Morning Wire

Iran Talks Intensify & Clintons Under Oath | 2.27.26

19 min
Feb 27, 2026about 2 months ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

The episode covers escalating U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations with military buildup, Hillary Clinton's closed-door Epstein deposition, and the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigrant truck drivers through proposed legislation.

Insights
  • Trump's Iran nuclear demands are significantly harder than Obama's 2015 deal, requiring permanent elimination of enrichment and handover of uranium, creating political pressure to avoid backing down despite military risks
  • The Clinton depositions reveal partisan tensions despite bipartisan votes, with Hillary maintaining no Epstein knowledge while Bill's documented plane usage and social connections create credibility challenges
  • Illegal immigrant truck driver crashes are becoming a measurable policy crisis, with proposed Delilah's Law addressing CDL issuance and English language testing requirements as preventive measures
  • Military strike preparations against Iran are advancing in parallel with diplomacy, suggesting administration contingency planning if negotiations fail within days or weeks
Trends
Hardline nuclear negotiation tactics replacing diplomatic compromise frameworks in U.S. foreign policyBipartisan congressional investigations into historical figures gaining momentum despite partisan originsImmigration enforcement shifting from deportation focus to commercial licensing and transportation sector restrictionsMilitary buildup in Middle East accelerating as diplomatic timelines compressState-level CDL issuance becoming federal policy battleground over immigrant documentationVictim advocacy driving legislative naming conventions (Delilah's Law) for immigration enforcementWhite House operational security concerns over strike optics and international coalition requirements
Topics
Iran Nuclear Negotiations and Enrichment DemandsU.S. Military Buildup in Middle EastClinton Epstein Depositions and InvestigationIllegal Immigrant Commercial Driver's License RestrictionsDelilah's Law and Transportation SafetyTrump Administration Immigration EnforcementF-22 Raptor Deployment to IsraelNuclear Deal Sunset Provisions vs. Perpetual AgreementsVindictive Prosecution Arguments in Immigration CasesEnglish Language Requirements for CDL TestingGhislaine Maxwell InvestigationWhite House Strike Planning and Coalition BuildingIranian Nuclear Reactor Destruction DemandsUranium Enrichment Reduction CompromisesEpstein Files and Document Release
Companies
The Daily Wire
Produces Morning Wire podcast and employs editorial staff covering political and policy news
Alliance Defending Freedom
Legal organization representing high school student Gabby Stout in free speech case against school district
Wall Street Journal
Reported on Trump administration's nuclear demands list for Iran negotiations
Al Jazeera
Reported Iranian officials' rejection of U.S. nuclear deal provisions and positive talks assessment
Politico
Reported White House strike planning preferences for joint Israel operation over unilateral action
People
Donald Trump
President directing Iran nuclear negotiations, military buildup, and immigration enforcement policies
Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State and First Lady testified in closed-door Epstein deposition on Thursday
Bill Clinton
Former President scheduled for Epstein deposition Friday; documented Epstein plane usage and social connections
J.D. Vance
Vice President warned Iran continues nuclear program rebuilding despite ongoing negotiations
Marco Rubio
Secretary of State called Iran's nuclear ambitions an unsustainable threat requiring diplomatic resolution
Steve Whitcoff
U.S. envoy who met Iranian officials in Geneva with Trump administration nuclear demands
Jared Kushner
U.S. envoy who met Iranian officials in Geneva with Trump administration nuclear demands
Jeffrey Epstein
Subject of House Oversight Committee investigation with Clinton depositions and document release
Ghislaine Maxwell
Epstein associate whose presence at Chelsea Clinton's wedding questioned during Hillary's deposition
Lauren Boebert
Representative who sent photo of Hillary Clinton from closed deposition to conservative influencer
Jim Banks
Senator from Indiana introducing Delilah's Law to restrict CDLs for illegal immigrants
Kilmar Abrego-Garcia
Alleged MS-13 member fighting deportation and human smuggling charges in ongoing court cases
Marcus
Father of Delilah, crash victim, spearheading Delilah's Law and proposed to fiancée at White House
Delilah
Seven-year-old hit by illegal immigrant truck driver; inspiration for proposed Delilah's Law legislation
Gavin Newsom
California Governor criticized for lack of response to Delilah's family regarding illegal immigrant driver case
Charlie Kirk
Conservative figure whose legacy inspired high school student Gabby Stout's spirit rock message
Gabby Stout
High school junior represented by Alliance Defending Freedom in free speech case against school district
Barack Obama
Former President whose 2015 Iran nuclear deal is contrasted with Trump's harder negotiation demands
Quotes
"I think most Americans understand that you can't let the craziest and worst regime in the world have nuclear weapons."
John BickleyOpening segment
"Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they try to rebuild the nuclear weapon, that causes problems for us."
J.D. VanceIran negotiations segment
"The fact that they insist not just on enrichment, but on enrichment in locations located inside of mountains, is, I think you would have to lack common sense to not know what that means."
Marco RubioIran negotiations segment
"I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation in order to distract attention from President Trump's actions and to cover them up."
Hillary ClintonClinton deposition segment
"Traveling on Epstein's plane was not worth the years of questioning afterward. I wish I had never met him."
Bill ClintonClinton deposition segment
Full Transcript
Officials from the U.S. and Iran hold a fresh round of nuclear talks as the U.S. makes another aggressive and historic military move. I think most Americans understand that you can't let the craziest and worst regime in the world have nuclear weapons. I'm Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Friday, February 27th. This is Morning Wire. As Bill and Hillary Clinton sit down for closed-door depositions, the Epstein dominoes continue to fall. The Democrats voted to subpoena the Clintons. The Democrats voted with the Republicans to hold the Clintons in contempt. So this isn't a partisan witch hunt. And? Many, if not most illegal aliens do not speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs. That's why tonight I'm calling on Congress to pass what we will call the Delilah Law. President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration continues as the administration pushes to block them from commercial driver's licenses and defends deportations in the courts. Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know. I'd like to introduce you to Gabby Stout. She's a high school junior in North Carolina who was inspired by Charlie Kirk and wanted to honor his legacy by painting a message on her school's spirit rock. But after school officials gave Gabby permission, they reversed themselves, censoring Gabby's message and publicly accusing her of vandalism. The accusation even aired in local news. Gabby was punished for standing up for the biblical values that Charlie spent his life defending. Now, our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom are representing Gabby in court to hold the school district accountable for violating her constitutional rights. We want to make sure Gabby knows she's not standing alone. With just a few minutes, you can go to joinadf.com slash wire or text wire to 83848 and send her a quick message of support. That's joinadf.com slash wire. Send Gabby an encouraging note or verse that will lift her spirit today. Gabby's courageously standing up for the values that Charlie fought for and that The Daily Wire stands for, including free speech. Go to joinadf.com slash wire or text wire to 83848 for Alliance Defending Freedom today and support Gabby. As nuclear talks with Iran resume, the Trump administration is mulling its options for a military strike and putting new pressure on the regime. Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here with more. So, Cabot, let's first start with these negotiations that are going on in Geneva. Obviously, there is increased pressure with all of the military buildup in the Middle East. What are we seeing? Right, that buildup only continued yesterday as the U.S. sent top-of-the-line F-22 Raptors, those are fighter jets, to Israel in preparation for an attack should Donald Trump give the orders. On Thursday, U.S. envoys Steve Whitcoff and Jared Kushner met with Iranian officials in Geneva and came with a hefty list of demands on behalf of the president. According to the Wall Street Journal, he's calling for the regime to completely destroy their three largest nuclear reactor sites. In addition, the U.S. is also demanding that the Ayatollah not only cease all nuclear enrichment, but hand over all of its existing enriched uranium to the United States. And perhaps hardest for the regime to swallow, Trump says any nuclear deal must go on in perpetuity. Remember, President Obama's deal with Iran back in 2015 had sunset provisions that would gradually loosen up over time. This one is eternal and ironclad. Iranian officials told Al Jazeera Thursday that they'd rejected each of those provisions, but there was some reporting that the talks were, quote, positive. So if all of those demands are no-goes, what kind of concessions is Iran willing to make? Well, they're seemingly open to reducing enrichment, but they remained adamant Thursday that they would not agree to eliminate their nuclear program entirely. Iranian negotiators reportedly floated a number of compromises, including reducing uranium enrichment from 60% to 1.5%, pausing it for the next few years, or processing it in a sort of joint venture with India, presumably to provide oversight and assurances to the U.S. that it won't be used for weapons. But the U.S. is reportedly unlikely to give in to those demands. However, there are rumblings that Trump could be open to allowing the Iranians to reopen a smaller nuclear reactor in Tehran that could be used for producing medical devices But again there are skeptics in the White House who pointed out that the uranium used for those products can be converted relatively easily to weapons uranium The reality is, Trump has talked a big game over the last year, saying there would be consequences if Iran did not abandon their nuclear ambitions. And before that, he spent the last decade slamming President Obama's nuclear deal. So from a political standpoint, backing down from his demands, even if it means avoiding war, could be spun as him backing down. And we know that Donald Trump does not like looking weak. Right. And as you hinted, there is a possibility of military action here. What is possible and how likely is it? Yeah, and a possibility that seems to grow more likely with each day that goes by without a deal. While Trump has repeatedly said he prefers diplomacy, over the last 36 hours, White House officials have offered increasingly dire warnings to the Ayatollah. First, Vice President J.D. Vance said there is evidence that even during these negotiations, Iran is still working to rebuild their nuclear program and try to get a weapon. The principle is very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they try to rebuild the nuclear weapon, that causes problems for us. And in fact, we've seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that. So the president sending those negotiators to try to address that problem, as the president has said repeatedly, he wants to address that problem diplomatically. But of course, the president has other options as well. And then Secretary of State Rubio went a step further, calling Iran's nuclear ambitions and desire to strike the U.S. quote, an unsustainable threat. He then went on to say it's obvious why they are so hesitant to give up their nuclear program. They don't need to enrich in order to have nuclear energy. They don't need nuclear energy, by the way. They have plenty of natural gas. But if they wanted nuclear energy, they could have it the way other countries have it. The fact that they refuse to get it that way, the fact that they insist not just on enrichment, but on enrichment in locations located inside of mountains, is, I think you would have to lack common sense to not know what that means or what that could mean. So as the war drums beat, the White House continues to map out potential strike plans should diplomacy fail. Politico reported Thursday that administration officials are nervous over the optics of striking first and also striking alone and would prefer a joint operation with Israel, potentially one in which Israel strikes first and we later join in. Ultimately, as a White House spokesman said on Thursday, quote, the media may continue to speculate, but only President Trump knows what he may or may not do. Well, and it could be any day now. Cabot, thanks for reporting. Absolutely. Let's be honest. Most of us have no idea what phytonutrients actually are. And that's exactly where our sponsor, Balance of Nature, makes getting them into your diet so simple. So here's the thing about phytonutrients. They're these naturally occurring plant nutrients and whole foods that actually give fruits and vegetables their color, taste, and smell. Now what Balance of Nature does is they take all that produce, run it through their specialized vacuum-cold process that keeps everything stable. Then they powder it down without and eat binders, fillers, or flow agents. Just the real stuff. Their whole health system is essentially a value bundle that combines their fruit and veggie capsules with their fiber and spice supplements. So you're getting 47 different ingredients, fruits, vegetables, spices, and fibers, along with those naturally occurring phytonutrients every single day. I really like the convenience that Balance of Nature offers. I can take my tablets with me on the go. I've even got some bottles loaded up in my work backpack for easy access. Plus, I feel great when I take them. So whether you've been on the fence for a long time or it's the first time you're hearing about them, I truly recommend that you go to balanceofnature.com and order their Whole Health System supplements as a preferred customer today. That's balanceofnature.com. Hillary Clinton faced members of the Republican-led House Oversight Committee on Thursday as part of their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, and her husband is on the clock today. Daily Wire reporter Lyndon Blake joins us now with more. So Lyndon, this was a closed-door deposition, but do we have any information about Hillary Clinton's demeanor during this? Yeah, Clinton came out swinging, criticizing the Republican lawmakers handling of the probe, and she quickly said she had no new information to share. The former secretary of state and first lady said the GOP lawmakers are conducting their investigations so that one political party and one public official is protected. She said, quote, I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation in order to distract attention from President Trump's actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers. Now keep in mind it was the Trump administration who did release the files When Democrats were in power they remained sealed Hillary did take time to speak to media after her deposition wrapped up She said her deposition was repetitive at times and she was critical of the Republicans questions, which she said barely involved Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. She also said what she thinks her husband will say today. I think the chronology of the connection that he had with Epstein ended years, several years before anything about Epstein's criminal activities came to light and that he was charged and sadly given a sweetheart deal, which, as I said in my statement, had that not happened, perhaps his predatory behavior could have been stopped earlier. But I think it is fair to say that the vast majority of people who had contact with him before his criminal pleas in 08 were like most people. They did not know what he was doing. And I think that that is exactly what my husband will testify to tomorrow. And Hillary was pressed after her deposition about why Ghislaine Maxwell was at her daughter Chelsea's wedding. And Hillary kept it simple. She said Ghislaine was a plus one of one of the wedding guests. Now, do we have any sense of what she was asked and what angles people went for? Yeah, so the Clintons both are going to be asked how the government was involved in essentially potentially covering up Epstein's sex crime. So there'll be a question about the government and how they handled the case. And this was long after Bill Clinton left office. Hillary's expected to answer questions about how Epstein used powerful people to help cover up some of those sex crimes. And then again, Bill is going to have to answer the same stuff today. So a reminder that neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton have been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Hillary has maintained, like I said, she has no memory of even meeting Epstein. However, Bill has admitted to using Epstein's plane on several occasions, but he says he has never visited the island. but Bill and Hillary Clinton, they have done a lot of life together. You can't see one without another. So that is being put to the forefront during this investigation. And I'm sure Hillary was grilled on that again on Thursday. Now, I understand there was an interruption during the deposition. What happened? Yeah. So there's always some drama, right? So there was drama on Thursday and the deposition was paused because Representative Lauren Boebert actually sent a picture of Hillary Clinton at the table being questioned to conservative influencer Benny Johnson. He, of course, tweeted this out and then it became a whole thing. But Representative Boebert said that Benny did nothing wrong. So she defended the picture being put out there. She defended sending that picture, even though this was a closed deposition. So a brief pause. But then they resumed shortly after. Now, when it comes to Bill Clinton, there are photos of him with Jeffrey Epstein. And what looks like it has to be a social context. He also was aboard that plane more than almost anyone else. so we have to expect he's going to be pressed on that social connection yeah and it is interesting that he was in the files so much in photo evidence and with other women in the files that their faces are redacted when hillary says that she has no memory of ever meeting epstein but epstein it is on record that he did visit the white house multiple times when bill clinton was president and even after clinton left office epstein was involved in his philanthropy and like you mentioned He flew on Epstein's private plane at least a dozen times, according to the files. So they clearly had a relationship there, something that he will be pressed on. But Bill Clinton did say this about traveling on Epstein's private plane. He said traveling on Epstein's plane was not worth the years of questioning afterward. I wish I had never met him. That comes from Bill Clinton's 2024 memoir. Well, no doubt a lot of people are feeling that way. Lyndon, thanks for reporting. Thanks, guys. Alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego-Garcia has yet another day in court, while the Trump administration cracks down further on illegal immigrant truckers. Daily Wire immigration reporter Jenny Ter is here to discuss the latest on the immigration front, and there's a lot. Morning, Jenny. So let's start with the eternal saga of the Maryland man, Abrego-Garcia, another day in court. What do we need to know about this hearing Yeah it just feels like Groundhog Day at this point When it comes to the Kilmar Braco Garcia case It feels like we talk about it constantly because he is constantly fighting his deportation. And now in this latest case, he's fighting his human smuggling charges that stemmed from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee. Now, those charges were brought about after he was deported and then returned to the United States by the Trump administration. So his team is arguing that the prosecution was vindictive on the Trump administration's part. So the prosecution argued that they had brought the charges without any influence from Trump administration officials and higher ups, that it was justified to bring these charges years later. And the lawyers for Abrego Garcia are saying that, no, it's not justified that you waited years until he was in the national news cycle, until he became the poster child for your deportations, when he was deported and then returned to the United States from El Salvador. So both sides making some pretty intense arguments. Now, this all hinges on what the judge decides. Is this a vindictive prosecution on the Trump administration's part? The judge has recognized that the charges, the timing of them is concerning, but hasn't yet said if they were justified or not at that time. Got it. So let's switch gears to, pardon the pun, immigrant truck drivers, illegal immigrant truck drivers. For months, we've been covering this, devastating crashes, a pattern of this on American roads. And there are some big updates on this front. There's been more done to prevent this. What is the latest? Yeah. Finally, some more action being done because it seems like every week now we are seeing crash after crash by these illegal immigrant truckers. It's pretty remarkable how frequent this is all happening. So this week you had Senator Jim Banks from Indiana introducing what's known as Delilah's Law. Now, this is another attempt to crack down on the issuance of commercial driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. So there's several different ways that his law would take more action, would crack down on this more. First, it would limit CDL issuance to just citizens, to green card holders, and then certain immigrants with work visas. It would also revoke the trucking licenses of illegal immigrants who are holding those commercial driver's licenses and ensure that they no longer can drive. And then on top of that, it institutes an English language requirement for all testing, which is crazy to think that this hasn't been the case. But the Trump administration has really spotlighted that as an issue that has led to all of this. Right. They've hammered that again and again. And you've also been in close contact with Delilah's family. Can you characterize how they're feeling with all this new attention on the issue they've been ringing the alarm about really for years? Yeah, we previously spoke with Delilah's father, Marcus, who was with her when they were both honored at the State of the Union this week and pretty emotional moment. And, you know, Marcus has been talking to me about the ongoing case that he has, that he's been trying to reach Governor Newsom's office, for example, because the illegal immigrant who hit his daughter and left her basically, you know, she's seven years old, but she's functioning at the level of a two year old. That's what this illegal immigrant took from her. And so he's been ringing the alarm bells. He's been trying multiple times to contact Newsom's office. Newsom has really not said much other than that he has, you know, condolences for the family. But he says that they haven't received any contact from them. It's pretty dismissive. And Marcus is frustrated over this. He also has kind of lost hope that Newsom will really do anything. But he is really spearheading this effort to push Delilah's law forward and is in Washington, D.C. for this. And also some good news came out of this. Marcus was telling me this week that he proposed to his fiance on the White House lawn while they were in D.C. for the State of the Union. So congrats to him. That's great to hear and not surprising to hear that they're very frustrated with Newsom and California in general. Jenny, thank you so much for joining us. Thank you. Thanks for waking up with us. And if you're listening to the show, now you can watch for free on Daily Wire Plus. We'll be back later this evening with more news you need to know. Thank you.