Morning Wire XX
[0] Two Navy SEALs have been missing since last week after their team intercepted a shipment of Iran -made weapons heading to Houthi militants in Yemen.
[1] The Houthis have a choice here to make, and the right choice is to stop these attacks.
[2] We break down the latest on the search and the conflict in the Red Sea.
[3] I'm Daily Wire, editor -in -chief John Bickley, with Georgia Howe.
[4] It's Wednesday, January 17th, and this is Morning Wire.
[5] Donald Trump, obviously, you know, we want a good victory.
[6] But, you know, half the people wanted somebody else.
[7] New Hampshire's presidential primary is less than a week away.
[8] Do either Haley or DeSantis have a chance to topple Trump and win the support of the state's fiercely independent voters?
[9] And Democrats and Republicans reached a deal on a $78 billion tax cut.
[10] What's in the bipartisan bill?
[11] And is it good for Americans?
[12] Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire.
[13] Stay tuned.
[14] We have the news you need to know.
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[20] Last week, U .S. Special Forces intercepted a shipment of weapons from Iran to the Houthis as conflict in the region continues to heat up.
[21] Two Navy SEALs went missing during the operation and haven't been located.
[22] Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce is here to talk about U .S. operations in the Red Sea in Iran's risky gamble to assert itself while avoiding war.
[23] So we have two missing Navy SEALs from an operation last week.
[24] First, what happened with that situation?
[25] Right.
[26] That's according to U .S. Central Command, which released details of the operation on Tuesday.
[27] On January 11th, a seal unit boarded a vessel off the coast of Somalia.
[28] On it, they found parts and explosives for medium -range ballistic missiles and anti -ship cruise missiles.
[29] They also found air defense system components.
[30] The parts were Iranian -made and meant for Houthi rebels in Yemen to be used in attacks primarily on merchant ships in the Red Sea.
[31] The U .S. military said the operation was the first seizure of advanced Iranian ballistic and cruise missile components by the Navy since November 2019.
[32] Now, as to the missing seals, Central Command said that one fell into the sea while trying to board the vessel.
[33] Another seal jumped in after him and both disappeared in the waves and haven't been seen since.
[34] Here's National Security spokesman John Kirby yesterday.
[35] I don't have an update for you on the search efforts for those two Navy sailors that are in the water.
[36] As I understand it this morning, and I did check in with the Pentagon on this, that search is ongoing.
[37] but what that looks like, how much longer, I really have the question better put to the Defense Department.
[38] Our thoughts and prayers are with those two sailors and their families who are waiting anxiously forward, and obviously we'll monitor as closely as we can.
[39] We certainly hope those seals will be found soon.
[40] Indeed.
[41] Now, on Iran, we've seen a number of attacks on its neighbors recently.
[42] What can you tell us about that trend?
[43] Right.
[44] U .S. intelligence analysts don't believe that Iran wants a large war any more than the U .S. does.
[45] But Tehran has made a risky bet that it can keep up the pressure on Israel and the U .S. without getting pulled directly into armed conflict.
[46] To that end, Iran has kept up its support for its proxies across the Middle East, such as Hezbollah and Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
[47] On top of that, Iran has ordered strikes into several neighboring countries.
[48] It hit what it claimed was Mossad based in northern Iraq on Monday.
[49] Iraq's prime minister called the strike a crime against the Kurdish people.
[50] It killed at least four people.
[51] Baghdad recalled its ambassador to Iran in protest and promised diplomatic and economic retaliation.
[52] Iran also hit what it said were Sunni militant bases in Pakistan on Tuesday.
[53] The Pakistani government said it was the victim of an unprovoked violation of its sovereignty that killed two children.
[54] Tehran also hit targets in Syria that it said were linked to terror groups that had conducted attacks in Iran.
[55] And in the meantime, Iran continues to fight Israel and the U .S. through its proxies.
[56] In terms of other operations, what's the latest from the Pentagon on further military action in the Middle East.
[57] Well, the U .S. and Britain jointly hit dozens of Houthi targets last week, but that hasn't seemed to deter the Houthis any.
[58] In fact, the Pentagon expects the Houthis to continue to thread and trade in the Red Sea, which begs the question what was accomplished with the strikes last week.
[59] Here's Kirby again.
[60] We're not looking for a war.
[61] We're not looking to expand this.
[62] Houthis have a choice to make, and they still have time to make the right choice, which is to stop these reckless attacks.
[63] Well, it sounds like the U .S. still wants to give the Houthis a chance to pull back.
[64] We'll see if they take it.
[65] Tim, thanks for joining us.
[66] Thanks for having me. After Donald Trump's convincing victory in the Iowa caucus on Monday, the race for the Republican nomination heads east to New Hampshire next week, which could prove decisive.
[67] Trump took just over 50 percent of the vote, a benchmark that many had set to determine whether or not he can be beaten in the 2024 primary.
[68] Ron DeSantis came in a distant second with 21 percent, just to say.
[69] head of Nikki Haley's 19 % showing.
[70] Here to discuss how New Hampshire could shape the race next week as Daily Wire contributor, David Marcus, and if.
[71] So how have Iowa's results set up expectations for New Hampshire?
[72] Morning, John.
[73] As we've discussed here over the past few months, Ron DeSantis really put most, if not all, of his eggs in the Iowa basket.
[74] And while squeaking out a two -point win for second place may keep him in the race, the real clear politics poll average in New Hampshire has him at only 7 % while Nikki Haley is at 29 percent.
[75] Importantly, Chris Christie, who is out now, is at 11 percent likely to move to Haley, while Vivek Ramoswami's 5 percent seems destined for Trump now that he, too, has thrown in the towel.
[76] The bottom line here is that Iowa was a swing and a miss for DeSantis, and on Tuesday, Haley will step into the batters box in the Granite State.
[77] She says this is now a two -person race between her and Trump and sees a real opportunity in New Hampshire to make that case.
[78] Now, Donald Trump really sounded like a man who had already won the nomination in his remarks in Iowa Monday night.
[79] What would he have to do to end this race next week?
[80] A convincing victory over Haley in which he again takes over 20 % of the vote might do it.
[81] He's currently polling at 43%.
[82] But I do think that short of a total annihilation, you'll see Haley at least stay in the race through her home state of South Carolina, even though she trails Trump by a significant margin there.
[83] On the other hand, a Haley win in New Hampshire could potentially pierce Trump's error of inevitability and could also put her in a position to be on a vice presidential shortlist for Trump, something his base seems to be wildly against.
[84] But listen, if Trump says Haley is my pick, then history shows us that Trump supporters will accept it.
[85] He makes the rules for MAGA.
[86] Right.
[87] Now, given that it does appear Trump is well on his way to the nomination, beyond who might end up on the ticket with him, Will it really matter at this point who winds a finishing second?
[88] Generally speaking, the answer to that question seems to be no. Nobody really cares that Ted Cruz was second in the GOP race in 2016, and it wasn't particularly consequential.
[89] But in this case, if Haley is the clear second choice, it could send a message that her more traditional, some call it neocon wing of the party, is still a force, if a minority force, in the Republican Party.
[90] That could prove significant because there will be a, a GOP after Trump, whether he wins or loses a general election, Haley is positioning herself to be a part of that conversation.
[91] And look, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramoswamy may also have things to say about that.
[92] So yes, I do think the race for second place matters.
[93] Finally, a debate on CNN was scheduled for this Sunday between DeSantis and Haley, but now Haley has said she will only debate Trump or Biden from now on.
[94] How might that decision play among New Hampshire voters?
[95] It's a great question.
[96] And it could go a lot of ways.
[97] Many observers thought DeSantis had much the better of Haley in their previous one -on -one debate, so that could be a factor.
[98] This also plays into her assertion that it's a two -person race now, but it's certainly possible that New Hampshire voters could see this as an affront.
[99] They're used to not only having debates the weekend before the primary, but having important ones.
[100] It was a New Hampshire debate in 2016 that knocked so -called robot Rubio out of contention.
[101] It's a risky move, John.
[102] But at this point, it isn't.
[103] really clear if that'll matter.
[104] Well, we'll find out soon enough.
[105] Yeah, we will.
[106] Dave, thanks for joining us.
[107] Thanks for having me. On Tuesday, top lawmakers in Congress unveiled a new tax proposal that would impact millions of American families and small business owners.
[108] Here with more on what's in the plan and the battle to pass it is Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips.
[109] So Cabot, some rare bipartisanship in Washington this week.
[110] What can you tell us?
[111] Yeah, on Tuesday, the head tax writers of both parties in Congress announced that they'd reached a deal on a sweeping $80 billion proposal that would impact millions of Americans.
[112] Most notably, the package would expand the child tax credit, increasing the maximum credit per child from $1 ,600 to $2 ,000 through the year 2025.
[113] Now, supporters of the proposal say that around 16 million low -income families would benefit as a result.
[114] It would also offer new tax breaks to builders investing in low -income properties.
[115] Both of those portions of the measure have garnered widespread support in the past from Democrats.
[116] The proposal would also include a few items from the Republican wish list as well, including new small business deductions for interest payments, capital investments, and also research and development costs.
[117] And importantly, it would also put an end to a controversial COVID -era tax program.
[118] Right, that part's gotten a lot of attention.
[119] What are the details there?
[120] So the package would bring an end to the COVID -era employee retention tax credit.
[121] That program essentially subsidized the salaries of employees during the pandemic and was initially meant to encourage employers not to fire people during lockdowns.
[122] While the intentions might have been good, though, federal investigators say that program was totally rife with fraudulent claims.
[123] It was initially meant to cost about $50 billion, but ended up costing taxpayers over $200 billion throughout the last three years.
[124] And it's worth noting, claims are still pouring in for that program.
[125] Under this latest proposal, though, the deadline for filing a claim through that program would be the end of this month, as opposed to the original proposal.
[126] date of April 2025.
[127] Supporters of the measure say that alone would save tens of billions of dollars and help offset the cost of the tax cuts themselves.
[128] But the big question now is whether the package can actually gain enough traction to pass both chambers and become law.
[129] Right.
[130] Tell us more about the legislative struggle.
[131] Do we expect this to actually pass?
[132] Well, the writers of the package are expressing optimism, but that's what they always do.
[133] It appears they're facing an uphill climb, but they have already gained the support of influential lawmakers, like majority.
[134] leader Chuck Schumer, who said it would, quote, significantly improve the lives of millions of working families and help mainstream businesses grow in today's economy.
[135] Likewise, the package has been praised by business leaders, including the business roundtable, a group that represents the heads of major U .S. corporations.
[136] As the group's CEO put it, the deal would, quote, strengthen America's global competitiveness and encourage investment in domestic business.
[137] It's also gaining the support of the conservative national taxpayers union.
[138] I talked to the group's executive vice president, Brandon Arnold.
[139] Here's what he had to say.
[140] day.
[141] This bill does a really good job of striking the right balance between providing families with the tax relief they need to get by during what has been pretty tough economic times while also giving the economy a shot in the arm.
[142] You know, the best way to tackle inflation is by encouraging American businesses and workers to actually produce more.
[143] And we're finally getting a broad -based tax package from Congress that will do just that.
[144] But it's worth noting the package still has failed to gain the support of a number of hardline conservatives who say the plan could further inflate the federal deficit.
[145] And also from President Biden, who says he wants to see larger increases in the trial tax credit before he gets on board.
[146] But crafters of the package in general are really trying everything to get over the hump.
[147] And what are we seeing on that end?
[148] Yeah, as part of their effort to win over members on the fence, writers of the bill included a few measures trying to sweeten the pot.
[149] For example, the proposal includes a new disaster a relief framework that would offer billions and tax breaks to states hit by wildfires and hurricanes.
[150] It also includes a specific carve -out that would prevent Taiwanese companies from being double -taxed in the U .S. Now, that could help win over members who want to see more pushback on China and support aid for Taiwan.
[151] Ultimately, we should know within the next few days whether or not the measurable pass as lawmakers are pushing for a vote before tax season starts on January 29th.
[152] Cabot, thanks for reporting.
[153] Anytime.
[154] That's all the time we've got this morning.
[155] Thanks for waking up with us.
[156] We'll be back this afternoon with more news you need to know.