Overview of Evening Wire: Arctic Frost Web Widens & More Epstein Docs Released | 11.13.25
This episode of Evening Wire (Daily Wire, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe) runs through the day’s top political and national news items on November 13, 2025. Major topics: new developments in the Operation Arctic Frost probe, fresh releases of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, the State Department’s terror designation for several Antifa-aligned European groups, fallout from the recent government shutdown, and a roundup of other national and international headlines.
Top stories covered
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Operation Arctic Frost expands
- Federal records show Special Counsel Jack Smith sought private phone data for then–House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and former Rep. Louie Gohmert, in addition to several Republican senators.
- McCarthy called the requests political overreach and illegal targeting; Smith said requests were limited to days around Jan. 6 and followed DOJ policy.
- AT&T later told investigators Smith backed away and no congressional records were turned over.
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New Jeffrey Epstein document releases
- Democrats and Republicans released tranches of Epstein-related materials: Democrats initially published three emails referencing former President Trump; Republicans released ~20,000 pages from the Epstein estate.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson said roughly 50,000 pages have now been released and lawmakers will vote next week on a bill to release remaining files after a discharge petition reached 218 signatures.
- Released materials include Epstein’s financial ledgers, travel logs, daily calendar, etc.
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State Department designates four Antifa-aligned European groups as foreign terrorist organizations
- Designation freezes related bank accounts, bans entry for known members, and allows prosecution for material support by U.S. persons.
- Targeted groups operate in Germany, Greece, and Italy; one German group (Antifa Ost) previously labeled by Hungary after a violent 2023 attack in Budapest.
Additional major items
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Government shutdown aftermath and aviation
- FAA caps flight reductions at 6% at 40 major U.S. airports while safety data is evaluated; more air traffic controllers are returning to work.
- Shutdown caused >10,000 canceled flights; system expected to take days to stabilize.
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TSA/Homeland Security bonuses
- Homeland Security announced $10,000 bonuses for TSA workers who showed “exemplary service” during the shutdown; Secretary appeared in Houston distributing checks.
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Federal court order for Chicago immigration detainees
- A Biden-appointed judge ordered release/bond hearings for roughly 615 immigrants arrested in Chicago raids, with bonds to be granted by Nov. 21 and DHS required to deliver a detainee list by Friday.
- DHS criticized the ruling and called the judge “activist.”
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Operation Dirtbag / Florida arrests
- ICE reported 230 arrests in a 10-day enforcement sweep (Operation Dirtbag / Operation Criminal Return), including registered sex offenders and people with lengthy criminal records.
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International & cultural news
- France reports a spike in museum thefts (including the October Louvre robbery); government moving to harden protections for cultural sites.
- Senator Marco Rubio defended U.S. strikes on drug vessels after European criticism, calling some European responses hypocritical.
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Media & politics
- CNN anchor Abby Phillip said part of her job is explaining facts to conservatives, arguing many live in a “completely different information world.”
- DOJ indicted Democrat consultant Dana Williamson on multiple counts alleging diversion of campaign funds tied to a corruption scheme; others involved accepted plea deals.
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Local economics & currency
- Manhattan median rent on new leases hit $4,600 in October (third-highest on record); mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani campaigned on affordability.
- U.S. Mint produced its final penny in Philadelphia, ending 232 years of penny production. The government expects roughly $50 million in annual savings; pennies remain legal tender.
Key quotes / notable lines
- On Arctic Frost requests: McCarthy — called the probe political overreach and illegal targeting of lawmakers.
- On Epstein documents: Speaker Mike Johnson — noted roughly 50,000 pages released and called the estate files a “treasure trove.”
- On bonuses: Homeland Security (announcing) — TSA workers who showed “exemplary service” will receive $10,000.
- On drug-boat strikes: Sen. Marco Rubio — EU “doesn’t get to determine what international law is” and criticized European hypocrisy.
- On media coverage: Abby Phillip (CNN) — “Half my job sometimes is knowing what the latest conspiracy is…because it happens a lot where people don't even know that what they're saying…is not true.”
Timelines, deadlines, and concrete details to watch
- House vote: Speaker Johnson said lawmakers will vote next week on releasing remaining Epstein-related files.
- Federal judge’s order: Bonds for the ~615 Chicago detainees must be granted by Nov. 21; DHS to submit list by Friday (per the ruling).
- Aviation limits: FAA caps at 6% remain until safety data supports resuming normal operations.
Bottom-line takeaways
- Operation Arctic Frost’s document disclosures broaden the probe’s public footprint and raise political pushback from targeted GOP lawmakers; investigators and carriers claim limited compliance.
- The large release of Epstein estate materials is ongoing; congressional pressure is building to free remaining files for public review.
- The State Department’s FTO designation for certain Antifa groups marks a significant escalation in how U.S. policy treats politically motivated violent groups abroad.
- The government shutdown’s operational effects are still reverberating through aviation and federal operations; the administration is using bonuses and staffing incentives to stabilize services.
- Several stories tie back to governance, accountability, and contested narratives across media, legal, and legislative fronts.
For full stories and source links, visit dailywire.com (as referenced in the episode).