Morning Wire

Evening Wire: Iran Threatens California & Epstein Guard Scrutinized | 3.11.26

13 min
Mar 11, 20263 months ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

Evening Wire covers FBI warnings of potential Iranian drone strikes on California, major oil market volatility following Secretary Wright's false tanker escort claim, the International Energy Agency's largest-ever emergency oil release, and scrutiny of the correctional officer present during Jeffrey Epstein's death.

Insights
  • Misinformation from government officials can trigger immediate market volatility—oil swung $10/barrel based on a single false post, requiring coordinated damage control
  • International coordination on energy security is accelerating, with 32 IEA member nations and Japan/Germany committing to emergency oil releases to stabilize markets
  • High-profile security failures are being re-examined under new administrations, including the Epstein case and a Pentagon strike on an Iranian school based on outdated intelligence
  • Immigration enforcement and border security remain central policy battlegrounds, with DHS highlighting catch-and-release policy failures in criminal cases
  • Media outlets face credibility risks when misreporting national security incidents, as CNN's false framing of the ISIS bomb plot demonstrates
Trends
Geopolitical tensions driving oil market instability and emergency strategic reserves releasesGovernment communication failures triggering immediate market corrections and requiring rapid public correctionsIncreased scrutiny of past security and law enforcement decisions under new administrationsInternational energy security coordination expanding beyond traditional alliesMedia accuracy challenges during breaking national security news cyclesImmigration policy enforcement becoming more aggressive and publicizedCyber attacks from Iranian-linked groups targeting U.S. critical infrastructureCongressional oversight intensifying on high-profile cases and security failures
Topics
Iranian Drone Threats to U.S. West CoastOil Market Volatility and Strategic ReservesInternational Energy Agency Emergency Oil ReleaseStrait of Hormuz Tanker SecurityJeffrey Epstein Death InvestigationPentagon Strike on Iranian SchoolU.S.-Iran Military EscalationImmigration Enforcement and Catch-and-Release PolicyCyber Attacks on Medical TechnologyCongressional Oversight HearingsOil Price Stabilization MeasuresPolitical Risk Insurance for TankersNational Security MisinformationMedia Coverage of Terror AttacksAdverse Possession Property Dispute
Companies
Chase Bank
Flagged suspicious deposits into Tova Noel's account between 2018-2019, raising questions about payments during Epste...
International Energy Agency
Announced largest emergency oil stockpile release in agency history—400 million barrels from 32 member nations
U.S. Navy
Subject of false claim by Secretary of Energy about escorting oil tanker through Strait of Hormuz, causing market vol...
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
Offering political risk insurance to tankers operating in the Gulf to stabilize oil markets
Department of Homeland Security
Confirmed illegal immigrant Samuel Maldonado Erazo was released under Biden catch-and-release policies despite prior ...
Metropolitan Correctional Center
Facility where Jeffrey Epstein died; guard Tova Noel under scrutiny for suspicious activity before his death
Pentagon
Preliminary report found U.S. forces likely responsible for February 28 strike on Iranian elementary school killing 1...
People
Chris Wright
Secretary of Energy whose false post about Navy escorting oil tanker caused $10/barrel oil price swing and market chaos
Caroline Levitt
White House Press Secretary who corrected Secretary Wright's false tanker escort claim during press briefing
Tova Noel
Former correctional officer who googled Epstein before his death and is being called before House Oversight Committee
James Comer
House Oversight Committee Chairman investigating suspicious deposits into Tova Noel's account during Epstein case
Josh Shapiro
Pennsylvania Governor facing lawsuit from neighbors over alleged trespassing and adverse possession of disputed land
Marjorie Taylor Greene
Former Representative whose congressional seat is now contested in special election after January 5 resignation
Clay Fuller
Trump-backed Republican candidate in special election for Marjorie Taylor Greene's Georgia congressional seat
Sean Harris
Democratic candidate facing Clay Fuller in April 7 runoff special election for Greene's Georgia congressional seat
Zoran Mamdani
New York City Mayor criticized by White House and Jewish advocates for hosting accused Hamas sympathizer Mahmoud Khalil
Mahmoud Khalil
Accused Hamas sympathizer and former Columbia student facing deportation after ICE arrest; hosted by NYC Mayor at Gra...
Samuel Antonio Maldonado Erazo
Honduran illegal immigrant accused of killing 3-year-old nephew; released under Biden catch-and-release despite prior...
Byron Hernandez
Honduran national arrested for pushing 83-year-old Air Force veteran and younger man onto NYC subway tracks
Quotes
"the Biden administration should have never released this monster into our communities"
Lorne Biss, Homeland Security Deputy Assistant Secretary
"I can confirm that the U.S. Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time, though of course that's an option the president has said he will absolutely utilize if and when necessary at the appropriate time"
Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary
"the recent media reports, which you just said, is very concerning, especially the suspicious activity report on a $5,000 mysterious deposit that she had"
James Comer, House Oversight Committee Chairman
"inaccurate"
Abby Phillip, CNN
Full Transcript
The FBI warns California of a potential Iranian drone strike, the International Energy Agency is about to add the most barrels of oil it's ever released, and the former correctional officer who last saw Epstein alive is being called before the House Oversight Committee. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Wednesday, March 11th, and this is Evening Wire. The FBI has warned California law enforcement about a potential Iranian drone threat targeting the U.S. West Coast. Wired in live host Cabot Phillips has more. According to an alert obtained by ABC News, Iran allegedly aspired earlier this year to launch a surprise unmanned aerial attack from a vessel positioned off the U.S. coastline, possibly in retaliation for presumed American strikes. Officials say there is no specific information on timing, targets, or method, and the report remains uncorroborated. Separately, an Iranian-linked hacking group has claimed responsibility for a major cyber attack against a U.S.-based medical technology company. Federal officials have not publicly confirmed any imminent threat, but authorities remain on heightened alert. A drone struck an American diplomat hub in Iraq on Tuesday. As of this recording, no casualties have been reported. The drone was one of six that were launched at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center. Five were shot down. A security official told The Washington Post that the drones likely came from Iranian backed militias in Iraq, which have formed a coalition to retaliate against the U.S. and Israel. A preliminary report from the Pentagon found that U.S. forces are likely to blame for a strike that hit an Iranian elementary school on February 28th. Reports indicate that 175 people were killed in the blast, most of them children. President Trump had initially suggested Iran was to blame for the strike, but now officials familiar with the probe say CENTCOM relied on outdated intelligence when approved a strike on a nearby military base. Investigators say the school had once been part of that military site, as the probe into why the site wasn't given a final check continues. Oil prices continue to fluctuate, leading to the biggest single-day percentage drop since 2022. Daily Wire senior editor Joel Needler has the details. Oil prices plunged to $81 per barrel on Tuesday when Secretary of Energy Chris Wright posted on X that the U.S. Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the post was taken down and White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt corrected the claim the same day during a press briefing. And I can confirm that the U.S. Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time, though of course that's an option the president has said he will absolutely utilize if and when necessary at the appropriate time. This sent oil prices back up to around $91 per barrel. In response, the Trump administration via the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is going to offer political risk insurance to tankers operating in the Gulf, which is intended to ease the yo-yo effect going forward. In an attempt to stabilize the price of oil, the International Energy Agency is about to add 400 million barrels to the oil market. That the largest in the agency history The group 32 member countries mostly European will release the oil from their emergency stockpiles aiming to stabilize the market by boosting supply The agency hasn't specified a timeline for the release. Meanwhile, Japan's prime minister also committed to release oil, and Germany offered to contribute as well. Oil prices fell on the announcement Wednesday before climbing again. An illegal immigrant accused of killing his three-year-old nephew in Florida was released into the U.S. by the Biden administration, despite having previously been deported. Daily Wire immigration reporter Jenny Tehr has the story. Honduran illegal immigrant Samuel Antonio Maldonado Erazo allegedly took the toddler to work on March 4th and ignored severe signs of distress his nephew appeared to be experiencing. The Escambia County Sheriff said the child had several broken ribs, one of which was detached from the backbone, a broken collarbone, and a transected pancreas from blunt trauma. He also appeared to show signs of possible sexual abuse. When first responders came upon the toddler, they found he was suffering from cardiac arrest. The sheriff said, quote, life-saving measures were attempted, but unfortunately, he passed. The Department of Homeland Security told The Daily Wire that Maldonado Arazo illegally entered the United States in August of 2021 and was immediately removed. He then reentered the country illegally in November 2021 and was released, quote, under the Biden administration's catch and release policies. He was ordered deported in May 2023, but remained in the country. Homeland Security Deputy Assistant Secretary Lorne Biss called the situation absolutely sickening, saying, quote, the Biden administration should have never released this monster into our communities. Well, before we continue, I'm excited to give you some amazing news about an issue that we care about here at The Daily Wire. Our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom have just announced that the state of Vermont has agreed to change its policy that discriminated against Christian foster families. Families like the Wotes and Gants were model foster parents. They had taken in siblings and even focused on caring for kids with struggles like fetal alcohol syndrome. And these parents had lost their foster licenses because they refused to compromise their faith by participating in a lie. They were told they had to agree to promote the state's radical gender ideology, including by taking kids to pride parades. Following a victory in a similar case out of Oregon last year, this win in Vermont means we're winning the battle, folks. I can't tell you how inspiring it is to learn about the courage of these families. moms and dads who have answered the call to care for vulnerable children who deserve a loving home. Go to joinadf.com slash wire and find out more about this incredible victory and how Alliance Defending Freedom is standing up for everyday families and protecting our constitutional rights. That's joinadf.com slash wire or text wire to 83848 and celebrate this amazing victory with us. The former correctional officer who googled Jeffrey Epstein right before his death is now in the spotlight Daily Wire Culture reporter Megan Basham has more Former Metropolitan Correctional Center guard Tova Noel googled quote latest on Epstein in jail at 542 a and again at 552 a before Epstein was found dead at 630 a according to FBI records Chase Bank also flagged numerous, quote, suspicious deposits into Noel's bank account between April of 2018 and November of 2019, which House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer explained to Fox News host Jesse Waters. Well, the recent media reports, which you just said, is very concerning, especially the suspicious activity report on a $5,000 mysterious deposit that she had. And the reason that stands out to me, Jesse, is because very seldom are suspicious activity reports even reported for sums less than $10,000. Noel, who was also accused of falsifying guard shift records the night before Epstein was found dead, is believed to be the last corrections officer to see Epstein alive. and she will now be asked to appear before the committee for an interview. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is being accused of squatting. Daily Wire homepage editor Jordan Schroeder has the latest. Governor Shapiro faces a lawsuit from his next-door neighbors, who accuse him and his wife of trespassing and unlawfully occupying a portion of their property. The dispute centers on nearly 3,000 square feet of land between the two homes in Jenkins Town. According to the lawsuit, the Shapiro sought to purchase the land to build an expanded security fence following an arson attack at the governor's official residence last year. When the families couldn't agree on a price, the neighbors say the Shapiros claimed ownership through Pennsylvania's adverse possession law. The suit also alleges that state police were used to patrol the disputed area and prevent the neighbors from accessing it, though the governor's office denies that claim. The case is now headed to court. CNN suffered a self-inflicted one-two punch in a single day over their ISIS bomb plot coverage. Daily Wire reporter Lyndon Blake has the story. Following the arrest of two ISIS-inspired teenagers from Pennsylvania who traveled to New York City with homemade explosive devices, CNN's Abby Phillip and Ana Navarro both falsely claimed on air that the attack was targeting New York City Mayor Zoran Memdani. Phillip also tried to frame the attack as anti-Muslim. Two Republicans say Muslims don't belong here. After an attempted terror attack against New York's mayor, Zoran Mamdani, and the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, says nothing, really, to condemn those comments. Philip issued an apology tweet this morning saying her false framing of the attack was, quote, inaccurate. The misinformation moment follows CNN's deletion of a social media post that described the terror suspects as, quote, Pennsylvania teenagers whose lives would drastically change after a normal day. Two top candidates have emerged in a race for Marjorie Taylor Greene's open congressional seat. Daily Wire political reporter Cameron Arcand has the details. Trump backed Republican Clay Fuller and Democrat Sean Harris will face off in an April 7th runoff special election in former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene Georgia district Greene resigned from her position on January 5th after a public falling out with President Donald Trump over the Epstein files despite once being close allies The special election comes as Speaker Mike Johnson's Republican majority remains extremely slim, as Representative Kevin Kiley announced that he would still caucus with Republicans, but would leave the party. This leaves only 217 registered Republicans in the House. A 34-year-old woman has been charged with shooting a gun at Rihanna's house on Sunday. Daily Wire Entertainment reporter Amanda Harding reports. Rihanna, her three children, and two staff members were in the home at the time, and her partner, ASAP Rocky, was also on the premises in another building. Ivana Lizette Ortiz has been charged with attempted murder, along with 13 other firearm-related charges. Ortiz allegedly drove from her home in Orlando, Florida, and investigators are now trying to determine if she crossed state lines with the intent to kill. Ortiz did post multiple threatening videos on social media referencing Rihanna. Here's a clip from one video posted in January. Listen, Rihanna, when you die, God is taking me to my future. You want to kill me. Shut the f*** up. Ortiz reportedly used an AR-style firearm and fired on at least two other homes on the same block in addition to the famous singer's home. None of the bullets penetrated the interior of any of the homes. She faces up to life in prison if convicted. The White House and several Jewish advocates slammed New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani for hosting accused Hamas sympathizer Mahmoud Khalil at Gracie Mansion. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has more. The backlash came after Mamdani posted about the Ramadan gathering on social media, where he said he and his wife welcomed Khalil, his wife and their son, to break the fast. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Khalil built his profile through anti-American and anti-Semitic campus protests, while Jewish leaders argued the mayor was elevating someone hostile to the Jewish community. Khalil, a former Columbia graduate student, was arrested by ICE last year and still faces deportation after the Trump administration accused him of green card fraud. And a Honduran national was arrested yesterday after pushing an 83-year-old man and a younger man onto some New York City subway tracks. Cell phone footage shows 34-year-old Byron Hernandez casually walking away after committing what appears to be an unprovoked attack on Sunday. He was later arrested at a homeless shelter. Grandfather and Air Force veteran Richard Williams sustained critical injuries and is currently fighting for his life at a hospital, according to family. The younger victim did not sustain serious injuries, and thankfully, both men were assisted off the tracks by bystanders before the train arrived. Hernandez faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and reckless endangerment. All right, those are your drive home updates. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com. And in case you missed it earlier today, we covered some major stories, including the Pentagon cranking up the pressure on Iran, how Trump plans to take care of Cuba, and the administration's latest moves to change gender identity laws. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.