Morning Wire
Trump to Void Biden Pardons & VA Trans Service Scrutiny | Afternoon Update | 3.17.25
Mon, 17 Mar 2025
Trump plans to make Biden’s pardons null and void, Voice of America loses its voice, and a major clothing retailer files for chapter 11. Developing stories you need to know just in time for your drive home. Get the facts first on Morning Wire. Lumen: Head to http://lumen.me/WIRE for 20% off your purchase.Shopify: Go to https://Shopify.com/morningwire to sign up for your $1 per month trial period and upgrade your selling today.
Chapter 1: What are the key stories in today's Morning Wire update?
Trump plans to make Biden's pardons null and void. Voice of America loses its voice and a major clothing retailer files for Chapter 11. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley. It's Monday, March 17th. Happy St. Patrick's Day. And this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.
Chapter 2: How does Trump plan to void Biden’s pardons?
President Trump says he'll void pardons made during former President Biden's final days. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has the latest.
In a statement, Trump argued that the pardons are not valid because they were signed by an auto pen and that his predecessor had no knowledge of the pardons.
Somebody was using an auto pen to sign off and to give pardons. To as an example, just one example, but the J6 unselect committee, they gave, think of it, they gave pardons with an auto pen. I don't think Biden knew anything about it.
Among those pardoned were members of the January 6th committee and figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and General Mark Milley. The Heritage Foundation's oversight project initially raised concerns over Biden's use of the auto pen to sign significant legal orders.
Critics of Biden's mental acuity argue that the use of the auto pen for key documents raises serious questions about his direct involvement in the decision-making process.
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Chapter 3: What actions have been taken against Voice of America?
State media network Voice of America has been silenced after an executive order from President Trump. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has the details.
The order dismantled several government offices, including VOA's parent organization, the US Agency for Global Media. Trump criticized VOA for promoting biased content and what he calls divisive propaganda.
The order calls for the reduction or elimination of non-essential components and functions within USAGM with significant layoffs and termination of employment for some staff, including those at VOA and its affiliates. Trump's order followed heightened scrutiny of VOA's coverage, particularly its portrayal of Hamas.
Chapter 4: What financial decisions of USAGM are under scrutiny?
USA GM head Kerry Lake released a video on social media last week exposing how much money the agency is costing taxpayers.
Biden administration folks who were running this agency before, right before they left office, signed a brand new lease for this building, a 15-year lease that's going to cost the taxpayer nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. Here's the kicker.
They already have a building that they're located in that is paid off, that they could have renovated or updated, but they chose instead to get us into a lease that's costing the taxpayer a fortune.
Border wall construction is set to begin again in Arizona. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the seven-mile project will be built in the Rio Grande Valley. It's going to cost about $70 million, and it follows President Biden ending wall construction. Trump's first term saw approximately 450 miles of barriers built. Vice President J.D.
Chapter 5: Is border wall construction resuming in Arizona?
Vance expressed hopes to complete the entire border wall by 2029. Meanwhile, illegal border crossings have dropped dramatically since Trump took office.
Recovery efforts are underway in the central and eastern U.S. following a powerful storm system. The storms brought everything from violent tornadoes to blizzard conditions across multiple regions. At least 42 people were killed as a result. The storm systems began Friday, unleashing over 1,000 reports of severe weather, including 56 tornadoes across 10 states.
Significant damage has been reported in Missouri, Arkansas, and Alabama. Meanwhile, Trump is pledging federal assistance while local officials have declared states of emergency.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is under fire for providing transgender medical services despite federal regulations banning gender alterations. Daily Wire investigative reporter Luke Rosiak has more.
Internal documents from the Biden era showed the VA offering essentially everything other than surgery, including prosthetic male appendages and breasts. The documents show the VA also offered hormone therapy and voice training and used the fill-in-the-blanks form letter to convince outside surgeons to do sex changes.
It trained staff how to use a vague, unlisted procedure code to bill body hair removal to taxpayers. The Trump administration today said it's put a stop to these procedures, except for veterans already undergoing them. VA Secretary Doug Collins said the money saved would be redirected to support severely injured vets.
One-time youth fashion leader Forever 21 is permanently closing all of its U.S. stores after filing for bankruptcy for the second time. While the brand peaked in 2015 with $4 billion in sales, lately it's struggled with rising costs and changing consumer trends. Online rivals like Shein and Timu offering ultra-cheap fast fashion have overtaken the brand.
especially as Forever 21's reliance on brick and mortar stores proved challenging. Despite efforts to restructure, the company's assets are now being wound down with no clear buyer in sight.
And the state of West Virginia is taking legal action against the NCAA. Officials argue that the West Virginia University men's basketball team was snubbed. Governor Patrick Morrissey argues that the team deserves to be in the NCAA tournament. He cites their, quote, strong 19-12 record. Here's Morrissey in a press conference today.
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