Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: White House Warns Minnesota & American Population Nosedives
Date: January 29, 2026
Hosts: Georgia Howe (with John Bickley off), Cabot Phillips
Notable Guests: Megan Basham (Culture Reporter), Tim Pierce (Reporter)
Main Theme:
This episode covers three major news stories: chaos and political standoff in Minneapolis over ICE operations and federal immigration policy; President Trump’s escalating warning to Iran and foreign policy debates in Congress; and a sharp, historic decline in American population growth attributed to birthrates and changes in immigration policy.

1. Minneapolis Crisis: ICE Operations and Sanctuary Standoff

Segment Starts: 00:33

Atmosphere in Minneapolis

• Minneapolis is gripped by escalating chaos similar to the summer of 2020.
• Activists stormed the Minnesota Capitol to protest Governor Tim Walz meeting with border czar Tom Homan, demanding justice over ICE-related shootings of activists Alex Preddy and Renee Good.
• Slogans chanted: “ICE out now,” “No one is illegal,” “Abolish ICE.”

Notable Quote:

• Protest Call and Response:
  • Georgia Howe: “Justice delayed.” (03:51)
  • Cabot Phillips: “Justice denied.” (03:53)

New Developments

• New video surfaced contradicting the protesters’ narrative of Alex Preddy as just a mild-mannered ICU nurse:
  • Preddy was seen in a January 13th altercation—spitting at ICE officers, kicking their vehicle, and resisting arrest. He was not charged at the time. (03:57)

Other Incidents

• Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar had liquid (apple cider vinegar) thrown on her during a speech. She was unhurt but the episode underscores ongoing unrest. (04:59)
• Agitators have been harassing ICE agents, leading to Minneapolis police making rare arrests.
• Megan Basham: “...maybe some acknowledgement there by Minnesota and Minneapolis officials that things have gotten once again out of control in this city.” (06:07)

Government Response & Political Dynamics

• Trump administration and Minnesota officials are at odds.
• ICE agents involved were placed on leave; Tom Homan replaced Greg Bevino as CBP lead in the state.
• White House scaled back some federal presence: "Withdrawing some agents from active patrols, revising protocols to emphasize precision and safety, and initiating outreach to local leaders." (06:41)
• Tensions remain:
  • Mayor Frey reaffirmed sanctuary policies, refusing police cooperation with ICE.
  • Mayor Frey: “Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws.” (Reported at 07:38)
  • Trump in response: "They are playing with fire" and Frey is in "very serious violation of the law." (07:51)
• Minneapolis businesses are “boarding up and battening down,” anticipating further unrest.

2. Trump’s Warning to Iran & Foreign Policy on Capitol Hill

Segment Starts: 09:34

President Trump’s Warning to Iran

• Trump’s recent Truth Social post warned Iran to negotiate or face consequences “far worse... than Operation Midnight Hammer.”
• Tim Pierce: "Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran needs to make a deal or risk major destruction." (10:01)
• Trump referenced a "beautiful armada... floating beautifully toward Iran.” (Marco Rubio, 10:14)
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses US military posture.

Notable Quote:

• Marco Rubio: "We have 30 to 40,000 American troops stationed across eight or nine facilities in that region. All are within the reach ... of thousands of Iranian one way UAVs ... and Iranian short range ballistic missiles..." (10:34)

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing

• Focus was on Venezuela policy: broad agreement on ousting Maduro, but concern about what comes next.
• Marco Rubio: "This is not unprecedented... I can point to a number of places, Spain, Paraguay...it took time. It can't take forever." (11:45)
• Rubio discussed U.S. using oil market leverage to keep interim Venezuelan president Delsey Rodriguez “in line” and did not rule out further military action.
• On NATO and Greenland: Discussions with Denmark for U.S. security; need to “reimagine” NATO with more European military investment.
• Marco Rubio: "The stronger our partners are in NATO, the more flexibility the United States will have..." (13:07)

3. U.S. Population Growth Nosedive

Segment Starts: 14:20

Census Data

• U.S. population growth dropped to just 0.5% (1.8 million) last year—the slowest pace in U.S. history outside the COVID peak (2021). (14:52)
• Last year: growth down by almost 50% from the previous year.
• Cabot Phillips: “...with the exception of 2021 ... last year saw the slowest population growth in the history of our nation.” (14:54)

Reasons for the Decline

• Declining birth rates: down 20% over two decades, now at 1.6 children per woman.
• Immigration policy: Much of recent population growth (up to 80% during Biden years) was driven by immigration, especially illegal.
• Under Trump, illegal border crossings are down 92%, deportations up, and illegal immigrant population decreased.
• Cabot Phillips: “But that trend (declining birthrate) has been going on for years, and we just haven’t seen a population decline this steep. So clearly there are other factors at play. And when you ask what is causing this, the what is also a who. Donald Trump.” (15:31)

Demographic and Political Implications

• Immigrants typically have higher birthrates, so decline among immigrant populations accelerates the downturn.
• Census impact: Blue states have relied on immigrant populations for census counts, which affects representation in Congress and Electoral College.
• Projections: If trends persist, California, New York, and Illinois could lose 11 electoral votes and Congressional seats, while red states pick up 10, making it easier for Republicans to win national elections. (17:34)
• Cabot Phillips: “At the current pace, blue states like California, New York, and Illinois will lose 11 electoral college votes. Purple states will pick up one. And that leaves red states, led by Texas and Florida, gaining 10 seats.” (17:56)

Memorable Closing:

• Georgia Howe (to Cabot Phillips): “Well, on that note, I will let our audience know they can soon congratulate you. Having a second baby almost on the way.” (18:31)
• Cabot Phillips: “Imminently fighting back against the population decline on our own.” (18:38)

Notable Moments & Quotes

• Activist Slogans in Minnesota: “ICE out now... no one is illegal... Abolish ICE” (03:13)
• Mayor Frey rebuffs federal enforcement: “Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws.” (07:38)
• Trump’s warning to local officials: “They are playing with fire. ...very serious violation of the law.” (07:51)
• Philosophy on NATO:
  • Rubio: “NATO is going to be stronger if our allies are more capable... The stronger our partners are in NATO, the more flexibility the United States will have...” (13:07)
• On domestic family growth:
  • Cabot Phillips: “For their part, the Trump administration says now that the border is under control, they want to implement policies that will encourage more American citizens to have children so that our population growth won't be dependent on immigration, both legal and illegal.” (17:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Minneapolis ICE Standoff: 00:33 – 08:18
• Trump, Iran, and Foreign Policy Hearing: 09:34 – 13:20
• Population Growth Collapse: 14:20 – 18:43

Summary Tone:

Direct, brisk, and focused on facts and quotes, with periodic injection of wry humor (e.g., hosts joking about “fighting back against the population decline” by having a second baby).
Useful for: Listeners wanting deep understanding of evolving immigration battles, U.S. foreign policy tense points, and the historic U.S. demographic shift.