Overview of Evening Wire: Court Defends California Redistricting & Ryan Routh Sentenced | 2.4.26
This episode of The Daily Wire’s Evening Wire (Feb 4, 2026) covers major U.S. political and legal headlines, crime updates, immigration policy changes, and cultural controversies. Hosts Georgia Howe and Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley summarize stories including a Supreme Court decline on a California redistricting challenge, the sentencing of an attempted assassin of former President Trump, the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, an ICE drawdown in Minneapolis, and other national news items.
Top headlines (quick bullets)
- Supreme Court declined to hear a Republican challenge to California’s newly redrawn congressional map; the new map will take effect and is expected to shift about five House seats toward Democrats.
- Ryan Routh (convicted of attempting to assassinate former President Trump) was sentenced to life in prison plus seven years.
- Search continues for Nancy Guthrie (Savannah Guthrie’s mother); new ransom notes demand millions in Bitcoin and include threats.
- Former ICE chief Tom Homan announced a major drawdown of federal immigration officers in the Twin Cities, citing new county agreements to allow ICE custody of immigrants.
- The alleged shooter of two D.C. National Guard members made a first court appearance, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including first-degree murder; federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
- Trump met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House; Trump also reported a separate call with Chinese President Xi Jinping about trade, Taiwan, and other issues.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a $100 million STREETS initiative to combat homelessness and addiction.
- Developments in several legal/cultural stories: defense claims in the Charlie Kirk assassination case, Pentagon pressure on Scouting America over DEI, major staff cuts at The Washington Post, Bad Bunny Super Bowl controversy, and viral Nicki Minaj comments supporting voter ID.
Story summaries
California redistricting — Supreme Court declines to hear challenge
- What happened: The Supreme Court declined to take up a Republican-backed lawsuit challenging California’s newly approved congressional map (passed by voters under the ballot measure referenced in the episode).
- Key details: Republicans and DOJ alleged the map constituted illegal racial gerrymandering; state officials said lines were drawn for political reasons. The map is expected to benefit Democrats by shifting roughly five House seats.
- Impact: The map will take effect in the next election cycle and likely influence the balance of California’s congressional delegation.
Nancy Guthrie disappearance and ransom notes
- What happened: Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, remains missing. Authorities and local outlets have received ransom notes.
- Key details: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators are examining notes that reportedly include private details about Nancy and her home. One note demands millions in Bitcoin, with a payment deadline and a threat to kill Nancy if demands aren’t met.
- Status: No suspect or person of interest has been identified publicly. The Daily Wire has a podcast episode, "Finding Nancy Guthrie," for ongoing coverage.
Ryan Routh sentenced for assassination attempt
- What happened: Ryan Routh (reported in the episode as having attempted to assassinate then-presidential candidate Trump) was sentenced to life in prison plus seven years after conviction on five federal counts, including attempted assassination and gun charges.
- Notable courtroom moment: During trial proceedings last year, the defendant reportedly stabbed himself in the neck with a pen in an apparent suicide attempt.
- Sentence specifics: One gun conviction carried a mandatory 7-year term atop the life sentence.
ICE drawdown announced by Tom Homan (Minnesota/Twin Cities)
- What happened: Former ICE chief Tom Homan announced that 700 federal immigration officers and agents will be leaving the Twin Cities area after securing agreements with an “unprecedented number” of counties allowing ICE to assume custody of certain detained immigrants directly from jails.
- Rationale: Homan said the change is more efficient and frees up resources for targeted operations; roughly 2,000 federal immigration agents and fraud-investigation teams will remain in Minnesota.
- Context: Homan met with state and local officials including Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and AG Keith Ellison.
Alleged shooter of two National Guard members appears in court
- What happened: The Afghan refugee (identified in the episode as Ramanala Lachanwal) accused of killing Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and wounding Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe in a November attack made his first federal court appearance and pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including first-degree murder.
- Next steps: The next court date is scheduled for May 6. The DOJ has announced it will seek the death penalty.
Trump meets Gustavo Petro; speaks with Xi Jinping
- Colombia: Trump met privately with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House to discuss drug trafficking and other bilateral issues. The meeting followed a period of public insults between the two leaders.
- China call: Trump posted that he had an “excellent” call with President Xi covering trade, military issues, Taiwan, the Russia–Ukraine conflict, Iran, energy purchases, and an April trip to China.
HHS $100M STREETS initiative (Kennedy)
- What happened: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a $100 million federal program — STREETS (Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-Based Treatment and Supports).
- Goal: Connect individuals with addiction to long-term recovery programs and psychiatric care; Kennedy framed it as addressing root causes and reintegration into community.
Charlie Kirk assassination case — defense raises Trump influence claim
- What happened: The defense for Tyler Robinson (accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk) argued that the Utah County Attorney’s Office sought the death penalty in response to President Trump’s public statements and pressure.
- Legal moves: Defense asked to remove the prosecutor’s office due to alleged conflict/appearance of influence and to bar video/photography during trial; prosecutor Jeffrey S. Gray denied politicization, saying actions aimed to reduce speculation and anxiety for victims.
Pentagon / Scouting America and DEI
- What happened: The Defense Department (referred to in the episode as “War Department”) warned Scouting America to roll back DEI initiatives or risk losing military support for partnerships (including the national jamboree).
- Status: Report said Scouting America has committed to a “return to core principles,” and talks are nearing a final agreement.
Washington Post restructuring and layoffs
- What happened: The Washington Post is laying off about one-third of its staff as part of a major restructuring. Changes include scaling back sports and international coverage, closing the books section, and suspending the Post Reports podcast.
- Reason: Losses of nearly $180 million over two years; goal to break even by 2026 under owner Jeff Bezos.
Culture and politics: Bad Bunny halftime controversy; Nicki Minaj on voter ID
- Bad Bunny: A petition (120k+ signatures) urged the NFL to replace Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show, citing his drag performances and perceived political stances; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stood by the booking.
- Nicki Minaj: A viral post supporting voter ID drew attention; a CNN poll referenced in the episode suggested >75% of Americans support requiring photo ID to vote.
Notable quotes (from episode)
- Tom Homan on ICE cooperation: “This is efficient… It requires only one or two officers to assume custody… rather than eight or ten officers going into the community… This is smart law enforcement, not less law enforcement.”
- RFK Jr. on addiction policy: “Addiction begins in isolation and ends in reconnection.”
Key takeaways
- California’s new congressional map will stand and likely advantage Democrats; legal challenges were declined by the Supreme Court.
- High-profile criminal cases continue to move forward: Ryan Routh received a lengthy federal sentence; the D.C. National Guard shooter faces federal murder charges and potential capital punishment.
- Immigration enforcement tactics and resource deployments are shifting in Minnesota due to county-level agreements with ICE.
- The federal government is funding a new addiction/homelessness initiative framed as a shift toward long-term recovery and community reintegration.
- Cultural flashpoints (Super Bowl performer, Scouting DEI, media layoffs) reflect ongoing national debates over politics, values, and institutional priorities.
Where to follow up
- Full coverage and deeper reporting: dailywire.com and The Daily Wire podcasts (episode referenced: “Finding Nancy Guthrie”).
- Next legal dates: alleged D.C. shooter — May 6; other cases will proceed according to local court schedules.