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--:-- Host (John Bickley): This episode is brought to you by LifeLock. When you visit the doctor, you probably hand over your insurance, your ID, and contact details. It's just one of the many places that has your personal info. And if any of them accidentally expose it, you could be at risk for identity theft. LifeLock monitors millions of data points a second. If you become a victim, they'll fix it, guaranteed, or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year at LifeLock.com slash podcast. Terms apply.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Trump sits down one-on-one with Zelensky in Rome and ramps up pressure on Putin. There's no reason to suspect that Vladimir Putin will respond in any way to this unless and until the United States changes its attitude to bringing this war to an end. After Russia's latest attack on Ukraine, where do peace talks stand now? I'm Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Monday, April 28th, and this is Morning Wire. Hundreds of thousands of mourners gather in St. Peter's Square for the funeral of Pope Francis. We're celebrating a man of God who returned to God. And Trump vowed to make America safe again. Now 100 days into his second term, we ride along with ICE agents in Boston as they arrest illegal immigrant criminals. This is what the administration wants. This is what the American people voted for. Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know. That is L-U-M-E-N dot me slash wire for 15% off your purchase. Thank you, Lumen, for sponsoring this episode.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): President Trump traveled to the Vatican on Saturday for the first foreign trip of his second term. There, he honored the Pope and met face-to-face with Vladimir Zelensky as well as other European leaders. Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips joins us now with the latest. A Cabot, so we'll get to the Pope's funeral with Meghan in the next segment. But first, some big meetings took place this weekend and some iconic images actually came out of it. What did we see?
--:-- Cabot Phillips: Well, the first international trip of Trump's second term was a brief one. It only lasted 14 hours, but it was certainly consequential. While waiting for the funeral to start, President Trump and Vladimir Zelensky huddled with Britain's Keir Starmer and France's Emmanuel Macron. It was a remarkable scene of political strength and, importantly, unity there in St. Peter's Basilica.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): It was. Another image shows Trump and Zelensky intensely meeting one-on-one on that famous floor. Now, keep in mind, this was their first encounter since Zelensky's just disastrous visit to the White House back in February. But this time, there were no advisors, translators, or video cameras. And by all accounts, things went much more smoothly this go-round.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: Zelensky called it a, quote, very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, adding that he and Trump discussed a full and unconditional ceasefire and reliable and lasting peace. Now, for his part, the president certainly seemed more pleased with Zelensky than last time, writing on Truth Social that it was time for a high-level summit to, quote, finish it off. In his words, most of the major points are agreed to.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Well, now, following that meeting, Trump really ramped up the pressure on Putin, and he took to social media. What did he say to the president of Russia?
--:-- Cabot Phillips: Yeah, for months, Trump has been taking a more diplomatic approach with his Russian counterpart, implying it was actually Zelensky who was the reason that a deal had not yet been struck. Following Saturday's sit, he took a rare public shot at Putin writing on social media that quote there is no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas cities and towns over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he does not want to stop the war. He's just tapping me along. It has to be dealt with differently through banking or secondary sanctions. Too many people are dying.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): So Trump really escalating threats against Russia while these peace negotiations are going on. And where do those talks stand now?
--:-- Cabot Phillips: Well, it's been just an up and down few days. Last week, the White House threatened to abandon peace talks entirely that the two sides did not show more of a willingness to negotiate. And that seemed to get the ball rolling. On Friday, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Moscow for a three-hour meeting with Putin, which the Kremlin described as, quote, constructive and quite useful. They added the two sides had, quote, narrowed differences. That same day as a sign of their willingness to make a deal, Ukraine reportedly sent the White House a new peace proposal that included a major concession. They would not demand all of their land back that Russia had taken.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): As Zelensky sees it, Russia is the one holding up a deal. He says that peace can only be reached if the U.S. continues to exert pressure on Putin.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: The Daily Wire editor-emeritus Ben Shapiro traveled to Kiev last week to sit down with Zelensky, and here he is making that argument. Now the question is Russia, and that is the only element in this construct that is not yet ready to put an end to this war. And we high hope on the strengths of the United States and the influence that United States has on Russia.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): So for Russia to agree to put an end to this war, it depends on them.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: Now, with regard to the international balance of power, we have a major election on our own continent going on this week. It actually relates to Trump in some ways. Tell us about what's happening in Canada.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Yeah, a wild election for control of the prime minister's office will be decided today. And like you mentioned, in many ways, the defining issue of this race has been Donald Trump. The election has hinged on which party Canadians feel will stand up to Trump best. To that point, 39% of Canadians now say Donald Trump was their top concern this election. That is second behind only the cost of living.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: In the winter, it looked like Pierre Polyev's Conservative Party would cruise to victory. But acting Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party has been surging in the polls, and in large part, it's due to his promise to fight Donald Trump. Let's give you an idea of that message. Here is his closing statement to supporters this weekend. America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): For his part, conservative Pierre Polyev has taken more subtle jabs at Trump and instead chosen to focus on combating mass migration and reversing liberal Trudeau-era economic policies. But the polls are tight. This looks like a toss-up. You can bet the White House is going to be watching these results very closely tonight.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: I'm sure they are a very crucial election for Canada in so many ways.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Kevin, thanks so much for reporting.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: Absolutely.
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--:-- Host (John Bickley): The world bid farewell to Pope Francis on Saturday with world leaders, faithful Catholics, and mourners gathering in St. Peter's Square to honor his legacy. Joining us with the details is Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham. So Megan, take us through the day. What was the scene like in the Vatican?
--:-- Megan Basham: Yeah, Georgia, I mean, obviously this was a very emotional atmosphere. It was a reverent atmosphere one of profound emotion. There were an estimated 250 people filling the square and surrounding streets and millions more watching at home worldwide to pay their respects to Francis. The funeral was held at 10 a.m. local time in Rome, and it was very much a blend of tradition and the simplicity that Francis was so well known for championing.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Just a bit about him, during his papacy, he chose to live in a simple guest house rather than in the papal palace. He also chose to live without internet and was famous for reading only one Italian newspaper a day. And he vowed to give up television 30 years ago and kept that vow until his death.
--:-- Megan Basham: And that simplicity very much guided his final wishes. His open wooden coffin was a departure from the traditional triple casket. It lay at ground level in St. Peter's Basilica because Pope Francis wanted to be at ground level to show that he was with the people. And not above them. And he also chose to be buried in his old black shoes rather than in the traditional, more elegant red shoes.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Saturday's mass was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Ray, whose homily called Francis a pope among the people, really highlighting his warmth. He was the first pope from Latin America. He was also the first Jesuit pope.
--:-- Megan Basham: And after the service, His coffin was carried in a modest procession to the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, where Francis was laid to rest. And that was also a departure from tradition, but it fulfilled his personal wish to be buried at a site that he held personally very dear.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Now, Megan, the guest list at this event was very remarkable. Who were some of the people there?
--:-- Megan Basham: Yes. As Cabot alluded to, this was a significant diplomatic gathering as well with some 170 foreign dignitaries gathered. It included dozens of heads of state, just a few, of course, President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Ukrainian President Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron was there, Argentine President Javier Malay representing Francis' native country. And then arriving in Rome.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): This was what Vice President J.D. Vance, himself, of course, a Catholic, had to say to C-SPAN when they asked about his being one of the very last people to meet with the Pope. I try to just remember that I was lucky that I got to shake his hand and tell him that I pray for him every day because I did and I do.
--:-- Megan Basham: And then another notable moment here, Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, was also among the mourners. He attended with his family to thank Francis for supporting him during his imprisonment.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Now, Francis was also controversial in some ways and a trailblazer on some issues, correct?
--:-- Megan Basham: Yeah, very much. His nickname was the Great Reformer. And we do have to note that those reforms did tend to lean towards the progressive side. So we're going to see if the College of Cardinals selects a new pope who continues to follow in Francis's footsteps.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Now, about that process, how does that work?
--:-- Megan Basham: Well, the conclave, of course, is a centuries-old tradition, and it takes place inside that sacred Sistine Chapel typically begins about 15 to 20 days after the death of the previous pope. So we're expecting it to start to take place somewhere between May 5th, May 11th. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote. So this time there are going to be about 135 eligible cardinals and their first meeting, again, we'll see it in early May, and they will be under a strict oath of secrecy.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): These cardinal electors are sworn not to discuss anything that happens in that room. They are not to communicate with the outside world. No news media, no computers, nothing online. So when they've reached that two-thirds majority indicating that they have selected a new pope, we will know by the white smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel.
--:-- Megan Basham: All right, well we going to be watching that smoke very carefully. Megan, thanks for reporting.
--:-- Megan Basham: Of course, my pleasure.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Since President Trump took office 100 days ago encounters at the southern border have dropped significantly, by as much as 95%. His promise of mass deportations is also underway. Daily Wire reporter Cassie Akiva just joined ICE as they patrolled the streets of Boston on an enforcement mission, and she joins us now. Hey, Cassie, so what did you see on your trip?
--:-- Cassie Akiva: Hi, John. I just wrapped up a six-hour long ride-along with the ICE director, Todd Lyons. I was with him and his agents and also other law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, and we were there to arrest criminal legal aliens. So today we're out here. The Boston field office, both ERO and HSI, have a bunch of high-profile targets, the worst of the worst, that are out here in Massachusetts. Either they were released by a sanctuary jurisdiction who didn't honor an ICE detainer, or they're wanted on some type of immigration violation here in the United States.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Director Lyons said that while his team in Boston is highly effective and actually one of the most effective in the country, there are many challenges because they are operating in a sanctuary jurisdiction, which means the local governments provide essentially no help. And they even take the criminal aliens from jails and release them onto the streets without giving ICE any warning.
--:-- Cassie Akiva: A police department, a sheriff's department, the state police have deemed these individuals a public safety threat and locked them up. Yet instead of working with the federal government, they decide to release them back on the street, which to me makes absolutely no sense.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Now, on this mission, you saw a few arrests, correct?
--:-- Cassie Akiva: Correct. So on this mission, they had five targets. Only two were arrested. And the reason for that is before they arrest them, they surveil them for days. They're watching them. They're getting their movements. They're trying to figure out the best time to approach them. And oftentimes, the best time is to approach them is when they're leaving their house to go to work.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): You don't really want to arrest them when they're close to home because they might run back into the house and then you need a warrant.
--:-- Cassie Akiva: So when they see them on the streets on their way to work, they pick them up. But it was raining and a lot of these guys work outside. So because of the rain, they didn't go to work. Two were arrested and they are the worst of the worst. Look at the first one we got, right? He had two counts of sexual assault of a child, right? That's not someone you want in your community. That's not someone who came here for a better life. That's someone that's committed violent crimes and especially against the youth of the community.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): The second guy, you know, he killed someone and left the scene of a vehicle accident, right? So these are definitely the worst of the worst. You know, I think this shows exactly what President Trump and what Secretary Noem have been saying all along, that ICE's main focus is getting those worst and the worst out of the communities.
--:-- Cassie Akiva: So how have ICE agents' roles changed since Trump took office? One, they're working a lot more. And two, they feel like they actually have support. They have other agencies bringing people in and giving them what they need. They have an administration that is telling them that they have their back so they feel good. They feel like there's morale and they really kicked it into gear in the last 100 days.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): The first 100 days, we did more arrests than the previous state administration did last year. And I think when you look at those and you see those serious cases that we're out there getting, it shows that this administration is serious about public safety and making America safe again.
--:-- Cassie Akiva: We actually feel the backing to get out there and do our job. We also have the backing of the American public, though, right? Americans voted overwhelmingly that they want the worst of the worst. They want these criminal aliens out of our neighborhoods, out of our communities.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Morale has increased because we have that leadership backing that we never had before. So what I saw firsthand in this raid is that these agents are energized, they're mission focused, and they're feeling that they have the momentum to go after these 100 days.
--:-- Cassie Akiva: You can definitely sense that morale is improved there through your footage.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Cassie, thank you so much for bringing us this report.
--:-- Cassie Akiva: My pleasure. You're welcome. Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back tomorrow with more news you need to know.
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