Skip to content 8/19/2025 Improving America’s International Relationships, While Instituting Good Policies at Home Aug 19 · 59 min ...more
8/19/2025 Improving America’s International Relationships, While Instituting Good Policies at Home
August 19, 2025 · 59 min
Jody Hice and guests investigate Trump’s meeting with EU Leaders, pulling questionable student visas, opposing an anti-parent bill in CA, banning mail-in ballots, and negotiating tariffs with China.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video August 19, 2025 · 59 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video
Jody Hice and guests investigate Trump’s meeting with EU Leaders, pulling questionable student visas, opposing an anti-parent bill in CA, banning mail-in ballots, and negotiating tariffs with China. ...more Show the full description Show less Jody Hice and guests investigate Trump’s meeting with EU Leaders, pulling questionable student visas, opposing an anti-parent bill in CA, banning mail-in ballots, and negotiating tariffs with China.
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In this video 0:00 Global Affairs and Leadership1:29 Domestic Policies and Controversies3:33 Crime Reduction and Federal Interventions4:37 Faith, Family, and Cultural Renewal29:20 Global Implications and China's Role
1:00 date for that yet. There was also talk of selling 90000000000 dollars in weapons to Ukraine and potentially giving Ukraine NATO level protections if a peace deal is signed. That's a big deal, but it comes with a big
1:12 if if that peace deal can be signed. As for Putin, he wants to keep the land he has conquered in the war so far. Besides that, there are not many concrete takeaways on a possible peace deal. The biggest
1:23 change may be that Trump and Zelensky shook hands and smiled, showing renewed unity in negotiations as the war in Ukraine continues to drag on. Meanwhile, president Trump announced a controversial
Domestic Policies and Controversies
1:35 executive order to ban mail in ballots and electronic voting machines. Of course, it's no secret that the president has major concerns about election integrity. But this order, which he announced but has not yet made
1:47 public or signed, would apparently ban states from using voting machines in the federal midterm elections next fall.
1:54 We're gonna end mail in voting. It's a fraud. If you have mail in even Jimmy Carter with this commission, they set it up. He said the 1 thing about mail in voting, you will never have an honest election if you have
2:06 mail in it. And it's time time that the Republicans get tough and stop it because the Democrats want it. It's the only way they can get elected.
2:15 That order would almost certainly be challenged in court and faces an uphill legal battle if it is. However, any changes could have a major impact on future elections. Now
2:27 turning to a shocking story. In Virginia, a girl identifying as a transgender boy went into the boys' locker room. 2 boys complained naturally that they felt uncomfortable. But get
2:39 this, the boys who complained were suspended. By the way, the trans athlete was reportedly recording video inside the locker room. This happened in Loudoun County Public Schools, 1 of the
2:51 wealthiest districts in Virginia just outside Washington DC. They have defied the Trump administration's executive order on transgender bathrooms and locker rooms. It's a standoff, and federal money is at stake.
3:03 The school says the boys who complained are guilty of sexual harassment and discrimination. Keep in mind that this is the same school where a boy wearing a skirt allegedly assaulted a female student in
3:15 the girl's bathroom. The Trump administration says the school is violating title 9, which means they can lose their funding. But this case and whether the school will be defunded will likely all be worked out in the
3:27 courts. However, it could be ground 0 for the fight over trans policies in public schools nationwide. And for our last story, federal law enforcement is making hundreds of
Crime Reduction and Federal Interventions
3:39 arrests, which includes an alleged MS 13 gang member as part of the federal takeover of DC police. In fact, a national guardsman stopped an assault, near the capital just over the weekend. Attorney
3:51 general Pam Bondi said that so far they've made 465 arrests and seized 68 illegal firearms. The DC police union said crime's already down 8 percent. In fact, carjacking has
4:02 dropped 83 percent, and violent crime is down 22 percent. But the feds only have a few weeks left to run the city unless congress extends the 30 day window. No word yet
4:14 on if they're gonna do so. And those are today's stories. I'm Casey Harper. You can dive deeper with the Washington stand at washington stand dot com. Better yet, download the stand firm mobile app
4:26 where you can watch this and other news. There's a lot of great content on there for you. Up next is Washington Watch with Jody Heiss, and we are back tomorrow with more stories that matter.
Faith, Family, and Cultural Renewal
4:52 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington, DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and sound bites into conversations with our nation's leaders and
5:03 newsmakers, all from a biblical worldview. Sitting in for Tony is today's host, Jody Hice.
5:11 Well, good afternoon, and welcome to this Tuesday edition of Washington Watch. Glad to have you on board with us. I am Jody Heise, senior fellow here at the Family Research Council. An honor to be filling in
5:23 for Tony this month. We've got a lot to bring your way today. Let me unfold the highlights. As you are well aware by now, there's been a lot of optimism following yesterday's historic
5:35 White House meeting, a peace summit between Ukrainian president and other key European leaders. And now reportedly, there are arrangements being made for a meeting between
5:47 Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian president Vladimir Putin.
5:53 Following the encouraging conversations yesterday, president Trump spoke with president Putin by phone, and he agreed to begin the next phase of the peace process, a meeting between president Putin and president
6:03 Zelensky, which would be followed if necessary by a trilateral meeting between president Putin, president Zelensky, and president Trump.
6:13 That was White House press secretary Caroline Levitt speaking to reporters earlier today, and I'll get an assessment of all the latest developments in the Russia Ukraine war when I'm joined in
6:25 just a few moments by Utah congressman Burgess Owens. And later in the program, I'll be speaking with Asia expert Gordon Chang to discuss what China is gleaning from
6:37 the ongoing US led diplomatic efforts to stop Russia's war in Ukraine. Specifically, we're gonna be talking about how might China, be affected in terms
6:49 of what they're wanting to do in Taiwan. So we've we've got a lot to talk about, and we'll bring that your way a little bit later in the program. Meanwhile, in domestic news, right now as we speak,
7:01 literally thousands of people are gathered outside the California State Capitol building in Sacramento to rally against a b 4 95, which is the radical bill that we've been talking a lot about.
7:14 It would undermine parental rights and create an alarming risk of child abduction and exploitation. I'll be joined by Will Estrada with the Homeschool
7:25 Legal Defense Association who is there on the ground here in just a little bit. And by the way, we also I wanna let you know we have a petition that you can sign. It is
7:37 calling on the California state leaders to reject a b 4 95, and you can sign on to that and help us with a powerful voice. Simply text the word parents to 6
7:49 7 7 4 2. That's parents to 6 7 7 4 2. And then lastly, we have an executive order that is being crafted right now by the Trump administration
8:01 that could pave the way for the elimination of mail in voting.
8:06 You can never have a real democracy with mail in ballots, and we, as a Republican party, are gonna do everything possible that we get rid of mail in ballots. We're gonna start with an
8:18 executive order that's being written right now by the best lawyers in the country to end mail in ballots because they're corrupt.
8:27 That, of course, was president Trump. He was speaking yesterday to reporters, and I'll be discussing this potential executive order a little bit later in the program when I'm joined by Cleta Mitchell. She's the
8:39 founder of the Election Integrity Network. So do you don't wanna wanna miss any part of the day. We've got a lot of breaking news to bring your way. And, if by chance you do miss any
8:51 of it, you can always go to our website, tony perkins dot com, and catch up. Also, I wanna encourage you. Don't forget, coming up October seventeenth and eighteenth in Chino Hills, California, our pray vote stand
9:03 summit. You can go right after the program to pray vote stand dot org for more details, and we certainly wanna encourage you to do that. Alright. Let's jump into our program
9:15 tonight. Efforts, as I mentioned a moment ago, efforts are to end the Russia Ukraine war continue to progress. Specifically, they seem to be in high gear ever since president
9:26 Trump's latest series of historic meetings. And now arrangements, at least reportedly, are being made for a meeting between Russia president Putin and Ukrainian president Zelensky.
9:38 So are we really potentially close to seeing an end to this 3 and a half year war? Well, joining me now to discuss this and more is congressman Burgess Owens. He's the vice chair of the
9:50 House Education and Workforce Committee. He represents the fourth congressional district of Utah. Congressman Owens, always an honor to have you on Washington Watch. Welcome back.
10:01 Jody, same here, I'm afraid. Look forward to chatting with you. Absolutely.
10:05 Alrighty. So let's, let me just start by getting your assessment of the meetings that president Trump has had, on this Russia Ukraine war. First, on Friday last week with Putin and then
10:17 yesterday with Zelensky and other European leaders. What's your thoughts with how this is progressing?
10:23 Well, I'm going to tie, into a little bit of my football experience. I've never seen anything like the the force of president Trump since the Al Davis days. He is a remarkable leader. He's a genius when it
10:35 comes down to business, a genius when it comes down to, negotiating, and it's time for us all to respect that. And I think that's what's happened with the Republican Party, our conference. We we still have a lot of
10:45 different ways we approach it. As you know, we we approach approach things in different ways based on our conference, based on our, on folks that we're actually desperate, that we're we're we're supporting. But when we
10:55 see someone that we can trust, his instincts, his focus, and the results, then we kinda come we come in and and and go with that strategy. So I see right now, something's happened that we have been waiting for for a long
11:07 time. The the the end of the day, Jody, is stopping the killing of innocent lives, killing of innocent people. And, president Trump has the the respect from those around the world that can now stand with
11:19 him and say, let's get this thing done with. And I think, Putin's gonna actually respect that also in the process.
11:25 Yeah. It's very interesting. I thought, even Putin in a a joint press conference, Friday that that he had along with president Trump. He actually confirmed that that there would not have even been
11:37 a war in Ukraine had Trump been in office rather than Joe Biden. I thought that was extremely interesting coming from Putin himself. What were your thoughts on that?
11:46 Well, people respect strength. I mean, it comes down to that. Our enemies, our friends, there's there's something about about strength that we look to, that we take comfort in, and
11:58 we also wanna be weary of if we're if we're up and going up against it. So I'm not surprised, what what president Trump has done in the last 6 months and
12:05 in the
12:06 last 8 months now, it has proven to everyone that he's gonna get things accomplished 24 7. He's put together a remarkable team that understands how to use our greatest strengths, which now is our economy. You know? Yeah.
12:17 We have the the the the greatest, middle class in the history of mankind. We understand that it comes from from the desire of freedom and and innovation and innovation and growth. And he's gonna he, our president truly
12:29 respects that. He's gonna make sure that everyone around the world who wants to take advantage of our middle class, our consumer base, can, has has a way of of of paying for that. And sometimes it's just a matter of
12:39 sitting back, respecting the fact we want some we want peace around the world and being partners with us in that process. So it's exciting to see what's going on. And and I'll say it's good, Jordan. I'm so glad that I'm
12:49 here during this moment to take take a little bit of part, in this remarkable time that we're going through.
12:55 Yeah. It really is a historical moment in which we're living and seeing all this unfold. It it is it is not surprising, I'll put it that way, to me, but nonetheless
13:07 still shocking to see how in spite of all the positive developments that are underway, there are still those in the legacy media as well as certainly those within the Democratic
13:19 Party who are absolutely not satisfied with what president Trump has done. In fact, they're even criticizing in many of them. What do you make of the left's response when
13:31 we see so many issues that are happening in different places all around the world that are being resolved due to the diplomatic efforts of president Trump?
13:42 Jody, this is, what happens when Marxists see their power being pulled away from them. It's mashing of teeth. They are totally without wisdom. They are frantic. No. This has had not happened to
13:54 them. They they have have seen for decades a slow progression to finally get to where they can control our country, that they can take away the hopes and the dreams of our of our nation. And they're finding 1 person, 1
14:03 man that shows up, puts a team around him, and they're losing it within 8 months. So so they're not they're not going to, to to like what he's doing because what he's doing is for the American people. He's cleaning up
14:15 crime. He's stopping, those who who do harm to our country from coming into our country. They're looking at that that middle class I talked about at at at looking at them and appreciating who they are and giving them the
14:26 ability to build a dream. So, don't expect anything from the left. I would hope, This is what I'm hoping. Is that those good Democrats who love our nation, who've been fooled in the past because it's hard, Marx has left.
14:36 Realize who you're you're partnered up with and get away from them. Become independent. Have have that place where you can you can look at what's best for for you and your family and your future and vote in that regard.
14:46 Do not vote for this hard leftist that's actually trying to destroy our country. And it been it had been doing a good job of dividing us up until this point before president Trump, came back to office.
14:57 Well, there's a lot of folks out there hoping right along with you that what you said will become a reality. Congressman Burgess Owens, if I can switch gears on you, you are, vice
15:08 chair of the House Education Workforce Committee. I wanted to get your take on the Trump administration's crackdown on college campuses. Specifically, it was reported this week that, since
15:20 the start here of Trump's second administration, more than 6000 foreign student visas have been revoked due to everything from visa overstays to multiple
15:32 encounters from the law, from multiple, different activities. But what what is the message that you hope students from overseas are hearing right now from this administration?
15:45 Very, very simple. It's an honor. It's a privilege, to come to this country, to take advantage of this remarkable society and culture we have. If you blow it, go back home. If you don't appreciate it, go back home. It's
15:57 like any of us owning a property and opening a door and inviting our guests to come in. If they decide they want to start demonstrating outside of our household that they do not own, then we're gonna make sure they don't
16:07 come back in that household. So it's it's really common sense. It's appreciation for who we are. It's not, taking this idea that you're entitled. This entitlement process that we do not have to get past, and that's
16:18 something we've been our kids been trained for quite a while. We have to get past it because it makes everybody around these entitled people miserable. So we're going to, get back to those who come here, come for a
16:28 reason. They come for a period of time. They come here legally, and they come here appreciating the
16:32 great opportunity they have to
16:32 live in this country. And when they leave here, they leave here talking with American people and the and the system that allows them to move forward. So I'm excited about it. And, again, this is president Trump at
16:44 his best getting our culture back to to to bottom line. I'm excited about it again, seeing this and, and and those who don't want to come here and and praise and be excited about it, you know, go someplace else. Go back
16:54 home, and, we'll be okay with that too.
16:57 Yeah. And yet again, we're watching the Democrats push back on on all of this. So again, it just never stops. There's nothing this president could do that would that would please them. While we have just a a a less than
17:08 a couple of minutes left, I wanted to get your take on, president Trump's efforts to make DC safe again. How is that, coming? Your your thoughts on that.
17:19 Oh, my goodness. This is a game changer. What's happening now is American people are beginning to feel and see what it is for a leader to really care for them. And what's I think it's gonna be in DC itself. Keep in mind,
17:30 these folks are kinda take for granted. They're living in fear. It's just the way it is. Now they're seeing that it doesn't have to be this way. And guess what's gonna happen next go around when it comes down to voting?
17:38 They're gonna vote for themselves. They're gonna vote for safety, of the idea of having freedom and and and knowing their kids are safe. This is a game changer for so many Americans. And I'll tell you what. Again, the
17:48 Democrats on the other side the wrong side of this issue because they surely could care less about the American people. They love to have, anger and the dizziness and fear and hopelessness, and that's not the American
17:59 way. So, DC is an example of how we're gonna transit trans transition to a truly America first country. And, I'm looking forward again to seeing how this works out also as we move forward.
18:12 Well, based on the stats that are already coming out on this, they're already not only a lot of arrests, but crime is already coming down, and, it couldn't happen quickly
18:23 enough. Thank you so much, Utah congressman Burgess Owens. Always great to see you, and thank you for coming on and joining us this evening on Washington Watch.
18:32 Thank you, Jody. Thank you, my friend. And talk to you soon. All the best.
18:36 Alrighty. Thank you. Alright. Coming up, we're gonna go live to California where thousands right now are rallying against a radical and dangerous bill. So stay tuned. We'll bring it your
18:48 way right after the break.
18:57 A family is the oldest, most tested, and most reliable unit of society. It is divinely created and sustained. And yet, there are those who are always tampering with its values and structure.
19:09 That's why we need organizations like the Family Research Council that can effectively defend and strengthen the family.
19:16 Family Research Council began over 40 years ago, like all great movements of God, with prayer. Today, rooted in the heart of the nation's capital, FRC continues to
19:28 champion faith, family, and freedom in public policy and the culture from a biblical worldview.
19:35 FRC is 1 of those bright lights that helps us focus on true north, and I shudder to think had they not been here that it could have been worse, worse, worse.
19:45 The Family Research Council is key. It's 1 of a handful of groups that I think will determine whether our children live in a country that
19:57 enjoyed all of the freedom and all the opportunity that we enjoyed in this great land.
20:03 It's just a wonderful parachurch organization that doesn't seek to take the place of the church, but it seeks to assist the family and the church as we try to move forward
20:15 successfully, not in a defensive mode, but in an offensive mode as we seek to live our lives according to the holy scriptures.
20:24 FRC, is not gonna be whooped. You know, we're we're gonna fight. We're gonna take a stand. And, again, we don't retreat.
20:33 You will never see in front of this building here in Washington, DC, a white flag fly. We will never step back. We will never surrender, and we will never
20:45 be silent.
20:51 In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God, and the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. Family
21:03 Research Council invites you to join our Stand on the Word Bible Reading Plan as we reflect upon the life of Jesus, the word who dwelt among us. Come with us and
21:15 discover the glory of the word. Read the gospels and witness the life changing story of Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection. Come read how Jesus transformed the lives of
21:26 common people and how those same people transformed the known world through the power of the Holy Spirit. Come with us for 10 to 15 minutes a day and read the entire New Testament before the New
21:38 Year. Find our Bible reading plan and daily devotionals from Tony Perkins at frc dot org slash bible. Join us and stand on the word.
21:54 Welcome back to Washington Watch. Thank you so much for joining us today. I'm Jody Hice. An honor to be filling in for Tony. Alright. Thousands have been gathering today at
22:06 the, California state capitol in Sacramento in a rally against a a bill, AB 4 95. It's a radical bill. We've been talking a lot about
22:18 it. It would undermine parental rights and literally create an alarming risk of child abduction and exploitation. And with the pushback, literally, that
22:30 is swelling in California. We wonder if the state leaders there are getting the message. Well, joining me now from the state capital in California is
22:41 Will Estrada. He's a senior counsel for the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Will, glad to have you. Welcome back to Washington Watch.
22:50 Well, congressman, thank you so much for having me on. It's a privilege to be with you.
22:55 You're welcome.
22:56 Well, it's an honor to have you, and I understand the rally is actually wrapping up right now. And I wanna get your take on that and what what it was like there today. But before I do that, let me just
23:07 reiterate have you reiterate for our viewers and listeners, why your organization is among a host of others who are opposed to this bill.
23:18 Yeah. Well, we were founded in 19 83. Back then, homeschooling was illegal in many of the 50 states. You have had parents being persecuted for homeschooling,
23:30 facing jail time. And through the work of homeschool legal defense and our allies, state leaders, and really just brave, engaged parents like the thousands who came out today, homeschooling is now legal in
23:42 all 50 states. It's legal in California. But this bill threatens all of that. AB 4 95 won't just affect homeschool parents. It'll affect private school parents, public school parents,
23:54 every single person with their parental rights. And what I said here in a few minutes ago in the rally was quite simply, it comes between the parent child relationship. We go back to the ancient Jewish and Christian
24:05 scriptures that god created the family, and the family came first before government. Free political is what our founders said. And that this bill, would come between that. The US Supreme Court for a
24:17 hundred and 2 years has said that parental rights are fundamental. First in the case of, Meyer versus Nebraska, then Pierce versus Society of Sisters in 19 25 where the Supreme Court said
24:29 that the child is not the mere creature of the state. 19 72, Wisconsin versus Yoder. 2000, Trucks versus Granville, and just recently, a few months ago, in the case of Mahmoud versus Taylor, where the US
24:41 Supreme Court struck down and said that parents do have the right to up their kids out of, curriculum that violates their their religious freedom in Montgomery County. So we heard from numerous legislators,
24:53 numerous speakers. There were about 3 to 4000 people who came out. It's a very hot day here in Sacramento. It was incredibly inspiring to see this, and I think the California senate and governor Newsom are getting the
25:02 message. Senate and governor Newsom are getting the message.
25:07 Well, that's what I wanted to ask you. What kind of response, do you think this is receiving? What what where is the bill right now? What's the latest on bill, and,
25:20 what do you think is the future for it?
25:23 Well, the bill kinda sailed through under the radar in the assembly. It's already passed the California assembly, and now it's in the senate. It's gone through numerous committee meetings. And yesterday,
25:35 in the appropriations committee, the California senate appropriations committee could have sent the bill onto the full senate. But instead, they put it on the suspension file. So we are still waiting
25:47 to see what could happen. Of course, the California Democrats have a super majority. At any point, they could move the bill off the suspension file, send it to the full senate floor. But right
25:58 now, it's still on the suspension file. I think that's a good sign.
25:58 There is still the suspension file. I think that's a good sign. There is still hope. Today, just seeing the thousands of people who came out, we're hearing that the California senate is getting phone calls, that
26:10 governor Newsom's office is getting phone calls. And so, congressman, I'm I'm a I'm an optimist. I still think that there are engaged parents here, and we're calling on everyone to call their California senators,
26:22 call governor Newsom's office, and say reject a b 4 95. But as I closed in my remarks, if the California senate does pass this bill, if governor Newsom does sign it into law,
26:34 then rest assured, we and our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom and ACLJ and First Liberty and, all the the, conservative legal law firms out there along with homeschool legal
26:46 defense, we will zealously defend parental rights. I'm a California licensed attorney. I'm proud to represent
26:58 for rental rights.
27:00 Great to hear. Great to hear. Tell me what was the attitude of the people who attended the rally today. Were they as hopeful and optimistic as you? Was it a a good,
27:12 morale boosting time? What was it like?
27:15 It was 1 of the most inspiring rallies I've ever been to. I've been to many. I've spoken at many. I've been in Illinois. I've been in New Jersey and other states, but it really, pastor Jack Hibbs with Calvary
27:27 Chapel, he really set the stage and said, we need to pray for our legislators. We need to pray for all of them whether we voted for them or not. That was encouraging and inspiring. The crowd was revved up. The we
27:39 heard from numerous legislators as well. So if I could, you know, characterize it in 1 word, it would be upbeat, ready to go, and make their voices heard.
27:51 That's awesome. We had pastor Jack on with us just yesterday, and, he did an amazing job laying this out. And as a result, literally, who knows how many thousands and thousands of people fasting
28:03 and praying for you and the others right there today. In our closing minute or so, what are some action steps that you would give to our viewing and listening audience right now? What can
28:15 they do at this point?
28:18 The main thing right now is is for California listeners, call your California center senator. Respectfully, politely, but firmly tell them to please reject a b 4
28:30 95 because of how the bill comes between the parent child relationship. That's probably the most important thing right now, but you can also call governor Newsom's office. Obviously, we know that the governor is
28:42 watching this closely. And I think today's rally on the steps in Sacramento sent a message that California parents, whether they're Republican, Democrat, Latino, white, black,
28:53 rich, poor, suburban, urban, rural, they do not want the government coming between them and their precious children. So call your state senator, call your governor, and tell them to reject a b 4 95. For our
29:05 listeners in other states, please pray. Pray and encourage people to get their message out.
29:13 Thank you so much, Will Estrada, senior counsel for the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. And by the way, let me just say again, we have a petition that our viewers can signShow more
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