This move comes amidst European leaders calling an emergency meeting in response to developments in Ukraine.

Key Discussions:

• Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy Shift:

  • John Bickley emphasizes the necessity of a U.S. security guarantee to deter Russia from future aggression towards Ukraine. He questions the composition of the negotiating table and highlights Ukrainian President Zelensky's dissatisfaction with the current negotiations.
    • Quote (00:12): “There must be a U.S. backstop because a U.S. security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.”

• Negotiations in Saudi Arabia:

  • Cabot Phillips, Senior Editor at Daily Wire, details the upcoming negotiations between U.S. and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia, marking the most substantial talks since the onset of the war three years prior.
    • Quote (02:13): “Delegations from the US and Russia will sit down in Saudi Arabia today for the most substantive negotiations on the war in Ukraine since Putin first invaded three years ago.”

• European Leaders’ Response:

  • European allies express discomfort with the Trump administration's direct approach to Moscow. An emergency summit led by French President Macron includes leaders from the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands.
    • Quote (04:57): “British Prime Minister Keir Starmer conceded that point, saying, 'U.S. support will remain critical and a U.S. security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace because only the US can deter Putin from attacking again.'”

• Public Sentiment in the U.S.:

  • Public fatigue with prolonged support for Ukraine is highlighted through Quinnipiac polling data, showing a significant increase in Americans believing the U.S. is overextending itself.
    • Quote (05:50): “According to Quinnipiac polling, 41% now say the US is doing too much. That number was just 7% back in 2022.”

Conclusions: The shift in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration represents a more direct engagement with Russia, diverging from the previous Biden administration's strategy of isolation. However, this approach has sparked concerns among European allies and a shift in American public opinion towards favoring a peaceful resolution.

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2. DOGE Targets IRS for Government Efficiency

Overview: The discussion transitions to domestic affairs, focusing on Elon Musk's DOGE initiative targeting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to audit federal spending for waste, fraud, and abuse.

Key Discussions:

• DOGE's Access to IRS Systems:

  • Tim Pierce, Daily Wire reporter, explains the proposed memorandum that would grant DOGE a software engineer broad access to IRS systems, including sensitive data housed in the Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS).
    • Quote (07:32): “One DoGE software engineer would be given broad access to dig into the tax agency systems and data, most of which are built on top of 1960s technology.”

• Potential Improvements and Risks:

  • Automation and efficiency are anticipated outcomes of DOGE's audit, aiming to streamline federal bureaucracy. However, critics voice concerns over data security and privacy, given the sensitive nature of IRS data.
    • Quote (08:40): “The idea is that at the end of Doge's audit and updates, the federal bureaucracy should be significantly smaller and more focused, as well as more easily controlled by the President.”

• Uncovering Fraud:

  • DOGE's recent findings indicate significant discrepancies in Social Security numbers, suggesting widespread fraud that could represent the largest in history.
    • Quote (09:09): “Musk posted the breakdown by age group of the number of eligible Social Security numbers in the United States. On the face of it, it's pretty clear that tens of millions of those numbers are fraudulent.”

Conclusions: DOGE's initiative to audit the IRS signifies a bold attempt to address governmental inefficiency and fraud. While the potential for modernization and reduction of waste is substantial, the move raises legitimate concerns about data privacy and the security of personal information.

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3. CBS Criticized for Pro-Censorship Stance in Europe

Overview: The podcast delves into the controversy surrounding CBS's coverage of free speech issues in Europe, drawing significant backlash from conservatives who accuse the network of endorsing censorship.

Key Discussions:

• Margaret Brennan’s Controversial Segment:

  • The CBS host, Margaret Brennan, made historical inaccuracies during an interview with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggesting that excessive free speech contributed to the Holocaust.
    • Quote (11:04): “Margaret Brennan: And then on Sunday morning, another CBS program, 60 Minutes, interviewed some German authorities arguing for state censorship.”

• Marco Rubio’s Rebuttal:

  • Rubio firmly rejects the notion that free speech facilitated Nazi genocide, clarifying that Islamicide Nazi regime was inherently authoritarian with no true free speech environment.
    • Quote (11:55): “Marco Rubio: Free speech was not used to conduct a genocide. The genocide was conducted by an authoritarian Nazi regime that happened to also be genocidal because they hated Jews and they hated minorities.”

• European Leaders' Support for Censorship:

  • CBS highlighted interviews with German authorities supporting state censorship, framing it as a necessary measure against malicious activities online.
    • Quote (12:34): “John Bickley: Yes. The fine could be even higher if you insult someone on the Internet.”

• Conservative Backlash:

  • The segment received widespread criticism from the conservative community, including Brandon and outlets like National Review, who decry the endorsement of speech suppression.
    • Quote (13:27): “Margaret Brennan: This is Orwellian and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.”

• Implications for U.S.-Europe Relations:

  • The critique extends to concerns that CBS's portrayal of European policies could strain transatlantic relations, especially regarding foundational values like free speech.
    • Quote (14:31): “Georgia Howe: Well, very concerning that dissenting opinion could be considered a crime.”

Conclusions: CBS's recent coverage on free speech in Europe has ignited a significant conservative backlash, questioning the network's editorial stance on fundamental freedoms. The controversy underscores the tension between combating harmful speech and preserving free expression, highlighting differing perspectives between American conservatives and European regulatory approaches.

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Final Remarks: The Morning Wire episode provides a comprehensive analysis of critical international negotiations, significant domestic policy shifts, and contentious media coverage impacting free speech debates. Hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe offer insightful commentary, enriched by expert interviews and real-time data, delivering a nuanced perspective for listeners seeking clarity on these pressing issues.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

The Trump administration faces a crucial week abroad as the US And Russia hit reset while European leaders call an emergency meeting over Ukraine.

[John Bickley]

There must be a U.S. backstop because a U.S. security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again. Who'll be at the table for the peace negotiations? And why is Zelensky calling foul?

[Georgia Howe]

Georgia I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor in chief John Bickley. It's Tuesday, February 18th, and this is Morning Wire. Doge and Elon Musk continue to shrink the federal government, setting their sights next on the irs.

[John Bickley]

If your taxpayer dollars are not spent.

[Brandon]

In a sensible and frugal manner, then that's not okay. Your tax dollars need to be spent wisely. It's just common sense.

[John Bickley]

And CBS is taking flak for their coverage on free speech in Europe, with some accusing the network of shilling for censorship.

[Marco Rubio]

I have to disagree with you. That's not an accurate reflection of history.

[Georgia Howe]

Thanks for waking up with MORNING wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.

[Brandon]

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[Georgia Howe]

With the US And Russia kicking off negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, European leaders are scrambling to respond.

[John Bickley]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here with more. Hey, Cabot. So, an extremely important week for the new administration abroad that will test Donald Trump's foreign policy. We have this emergency meeting headed up by Macron. Now this series of meetings with Russian diplomats. First, what is taking place today?

[Cabot Phillips]

So delegations from the US And Russia will sit down in Saudi Arabia today for the most substantive negotiations on the war in Ukraine since Putin first invaded three years ago. On one hand for the US Will be Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle east envoy Steve Witkoff. The Russians are sending their foreign minister and a top aide to Putin. For their part, the State Department tempered expectations a bit, saying these meetings were viewed as the opening round of a longer process. Moscow echoed that sentiment, saying the talks would be quote, devoted primarily to restoring the entire complex of Russian American relations. So while today's talks are unlikely to result in any major diplomatic breakthroughs, they're still important because it marks a significant departure from the Biden administration's past strategy, which had been to isolate Putin entirely. Trump is taking a much more head on approach. The two spoke on the phone last week and now are working out details on a face to face. Sit down. Here's Trump over the weekend.

[John Bickley]

I think he wants to stop fighting. I see that we spoke long and hard. I think he wants to end it and they want to end it ass both of them. All right, so Trump referring there to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zinsky as well, how has he responded to this push from the White House?

[Cabot Phillips]

Well, Zelensky had initially been open to Trump brokering a peace deal after years of saying he would not agree to any diplomatic solution. He reversed course after Trump's victory and said he was ready to end the war peacefully as soon as possible. But he's not happy with how the President has gone about things and is furious that Ukraine is not present at today's meetings in Saudi Arabia. Now, the White House made clear that he would have a seat at the table if talks with Russia move to formal negotiations, but that did little to alleviate his displeasure. Here's Zelensky talking to NBC on Sunday. I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. There is no any leader in the world who can really make a deal with Putin without us about us. And the next day he went a step further saying today's talks, quote, won't yield results if Keefe is not at the table.

[John Bickley]

All right, so making very clear he's not happy. He's not the only one. There's some other people saying they should have a seat at the table as well. Tell us about this pushback from other European leaders.

[Cabot Phillips]

Right, so as we reported yesterday, our allies in Europe have made clear they are not fans of Trump's one on one approach to Moscow. In response, they huddled for an emergency summit Monday, as you mentioned, with leaders from France, the UK Italy, Poland, Spain and the Netherlands. Germany's foreign minister, for example, said it was, quote, an existential moment and time for, quote, Europe to stand up while Poland's foreign minister made a bizarre threat to withhold the Nobel Peace Prize from Trump.

[John Bickley]

We Europeans control the Nobel Peace Prize.

[Cabot Phillips]

If you want to earn it. The, the peace has to be fair. But look, ultimately the US has far more leverage here because Europe is just so reliant on our defense capabilities. Even British Prime Minister Keir Starmer conceded that point, saying, quote, U.S. support will remain critical and a U.S. security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace because only the US can deter Putin from attacking again. But it's worth noting, Trump officials say that while European allies are not directly at the table with Russia, they're still being taken into account. Here's Mike Waltz to that point on fox.

[John Bickley]

They may not like some of the sequencing that is going on in these negotiations, but I have to push back on any notion that they aren't being consulted. They absolutely are.

[Cabot Phillips]

And one final note on all this. The American people certainly appear to be tiring of the country's long term support of the war in Ukraine. According to Quinnipiac polling, 41% now say the US is doing too much. That number was just 7% back in 2022. And at the same time, support for Zelensky has also cratered. In 2022, 72% said they were confident he would do the right thing. Today, that number is down at 48%. And finally, nearly 80% of Americans support a peace deal to end the war.

[John Bickley]

Sentiment's been steadily moving toward a peace deal sooner than later. It's very clear. Kevin, thanks so much for reporting.

[Cabot Phillips]

Anytime.

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[John Bickley]

The IRS is expected to issue a memo soon that gives DOGE access to the tax agency's systems and data. The review fits within doge's mandate to seek out waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government. But critics claim the Elon Musk led audit would put Americans personal information at risk.

[Georgia Howe]

Here to talk about the IRS and Doge is Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce. So, Tim, let's just say DOGE gets access to the irs. What would that actually look like?

[Tim Pierce]

Sure. So top IRS officials may soon release what's called a memorandum of understanding that would grant DoGE access. One DoGE software engineer would be given broad access to dig into the tax agency systems and data, most of which are built on top of 1960s technology. So clearly there is plenty lacking at the IRS in the way of efficiency. At the very least, the draft memo, which was viewed by the Washington Post, would give Doge access to the IRS for 120 days with an option for 120 day extension at the pleasure of the President. What has critics worried is that access to IRS systems includes access to the Integrated Data Retrieval System, or the idrs, that holds personal information and bank information on millions of Americans. It's pretty tightly guarded. Even IRS commissioners traditionally are not given access to it. But Doge's work would presumably be tightly watched. In fact, part of the draft memo requires the Doge engineer to destroy any information from the IRS he has after his work is done.

[Georgia Howe]

So a single Doge engineer is tasked with assessing a 1960s era system. It seems like a big task. What kind of changes could we expect?

[Tim Pierce]

Automation will be a big part. There will be many roles in the system that a machine can perform better than a person can. And that's no different than what Doge is primarily doing across the federal government. The idea is that at the end of Doge's audit and updates, the federal bureaucracy should be significantly smaller and more focused, as well as more easily controlled by the President.

[Georgia Howe]

So that addresses inefficiency. But then there's also outright fraud and abuse. Musk released some pretty shocking numbers just in the past few days. What did those show?

[Tim Pierce]

Yeah, that was on Social Security. Musk posted the breakdown by age group of the number of eligible Social Security numbers in the United States. On the face of it, it's pretty clear that tens of millions of those numbers are fraudulent. Here's some perspective. The oldest person currently alive is 116 years old, and she lives in Brazil. According to the Social Security system, nearly 12 and a half million Americans have valid Social Security numbers and are older than that. So major red flag there, to say the least. Yeah, but if that weren't enough, there are actually tens of millions more active Social Security numbers than there are U.S. citizens. That's tens of millions of suspicious numbers. Musk said this might be the biggest fraud in history.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, we knew it'd be bad, but this seems just outrageous. Tim, thanks for reporting.

[Tim Pierce]

Thanks for having me.

[John Bickley]

As the Trump administration makes protecting free speech a key priority, CBS is drawing massive fire for its coverage of free speech issues in Europe. Critics say the network, along with other legacy outlets, has become an apologist for censorship.

[Georgia Howe]

Daily Wire Culture reporter Megan Basham is here now with more. So, Megan, what did this CBS host say that was so controversial and what was the context of it?

[Margaret Brennan]

Well, this all Started after Vice President J.D. vance gave a pretty bold speech at the Munich Security conference last Friday. He took European leaders to task for embracing what he called Soviet style censorship last October.

[Brandon]

Just a few months ago, the Scottish government began distributing letters to citizens whose houses lay within so called safe access zones, warning them that even private prayer within their own homes may amount to breaking the law. Naturally, the government urged readers to report any fellow citizen suspected guilty of thought crime. In Britain and across Europe. Free speech, I fear, is in retreat.

[Margaret Brennan]

And then on Sunday morning, CBS anchor Margaret Brennan interviewed Secretary of State Marco Rubio on her show Face the Nation. And she asked him why Vance would irritate our European allies like that. Then she made the historically incorrect claim that the Holocaust was the result of Nazi Germany having too much free speech.

[Marco Rubio]

Well, he was standing in a country where free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide. And he met with the head of a political party that has far right views and some historic ties to extreme groups. The context of that was changing the tone of it. And you know that. That the censorship. I disagree with you specifically about the right.

[Margaret Brennan]

Well, Rubio pushed back on that very strongly.

[Marco Rubio]

Free speech was not used to conduct a genocide. The genocide was conducted by an authoritarian Nazi regime that happened to also be genocidal because they hated Jews and they hated minorities and they hated those that they had a list of people that hated, but primarily the Jews. There was no free speech in Nazi Germany.

[Margaret Brennan]

And then, if you'll hang with me for one more soundbite here, Georgia. On Sunday night, another CBS program, 60 Minutes, interviewed some German authorities arguing for state censorship. And the Overall tenor of CBS's segment seemed very favorable to their position.

[Georgia Howe]

Is it a crime to insult somebody in public?

[Margaret Brennan]

Yes.

[John Bickley]

Yes, it is.

[Georgia Howe]

And it's a crime to insult them online as well.

[John Bickley]

Yes. The fine could be even higher if you insult someone in the Internet. Why? Because in Internet, it stays there. If we are talking here face to face. You insult me, I insult you. Okay, finish. But if you. In the Internet, if I insult you, or a politician that sticks around forever. Yeah. The prosecutors explain German law also prohibits the spread of malicious gossip, violent threats, and fake quotes.

[Margaret Brennan]

And by the way, that German law also applies to someone reposting illegal speech, even if the person didn't know, for example, that they were sharing a false quote.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, has CBS attempted to defend those comments?

[Margaret Brennan]

No, in fact, they proudly released the transcript. And there's really been no comment from other legacy outlets on this either.

[Georgia Howe]

But there was blowback on the right. So how did Vance react well, Vance.

[Margaret Brennan]

Immediately posted on X quoting here, insulting someone is not a crime and criminalizing speech will strain European U.S. relations. This is Orwellian and everyone in Europe and the US Must reject this lunacy. Now, that reaction really captured the tenor of most of the conservative criticism, including from outlets like National Review, which called the segment mildly horrifying. And then you even had some conservative critics suggesting that the US May need to pull out of NATO if Europe doesn't re establish free speech protections. And so I do think for that reason, this goes to the broader point of Vance's Munich speech, and that was that the stakes of this clash are really high. Essentially, he said that the reason the leaders of these nations are cracking down on speech is because they fear the views of their voters, which, as in the US have been trending in a populist direction. So CBS has appeared to many viewers to be trying to make the case for speech suppression in Europe rather than challenging these European leaders over that program.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, very concerning that dissenting opinion could be considered a crime. Megan, thanks for reporting.

[Margaret Brennan]

Anytime.

[John Bickley]

Thanks for waking up with us and if you enjoyed what you heard this morning, Share this episode with a friend.