2.19.25 Funding Trump’s Agenda, World Tour, and an abortionist repents

Summary

Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It – Episode 2.19.25

Title: Funding Trump’s Agenda, World Tour, and an Abortionist Repents
Host/Author: WORLD Radio
Release Date: February 19, 2025

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I. U.S. Politics: Republican Budget Negotiations and International Diplomacy

A. Republican Efforts to Pass the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget

The episode opens with Lindsay Mast and Nick Eicher introducing the primary focus on Republicans in Congress striving to pass a budget that aligns with President Trump's campaign promises. Kent Covington reports on the internal dynamics within Republican ranks as they negotiate spending cuts essential to unlock further legislative priorities, including tax reforms.

• House Budget Committee Progress:
  Kent Covington details that the House Budget Committee has approved a spending blueprint aimed at cutting approximately $3.5 trillion over the next decade. This initiative targets reducing waste in government programs like Medicaid.
  Jim Curry, a political science professor, explains, “The main purpose here is to create a consensus among Republicans on spending. It's going to set the parameters for what happens hereafter” (07:18).

• Medicaid Reform:
  House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need to address fraud, waste, and abuse within Medicaid, asserting, “We do right to go into those programs and find that and show the people what's happened and make sure it doesn't happen again” (08:19).

• Tax Policy and Debt Ceiling:
  The budget also includes provisions to raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion, intertwining spending cuts with tax reforms. Jim Curry warns that “cost-cutting does not necessarily equal cost savings,” highlighting the complexities of the proposed fiscal strategies (09:04).

B. International Diplomacy: U.S.-Russia Relations and the Ukraine Conflict

The podcast covers recent diplomatic engagements between the U.S. and Russia aimed at restoring relations and addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine.

• Diplomatic Talks in Saudi Arabia:
  Kent Covington reports that top U.S. officials met with Russian leaders, facilitated by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Both parties agreed to restore embassy staffing levels in Washington and Moscow and discussed appointing new ambassadors.
  Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the meeting as “productive” (01:20).

• Goals for Ukraine Conflict Resolution:
  Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that both sides aim to end the conflict in a manner that is “fair, enduring, sustainable and acceptable to all parties involved” (01:53). However, President Trump emphasized the necessity for concessions from both Russia and Ukraine, acknowledging the high human cost of the war (02:07).

• Kremlin's Stance:
  The Kremlin remains firm on preventing Ukraine from joining NATO and seeks recognition of Crimea's annexation, presenting significant challenges to peace negotiations (02:18).

C. Government Efficiency and Controversial Appointments

• Commerce Department Nomination:
  The Senate confirmed Howard Lutnick as the head of the Commerce Department by a narrow party-line vote (51-45). While Lutnick supports Trump’s tariff policies, Democrats raised concerns about his business ties and potential conflicts of interest (02:27).

• Department of Government Efficiency (Doge):
  A legal victory was achieved for the Trump administration as Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed lawsuits opposing Doge's role in federal workforce reductions. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt countered Democratic accusations that Doge represents a governmental takeover by Elon Musk, describing Musk as a “special government employee” and a senior adviser to the president (03:58).

D. Immigration Policy and DHS Campaigns

• Reduced Illegal Immigration:
  New data reveals a significant drop in illegal border crossings, with over 61,000 migrants apprehended in January—the lowest since May 2020.
  DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new advertising campaign aimed at further deterring illegal entry, stating, “If you try to enter illegally, you will be caught, you will be removed, and you will never return” (04:07).

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II. International Developments: Hostage Crisis in Israel, Conflicts in Africa, and European Political Shifts

A. Hostage Situations in Israel

• Release and Losses:
  Kent Covington reports mixed emotions among Israeli families as Hamas plans to release six hostages, including the family of Omer Shem Tov, while also announcing the deaths of the Beavis family members.
  Janie B. Cheney, a world commentator, expresses the profound grief and uncertainty families face, stating, “There’s no words I can say to make them feel any better” (05:55).

B. Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

• Memorial Service and Escalation:
  Onize Adua covers the memorial service in South Africa for 14 soldiers killed in fighting in eastern DRC, involving the M23 rebels backed by Rwanda.
  Bankole Adeyouye of the African Union warns against a larger regional conflict, emphasizing the need for all parties to engage in dialogue (16:28).

C. Southeast Asia: Online Scams and Human Trafficking

• Rescued Workers from Myanmar:
  The episode highlights the plight of hundreds rescued from scam centers in Myanmar, where virtual slavery is rampant.
  Guo Jiakun from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentions collaborations with Thailand and Myanmar to combat criminal activities attracting billions through online scams (16:47).

D. European Political Climate

• Germany's Right-Wing Populism:
  Mass demonstrations in Germany oppose cooperation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is projected to become the country’s second-largest party.
  U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance addressed concerns at the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing the importance of free speech in Europe (16:11).
  Kent Covington voices apprehension about Europe’s internal threats, noting a departure from fundamental values shared with the U.S., and Sven Christoph, a German civil servant, underscores the balance between protecting free speech and maintaining political stability (19:48).

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III. Personal Journey: A Retired OB-GYN's Repentance and Advocacy Against Abortion

A. Katherine Wheeler’s Transformation

A poignant segment features Katherine Wheeler, a retired OB-GYN, sharing her deeply personal journey from performing abortions to embracing faith and advocating against the very procedures she once conducted.

• Initial Experiences and Change of Heart:
  Dr. Wheeler recounts a pivotal moment during an abortion procedure where she felt an “evil presence” in the room, leading her to realize, “I saw the baby for what the baby was... I am about to murder a human being” (26:16). This experience triggered her conversion to Christianity and her vow never to perform abortions again.

• Confronting the Past:
  Struggling with guilt, Wheeler discusses her emotional turmoil, stating, “I think about how many people I've murdered” and finding solace in prayer and faith (27:11).

• Outreach to Survivors:
  Dr. Wheeler actively reaches out to abortion survivors, offering heartfelt apologies and support. She shares touching encounters, such as with Melissa Oden, emphasizing her desire to provide hope and help without pushing her newfound beliefs (27:37).

B. Impact and Advocacy

Wheeler’s story serves as a testament to personal transformation and the profound effects of facing the moral implications of one's actions. Her interactions with survivors aim to alleviate feelings of guilt and shame, fostering a path toward healing and faith.

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IV. Commentary: Honoring Women's Roles in the Church

Janie B. Cheney’s Reflection on Women as the Church’s “Glue”

Janie B. Cheney delivers an inspiring commentary on the indispensable roles women play within the church community. She highlights the often-overlooked tasks that women undertake to sustain and connect the church body.

• Behind-the-Scenes Contributions:
  Cheney reminisces about organizing picnics, managing tables during church events, and leading Sunday school, likening these roles to “the glue” that holds the church together (29:49).

• Historical and Biblical Context:
  She draws parallels between contemporary women in the church and biblical figures like Salome, Joanna, and Mary Magdalene, who provided essential support to Jesus and the apostles (29:49).

• Modern-Day Fellowship:
  Emphasizing the continuity of women's contributions, Cheney encourages initiating informal Bible studies and strengthening communal bonds, recognizing women as pivotal in fostering connections and sustaining the church’s mission (33:14).

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V. Lighthearted Segment: The Greenland Acquisition Joke

Injecting humor into the episode, Nick Eicher discusses the unlikely possibility of the U.S. purchasing Greenland from Denmark, only to segue into a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that Denmark might reciprocate by bidding for California. The segment underscores the impracticality of such proposals, with Greenland's MP Aja Chemnitz firmly stating, “Greenland is not for sale” (21:35).

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VI. Upcoming Topics

• Staffing the Trump Administration's Faith Office:
  Preview of the next episode’s discussion on the advisory group’s role within the White House (29:37).

• President Trump's Pro-Life Actions:
  A brief overview of Trump's fulfillment of pro-life promises, including shutting down abortion-related websites, pardoning pro-life demonstrators, and ending funding for abortion travel under the Biden administration (22:11).

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Notable Quotes

• Katherine Wheeler:
  “[All of a sudden it was like] I saw the baby for what the baby was. I mean, in that moment, I'm about to murder a human being” (00:26).

• Janie B. Cheney:
  “Women are the glue… making connections, one Tater Tot casserole at a time” (32:21).

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Conclusion

This episode of The World and Everything In It offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of U.S. politics, international affairs, personal transformation, and the vital roles women play in religious communities. Through detailed reporting and heartfelt personal stories, WORLD Radio continues to deliver insightful and engaging journalism grounded in faith and societal issues.

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Note: Timestamps in square brackets correspond to the points within the transcript where the quotes and discussions occur.

Transcript

[Lindsay Mast]

Good morning. Today on Washington Wednesday, Republicans in Congress wrangle over spending cuts to unlock other campaign promises that will also affect what.

[Kent Covington]

They can do on taxes.

[Nick Eicher]

Also today, news from around the world on world tour. Later, a retired ob gyn who performed abortions tells her story of coming to grips with reality.

[Katherine Wheeler]

All of a sudden it was like I saw the baby for what the baby was. I mean, in that moment, I'm about to murder a human being.

[Nick Eicher]

And world commentator Janie B. Cheney reflects on the role of women in the church.

[Lindsay Mast]

It's Wednesday, February 19th. This is the world and everything in it. From listener supported World Radio, I'm Lindsay Mass.

[Nick Eicher]

And I'm Nick Eicher. Good morning.

[Lindsay Mast]

Time now for the news with Kent Covington.

[Kent Covington]

Top U.S. officials say they're feeling encouraged after sitting down at a conference table with Russian leaders on Tuesday. The talks centered on restoring diplomacy between the two countries and launching talks to end the war in Ukraine. The meeting took place in Saudi Arabia, so Middle east envoy Steve Witkoff was there.

[Katherine Wheeler]

We discussed it afterwards.

[Kent Covington]

We couldn't have imagined a better result after this session. It was very, very solid. Both sides agreed to restore staffing levels at their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow, and they discussed appointing new ambassadors. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also called the meeting productive.

[Jim Curry]

The conversation was, I think, very useful. And we did not just listen but heard each other.

[Kent Covington]

With regard to the war in Ukraine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said both sides agreed to work toward the same goal.

[Nick Eicher]

The goal is to bring an end.

[Kent Covington]

To this conflict in a way that's fair, enduring, sustainable and acceptable to all parties involved, rubio said. What that will look like is what the negotiations will have to determine, and it won't be easy. But President Trump said last night that both sides will have to make concessions and that something has to give both Russia and Ukraine, they're losing thousands and thousands of soldiers, and I think people.

[Nick Eicher]

Are going to be surprised at how.

[Kent Covington]

Many people, not only soldiers, have been killed in Ukraine. The Kremlin will insist that Ukraine never be allowed to join NATO. It will also push for recognized control of Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and possibly other parts of Ukraine, which it has annexed over the past few years. All of that, of course, will be a tough sell in Kyiv, where Ukrainian leaders will also want security guarantees, and that will likely mean a peacekeeping force on the ground. But Russia will insist on no NATO troops in Ukraine. Meantime, in Washington, the Senate approved another of President Trump's cabinet nominees. Howard Lutnick will lead the Commerce department after a party line vote on Tuesday. On this vote, the yeas are 51, the nays are 45 and the nomination is confirmed. Lutnick is a former CEO of investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald. He has strongly supported President Trump's use of tariffs. Democrats objected to that. They also raised concerns about his business ties and what they see as potential conflicts of interest. A legal win for the Trump administration and Doge, the Department of Government Efficiency. A number of Democrat led states had sued to stop Doge from facilitating job cuts in the federal workforce. But U.S. district Judge Tanya Chutkan said the states failed to convince her that the government efficiency efforts posed any imminent harm to the states. And White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt pushed back Tuesday on Democrats claims that Doge represents a takeover of the government by Elon Musk, who is leading Doge.

[Katherine Wheeler]

Just like everybody else across the federal.

[Kent Covington]

Government works at the direction of President Trump.

[Jim Curry]

Elon Musk is a special government employee.

[Katherine Wheeler]

As I have told you before.

[Onize Adua]

He serves as a senior adviser to.

[Katherine Wheeler]

The president, if you will, within the.

[Lindsay Mast]

Executive Office of the president.

[Kent Covington]

Democrats have called Doge a, quote, government coup and a threat to democracy. New numbers from the southern border suggest that illegal immigration is down sharply. Border officials arrested just over 61,000 migrants along the southern border in January. That is the lowest number since May of 2020. And the Department of Homeland Security is rolling out a new ad campaign aimed at further deterring migrants from entering illegally. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem heard here in a new ad under President Trump, we are defending American families and restoring their safety. If you try to enter illegally, you will be caught, you will be removed.

[Nick Eicher]

And you will never return.

[Kent Covington]

The ads will run online and on traditional airwaves both at home and internationally. In Israel, the family of Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov cheered and danced yesterday after getting word that he is among the six hostages that Hamas plans to release on Saturday. But another family received devastating news. A Hamas spokesman said the bodies of four dead Israeli hostages will be released tomorrow, and they include members of the Beavis family. Yarden Bibis was one of the hostages freed earlier this month, but until now the status of his wife and two young children who were also kidnapped had not been known. Haroot Namrati is the mother of another hostage still held by the terror group. We knew there is a possibility that.

[Janie B. Cheney]

They didn't make it.

[Kent Covington]

But to finalize everything and to realize.

[Janie B. Cheney]

That this is really the end for.

[Onize Adua]

This women and two children.

[Nick Eicher]

Devastating.

[Janie B. Cheney]

There's no words I can say to make them feel any better.

[Kent Covington]

In a statement, the Beavis family said until they have definitive proof that their family members are dead, they will continue to fight for their release. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, Republicans get to work on passing a budget. Plus, a former abortionist comes to terms with her past. This IS the WORLD and Everything in it.

[Lindsay Mast]

It's Wednesday, the 19th of February. Glad to have you along for today's edition of the WORLD and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Nick Eicher]

And I'm Nick Eich. Time now for Washington Wednesday. The U.S. house is in recess this week, but before leaving town, members of Congress got a step closer to passing a budget. Last week, the House Budget Committee approved a spending blueprint world. Washington bureau reporter Leo Braceno has the story. Well, the ayes have it. The motion's agreed to the concurrent resolution.

[Kent Covington]

Of the budget for fiscal year 2025.

[Nick Eicher]

Is ordered favorably reported.

[Jim Curry]

The House of Representatives passing a budget out of committee might not sound like headline news, but it's a critical first step that blueprints how Congress will pursue fiscal responsibility while also implementing Trump's domestic policy agenda. You have agreement that we're going to have this much in cuts from these places like that is an agreement that people can, at least in principle, get behind. That's Jim Curry, professor of political science at the University of Utah. He explains that the main purpose here is to create a consensus among Republicans on spending. It's going to set the parameters for.

[Kent Covington]

What happens hereafter, which is why it's.

[Jim Curry]

Just dragging on and dragging on and dragging on because they need to find near total unity given that they have a two seat majority in the House. In its current form, the budget sets a goal of cutting about $3.5 trillion in spending over the next 10 years. That's a huge number, but Republicans think it's doable. In particular, they hope to meet that goal by cleaning up government programs like Medicaid. Here's U.S. house Speaker Mike Johnson last week.

[Kent Covington]

Medicaid is infamous for fraud, waste and abuse. I mean, by some estimates, large percentages of the dollars that are, that are allocated there are wasted and stolen. And so we do right to go into those programs and find that and show the people what's happened and make sure it doesn't happen again.

[Jim Curry]

Republicans are not calling for an end to Medicaid, but believe that changes as simple as better ID requirements will prevent dollars from going to thieves and ghost accounts.

[Kent Covington]

How much money do you calculate is.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Wasted due to waste, fraud and abuse.

[Kent Covington]

In the entitlement programs each year.

[Jim Curry]

That's Tim Burchett of Tennessee in a recent hearing of the House Subcommittee for Delivering on Government Efficiency, or doge. He's posing the question to Heywood Talcove, the CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

[Kent Covington]

Yeah, my number right now between federal, state and local government is you can save $1 trillion a year by simply putting in front end identity verification, eliminating self certification, and monitoring the back end of the programs that are providing the benefits. Those three things.

[Jim Curry]

But cost cutting does not necessarily equal cost savings. The budget outline contains instructions for increasing spending by up to $4 trillion over the next 10 years. That's to pursue Trump's many domestic policies, like border security. The bill would also raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. Without spending cuts and a higher debt ceiling, Republicans may find it harder to accomplish another one of Trump's goals. That will also affect what they can do on taxes.

[Kent Covington]

Right.

[Jim Curry]

If they're going to link these things.

[Kent Covington]

Together, which is what House Republicans want.

[Jim Curry]

To do, then the instructions to the other committees in terms of what to find in terms of cuts, will determine how much leeway the tax writers have.

[Kent Covington]

To write a bill.

[Jim Curry]

The Trump administration wants to cut taxes just like it did in its first term through the Tax Cuts and jobs act of 2017. But the Fiscal hawks in Congress are worried that cutting taxes will decrease the amount of revenue the government has to work with. And if tax revenue goes down, while at the same time spending on things like border security goes up, Republicans like Ralph Norman of South Carolina believe voters who expected Republicans to implement cost cutting measures will be frustrated.

[Janie B. Cheney]

What happens if some committees in the.

[Nick Eicher]

Resolutions do not fill their promises?

[Kent Covington]

And just some what ifs. As long as we get insurances on that, we got one shot at this.

[Jim Curry]

It only takes two dissenting votes to sink the whole plan, and that's happened before. In 2017, the Senate voted on a reconciliation package aimed at repealing Obamacare. It was on pace to narrowly succeed until the late Arizona Senator John McCain voted against it. That one thumbs down sank the plan, Mr. Portman. This time, Republicans seem to be off to a good start to avoid a similar outcome. Andy Harris is the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of the most fiscally conservative members in the House of Representatives. Here's Harris standing right outside the House chamber, speaking with reporters during a vote series last Thursday.

[Kent Covington]

We declare victory. I mean, we have a bill that was. We believe that it had to be done rapidly.

[Jim Curry]

Harris goes on to say the bill gives President Trump funding for border security, reduces deficit spending and advances the president's tax policies. For now, the fiscal hawks have not countered the plan. Even so, US House Speaker Mike Johnson isn't taking any chances. He has one other key way to keep party unity, throwing away the possibility of a Plan B.

[Lindsay Mast]

Speaker Johnson wants to have one one bill, or as President Trump calls, one big, beautiful bill. And the Senate is willing to split this out into two.

[Jim Curry]

That's Jared Pinson, associate professor of economics at Cedarville University. He explained that Johnson is trying to force party unity by pinning the vast majority of Trump's agenda onto a single bill. The House is such a key player.

[Lindsay Mast]

Here because the Senate would like to put forward spending on the budget, defense.

[Jim Curry]

Certain things first and then deal with.

[Lindsay Mast]

The tax stuff later.

[Jim Curry]

The Senate is also working on its own version with a two bill solution. Here's Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the main proponents of a two bill method.

[Nick Eicher]

To my Republican colleagues in the House, I'm pulling for one big beautiful bill.

[Kent Covington]

But there's a sense of urgency.

[Nick Eicher]

I hope you will consider what we do if you cannot produce the one.

[Kent Covington]

Big beautiful bill quickly.

[Jim Curry]

Graham argues Republicans should split the more pressing priorities into one bill now and then work on other parts of Trump's agenda later. His approach would also provide backup if the House fails to deliver on its front. The Senate Budget Committee advanced that plan last Wednesday just in case. Committee's adjourned House leadership believes that parceling out the priorities would weaken leverage over skeptical members who would have to get in line for an all or nothing bill. Once lawmakers land a budget plan, the committees that handle spending can get to work. Representative Chuck Edwards of North Carolina sits on the Appropriations Committee, the body tasked with shaping spending legislation.

[Nick Eicher]

We clearly have to roll back spending from federal budget. We're on an unsustainable path and there's.

[Kent Covington]

Never been a time more important or a better opportunity than right now with.

[Nick Eicher]

President Trump in the White House and.

[Kent Covington]

Republican majorities in the House.

[Jim Curry]

But first, the full House needs to confirm the budget resolution after they reconvene next week.

[Nick Eicher]

That concludes today's business of the House Budget Committee. I want to thank everybody again for their cooperation. God bless America. Let's go reverse the curse.

[Jim Curry]

Reporting for World, I'm Leo Braceno.

[Nick Eicher]

Additional support comes from Ridge Haven Camp and Retreat Centers in Brevard, North Carolina and Cono, Iowa.

[Kent Covington]

Camp and year round retreat [e-mail] from.

[Nick Eicher]

Covenant College in Georgia, providing an uncompromising.

[Kent Covington]

Biblical education where students explore, calling and career more at covenant. Edu World and from Pensacola Christian College Academic Excellence Biblical Worldview Affordable Cost. Go.

[Nick Eicher]

Pcci.

[Kent Covington]

Edu World.

[Lindsay Mast]

Coming up next on THE World and Everything in It World tour with our reporter in Africa, Onize Adua.

[Onize Adua]

We start today in South Africa at the official memorial service for some 14 soldiers killed in ongoing fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Violence surged in January as The Rwanda backed M23 rebels captured the region's largest city of Goma. Rudzani Mafwania is the defence chief of the South African National Defence Force.

[Kent Covington]

To you, my family and the entire DOD family, your sorrow and grief is shared by a nation. They recognize and understand that yours is a noble task, a task that none.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Would stand and carry out except those who are patriots.

[Onize Adua]

On Sunday, the M23 rebels advanced into the region's second largest city of Bukavu with little government resistance. The African Union warned about the risk of a larger regional conflict. Bankole Adeyouye is an African Union commissioner.

[Janie B. Cheney]

This new escalation should not become an.

[Jim Curry]

Open conflict that would disrupt and impact.

[Janie B. Cheney]

On humanitarian activities and the already very weakened social fabric in the region. The only way to solve the problem.

[Jim Curry]

In eastern DRC is for all parties.

[Janie B. Cheney]

To sit around the table.

[Onize Adua]

M23 is one of more than 100 armed groups active in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The region holds trillions of dollars worth of mineral wealth. And in Southeast Asia, hundreds of workers rescued from scam centers are in Myanmar, also known as Burma, as they await repatriation to their home countries. Authorities rescued them near Myanmar's shared border with Thailand. The border region has increasingly become a haven for criminal groups running online scams worth tens of billions of dollars. Many of the people carrying out the scams were also falsely recruited in what's now called virtual slavery. Guo Jiakun is a spokesman with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He says here that China is working with Thailand and Myanmar to address the symptoms and root causes of the criminal groups. Last week, Thai authorities announced that they are repatriating more than 250 rescued people from more than 20 countries, including from Africa, next to Russia, where mourners and foreign ambassadors laid flowers at the grave of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny last weekend. Sunday marked one year since Russian authorities announced Navalny's death in detention, blaming chronic diseases and a sudden spike in his blood pressure. But his family and other supporters insist Russian authorities killed him. His mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, attended the memorial at the Moscow cemetery. She says that the world knows who ordered his death, but Navalny's supporters still desire to find those directly involved in his killing. Similar memorials occurred in other countries, including Poland, Spain and Germany.

[Janie B. Cheney]

This is what democracy looks like.

[Onize Adua]

We end today in Germany, where tens of thousands of people joined demonstrations to push against any cooperation with a right wing populist party. The Alternative for Germany party is expected to emerge as Germany's second largest party after elections on Sunday. The weekend rally followed a speech by U.S. vice President J.D. vance at the Munich Security Conference. He said that free speech is in retreat in Europe and insisted that everyone must be allowed to participate in politics.

[Kent Covington]

The threat that I worry the most about vis a vis Europe is not Russia, it's not China, it's not any other external, external actor. And what I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America.

[Onize Adua]

Sven Christoph is a civil servant within the German government. He told a world reporter in Germany that the country's political institutions protect free speech by limiting some forms of hate speech. But he says the same institution also keeps all political parties in check.

[Kent Covington]

A lot of the things that are happening here simply can't be changed by any party.

[Nick Eicher]

So Even if the AfD comes to.

[Kent Covington]

Power, they cannot change certain things. We will still have nine country borders versus for instance, two that the US.

[Nick Eicher]

Has that cannot be changed.

[Onize Adua]

That's it for this week's world tour. Reporting for World I'm Onize Odua in Abuja, Nigeria.

[Nick Eicher]

You know the idea of buying Greenland from Denmark is only mostly dead. The U.S. senate did hold a hearing on it about a week ago. Didn't really go anywhere except to a few politicians punchlines. But speaking of jokes, there is now a counter offer on the table. A half serious online petition. If the US wants Greenland, well, maybe Denmark ought to make a bid for California. Three small problems I can see from here. Money, money and yeah, money. Even at a simple valuation of 10 times earnings on California GDP, we're talking $40 trillion. Seems a bit rich for Denmark. But back to that Greenland acquisition. Let's ask one of Greenland's two MPs in the Danish Parliament, Aja Chemnitz.

[Janie B. Cheney]

We shouldn't be bought by anyone because.

[Onize Adua]

Greenland is not for sale.

[Nick Eicher]

And Greenland will not be for sale. You know, it turns out the real art of the deal is finding a party willing to make one. It's the world and everything in it.

[Lindsay Mast]

Today is Wednesday, February 19th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Lindsay Mast and I'm.

[Nick Eicher]

Nick Iker Next up on the WORLD and everything in it, from darkness to life. It's been a month into President Trump's second term and already he has followed through on several pro life campaign promises. He shut down an HHS website meant to facilitate abortions. He pardoned nearly two dozen pro life demonstrators. And just this week, he ended a Biden era policy that funded abortion travel.

[Lindsay Mast]

Vice President J.D. vance attended this year's March for Life and offered his own experience.

[Kent Covington]

There was a point when I would get frustrated with people who didn't see what we saw. I would get frustrated that people could look at a picture of a baby on an ultrasound and see not a human being, but just a clump of cells. But one of the things that being a father has taught me and one of the things that being in politics has taught me over the last couple of years is that it is a blessing to know the truth. And the truth is that unborn life is worthy of protection.

[Lindsay Mast]

One of the women at the march was Kathryn Wheeler. She's a retired OB gyn, and although she's pro life now, all through medical school, she was not.

[Nick Eicher]

Dr. Wheeler stopped by World's Washington Bureau around the time of the march and told Washington producer Harrison Waters her story.

[Katherine Wheeler]

The first time I ever really thought about fetal pain, the memories came back about the babies trying to get away from me with the instruments. But somehow I blocked that part out until things trigger the memory.

[Nick Eicher]

Katherine Wheeler says she doesn't remember much from the roughly 20 abortions that she did back in the 1980s.

[Katherine Wheeler]

I would say if you take a human life, one is too many, you know, and there is something about it. I can remember a lot of things, but I specifically blocked that out.

[Lindsay Mast]

During her 24 year career in Salt Lake City, Dr. Wheeler was one of very few OBs who performed abortions.

[Katherine Wheeler]

We're talking somewhere around 87 to 93% of obese don't do them. And back then it was even more of an outlier thing. And especially if you think about Utah's primarily, at least then was primarily a Mormon culture. And they're very clear about life and when life begins, more so than the Christians that I knew at the time.

[Lindsay Mast]

Wheeler wasn't a Christian. If anything, she says she was some.

[Katherine Wheeler]

Sort of a feminist, not overly in your face kind of feminism. I guess I believed too much in women's empowerment.

[Nick Eicher]

So given the choice to perform abortions, she did, though not often. Typical for her were second trimester babies with what she described as fetal anomalies.

[Katherine Wheeler]

I was at the University of Utah, which is a major genetic and anomalies center. And so it came up as, it's a choice a woman gets to make and you don't have to do them. You know, if you really care about women and you're surrounded by the first real wave of female residents, and we love women. You know what I mean? So without really thinking about it, I opted into it. It's a very twisted compassion.

[Nick Eicher]

Wheeler grew uneasy, but it wasn't until an experience with an established patient that her mind began to change.

[Lindsay Mast]

The pregnant mom came into Dr. Wheeler's office with her own mother, both insisting on an abortion. They specifically wanted Dr. Wheeler.

[Katherine Wheeler]

You do feel awful for these people, and I think there's this really weird compassion where you feel bad for people and you really do, and you have to block out the baby, but you feel bad for that woman, and you get the wrong answer when you're not grounded and when you don't believe in God, you know? So I did relent. Finally, I went in to do her abortion that day, and I can't even tell you what happened. All I know is, is sitting down, starting the abortion, and realizing that there was just some kind of evil presence in the room.

[Lindsay Mast]

She says she felt a darkness in.

[Katherine Wheeler]

The room, and all of a sudden, it was like, I saw the baby for what the baby was realized. I mean, in that moment, I'm like, I am about to murder a human being. And just sitting there going, okay, now what do I do? I either can stop, but then she's at risk because I've already started the abortion, or I can actually kill a human. It was just shocking.

[Lindsay Mast]

It was around this time that Wheeler believes the scales fell from her eyes and she began a journey to faith in Christ.

[Katherine Wheeler]

Now I can look back and go, well, that was a moment that God allowed me to see the evil. But I did end up completing the abortion, but going, I am never doing this again. And I wish I'd had somebody to talk with about it. But you just kind of like, that's so dark. Who are you going to tell who to understand that?

[Nick Eicher]

She also began to grapple with her past.

[Katherine Wheeler]

I don't know anybody who's murdered anybody. And then I think about how many people I've murdered, and you just go, how do you even get up from that?

[Nick Eicher]

Remembering that pain is hard, but Wheeler prays God will never let her forget.

[Katherine Wheeler]

You've got to keep that in the forefront of what that grace is, that Jesus would die for somebody who takes the life of the People who are so precious to him. These beautiful gifts of children.

[Lindsay Mast]

Today, Wheeler faces head on the reality of abortion by speaking with abortion survivors. She remembers one meeting in particular, an event featuring survivor Melissa Oden.

[Katherine Wheeler]

And so I went up to. I waited till people were like, away from her afterwards and I just went up crying. I'm like, I just want you to know I'm so sorry. I'm an abortionist and I'm so sorry for what happened to you. And she cried with me and hugged me. And my hope in that was that probably they'd never met an abortionist who told them, I'm sorry. And now I know they probably actually have met some of the people who went before me. But I'm like, they need to know somebody feels sorry about that.

[Lindsay Mast]

Wheeler hopes her story offers others a way out of guilt and shame.

[Katherine Wheeler]

Sometimes they'll hear me and then they'll share their stories. So I think with me it's a little bit safe because they know, like, what am I going to throw? You know what I mean? So, you know, they know that I'm going to understand. But I do try to be incredibly careful because I don't want to do anything to turn them from God, but I want to offer hope and help because I know it's a long process and you have to confront everything that you believed.

[Janie B. Cheney]

SA.

[Nick Eicher]

Today is Wednesday, February 19th. Good morning, this is the world and everything in it. From listener supported world radio. I'm Nick Eicher.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. World commentator Janie B. Cheney. Now with a word of encouragement for some of the unsung heroes of the local church, the women.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Over the years, I've worn many hats in the local church. Even being the unofficial social director for a church plant. Sounds glamorous, I know, but think of it as a mix between a cafeteria monitor and a military company clerk. I'd never considered organizing picnics as part of my skill set, but someone had to do it. The slack was just lying there, so I picked it up. Like most church plants, we organized our schedule around the Methodist or Seventh day Adventists who let us use their buildings, sometimes deciding that it would be best not to jostle delicate relationships by invading the kitchen. So I was the one who reserved recreation halls and park pavilions, wrote the checks, and picked up the keys. I was the one who hollered over the clamor that dinner was ready and advised young parents not to let their kids hog the deviled eggs. That's not all. I also taught Sunday school non stop for over A decade. I organized Women's Bible studies and often led them. I reviewed the video series and arranged for the DVD player and printed out the worksheets. That church went through many ebbs and flows and times of balancing on the edge of extinction, during which I might have come on too strong and stepped on a few toes. When the third full time pastor in 12 years arrived, I judged it time to move on. For one thing, I was tired. For another, my days of autonomy were coming to an end. As a full time caretaker at home, I would need to be served more than serving. My former church is finally on a stable footing with long term leadership, steady growth and a building of its own. Few of the current members remember me and I sometimes wonder if all I did made any any difference. Did the meals and picnics and kids catechism drills help lift that bulky body off the ground? Only God knows for sure, but I recall a conversation with our second pastor about the possibility of being named as a deaconess. That didn't happen. The denomination wasn't ready to take that step. But I recall telling him I considered myself a deaconess anyway. Along with other women in the church, we were part of a fellowship going back to Salome and Joanna and Mary Magdalene. Those women who followed Jesus along with his apostles and provided for them out of their means. They must have also cooked and washed and served the practical functions that held that band together. That's what women do, I told our pastor. Men provide the leadership, we provide the connections. I'm talking with some of the older ladies at my current church about starting an informal Bible study. Of course we need more time in the Word, but we also need more time together to help spin those threads. The things that glue our church together, says one of my friends. Exactly, I agreed. Women are the glue. The nursery helpers and meal train volunteers and baby shower organizers may not get a lot of attention, but thank God you're out there, ladies, making connections, one Tater Tot casserole at a time. I'm Janie Buccaney.

[Nick Eicher]

Tomorrow, staffing the Trump administration's faith office will tell you more about this advisory group and its role in the White House. That and more tomorrow. I'm Nick Iker.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible says the nations rage, the kingdoms totter. He utters his voice, the earth melts, the Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm chapter 46, verses 6 and 7. Go now in grace and peace.