WSJ What’s News — “It’s Trump vs. Portland, Again”

Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Caitlin McCabe
Notable Correspondents: Siobhan Hughes, Shelby Holiday, Anthony DeBaros

Episode Overview

This episode of WSJ’s “What’s News” covers the looming threat of a U.S. government shutdown, heightened political tensions in New York and Portland, developments in deportation policy under President Trump, and U.S.-China dynamics over Taiwan. The show offers insights into the state of partisan politics, public safety, immigration enforcement, and military strategy against the backdrop of major domestic and international flashpoints.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Looming U.S. Government Shutdown

• Critical Talks at the White House:
  • President Trump and Congressional leaders from both parties are heading into last-minute negotiations to avoid a shutdown (01:00).
  • House Republicans passed a bill for temporary funding and lawmakers’ security; Democrats blocked it due to unresolved issues like Affordable Care Act subsidies (01:46).
  • Quote, Siobhan Hughes (Journal Congressional Reporter):
    • "At this point, it’s seen as really an opportunity for posturing with little chance of producing the sort of breakthrough that would avert a government shutdown." (01:36)
  • President Trump recently blamed Democrats, calling them "crazy," and said any shutdown would be their fault (02:29).
  • If talks fail, a shutdown is set to start at 12:01am ET, October 1st.

2. Tragedy at Michigan Church

• Shooting at a Church near Detroit:
  • A gunman attacked a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, resulting in at least five deaths, before being killed by police (02:29–03:44).
  • The perpetrator, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, was a former Marine (03:18).
  • President Trump characterized the incident as a “targeted attack on Christians” and called for an end to U.S. violence.

3. New York City Politics Upended

• Mayor Eric Adams Withdraws:
  • Facing sustained negative press, a dismissed federal corruption claim, and withdrawal of public funds, Mayor Adams exits the mayoral race (03:44).
  • The field narrows, with Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani now the strong front-runner.
  • Mamdani leads by 20 points over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, though polls suggest a one-on-one could be closer.

4. “Trump vs. Portland” — Federal Troop Tensions

• Deployment of National Guard:
  • Trump is sending 200 National Guard troops to protect ICE facilities in Portland, citing ongoing unrest.
  • Oregon’s Democratic governor, Tina Kotek, opposes the move, emphasizing the state’s ability to manage security.
  • Quote, Governor Tina Kotek:
    • “There is no insurrection, there is no threat to national security and there is no need for military troops in our major city.” (05:05)
    • “We have to be careful not to respond to outdated media coverage or misinformation.” (05:19)
  • Residents launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #WarRavagedPortland to counter Trump’s portrayal of the city (05:43).

5. Immigration and Deportation Efforts

• ICE Deportation Data Unpacked:
  • Reported 400,000 deportations by the Trump administration since January, but independent analysis finds actual ICE deportations closer to 158,000 for the first seven months (06:15).
  • Quote, Anthony DeBaros (WSJ Data Editor):
    • “The ICE data does give us clues as to who the federal government has been deporting and where they've been going. The vast majority are male, and about two thirds are ages 20 to 39.” (07:00)
  • Primary destinations include Mexico (43%) and other Latin American countries, but deportations span over 190 nations.

6. U.S.–China–Taiwan Tensions and Military Innovations

• Xi Jinping’s Diplomatic Demands:
  • China’s leader seeks a formal U.S. refusal to support Taiwan’s independence in exchange for an economic deal (08:35).
• Pentagon’s Autonomous Warfare Push:
  • U.S. defense launches a new “Defense Autonomous Warfare Group” (DOG), aiming to quickly field advanced drones in the Pacific to deter Chinese action against Taiwan.
  • Shelby Holiday (WSJ Geopolitics Reporter) Details Program History:
    • Replicator Program: Launched to deploy “thousands of autonomous systems” by August 2025—behind schedule due to technological and bureaucratic hurdles (09:24).
    • DOG will focus on refining technologies and quickly deploying effective solutions under Special Operations Command, leveraging unique acquisition powers (11:15).
  • Challenges:
    • Difficulty in ensuring various autonomous systems interoperate and function reliably amid heavy electronic jamming (10:26).
    • Classification and secrecy frustrate some in the defense industry, but officials insist it’s required to prevent China from gaining insights.
    • Quote, Shelby Holiday:
      • “Replicator, from the beginning, has always been very secretive, and that's something that has frustrated a lot of the US Drone maker and people on the industry side. But Pentagon officials say this has to be kept secret.” (12:15)
• Anticipation of a 2027 Taiwan Crisis:
  • U.S. expects possible Chinese action as early as 2027, and aims to have advanced drone networks ready.

7. Unusual Pentagon Gathering

• Large Military Leadership Conference Planned:
  • 800 top U.S. military commanders will meet in Virginia, with President Trump attending and the Defense Secretary speaking on “warrior ethos” amid White House–Pentagon tensions over military culture (12:55).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “At this point, it’s seen as really an opportunity for posturing with little chance of producing the sort of breakthrough that would avert a government shutdown.”
  — Siobhan Hughes (01:36)

• “There is no insurrection, there is no threat to national security and there is no need for military troops in our major city.”
  — Governor Tina Kotek (05:05)

• “The ICE data does give us clues as to who the federal government has been deporting and where they've been going. The vast majority are male, and about two thirds are ages 20 to 39.”
  — Anthony DeBaros (07:00)

• “Replicator, from the beginning, has always been very secretive, and that's something that has frustrated a lot of the US Drone maker and people on the industry side. But Pentagon officials say this has to be kept secret.”
  — Shelby Holiday (12:15)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00 — Show headlines and teaser (government shutdown, NYC mayoral race, Pentagon planning)
• 01:00 — Government shutdown negotiations
• 02:29 — Michigan church shooting report
• 03:44 — NYC Mayor Andrew Adams exits the race; Portland tense over federal troops
• 05:05 — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s statement on federal troop deployment
• 06:15 — Anthony DeBaros analyzes ICE deportation numbers
• 08:35 — U.S.–China relations, Xi Jinping’s Taiwan pressure, Pentagon drone initiatives
• 09:24–12:50 — Shelby Holiday details Replicator/DOG programs, drone challenges, US-China-Taiwan context
• 12:55 — Preview of large Pentagon commander gathering

Conclusion

This episode thoughtfully covers several fast-moving and high-stakes national stories. The hosts and correspondents contextualize complex issues—from shutdown brinkmanship and the intensifying politics of immigration and public safety, to the strategic challenges posed by China and the evolving U.S. military response. Noteworthy are the direct primary source quotes and analysis that make sense of headline events for listeners.