Real America’s Voice: America’s Voice Live with Steve Gruber (Terrence Bates Guest Hosting) – February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of America’s Voice Live focuses on fast-moving, high-stakes stories at the intersection of American policy, security, and values. The main theme is the explosive surge in cartel violence across Mexico after the U.S.-backed killing of the notorious cartel boss "El Mencho." The show features live field reporting from Mexico, expert analysis on the implications for border security and U.S. interests, legal dissection of a landmark Supreme Court tariff ruling, and discussion of U.S. preparedness against transnational criminal threats.

The episode maintains the channel's trademark tone: unfiltered, forthright, and distinctly skeptical of conventional narratives.

Host: Terrence Bates (filling in for Steve Gruber)
Key Guests:

• Oscar L. Blue Ramirez (RAV correspondent, live from Mexico)
• Lt. Col. Allen West (former Congressman, ACRU Executive Director)
• Alan Mendenhall (Heritage Foundation, legal expert)
• Sheriff Richard Mack (Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association)

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cartel Violence Erupts after Death of ‘El Mencho’

(02:37-15:23; 36:02-42:30)

• Context: Violence is breaking out across large swathes of Mexico after the assassination of CJNG drug lord El Mencho in a Mexican military operation supported by U.S. intelligence.
• Cartels in military-style gear are burning vehicles, blocking roads, attacking civilians — a show of force not just to the Mexican government but also a warning to the U.S.

Oscar Ramirez's Live Report [05:37]:

• “Another burned vehicle by the organized crime in the cartel as a sign by the eradication and the execution of Nemesio Oseguera Diaz, better known as El Mencho, leader of the CJNG cartel…. It is a national security issue…. They are operating and… sending a message… to the United States.”

• Reports of schools shuttered, communities locked down, and scores of arrests in Tijuana (over 20) after widespread arson and violence right at the border wall.

• "People are safeguarding themselves in their homes, in cities like Tijuana, parts of Jalisco, Michoacan, and also Puerto Vallarta…” — Oscar Ramirez [10:40]

Key Insight:

• The violence is a coordinated act of terror to demonstrate ongoing cartel control — a show of strength after their leader’s death and a demand for government action.
• Mexican authorities rushed in military and police, but Oscar Ramirez warns the "collateral effect… is going to be enormous," as communities demand action.

Notable Quote:
“We have a cancer that has metastasized into the whole country… the actual cartel, it is the one that is wearing the suit and the tie, the corrupt politicians…the only administration who has got the boldness to do that has been this administration (the Trump administration).” – Oscar L. Blue Ramirez [14:29]

2. Border Security and U.S. Response

(11:07-15:23; 18:44-24:26; 36:02-42:30)

• Ongoing concern: Will violence spill across the U.S. border? Cartels now “two times stronger in territory and land… and also on… artillery” due to prior open borders, says Ramirez [12:11].
• National Guard and Border Patrol on high alert.
• Both the field correspondent (Oscar Ramirez) and guests (Lt. Col. West, Sheriff Mack) refer to the situation as an "all out war" as cartels are now militarized, possessing drones and even armored vehicles.

Expert Perspective: Lt. Col. Allen West

• Draws historical parallel to insurgency or terror groups like Taliban or al Qaeda.
• Warns about relationships with other international terrorist organizations—Hezbollah, Hamas—and the infiltration of “terrorist cells” via the southern border during Biden's administration [19:08].

Quote:
"A secure America means that we need to have a secure Mexico…during the four years of the Biden administration, Hezbollah, Hamas, whoever paid those cartels money, they would get them into the United States." – Lt. Col. Allen West [19:08]

Sheriff Richard Mack’s Arizona Border Perspective

• Predicts violence "will" or "should" spill over into U.S. border states due to “so many more sleeper cells in America than we’ve ever had before” [37:11] and deep cartel penetration.
• Describes cartels as “very sophisticated…willing to spend…millions” on tools and tunnels for human/drug trafficking.

Memorable Moment:
“I had the opportunity to crawl through one of the drug tunnels between Agua Prieta and Arizona…It really gave me a huge impression as to how much money they’re willing to spend...It was a little bit scary…” – Sheriff Mack [38:02]

• Cites university sources affirming cartel control over the Mexican government is “100%” [41:52].

3. U.S. Policy & Political Angle

(18:44-24:26; 27:03-32:53)

• Panel agrees that “corrupt politicians” in Mexico must be rooted out as a prerequisite for any real solution; current bold action attributed to President Trump.
• Lt. Col. West calls for financial isolation of cartels, disruption of their “nation-state support,” and possibly “kinetic actions” (military force) if necessary—citing Tom Clancy’s “Clear and Present Danger” as an allegory [20:55], [21:52].
• Discussion pivots to the upcoming State of the Union, with expectations that President Trump will double down on border security, tough stances on transnational crime, and draw "a clear line of delineation" between his vision and his opponents.

Key Quote:
“The fact that you have Democrat members of Congress out there upset because we are taking out these transnational criminal organizations…that’s pretty sad and pathetic.” – Lt. Col. Allen West [22:36]

Iran Briefing

• Lt. Col. West opposes negotiation with Iran, urges action for “retribution for all the actions they’ve taken in the past 47 years.” [23:32-24:19]

4. Supreme Court Tariff Ruling & Economic Policy

(27:03-32:53)

• The Supreme Court (6-3) ruled that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for tariffs exceeded presidential authority; Congress, not the president, controls tariffs under Article 1.
• Alan Mendenhall explains that Trump still has broad latitude due to other statutes (Trade Expansion Act 1962, Trade Act 1974, Smoot-Hawley Tariff 1930), calling the ruling “one tool taken away”—many remain.
• Trump, undeterred, pivots from a 10% to a 15% global tariff using different legal authorities.
• Lingering question about whether collected tariff money will be refunded remains open—likely to be litigated.

Notable Quote:
“The decision did not give any opinion whatsoever on whether tariffs are good or bad economically.... The Supreme Court basically took [the national emergency] as a given…[but] IEEPA does not give the President the power to tax or do duties or imports. That that belongs to Congress under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.” – Alan Mendenhall [28:29]

5. Winter Storm and “America the Wonderful”

(45:51-47:59; 48:59-52:06)

• Coverage of severe winter weather in the Northeast: record snow, power outages, flight cancellations—potentially impacting lawmakers’ travel for the State of the Union.
• What Makes America Wonderful segment celebrates Team USA’s hockey gold wins in Milan (first since 1984 for men); features Jack Hughes’ game-winning shot and an appearance by FBI Director Cash Patel.
• Viewer responses to “Should the US Intervene in Mexico’s cartel violence?” run the gamut from “close the border now” to advice against direct U.S. intervention unless threatened.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Oscar L. Blue Ramirez [05:37]:
  “The cartel...is sending a message not only to the Mexican people and to the Mexican government, but also to the United States... that they are going to continue.”

• Lt. Col. Allen West [19:08]:
  “...they are no different from the Taliban, al Qaeda... A secure America means that we need to have a secure Mexico…”

• Sheriff Richard Mack [41:52]:
  “I asked all 12 [Mexican professors]... How much of the Mexican government is controlled by the cartels? And all 12 answered immediately and said the exact same thing. 100%.”

• Alan Mendenhall [28:29]:
  “The Supreme Court...did not authorize the President to tariff imports during a national emergency. Tariff power belongs to Congress under Article 1, Section 8...”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cartel Violence Breaking News: 03:16–15:20
• Oscar Ramirez Field Report: 05:37–15:20
• Lt. Col. Allen West Analysis: 18:44–24:26
• Tariff Ruling / Legal Expert Alan Mendenhall: 27:03–32:51
• Border Security/Sheriff Richard Mack: 36:02–42:30
• Weather and ‘America the Wonderful’: 45:51–52:06

Podcast Tone & Language

The show is direct and urgent, blending ground reports with pointed analysis. Language is plainspoken, with frequent warnings and forceful critique of "corrupt politicians," soft border policies, and the "legacy media." There is consistent glorification of President Trump’s toughness and skepticism of establishment solutions, along with genuine concern for national security.

Summary: What We Learn

• The death of El Mencho has thrown Mexico into chaos, showing the enduring power of cartels and the escalation of narco-militarization.
• Both the U.S. and Mexican states are on high alert; guests warn of the real possibility that violence and cartel influence could spill over into the U.S.
• There’s a consensus among guests and the show itself that the solution lies in taking aggressive, uncompromising action against both criminal elements and their political enablers.
• Supreme Court limited presidential tariff powers under certain laws, but Trump is quickly adapting using other authorities.
• Severe winter storms are battering the Northeast, and while America faces crisis, moments of triumph (Team USA gold) remind listeners “what makes America wonderful.”

Useful For:

• Anyone seeking a blow-by-blow account of how the U.S. conservative media is interpreting border security, organized crime, and U.S.-Mexico relations.
• Listeners wanting insights into real-time political and legal maneuvering on major policy fronts.
• Audiences interested in the crossover of crime, politics, and national identity in 2026 America.