Overview of Another Shutdown Standoff Looms & Guthrie Mystery Deepens | 2.6.26
This Morning Wire episode (Daily Wire) covers three main stories: (1) another potential shutdown fight in Washington focused on ICE/DHS funding and several Trump administration priorities and events; (2) breaking developments in the disappearance and apparent abduction of Nancy Guthrie (mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie); and (3) Super Bowl 60 — the Seahawks vs. Patriots rematch and controversy around the halftime show (Bad Bunny) plus a conservative counter-programming event. The show also includes reporter interviews, timelines, and multiple sponsor spots.
Key updates from Washington
- Potential shutdown/ICE standoff
- Congress recently passed a short-term spending package to avert a partial shutdown; another standoff is possible if lawmakers don’t reach agreement on ICE/DHS funding.
- President Trump emphasized support for law enforcement (“If we don't back them, we don't have a country”) while criticizing actions in Minneapolis.
- White House priorities and events noted this week
- Trump spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast, calling for a public recommitment to faith and announcing a May 17 prayer/thanksgiving event on the National Mall.
- Administration projects mentioned: temporary Kennedy Center closure for renovation, placing a Columbus statue near the White House, and installing an “independence arc” — all items drawing attention and debate.
- Vice President J.D. Vance (on assignment described as supporting U.S. athletes) met with Italy’s prime minister (Giorgia Meloni — transcript used a variant spelling) and planned travel to Armenia/Azerbaijan related to a peace deal the administration helped broker.
- Media framing and WH access
- Legacy outlets were reported to be focusing on topics such as Tulsi Gabbard’s presence at a Fulton County election-office search and controversies over the Kennedy Center and Melania Trump.
- The Daily Wire won a seat in the White House briefing room (shared with the Black Press Association and the Telegraph), highlighted as a milestone for the outlet.
Nancy Guthrie disappearance — timeline, evidence, and current status
- What’s established (timeline from Saturday → early Sunday)
- 9:48 PM Saturday: Nancy Guthrie arrived home after dinner with family.
- 1:47 AM Sunday: Guthrie’s doorbell camera was disconnected.
- 2:12 AM Sunday: A person was detected on an interior camera.
- 2:28 AM Sunday: Guthrie’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone.
- Ransom note and deadlines
- Local Arizona stations KOLD and KGUN, and TMZ received the same ransom note demanding millions of dollars. The note referenced Guthrie’s Apple Watch, a floodlight, threatened her life, and included payment deadlines (first deadline quoted as Thursday 5 p.m.; another deadline reportedly by the following Monday).
- The FBI advised the family but emphasized the family makes the final decisions about public statements or paying.
- The Guthrie family publicly asked for proof that Nancy is alive before complying with demands: “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.”
- Suspect status and related arrests
- As of the report, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos repeatedly stated there is no identified suspect or designated person of interest; authorities are “questioning everybody.”
- Media reports named a son-in-law (identified in coverage as Tommaso [surname variants reported]) as the last person reported to have driven Nancy home; officials later clarified only that a family member was last known to have seen her and that impounding and inspecting vehicles is standard procedure.
- One arrest was made related to a separate ransom note alleged to be a scam and not tied to Nancy Guthrie’s abduction.
- Coverage & follow-up
- The Daily Wire produces a podcast titled “Finding Nancy Guthrie” with ongoing deep-dive coverage and updates.
Super Bowl 60: game outlook and halftime controversy
- Game: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots
- This is framed as a rematch of the 2015 Super Bowl (Malcolm Butler interception).
- Coaches highlighted: Patriots’ Mike Vrabel (first-year Patriots HC, former Tennessee HC and former New England player) and Seahawks’ Mike McDonald (described as second-year HC). Both teams reportedly finished 14–3.
- Quarterbacks called out in the episode: Seahawks’ Sam Darnold and Patriots’ Drake Maye (both described as young QBs with strong seasons; Drake Maye was noted as a second-year QB drafted third overall).
- Both defenses were described as elite, expecting a competitive game.
- Halftime show controversy
- NFL chose Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny as halftime headliner. This decision prompted criticism from conservative figures and some owners (concerns cited: artist’s past political statements, cultural/political performance choices, and that he primarily sings in Spanish).
- Bad Bunny used a Grammy speech to criticize ICE (“ice out”), fueling further pushback.
- TPUSA counter-programming: a conservative “All-American Halftime Show” headlined by Kid Rock with country artists Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, and Gabby Barrett, intended as patriotic alternative programming. The Daily Wire planned to stream TPUSA’s show on dailywire.com and its app.
Notable quotes & soundbites
- President Trump: “If we don't back [law enforcement], we don't have a country.”
- National Prayer Breakfast: “To be a great nation, however, you have to have religion. You have to have faith. You have to have God.”
- Bad Bunny (at Grammys): opening remark paraphrased as “ice out” (criticizing ICE).
- Guthrie family: “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.”
Takeaways and where to follow updates
- Nancy Guthrie case remains active and fluid: a clear late-night timeline exists, a ransom note with payment deadlines circulated to media, but authorities say there is no confirmed suspect or person of interest yet.
- The federal funding fight over ICE/DHS could trigger another shutdown showdown unless Congress reaches agreement.
- Super Bowl halftime choice (Bad Bunny) is a cultural flashpoint prompting conservative counter-programming; the Daily Wire will stream the alternative show.
- Where to follow:
- Daily Wire coverage and the “Finding Nancy Guthrie” podcast for ongoing case updates.
- Local Arizona outlets KOLD and KGUN have reported details of the ransom note and timeline.
Sponsor mentions (brief)
- Ads/sponsor reads included 1-800-Flowers (Valentine’s roses), ZocDoc (doctor bookings), Fatty15 (C15 supplement), Depop (sell kids’ outgrown clothes), and a Mint Mobile promotion (50% off unlimited plans).