--:-- Georgia Howe: It's Wednesday, March 5th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.
--:-- John Bickley: The Trump administration is granting a one-month exemption on auto tariffs for Canada and Mexico. According to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, the temporary carve-out applies to Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. Following a meeting between Trump and those companies' executives.
--:-- Caroline Levitt: Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2nd, but at the request of the companies associated with USMCA, the president is giving them an exemption for one month so they are not at an economic disadvantage.
--:-- John Bickley: The administration's 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports went into effect on Tuesday, with reciprocal tariffs set to begin April 2nd. Trump blamed Canada's weak border policies for fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. Both nations have issued retaliatory tariffs in response.
--:-- John Bickley: President Trump's joint address last night is getting strong reviews from viewers. Among those who watched, 76% liked what they heard, while just 23% didn't. The speech was described by most watchers as quote presidential inspiring and unifying. Many viewers said they felt hopeful and proud with strong approval for Trump plans on immigration, government spending, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
--:-- John Bickley: The Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration must pay $2 billion to USAID contractors. Daily Wire senior editor Ash Short has more.
--:-- Ash Short: The 5-4 decision upholds a lower court's order to unfreeze foreign aid funds that Trump had halted through an executive order. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court's three liberal justices in the majority. In a scathing dissent, Justice Samuel Alito called the ruling an act of judicial hubris while posing the question, does a single district court judge who likely lacks jurisdiction have the unchecked power to compel the government of the United States to pay out and probably lose forever $2 billion taxpayer dollars?
--:-- Ash Short: Alito went on in his dissent to say that the answer to that question should be an emphatic no and that he was stunned that the majority of our nation's highest court thought otherwise.
--:-- John Bickley: China is saber rattling following Trump's new tariffs, which took effect earlier this week. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has the latest.
--:-- Tim Rice: Tensions between the United States and China are once again escalating as Beijing warns it is ready for any type of war. Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 percent, citing efforts to stop fentanyl trafficking. In response, China imposed a 15 percent tariff on U.S. agricultural goods and accused Washington of bullying tactics.
--:-- Tim Rice: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that the United States is prepared for conflict, but aims to deter war by strengthening its military.
--:-- Pete Hegseth: They're rapidly increasing their defense spending, modern technology. They want to supplant the United States. If we want to deter war with the Chinese or others, we have to be strong. And that president understands peace comes through strength.
--:-- John Bickley: Trump defended the tariffs, saying other nations have used them against the United States for years, while experts warned the move could drive up prices on food and automobiles, at least in the short term.
--:-- John Bickley: The CIA has paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that it was halted along with military aid in an effort to pressure Kyiv into getting on board with Trump plans to end the war with Russia. Ratcliffe, who applauded Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's recent statement supporting Trump's leadership, says intelligence cooperation will likely resume soon.
--:-- John Ratcliffe: I think on the military front and the intelligence front, the pause that allowed that to happen, I think will go away and I think we'll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as we have to push back on the aggression that's there, but to put the world in a better place for these peace negotiations to move forward.
--:-- John Bickley: Again, President Trump is going to hold everyone accountable to drive peace around the world.
--:-- John Bickley: A sharp drop in mortgage rates has sparked a surge in loan demand. Mortgage applications reached the biggest increase in months last week. As we head into home buying season, total mortgage applications leapt up to 20.4% last week. While refinancing applications soared to 37 percent and purchase applications rose 9 percent.
--:-- John Bickley: Legacy media layoffs continue as Disney looks to cut about 200 ABC News and entertainment jobs. The restructuring will merge 2020 and Nightline, consolidate Good Morning America productions and eliminate the data-driven news site 538. ABC News president called the decision incredibly challenging, while staffers remain on edge.
--:-- John Bickley: The layoffs reflect broader industry shifts as Disney moves resources away from traditional TV towards digital platforms.
--:-- John Bickley: During Trump's speech last night, Democrats remained seated for most of the time including when Trump honored several regular Americans in attendance. One of those was volleyball player Peyton McNabb McNabb suffered severe injuries after a spike to the face from a male player who was allowed to play for a girls team.
--:-- Peyton McNabb: That hit was so severe, it knocked me unconscious. It hit me right in the face. I went to the doctor and she immediately referred me to a neurologist. And the neurologist quickly told me that I had a concussion, a small brain bleed and permanent whiplash.
--:-- Peyton McNabb: It's been a little over two years now. My body and mind are still recovering. I don't know if I'll ever be back the same. I had partial paralysis on my right side. I had vision impairment, cognitive issues. I had to get extra help in school. I had to get new glasses. I mean, it's just like all across the board.
--:-- John Bickley: In a heartwarming moment last night, Trump signed an executive order renaming a Texas wildlife refuge after 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaree.
--:-- Donald Trump: Alexis, moments ago, I formally renamed that refuge in loving memory of your beautiful daughter, Jocelyn. So, Mr. Vice President, if you would, may I have the order?
--:-- John Bickley: Nungaree was brutally murdered last year, allegedly by two illegal immigrants. The suspects, allegedly linked to Venezuela's Trende Aragua gang, face capital murder and assault charges. The Onowoc National Wildlife Refuge near Houston will now be called the Jocelyn Nungaree National Refuge to commemorate her life.
--:-- John Bickley: All right, those are your drive home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com. And in case you missed it this morning, we covered some major stories, including Trump's joint address to Congress and Senate Democrats voting against keeping men out of women's sports. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire. Thank you.
