Transcript

Evening Wire: Powell Under Investigation & Trump Cuts Off Cuba | 1.12.26

From Morning Wire · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 12 min · 1,970 words · 22 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Evening Wire: Powell Under Investigation & Trump Cuts Off Cuba | 1.12.26", an episode of Morning Wire published January 12, 2026 (12 min, about 1,970 words). It mentions 31 people, works and ideas, including Daily Wire (company), Evening Wire, Donald Trump, Jerome Powell, Heritage Foundation.

What this episode is about

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is under investigation by the Department of Justice for alleged discrepancies regarding expensive renovations at the Federal Reserve building, which he claims is an unprecedented threat to the institution's independence. Meanwhile, President Trump has announced that Cuba will no longer receive oil or financial support from Venezuela, urging the Cuban government to negotiate amidst the ongoing U.S. blockade against Venezuelan oil shipments.

Key takeaways

  • A criminal probe into Jerome Powell highlights the precarious balance between monetary independence and political pressure.
  • Trump's oil blockade on Cuba could turn an economic squeeze into a geopolitical chess match — talk about collateral damage!
  • A U-Haul crashing a protest? Just another sign that public dissent can take unexpected twists — and turns.
  • America's potential response to Iran could range from online warfare to military strikes — the threshold for escalation is suddenly blurred.
  • Activists supercharging post-violence protests illustrates a volatile mix of passion and peril — lessons from the streets come at a cost.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 3:00: Daily Wire (company), Donald Trump, Jerome Powell, Evening Wire
  2. – 6:00: Daily Wire (company), ICE Watch, Defend the 612, Los Angeles
  3. – 9:00: Jackson, radicalization, Daily Wire (company), American family
  4. – 12:00: Daily Wire (company), Grateful Dead, Evening Wire, Donald Trump

Notable quotes from "Evening Wire: Powell Under Investigation & Trump Cuts Off Cuba | 1.12.26"

  • More oil for Cuba. And a U-Haul plows into an anti-Iran protest in Los Angeles. I'm Georgia How with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Monday January 12th, and this is Evening Wire.
    about Daily Wire (company) · at
  • Shipments, which has effectively cut off Caracus' longtime energy lifeline to Cuba. Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel responded by rejecting US threats, insisting that his…
    about Miguel Diaz Canel · at
  • Among those expected to be at the meeting are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegsth, and Joint Chief's Chair General Dan Kaine.
    about Pete Hegsth · at
  • Deadly weapon. An investigation is ongoing. Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, the radical ICE watch organization she was working with is pushing to get…
    about ICE Watch · at
  • Isles. In the 2023 2024 school year, 70 students across UK universities were reported to the government's dradicalization program. This is nearly double the year prior. In…
    about radicalization · at
  • The Heritage Foundation is warning that the breakdown of the American family is dangerously close to a point of no return. The think tank's president, Kevin Roberts, elaborated on Fox News.
    about Heritage Foundation · at
  • British media tycoon Jimmy Lie appeared in a Hong Kong court today to request a lenient sentence for his national security charges. Staunch supporters have been queued up since…
    about national security · at
  • Touch of Gray, a 1987 song about coming to terms with growing old. We were survived by his wife Natasha and their two daughters Monae and Khloe. And tragic news out of the…
    about Bob Weir · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Donald Trump — Person · Central referenced political actor · 3 mentions · first at
    Trump is tied to multiple lead stories: Powell DOJ probe context, Cuba oil policy, and an Iran options meeting with top officials.
    Fed Chair Jerome Powell is investigated by the DOJ. President Trump declares no more oil for Cuba. And a U-Haul plows into an anti-Iran protest in Los Angeles. I'm Georgia How with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's.
  • Jerome Powell — Person · Primary subject of lead legal/economic story · 2 mentions · first at
    The episode opens with the DOJ criminal investigation into Powell and his claim it threatens Fed independence.
    The DOJ has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The federal probe centers on Powell's testimony regarding the renovations at the Federal Reserve.
  • Bob Weir — Person · Subject of obituary / culture segment · 1 mention · first at
    A later segment reports the death of Bob Weir, highlighting his role in The Grateful Dead and family survivors.
  • Miguel Diaz Canel — Person · Referenced head of state · 1 mention · first at
    Responds to U.S. pressure by rejecting threats and asserting Cuban sovereignty.
  • Pete Hegsth — Person · Referenced government official · 1 mention · first at
    Named as War Secretary expected at Trump's Iran meeting.
  • Dan Raisen Kaine — Person · Referenced military official · 1 mention · first at
    Named as Joint Chiefs Chair expected at Trump's Iran meeting.
    Meeting are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegsth, and Joint Chief's Chair General Dan Kaine.
  • Renee Mlin Good — Person · Victim referenced in domestic unrest story · 1 mention · first at
    Her fatal shooting is the catalyst for increased organizing by ICE watch activists and subsequent trainings/protests.
    Face charges of attempted assault with a deadly weapon. An investigation is ongoing. Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, the radical ICE watch…
  • Kevin Roberts — Person · Referenced policy advocate / commentator · 1 mention · first at
    As Heritage Foundation president, he argues the American family is near a point of no return and promotes policy interventions.
    The breakdown of the American family is dangerously close to a point of no return. The think tank's president, Kevin Roberts, elaborated on Fox News.
  • Cameron Orin — Person · Referenced correspondent · 1 mention · first at
    Introduced as Daily Wire political reporter covering U.S. options toward Iran and attendees of Trump's meeting.
    Assess next steps with Iran amid reports that its regime has killed thousands of protesters. Daily Wire political reporter Cameron Orin reports. Officials told the Wall Street…
  • Jenny Ter — Person · Referenced correspondent · 1 mention · first at
    Introduced as Daily Wire immigration reporter covering anti-ICE activism, trainings, and unrest.
    ICE watch organization she was working with is pushing to get even more activists onto the streets. Daily Wire immigration reporter Jenny Ter has the story. On Saturday…
  • John Horn — Person · Referenced local official · 1 mention · first at
    As Jackson mayor, he condemns the suspected arson at Beth Israel Congregation and denounces antisemitism.
    This specific synagogue is no stranger to controversy as the KKK bombed it during the 1960s. Jackson Mayor John Horn condemned Saturday's incident, saying, quote, Acts of…
  • Khloe Weir — Person · Referenced family member · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as one of Bob Weir's surviving daughters.
    Touch of Gray, a 1987 song about coming to terms with growing old. We were survived by his wife Natasha and their two daughters Monae and Khloe. And tragic news out of the…
  • Monae Weir — Person · Referenced family member · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as one of Bob Weir's surviving daughters.
    Touch of Gray, a 1987 song about coming to terms with growing old. We were survived by his wife Natasha and their two daughters Monae and Khloe. And tragic news out of the…
  • Natasha Weir — Person · Referenced family member · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as Bob Weir's surviving spouse in the obituary segment.
    Touch of Gray, a 1987 song about coming to terms with growing old. We were survived by his wife Natasha and their two daughters Monae and Khloe. And tragic news out of the…

Companies & orgs

  • Daily Wire (company) — Company · Publisher / producing outlet · 8 mentions · first at
    The episode is a Daily Wire news roundup featuring multiple Daily Wire reporters and editors delivering segments.
  • Heritage Foundation — Company · Policy institution / source of report · 2 mentions · first at
    Warns about American family breakdown and proposes policy changes (birthrate incentives, restrictions for kids online).
  • ICE Watch — Company · Activist organization referenced · 2 mentions · first at
    Described as a radical organization connected to Renee Good; its network pushes more activists into the streets after her death.
  • Grateful Dead — Company · Cultural entity in obituary segment · 2 mentions · first at
    Bob Weir is described as co-founder and songwriter; segment recounts iconic songs and anniversary shows.
    By loved ones. The singer wrote or co-wrote a number of the Grateful Dead's iconic songs including Sugar Magnolia, Jack Straw, Mexicali Blues, and Playing in the Band. Weir…
  • Manara — Company · Organizer of trainings · 1 mention · first at
    Runs church training sessions for anti-ICE activists and schedules multiple trainings after the shooting.
    Church training in Roseville, Minnesota, where they were encouraged to annoy agents like quote mosquitoes. The group running the training session, Manara, has scheduled six…
  • Defend the 612 — Company · Local activist group · 1 mention · first at
    A Minneapolis ICE watch group that held trainings and organized a protest that later grew violent.
    Has scheduled six trainings since the shooting, all of which they say are at capacity. One of the local Minneapolis ICE watch groups known as Defend the 612 held a training the…
  • Beth Israel Congregation — Company · Victim institution in arson story · 1 mention · first at
    Mississippi's oldest synagogue whose building caught fire in a suspected arson attack.
    Lyndon Blake with more. The incident took place in Jackson on Saturday morning shortly after 3:00 a.m. The Beth Israel Congregation building was empty and no one was harmed in…

Concepts & topics

  • American family — Concept · Core social-policy concept · 1 mention · first at
    Heritage Foundation frames family breakdown as a near-irreversible societal crisis and proposes policy remedies.
    The Heritage Foundation is warning that the breakdown of the American family is dangerously close to a point of no return. The think tank's president, Kevin Roberts, elaborated on Fox News.
  • radicalization — Concept · Core concept in UK/UAE story · 2 mentions · first at
    Cited by the UAE as the reason to stop supporting study in the UK; linked to Muslim Brotherhood tolerance and reporting programs.
  • national security — Concept · Legal/political framing concept · 1 mention · first at
    Used to describe charges against Jimmy Lie in Hong Kong and appears as a broader theme in Iran policy discussion.

Places & events

  • Los Angeles — Place · Setting for protest-violence incident · 2 mentions · first at
    Location where a U-Haul drove into an anti-Iran protest crowd, injuring demonstrators and prompting investigation.
    By the DOJ. President Trump declares no more oil for Cuba. And a U-Haul plows into an anti-Iran protest in Los Angeles. I'm Georgia How with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Monday January 12th, and this is Evening Wire.
  • Jackson — Place · Setting for antisemitism/arson story · 2 mentions · first at
    The suspected arson at Mississippi's oldest synagogue occurs in Jackson; the mayor issues condemnation.
    Fire over the weekend in a suspected arson attack. Here's Daily Wire reporter Lyndon Blake with more. The incident took place in Jackson on Saturday morning shortly after 3:00…
  • United Arab Emirates — Place · Actor in study-abroad policy story · 1 mention · first at
    The UAE withdraws support for citizens studying in the UK, citing radicalization risk and Muslim Brotherhood tolerance.
    The United Arab Emirates has withdrawn support for its citizens to study abroad in the UK. The UAE government cites the quote risk of radicalization as the reason for the…
  • Golden Globe — Event · Cultural awards context · 1 mention · first at
    Used for a humorous/critical segment about a new best podcast award and Morning Wire being snubbed.
    Survived by his wife Natasha and their two daughters Monae and Khloe. And tragic news out of the Golden Globes as Morning Wire, the number one ranking show in the hearts of all…
  • 2023 2024 school year — Event · Timeframe reference in radicalization story · 1 mention · first at
    Provides the statistic about reported students across UK universities to a government deradicalization program.
    Suspected of infiltrating multiple prominent Muslim groups in the British Isles. In the 2023 2024 school year, 70 students across UK universities were reported to the…

Media & podcasts

  • Evening Wire — Media · Primary show / episode container · 2 mentions · first at
    This transcript is an episode of Evening Wire, framing all stories and hosts.
    Executive editor John Bickley. It's Monday January 12th, and this is Evening Wire.
  • Good Hang — Media · Comparator in awards commentary · 1 mention · first at
    Named as the Golden Globes best podcast award winner, used to criticize Hollywood-insider culture.
    Show in the hearts of all true Americans, was snubbed for the best podcast award. The award instead went to Amy Polar for her show Good Hang. The Hollywood Foreign Press…

Full transcript with timestamps

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is investigated by the DOJ. President Trump declares no more oil for Cuba. And a U-Haul plows into an anti-Iran protest in Los Angeles. I'm Georgia How with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Monday January 12th, and this is Evening Wire.

The DOJ has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The federal probe centers on Powell's testimony regarding the renovations at the Federal Reserve building, which have gone way over budget. Powell confirmed the probe last night, accusing the Trump administration of using the threat of prosecution to pressure the central bank into lowering interest rates. He called the investigation an unprecedented challenge to the Fed's independence, insisting monetary policy must be guided by economic conditions, not political demands. I have served at the Federal Reserve under four administrations, Republicans and Democrats alike. In every case, I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor, focused solely on our mandate of price stability and maximum employment. Public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats. I will continue to do

the job the Senate confirmed me to do with integrity and a commitment to serving the American people. Meanwhile, the White House said the president did not call for the investigation into Powell and that he knew nothing about it.

President Trump has declared that Cuba will get no more oil or money from Venezuela while urging Havana to make a deal before it's too late. Daily Wire senior editor Kabat Phillips has more. The president's message follows the US military-led capture of Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro and a strict American blockade of Venezuelan oil shipments, which has effectively cut off Caracus' longtime energy lifeline to Cuba. Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel responded by rejecting US threats, insisting that his country is quote free, independent, and sovereign and prepared to defend itself. The move underscores how the dramatic shift in Venezuela's political landscape is now pulling Havana into the spotlight, threatening to deepen an already severe energy and economic crisis on the island and raising the stakes for US Cuba relations. The president is scheduled to meet tomorrow with key officials to

assess next steps with Iran amid reports that its regime has killed thousands of protesters. Daily Wire political reporter Cameron Orin reports. Officials told the Wall Street Journal that the United States response could include quote boosting anti-government sources online, deploying secretive cyber weapons against Iranian military and civilian sites, placing more sanctions on the regime, and military strikes. Among those expected to be at the meeting are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegsth, and Joint Chief's Chair General Dan Kaine.

Speaking about the meeting Sunday, the president said that they're looking at quote some very strong options in response to Iran's tyrannical government. If Iran should target American troops, he said, "We will hit them at levels that they've never been hit before."

Chaos broke out at an anti-Iranian regime demonstration in Los Angeles on Sunday when a U-Haul slammed into the massive crowd. Daily Wire reporter Zach Juul has more. Around 3,000 people gathered in Westwood Sunday afternoon to protest the tyrannical Iranian government. But at around 3:40 p.m., a large U-Haul truck with a series of political statements written on the side drove into the crowd. The statements included, quote, "No Sha, no regime, USA, don't repeat 1953, no mulla." The protesters quickly swarmed the truck and pulled the driver out. Two demonstrators suffered minor injuries and the driver was hospitalized for unspecified injuries. Officials say he's expected to face charges of attempted assault with a deadly weapon. An investigation is ongoing. Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, the radical ICE watch organization she was working with is pushing to get even more

activists onto the streets. Daily Wire immigration reporter Jenny Ter has the story. On Saturday, thousands of anti-ICE activists participated in a church training in Roseville, Minnesota, where they were encouraged to annoy agents like quote mosquitoes. The group running the training session, Manara, has scheduled six trainings since the shooting, all of which they say are at capacity. One of the local Minneapolis ICE watch groups known as Defend the 612 held a training the day after the shooting for anyone who wants to learn how to plug in and for those who have already been in the streets and can share lessons from that experience. The group also organized a protest Friday night that later grew violent as riers broke into a local hotel where they believed ICE agents were staying in Minneapolis.

Among all the footage streaming in from anti-ICE protests and riots over the last few days, one has gained particular attention. Footage of an activist mobounding and then chasing the Minneapolis police, including their chief, out of an area. During the footage, activists are seen screaming directly in the faces of officers trying to escort a police vehicle out of a crowded area Friday night. The mob gets more and more hostile while the officers start picking up their pace to get out of there.

Meanwhile, Homeland Security is not running away. Secretary Gnome said Sunday that hundreds more federal agents are being dispatched to the city.

We're sending more officers today and tomorrow. They'll arrive. There'll be hundreds more. And in order to allow our ICE and our Border Patrol individuals that are working in uh Minneapolis to do so safely, we're going to continue to if they conduct violent activities against law enforcement, if they impede our operations, that's a crime and we will hold them accountable to those consequences.

Can states keep men out of women's sports? The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments tomorrow on that issue. The cases brought by Idaho and West Virginia will determine whether states have the authority to separate athletics by biological sex. Women's sports advocate Riley Gain spoke today at a press conference in support of the girls involved.

I've sat in legislative bodies where we've heard Democratic elected officials who say, "Look, this is just a a solution in search of a problem. You know, we're just talking about middle school girls basketball. It doesn't really matter that much. Sports aren't really about winning. They're about happiness. We are fighting for the bare minimum here. The bare minimum. Can we as women call ourselves champions? Can we allow ourselves to be vulnerable in an intimate area of undressing such as a locker room without having to fear a man walking into that space? Can we do those things?

The United Arab Emirates has withdrawn support for its citizens to study abroad in the UK. The UAE government cites the quote risk of radicalization as the reason for the change, including the UK's tolerance for the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood, which multiple Middle Eastern countries have designated a terrorist organization, is suspected of infiltrating multiple prominent Muslim groups in the British Isles. In the 2023 2024 school year, 70 students across UK universities were reported to the government's dradicalization program. This is nearly double the year prior. In response to the growing pressure, Prime Minister Kier's administration said the matter was quote under review.

Mississippi's oldest synagogue caught fire over the weekend in a suspected arson attack. Here's Daily Wire reporter Lyndon Blake with more. The incident took place in Jackson on Saturday morning shortly after 3:00 a.m. The Beth Israel Congregation building was empty and no one was harmed in the fire. An unarmed suspect is in custody though for arson, though officials have not released details on the motive or classified the fire as a hate crime. The fire destroyed two Torres entirely and damaged five others. But one Tora that survived through the Holocaust and was encased in glass was unharmed in the blaze. The fire also caused extensive damage to the synagogue's tree of life, library, and administrative offices.

This specific synagogue is no stranger to controversy as the KKK bombed it during the 1960s. Jackson Mayor John Horn condemned Saturday's incident, saying, quote, "Acts of anti-semitism, racism, and religious hatred are incompatible with the values of the city." The Heritage Foundation is warning that the breakdown of the American family is dangerously close to a point of no return. The think tank's president, Kevin Roberts, elaborated on Fox News.

It's no surprise that since the nuclear family has deteriorated, that we've seen the degradation not just of the American governmental system, as you said, a postconstitutional order, but we've also seen the degradation of culture, of morality.

Heritage said the decline is quote, "not inevitable, but the result of policy choices." The foundation recently released a report advocating for a series of policy changes, which they call a culture-wide Manhattan project. These policies would promote a higher birth rate and proper family buildings, such as a $2,500 investment account for every newborn, tax credits for families with more kids, and the creation of marriage boot camps. Other policies would safeguard children's mental development, discouraging online dating, and banning social media and certain AI chat bots for kids younger than 16.

British media tycoon Jimmy Lie appeared in a Hong Kong court today to request a lenient sentence for his national security charges. Staunch supporters have been queued up since Friday outside the courthouse in anticipation of the hearing. Lie was found guilty last month in a landmark national security trial where he was convicted of conspiracy and sedition against the CCP. Lie founded Apple Daily, a prominent Hong Kong newspaper known for its pro-democracy stance and its critical reporting on the CCP. Lie has been held in solitary confinement for the last 18 months while he serves time for other lesser charges brought by the government. He now faces up to life in prison for the sedition charges.

Bob Weir, the co-founder and baritone vocalist behind the band The Grateful Dead, has passed away. Daily Wire DC bureau chief Tim Rice has more on Weir's life. Weir was 78 years old when he died on Saturday following a brief battle with cancer. According to Weir's family, he quote transitioned peacefully surrounded by loved ones. The singer wrote or co-wrote a number of the Grateful Dead's iconic songs including Sugar Magnolia, Jack Straw, Mexicali Blues, and Playing in the Band. Weir received his cancer diagnosis in July and began treatment just before performing in a series of shows commemorating the anniversary of the Grateful Dead's founding. His final performance with the band was fittingly Touch of Gray, a 1987 song about coming to terms with growing old. We were survived by his wife Natasha and their two daughters Monae and Khloe. And tragic news out of the Golden Globes as Morning Wire, the number one ranking

show in the hearts of all true Americans, was snubbed for the best podcast award. The award instead went to Amy Polar for her show Good Hang. The Hollywood Foreign Press introduced the best podcast award this year in an effort to recognize creators beyond the scope of traditional Hollywood media. The only problem is they gave the award to a show where a Hollywood insider interviews other Hollywood insiders. We're not mad, we're just disappointed.

Those are your drive home updates this evening. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com. And in case you missed it earlier today, we covered some major stories, including anti-ICE protests spread. President Trump considers his options as Iranian protesters feel the force of the regime, and is Cuba now in the president's crosshairs? Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Evening Wire: Powell Under Investigation & Trump Cuts Off Cuba | 1.12.26"?

Zach Juul (Guest), Georgia How (Host), John Bickley (Host), Kabat Phillips (Guest), Cameron Orin (Guest), Jenny Ter (Guest), Riley Gain (Guest), Tim Rice (Guest).

What is "Evening Wire: Powell Under Investigation & Trump Cuts Off Cuba | 1.12.26" about?

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is under investigation by the Department of Justice for alleged discrepancies regarding expensive renovations at the Federal Reserve building, which he claims is an unprecedented threat to the institution's independence. Meanwhile, President Trump has announced that Cuba will no longer receive oil or financial support from Venezuela, urging the Cuban…

What is mentioned in this Morning Wire episode?

31 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Daily Wire (company), Evening Wire, Donald Trump, Jerome Powell, Heritage Foundation, American family. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Evening Wire: Powell Under Investigation & Trump Cuts Off Cuba | 1.12.26"?

The episode runs 12 min; the transcript is about 1,970 words in 22 timestamped sections.

More from Morning Wire

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 24, 2026.