--:-- [Upbeat music fades out]
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): A citywide charity campaign in San Francisco has been temporarily shut down due to alarm about the inclusion of Christian charities in the program. What's behind the push to halt charitable giving? And what are the implications for faith-based organizations?
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor-in-chief John Bickley. It's October 29th, and this is your Saturday edition of Morning Wire.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Here at The Daily Wire, we are committed to winning back the culture. Part of that means supporting businesses whose values align with their own, which is why I'm so very excited to tell you that we've teamed up with Black Rifle Coffee Company.
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--:-- Host (John Bickley): That's BlackRifleCoffee.com with promo code WIRE for 10% off your first order or when you sign up to become a coffee club member. Black Rifle Coffee, supporting veterans and America's coffee.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): San Francisco has shut down its annual Heart of the City Charitable Giving Program after city employees complained that some funds may be going to what they say are anti-LGBT charities.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Heart of the City program is hoping to relaunch, but faith-based charities are concerned that they may be excluded.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Here to give us the details is Daily Wire's Charlotte Pence Bond.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: So, Charlotte, first off, what is the Heart of the City program?
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: So Heart of the City is a city-run program that's been around for decades, and it's a fundraiser program where city employees can opt in to have some of their salary go to certain charities.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: Employees can either select a specific charity they want their funds to go to, or they can contribute to a federation of affiliated charities.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: And now this program has been shut down. What happened?
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: Well, essentially, city employees complained that some of the charities where money could go to were anti-LGBT. They pointed to the federation called Creating Healthier Communities or CHC.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: CHC has over a thousand nonprofit members, including left-wing organizations like Planned Parenthood. But apparently the federation also includes at least 26 Christian groups, including Focus on the Family and Samaritan's Purse.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: And so now the city has put the program on hold.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: Now, is there any evidence that people were unwittingly sending money to Christian charities against their will?
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: A representative from Creating Healthier Communities, or CHC, which again is the federation at issue here, told Morning Wire that that wasn't happening.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: According to CHC, Heart of the City collected more than $1 million in 2021, and between $400,000 to $500,000 went to CHC and their related nonprofits.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: Of those funds, a total of $775 went to Samaritan's Purse in 2021, which is a Christian organization.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: But those funds came from a donor who specifically requested to give to Samaritan's Purse.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: Other Christian organizations in the CHC, like Focus on the Family and Alliance Defending Freedom, received $0 that year.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: So there isn't much evidence that donors were accidentally funding these charities.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: Now, you mentioned that CHC also includes Planned Parenthood in their federation. Have they received similar complaints about that?
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: The representative from CHC says they have not encountered that at least not yet.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: So the heart of the city program is now just totally gone?
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: Well, it's on pause. The city administrator's office and the city attorney are reportedly discussing how to proceed.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: It's possible that the program will be relaunched, but there's concern that some Christian or other faith-based charities could be excluded from the offerings when that happens.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: It's also possible that the city will scrap the program altogether if this can't be resolved.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: Now, these types of opt-in donation programs are pretty common. Are other cities navigating this issue?
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: And if so, what are the legal implications?
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: CHC told Morning Wire that they have heard of similar issues this year coming from the city of San Jose, University of Missouri at St. Louis, Dakota County, Madison College, and two private companies.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: In each of these cases, individuals objected to the presence of Christian organizations, which in some cases resulted in new restrictions being added to block those charities from being included in the menu of options.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: This is actually a pretty common practice.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: Jeremy Tedesco at Alliance Defending Freedom, which is a legal fund that specializes in defending religious liberty, told me they did a survey of 50 Fortune 1000 companies and discovered that 40% of the companies won't match employees' contributions to religious charities, and at least 34% restrict or threaten to restrict employees from giving to them at all.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: And these restrictions theoretically apply to a whole range of charitable causes with religious affiliations.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: So this is a pretty widespread issue that hasn't been resolved by the courts yet.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: But it's complicated because municipalities can't give to religious organizations. But it's not clear they can prevent citizens from doing so.
--:-- Charlotte Pence Bond: So we may see lawsuits going forward.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Interesting. Well, Charlotte, thanks so much for reporting.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): That was Daily Wire's Charlotte Pence Bond.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Coming up, another NFL controversy erupts over the owner of the Washington Commanders.
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--:-- Host (John Bickley): Allegations of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct continue to follow Washington Commander's owner, Dan Snyder.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): And they could lead to his removal as Washington's owner.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Joining us to discuss is sports writer and Cranon Company co-host David Cohn.
--:-- David Cohn: Hey, John. Hi, John.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): All right, so how did we get to this point where Snyder has become such a focus of the league?
--:-- David Cohn: Yeah, in many ways, this has been a few decades in the making, but the pressure really ratcheted up for Dan Snyder and the Washington franchise over the past two years.
--:-- David Cohn: You know, much of the animosity towards Snyder began with the team's mascot.
--:-- David Cohn: Snyder said for two decades that Washington would never do away with the Redskins moniker.
--:-- David Cohn: That was until enough corporate pressure mounted in 2020 from sponsors such as FedEx, Nike, Pepsi to force a name change.
--:-- David Cohn: Just as that PR nightmare was unfolding, the Washington Post published a series of articles alleging that over 40 female employees experienced some form of sexual harassment or discrimination from Snyder and other male executives dating back to 2006.
--:-- David Cohn: So this prompted a year independent investigation which found incidents of bullying and sexual intimidation were commonplace throughout the organization
--:-- David Cohn: This news was quickly followed by reports of financial improprieties by Snyder specifically the way ticket sales were reported to the NFL.
--:-- David Cohn: All in all, four separate investigations led the NFL to fine Washington $10 million.
--:-- David Cohn: Snyder also testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and he stepped down from running the day-to-day operations of the organization.
--:-- David Cohn: So as far as the NFL is concerned right now, John, Dan Snyder is persona non grata.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Yeah, sounds like it.
--:-- David Cohn: So both political and legal pressure on Snyder there.
--:-- David Cohn: Absolutely.
--:-- David Cohn: How will all of this affect his status as a team owner?
--:-- David Cohn: That is the key question.
--:-- David Cohn: Snyder clearly feels cornered and is fighting to keep his team.
--:-- David Cohn: ESPN ran an article recently stating Dan Snyder told close associates that he has gathered enough secrets to, quote unquote, blow up several NFL owners, the league office, and even NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
--:-- David Cohn: He apparently said the NFL is a mafia and all of the owners hate each other.
--:-- David Cohn: This news was released right before the recent owners meeting.
--:-- David Cohn: And for the first time, another owner spoke publicly about Dan Snyder and his status in the NFL.
--:-- David Cohn: That was Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Ursay.
--:-- David Cohn: He told members of the media, I believe there's merit to remove Dan as owner of the commanders.
--:-- David Cohn: I think it's something that we have to review.
--:-- David Cohn: We have to look at all of the evidence and we have to be thorough going forward.
--:-- David Cohn: But I think it's something that has to be given serious consideration, unquote.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): That's right.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): And he's been quite direct.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): But it would take 24 of the other 31 team owners to vote out Dan Snyder.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): And right now, there is no indication of just how that vote would go.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Snyder has created alliances over the years, notably with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): He's also made many enemies.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): But regardless of his relationships, the evidence against Snyder would certainly need to be indisputable in order to force a league-wide vote and remove a fellow owner, which would be a first in NFL history.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Just an intriguing situation developing in the NFL.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Yes, sir.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): David, thanks for coming on.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): That was Crane & Company co-host David Cohn.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Former Democratic House Representative Tulsi Gabbard made headlines this month for publicly disassociating with the Democratic Party.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): She has since hit the campaign trail with right-wing candidates, including Carrie Lake.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Tulsi joins us today to discuss the decision as well as her plans for the future.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: It's good to be here.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Now, you just made this bombshell announcement that you're leaving the Democratic Party.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: What made you come to that decision and what were the milestones in that process?
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: You know, it was something that I think was building over time, especially over the last few years, as we've seen more and more how today's Democrat Party is so out of touch with the American people.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: It is firmly in the control of the so-called woke fanatical ideologues who hate freedom, really.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: Those aren't the words that they will use, of course, but dangerously they say, oh, in the defense of freedom and democracy, we're going to do everything we can to undermine an attack.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: things like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, being openly hostile towards people of faith and spirituality, working with big tech and social media companies to censor voices that they believe should be heard because they disagree with their views or whatever their narrative of the day is
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: There are a number of major areas of more than just disagreement with policy of the Democrat Party but really at a fundamental level.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: Number one, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: I cannot be aligned with a party that is seeking to actively undermine our God-given rights.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: And number two, a Democrat party that is controlled by, as I said, this elite cabal of warmongers.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: The Democrat party has become the war party firmly in the grips of the military industrial complex and pushing us to the brink of nuclear war as we speak.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: It was those main fundamental issues that brought me to the point where I could no longer be a Democrat.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Now, would you say that you changed positions on specific policies?
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: A lot of things that have happened over the last few years have given me a different perspective or a view or experience that I hadn't had before, been exposed to before.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: Those are things that I'll be talking about actually in depth in my podcast, The Tulsi Gabbard Show, because they deserve that kind of conversation.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: And I know that a lot of people have probably gone through some similar changes in views and perspectives.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: But fundamentally, and I think this is the most important thing, especially as we head into the election, when people ask me like, oh, well, why are you campaigning with people like Carrie Lake?
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: Why are you going and campaigning with people like Joe Kent?
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: They say, it seems like you guys don't have much in common.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: But what I have answered to those reporters who have asked me that question, I've said, well, you're paying attention to the wrong things.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: The things that are most important for us as Americans to focus on right now are our founding principles on the vision that our founders had for our country.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: Because we will have differences on policies.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: We will have differences in positions on issues, which is fine.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: We should be able to have those conversations in this open marketplace of ideas, bringing our own perspectives and experiences to that dialogue and growing together as a result of it.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: But we cannot do that unless we can agree on the most fundamental things of freedom.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Now, that brings me to my last question.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Something you brought up is that you have this podcast.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): What are your plans going forward?
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Are you thinking about running for office again, or do you want to influence more through a commentary role?
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: It's not something I'm thinking about right now.
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: My goal is impact how can I best make a positive impact and be of service to the people in this country and our country and protect our planet how I can best do that remains to be seen
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: But for the moment having this podcast and going and speaking on other platforms is a great way to be able to not be limited by like the four minute sound bites on cable news
--:-- Tulsi Gabbard: But actually start to have real dialogue have a platform where I can speak in an unfiltered way about my views, my perspectives, my experiences, and also have real in-depth conversations with people who some I may agree with, others I may not agree with, but I think who have interesting and important perspectives to share in the hopes that that also sparks similar conversations in people's homes and workplaces and schools across country.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): All right. Well, Tulsi, thanks so much for making time to visit with us today.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): That was former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Another story we're tracking this week.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): A federal judge in Arizona said he hopes to decide by Friday whether to order members of Clean Election USA to stop monitoring outdoor ballot drop boxes in the Phoenix area in an effort that has sparked allegations of voter intimidation.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): Thanks for waking up with us.
--:-- Host (Georgia Howe): We'll be back tomorrow with the news you need to know.
