Breaking Point with David Zere - January 10, 2026

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Breaking Point with David Zier

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: David Zier
Episode Date: January 10, 2026
Guest/Contributors: Anna Giaritelli (Washington Examiner), Scott Bessant (Treasury Secretary)

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Overview

This episode of “Breaking Point with David Zier” delivers ground-level reporting from New York and Minnesota on key current events shaping American politics and society. The show covers the arrest and arraignment of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant’s financial literacy push among students, an in-depth discussion on border security and immigration enforcement with Anna Giaritelli, and a Minneapolis community’s response to a fatal ICE encounter. The episode maintains a focus on American values, economic growth, and the complex realities of law enforcement and immigration.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reporting on Maduro's Arraignment: Voices from the Venezuelan Diaspora

Timestamp: 01:25 – 03:50

• David Zier reports from outside the Patrick Moynihan US District Court in Manhattan, covering the arraignment of Nicolás Maduro.
• Interviews with exiled Venezuelans reveal the immense hardship and oppression under Maduro’s regime, and the sense of justice found in his arrest.
• “We have 20 years in this situation of my country... We tried election, we tried protest and neither work. So this is the only way to make justice.” — Miguel, Venezuelan exile (03:03)
• Discussion of counter-protests, the authenticity of demonstrators, and the hope for Venezuelan oil and national recovery.

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2. Financial Literacy & Economic Opportunity: Scott Bessant’s School Tour

Timestamp: 03:50 – 13:14, 28:16 – 39:22

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant speaks at Providence Academy, engaging high schoolers on Trump-era economic principles, personal finance, investing, debt management, and alternative career paths.
• Cautions young people about predatory credit offers:
  “A huge amount of financial literacy is what not to do... Running up a lot of debt is the thing you can't do.” — Scott Bessant (05:02)
• Advocates for thoughtful college decision-making and considers trade schools as viable, lucrative pathways:
  “We just made it like it was college or bust. I think that’s wrong.” — Scott Bessant (06:13)
• Warns about cyber and fintech risks as teens enter a world of digital payments and investing, but trumpets U.S. innovation:
  “No one innovates like Americans... In Europe they’re stuck in the past, China innovates but only as far as the Communist Party allows.” — Scott Bessant (10:57)
• At the Economic Club in Minneapolis, Bessant promotes tax cuts, “Trump accounts,” main street revivals, and the need for interest rate cuts.
• “The key ingredient that's missing from the economy right now are the interest rate cuts.” — David Zier summarizing Bessant (28:16)
• Scott Bessant reiterates Trump’s economic agenda:
  “Investment, innovation, and income... President Trump has charted the course for economic renewal. Now it's up to individual states to follow it.” — Scott Bessant (31:17)

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3. Interview: Anna Giaritelli on Border Security and ICE Enforcement

Timestamp: 14:29 – 26:10

• Anna Giaritelli discusses border trends:
  • “Crossings” are down 90%, but the focus has shifted to apprehending evasive individuals, many of whom are “known gang members… cartel and terror organizations.” (16:14)
  • ICE arrests: 70% of 595,000 recent arrests have criminal histories in the U.S.; the remaining often have serious records in home countries (e.g., aggravated homicide, terror ties). (18:11)
• Details recent ICE crackdowns, including targeted roadside stops of commercial truck drivers, and state-level licensing loopholes allowing non-citizens to receive commercial driving credentials.
• Criticizes inconsistencies in state/federal policy (“green light” laws) and the risks posed to public safety:
  “I think it goes back to this double standard... The public is right to be concerned. Ultimately, it puts public safety at risk.” — Anna Giaritelli (23:27)
• Promotes her upcoming book and continued border reporting.

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4. Community Reaction: Minneapolis ICE Shooting

Timestamp: 44:33 – 52:07

• Zier visits Portland Avenue in Minneapolis after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE, engaging in dialogues with local residents.
• Residents express skepticism toward law enforcement justifications and voice distrust of ICE:
  “Why would you shoot somebody?... They could have done better, but they chose not to.” — Local Resident (46:46)
• Debate over criminality and deportation:
  • Local residents challenge claims about the number of immigrants with criminal records, citing personal and community bonds and the nation’s immigrant legacy.
  • Discussion becomes heated on the line between legal/illegal immigration and what constitutes justice:
    “If they committed a crime, it’s a different story... For those of us who believe in justice should never rest.” — Local Resident (47:39, 50:33)
• Residents resolve to keep protesting until “justice is served.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. intervention in Venezuela:
  “We tried election, we tried protest and neither work. So this is the only way to make justice.” — Miguel, Venezuelan exile (03:03)

• On Financial Literacy:
  “A huge amount of financial literacy is what not to do... Running up a lot of debt is the thing you can't do.” — Scott Bessant (05:02)

• On Alternatives to College:
  “Why are you going to college? What do you want to accomplish? Is the trade the right thing?” — Scott Bessant (06:13)

• On U.S. Tech Innovation:
  “No one innovates like Americans... In Europe they’re stuck in the past, China innovates but only as far as the Communist Party allows.” — Scott Bessant (10:57)

• On Immigration Enforcement:
  “70%... are people who have criminal histories in the United States.” — Anna Giaritelli (18:11)

• On the Green Light Law:
  “It goes back to this double standard... Ultimately, it puts public safety at risk.” — Anna Giaritelli (23:27)

• On Community Grievance:
  “Let’s this country be divided as you wanted... We will not work, we will not send our kids to school.” — Local Resident (49:37)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Maduro Arraignment and Venezuelan Voices: 01:25 – 03:50
• Scott Bessant on Financial Literacy (Student Q&A): 05:02 – 13:14; 28:16 – 39:22
• Anna Giaritelli Interview on Border Security and Immigration: 14:29 – 26:10
• Minneapolis ICE Shooting – Community Perspective: 44:33 – 52:07
• Economic Club Address and “Three I’s” Doctrine: 28:16 – 32:56

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Conclusion

This episode blends on-the-ground reporting, candid interviews, expert commentary, and heated community dialogue, painting a robust picture of America at a transformative and divisive moment. The interplay between economic empowerment, security, and justice emerges as a central theme, with strong views on the responsibilities of government, the immigrant experience, and the American Dream.

Listeners are left with a mix of hope, concern, and a call to civic participation—an unmistakable through-line in Real America’s Voice content.

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Transcript

[David Zier]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Public Podcast Announcer]

Guaranteed Human support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year. You can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It's it screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member finra SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com disclosures.

[David Zier]

I was on the ground in lower Manhattan outside the Patrick Moynihan US District Court and that was in the courthouse for the Maduro arraignment. This was just an incredible turn of events here and outside there were protesters, but the counter protesters who suffered under Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro shared stories with me about their experience and for their families. Check out Miguel from Venezuela. Can I just get a quick comment about why you support the arrest of Maduro?

[Scott Bessant]

Unsupports arrest because we have 20 years and this situation of my country and we made all the way to take this and nobody works. So for now the only.

[David Zier]

So he made it worse and a lot of people fled the country, right?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yeah.

[David Zier]

So what about these protesters over here? Do they know what they're talking about?

[Scott Bessant]

Bro, they haven't paid it for that. They are not Venezuela.

[David Zier]

You think they're paid opposition?

[Scott Bessant]

Yeah.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yeah.

[Scott Bessant]

They don't. Big Spanish. So that's a circle.

[David Zier]

Did you. You lived in Venezuela? Yeah. When did you come here?

[Scott Bessant]

Eight years ago.

[David Zier]

Eight years ago. Right about the time. About a few years after Maduro took power, Right?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yeah.

[Scott Bessant]

End of 2017.

[David Zier]

Why did you flee? Economic conditions? Oppression.

[Scott Bessant]

Oppression by the Protest in the 2017.

[David Zier]

What's your first name?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Miguel.

[David Zier]

Miguel, yeah. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. So yeah. So these people are uninformed about Maduro. What about the legalities of taking Maduro? What about the legalities of taking Maduro? You think the US had the right to do that?

[Scott Bessant]

I think it's the right thing because it's the only thing. It's the only way that take off the Maduro. We try election, we try protest and don't neither work. So this is the only way to make justice.

[David Zier]

Are you looking forward to the oil industry finally making progress, profit, Sorry. Are you looking forward to the oil industry getting a. A rebound Cuz it's very depressed about.

[Scott Bessant]

The oil in this moment. I think the more important thing is that start the ways to a freer.

[Public Podcast Announcer]

Country to have a freer country and.

[Scott Bessant]

Restructure all the industry. And that point we can start to speak about the oil.

[David Zier]

Do you know anybody who suffered any oppression under Maduro?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yeah, of course.

[Scott Bessant]

All family. All my friends.

[David Zier]

Friends.

[Scott Bessant]

Lift up.

[David Zier]

Okay. Thank you, Miguel.

[Scott Bessant]

Thank you.

[David Zier]

We were on the ground here in Minneapolis, Minnesota following Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen. He visited the Providence academy, a private K 12 Catholic high school. He addressed the freshmen through senior class about financial literacy through Trump era economic principles and smart saving, strategic investing and responsible financial decision making and how personal fiscal discipline strengthens the future national economy and empowering America's younger generation to contribute to long term economic growth. He addressed a class body of about 350 people and he did a Q and A. And man, were these kids smart. Smarter than when I were at the Catholic school, I got to tell you. But these kids are really engaged and they ask great questions. And the stock was designed to educate next generation on financial responsibility, including savings strategy, investment fundamentals and sound money habits that will bolster America's economic future. Really important stuff. It's time that kids, you know, take responsibility again in America. And Treasury Secretary Bessen delivering that message. Check this out.

[Scott Bessant]

For college students and a lot from students who are on financial aid, students from underserved communities. And I tell you, it is poison that you show up in the college campus and there's American Express or there's a Visa and they're going to give you a credit card and you've never had a credit card before, you've never been away from home before and all of a sudden you're maxed out of the credit card and you're going to have to drop out of college or your folks aren't able to, you don't have folks with the resources to help you. So a lot of that, a huge amount of financial literacy is what not to do, what not to do. And I can tell you, running up a lot of debt is the thing you can't do.

[David Zier]

Hi, Mr. Jointeri, my name is Cecilia.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Kieran and I'm a senior here at Providence.

[Scott Bessant]

And my question for you is what.

[David Zier]

Advice would you give high school students.

[Scott Bessant]

And their families on evaluating the true cost of college and alternative career paths and student loans? Well, I think one of the things we did in the US was for a long period, we, we just made like it was college or bust. And I think that's wrong that I have Cape Medding, my college roommate at Yale, his son doesn't want to go to college. He's going to become an airline pilot. He'll be making $300,000 in tenure. And the we had the CEO of the United Airlines and Trefury a couple months ago. They have over 100 pilots who make more than a million dollars a year. So why are you going to college? What do you want to accomplish? Is it that you want to be a more rounded learner, that you want to study liberal arts? Are you going for, for trade? Is the trade the right thing? Because I said with South Carolina that always near the bottom of bright use in education levels. But one thing South Carolina is great at is technical schools. And so Bowen, when they were considering nationally where to move their second assembly line, they have a giant assembly line up in Washington state. And they came to South Carolina because South Carolina had trade schools. And every employee who showed up at BOEING ON DAY 1 already knew how to do their job because of the trade school. So look, I think you should be smart about what you want to do. You should also think when you're choosing schools, state school versus private school, is it worth it in terms of student loans? Is it better to come out about student loans? Is it better to push because you want to go to a private school? Is it better to live at home first is better? It's a complex calculus. But I, I do think that you do have to have this economic model in the back of your head about what are you doing? Why are you doing it? Hi, Secretary Basset, My name is Bella.

[David Zier]

Parish and my question is, with the.

[Scott Bessant]

Rise of digital payments, fine tech apps and online investing, what new risks and.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Opportunities should financial education address for teens?

[Scott Bessant]

That's a great question because all you are digital natives here. I'll ask a question the answer to anyone not have a phone? What so, so it could imagine people didn't used to have phones.

[Anna Giaritelli]

And.

[Scott Bessant]

I was watching over the break, I was watching a movie from the 1950s with my children and my daughter turned me and said, God, we want this to smoke. And it just seems so foreign. And I had a feeling that in 34 years I'm going to look back and now you see everyone has a phone and no one will have cotton. It will be a chip, it will be something. But that in terms of financial literacy, fintech, it is very important because this is moving so fast. Well, like I said that you used to have this idea of paper checks. Checks or on the way out, we're trying to get rid of them at the federal government. And on the one side it's much more efficient, on the other side being smart on cyber, if you were to ask, maybe somebody's going to ask a question, what do you think one of the biggest risks are cyber, that a bad actor could come in and shut down the financial system that you could be scanned online in terms of. And the more AI there is, the more of that, the more you just gotta be ready for it. So. But it's also a lot of opportunity that payments are gonna move faster. Used to be I got my paycheck and it took five days before I got credited in my account. Now direct deposit, your money is working for you right away. There's a company now that is doing a program for workers who get paid every two weeks. They will actually put the money in your account every day. So there's a lot of innovation. And I can tell you, and this is not because we're American, no one innovates like Americans that I travel the world and in Europe they're stuck in the past. China, they innovate, but they have the binding constraint of the Chinese Communist party. They will only let them innovate in certain directions. And in the US if you have a good idea, then there is no place to be able to monetize or make that work like the US as.

[David Zier]

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[Public Podcast Announcer]

Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stock, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member finra SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com disclosures.

[David Zier]

Hey everybody, welcome back to Breaking Point. I'm David Zier. I want to thank you for joining us again today. I have a great reporter for you today. Her name is Anna Giaritelli and she's the Washington Examiner's Homeland Security reporter. Anna, Happy New Year. Welcome to the show.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Happy New Year, David. Thanks for having me.

[David Zier]

Yes, yes, it's great to have you. Tell me a little bit about yourself. I know you've been to the border a lot and tell us about what you're up to.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yeah, I've been with the examiner for 10 years and covered homeland security, immigration and border issues since 2018. So saw the border at historic lows when President Trump took office the first time and was down on the border living in Texas actually during the Biden administration and continued to visit the border. We'll be going next week and the week after a total of 60 times. So have been all over the country and seen, really, how the policies in Washington impact border communities and migrants and like we're seeing now, the interior of the United States as well.

[David Zier]

Yeah. I was down on the border in 2019 with Ben Berkwam and others, you know, who's done extraordinary work for Rav. And, you know, it was really crazy. You know, they would send a family across the Rio Grande down here and then run AK47s at the top of the hill or drugs, you know, and it's a game. Right. And the reconnaissance, following our choppers and all that stuff, spider holes everywhere. But that has stopped to a large degree, at least. The illegals crossing the border tell us what our threats are right now.

[Anna Giaritelli]

You know, the threat at the southern border is just as serious right now. You don't have as many, anywhere near as many. It's down over 90% people crossing and surrendering to border patrol agents on the southern border. You have the same people crossing from countries all over the world, but they're trying to get away, they're trying to evade arrest. And those are people who have been deported from the United States, who are known gang members, who are parts of cartel and terror organizations. And so, you know, when I went down to the border the first. The first time after President Trump took office this year, it was the first time ever that border patrol and I did not see a single person crossing. And what the agent said to me was, they're still crossing. They're just trying to get away with it. And when I spoke with the head of Border patrol two weeks ago, he said to me, our goal under the Trump administration now is we don't get a single got away that we don't see someone on camera and we aren't able to apprehend them. It's to apprehend every single person that is attempting to cross into the United States. And he believes that they're getting very close to that point.

[David Zier]

Yeah, it's amazing. And how many lives have been saved by the Trump administration in the last year. It's got to be tens of thousands. I know, I know that murders are down like 10% nationwide, 12% for property crimes, other crimes down. And then take in the drug overdoses that may have not happened. Right. Because of the interdiction of what's going on with fentanyl coming across. You know, I wish they'd get more credit and there'd be some honesty out there about that. But the people that they're arresting, right, that ice is going after, when they say 7 out of 10 have criminal past or criminal records. Does that mean here or where they were from or both or one of the other?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yeah, you're asking the right question. So to date, ICE has arrested about 595,000 people in the United States since Trump took office. Seventy percent of that figure are people who have criminal histories in the United States. And when I say criminal histories, that means people who were convicted of a crime, and then people who have been arrested and charged but not convicted, they're still in jail, they're awaiting proceedings, maybe they're out on bail. And so seven in 10 of that, almost 600,000 do have some type of criminal background. And what I shared with me when we ran this story last week was the 30% that's not in that category. That looks like just non criminal, innocent, caught up in the country illegally, but otherwise no other crime. What they were sharing were examples of people in that category who they don't have a crime pass here, but they are wanted. In one example, Uzbekistan, he was a commercial truck driver, got pulled over in the United States for driving a truck, and he had a terror tie back to Uzbekistan, so now he's being sent there. Another example was someone who was wanted back in, I believe, El Salvador for aggravated homicide. No criminal record here. Right. But back in his home country, he had a pretty serious record, and his home country wanted him back to face charges. So it's not even as simple to say 70% are people with criminal histories. It really goes pretty deep.

[David Zier]

Okay, can you address the recent Homeland Security and ICE arrests of all the truckers from a couple of days ago, there were like over 100 commercial drivers. We know these terrible accidents in California and in Florida, where Indian descent, South Asian Indian descent, got driver's licenses. In California, I believe both of them without any, you know, they're not legal. Can you address that crackdown?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Sure thing. So the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ice, has decided to go about looking for illegal immigrants in kind of unusual ways. And this is a way that ICE has not historically gone after illegal immigrants. They're trying to increase those arrest numbers as quickly as possible. And so rather than going after one person at a time, they're going after large numbers of people. So, for example, in Indiana, they had a truck stop. And so every commercial truck coming through on the highway was being stopped and their documents verified. And what the ICE officers there were finding was that number of drivers seem to be legal.

[Scott Bessant]

Right.

[Anna Giaritelli]

They may have come into the country, have a legal means to be here, or they got released at the border after crossing illegally, but technically they can remain here through their court date. They then got these commercial driver's documents from different states. These are not federal documents, they're just state documents. And a number of states have, frankly, they've really botched how they're giving out these documents. People who cannot read English are getting these documents to operate trucks on US Highways with US Signs. And some of the tests not coming out too well as well, the results. And so what ICE has done is set up checkpoints in a number of different states randomly on highways to see, to see what's happening. And like you said, it's a result of this awareness that, hey, a truck driver in Florida was responsible for this accident. He shouldn't be in the country yet he's driving a truck and has a state license from California. And so it really opened up, I think, the administration's eyes as well as this fraud scheme in Minnesota. I think the administration is seeing a lot of ways that particularly in the last four years, some blue states have really shifted to help immigrants, but in ways that we're seeing now are not helpful to Americans. Yeah.

[David Zier]

Didn't Trump have an executive order to have truckers read only English to be able to have to read? Was that something this summer? I don't recall exactly if he did that.

[Anna Giaritelli]

I can't, I cannot confirm or deny. I don't remember off the top of my head.

[David Zier]

Okay, so the green light law in New York State, right. This was passed in 2019. The Trump administration, Pam Bondi, DOJ, challenged it. They lost in court the other day. District Judge Ann Ardoche was a Biden appointed judge, basically ruled. Not that the policy, you know, not, not about the policy, but that the DOJ failed to prove that, that their.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Case.

[David Zier]

The supremacy clause of the Constitution was violated. They failed to prove that. But it's crazy. In New York you can get a driver's license. It was actually somebody pulled over in Louisiana recently and it said, I think no name or no known name on the license. And the guy had a license from New York. But my daughter had to give like 5 things of ID just to get her driver's permit here. And illegals can just walk and get licenses. Can you address the green light law and the ramifications on society?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yeah, the green light law has been a long time coming, like you said, for six years now, we've been waiting for it to take effect. And there's been all these lawsuits against it. You know, I think it goes back to this double standard. That Americans see, as you know, even with the recent TSA mandate, that we all have to have this much more secure driver's license in order to go into federal buildings nationwide, in order to go through security checkpoints and get on commercial planes. And yet we're seeing people who cannot meet those, those standards being issued state government documents even at the southern border. I did a story years ago that showed legally no one without a certain document should be allowed on these flights. And yet the Biden administration, even the Trump administration in the first term was just waving people onto flights because there were simply so many millions of people coming over the border each year that they needed people to get out of these border communities and get them going so that they can continue to be able to release people, particularly under President Joe Biden. And so I think the public is right to be concerned. And then ultimately it puts public safety at risk. And that's, at the end of the day, we all want to live in safe communities and know that, you know, we're all being treated the same by our state government.

[David Zier]

Yeah, I was in a West coast airport a year and a half ago, maybe almost two years ago, and 50% of the flight, what appeared to be illegals, they all had brand new Balenciaga sneakers and sweatpants on. And, you know, like they, because I understand they were given thousands of dollars in gift cards to go and the bus would take them to like Walmart and to department stores. And you know, half my flight was like that. And you don't see that anymore anywhere. I just think what Trump is doing is just exceptional at the border. But we have about 30 seconds. I'll give you the last word. And where can people follow you?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yeah, they can follow me anywhere. Annagiratelli. I have a book coming out in April. Not only am I a Homeland Security reporter, I'm also a D.C. crime survivor.

[David Zier]

Oh, good.

[Anna Giaritelli]

And so writing about exposing the D.C. police for some injustices that I went through in my case. But yeah, headed to the border next week and happy to come back on soon, David.

[David Zier]

Well, Anna, I really appreciate you coming on and I'd love to have you back. And we're going to get into these issues and I look forward to seeing you again and happy New Year. Thank you.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Happy New Year.

[David Zier]

All right, everyone, that's Anna Giortelli, Washington Examiner, Homeland Security reporter. We'll be right back.

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[David Zier]

We are on the ground in Minnesota following Scott Bessant yesterday spoke at the Economic Club in Minneapolis and he talked about expanding the pocketbooks with permanent tax cuts for workers and families, promoting economic security through Trump accounts, fostering Main street revivals and revitalizing made in America R and D boom and capital expenditures so important to businesses if they want to grow and particularly here in Minnesota, they have not been able to to do that. It's the second highest income tax state loaded with taxes and regulations and Scott Bessant is addressing that with Minnesota's manufacturers and agricultural farmers saying that's the most important thing. And he says the key ingredient that's missing from the economy right now are the interest rate cuts. He also warned the other day about AI taking jobs out 55,000 jobs despite disappearing from the economy last year maybe due to AI, and that college grads who have a 6% unemployment rate should consider going into the AI field and adapt quickly because they could be hurting in the job market for some time if they don't assimilate. But Bessen said that Trump inherited the three eyes under Biden. Immigration, interest rates and inflation. And the Trump support three eyes now are investment, innovation and income. So again, Scott Bessant talking to companies around the country through economic roundtables. We'll be bringing you more on the ground today. In Minnesota, he's also investigating Somali fraud. He's also the acting IRS commissioner. It looks like $700 million went out of the Minneapolis airport alone and maybe 1 million plus dollar increments back to Somalia, neighboring Africa, African countries and throughout the Middle East. So this scandal is ever growing and Scott Bessen promised he would get to the bottom of it. And also yesterday he met at the Province Academy with high school students teaching them financial literacy with Trump era economic principles, smart saving, financial decision making and strategic investing for them. So the next generation can lead to long term economic growth for the United States.

[Scott Bessant]

This year's tax season will begin on January 26, one of its earliest starts in more than a decade. After this date, most of the benefits of the President's bill will begin to materialize, presenting a major tailwind for our economy in 2026. Tax cuts are an obvious way to increase income, but just as necessary is reducing the tax burden on American families by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. No one is more committed to this cause than President Trump. Minnesota, unfortunately is ground zero for what may be one of the most egregious and welfare scams and our lawyers in Asia. That's why the President has also leveraged trade to improve position of American producers in the global commercial landscape. In every negotiation, the President without fail drives home two messages for a trade partner. First, open your markets to U.S. agriculture. Second, increase your agricultural purchases. That's how eastorg a victory for Minnesota soybean farmers when China agreed to reopen its market to US Agricultural exports. Under this framework, China will purchase at least at least 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually for the United States. For the next three years. President Trump has charted the course for economic renewal. Now it's up to individual states to follow it. Minnesota should lead the way. For four years under Biden, Minnesota's head of president was prioritized punishment over partnerships in his dealings with the business community. This is no longer the case under this administration. President Trump is the best partner an American job creator could ever have. That's why he's prioritized in low taxes as well as a safe and sound light touch approach to regulation. Our President has restored tax and trade certainty, making this the best decade in a generation to build a business. So come build with us. Join us in investing directly in America's workforce, infrastructure and industrial base. Together, we can make Minnesota and this country great again. Thank you all.

[David Zier]

Here's more of the visit by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen. We followed on the ground the other day in Minneapolis, Minnesota from the private high school, the providence academy for 9th through 12th graders. In the audience, about 350 of them and Scott Besson was delivering remarks about smart savings, strategic investing and responsible financial decision making for these young students, giving them a head start for America's economic future. Check it out.

[Scott Bessant]

You can, if you buy a home, if it's your primary residence, you can deduct the interest. So not, not only when you're thinking about okay, how much house can I afford? Then there's a tax aspect to that too. So it would be being smart on debt, it would be being smart on taxes. And then the third part would be to think about your personal asset allocation. So every young person in this ring should be a hundred percent invested in equities that if you have time, if 16, 17, 18, that over the course of your life, if you are not going to need the money until you are 65, you should be in the stock market. It is the single greatest wealth creator. Now you're 63. And hopefully I won't get retired unintentionally Sooner, but in 2029 they ironed me out of a job then I have a different risk calculus. I'm going to need my mind but it's really to be smart about it. A friend of mine was a trustee University of Pennsylvania Warden, School of Finance, was famous school of finance in America and he was very interested in behavioral economics and, and he asked and so he went to the head of the personnel department. The average professor who gets tenure at University of Pennsylvania did so when he or she is 38 to 40 years old. Do you know how they decide? So they sign up for their 401k program. Do you know how they decide how much to put in stocks, how much to put in bonds? They asked the administrative person behind the counter what does everybody else it. These are the most sophisticated financial so you're, they're, they're busy making money, but they're not thinking about how can they make money for them. So anyway it would, it would be the managing debt taxes and then thinking about what's the best risk adjusted return for you. You know I, I used to tell people that you can have 3% of family, you could put of your savings you put 2 or 3% in crypto but could go zero. But you should have something because it's very interested it's innovative and you can take risk like that. But I think it's very important to risk adjust your life.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Wonderful.

[Scott Bessant]

What are your closing comments for the.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Students and their parents?

[Scott Bessant]

Well thank you for all being engaged that I everyone is welcome to come visit a Treasury they'd be going to do a school trip. We love to have you I am on the Keep D.C. or Make D.C. safe and Beautiful committee and D.C. as safer as it's been we're coming more beautiful and to be able to engage with the government and it's just not something you see on the news that is fantastic. And to be able to go behind the scenes to have a sitter Kochar and I have a robust back and forth but I really epic but she is a dedicated we don't always agree. We don't agree that much but she is a dedicated public service who wants to do the best for the people of Maple State. Certain. And she wants to do the best in people in Minnesota and I know she would love to see all of you and I was reading her biography I think she went to Wayzata High School and yes. So but come see your government and be part of your family. And internships you mentioned and at treasury we had internships. Any of you who are interested we'd love to have you apply during college. We have summer internships. We have you take a semester off and work at treasury in spring or fall. And again this is a lot of that is just knowledge like people. Washington can be an insider's game. So I think the great thing about seeing all of you here they you all know there's an internship. I didn't know there was an internship. Actually a lot of people don't so but come out participate. It's fascinating. I'm 63. I went to see the I mentioned a Lux today I went to see the Supreme Court in session. So they had a hearing and it was unbelievable. First time I'd ever been in to watch a case being heard by the Supreme Court and it is the closest thing from 1789 when our government started I don't think the White House certainly doesn't resemble a White House. The House and the Senate the way they debate doesn't look like itself anymore but the Supreme Court still does so and it's just amazing to see the way and they have very different political views, very different backgrounds but they kind of make fun of each other. It's very old fashioned and it's fun to see. So anyway, participate. Come to D.C. and that's really it.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Mr. Secretary, thank you so much.

[David Zier]

Don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more Breaking Point on Real America's Voice News.

[Scott Bessant]

Let your voice be heard.

[David Zier]

Where can you get exclusive RAV content.

[Scott Bessant]

And interact directly with all of our great show talent?

[Public Podcast Announcer]

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[Scott Bessant]

Use special promo code ravfam to get your first month of the RAV Social Community membership.

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[David Zier]

We're coming to you from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I just wanted to share with you some of the highlights I experienced with Real America's Voice News in 2025. From Trump's inauguration through the Iran bombing when I was at the White House House and then also I was there for the one big beautiful bill signing with the B2 flyovers on the South Lawn of the White House. These are a lot of fun.

[Scott Bessant]

I want to all the young people.

[David Zier]

Of America and Gen Z, I want.

[Public Podcast Announcer]

You to know President Trump is going to deliver for you so that you.

[David Zier]

Could be able to own a home.

[Scott Bessant]

Have big families, believe in this country and the American dream that your parents once had. You will also be able to enjoy.

[Public Podcast Announcer]

And let us all together say thank you God.

[David Zier]

Thank you for giving us 45 and 47. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Sam.

[David Zier]

I was on the ground in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Portland Avenue where Renee Good was shot by the ICE officer the other day. And they built this ICE encampment blocking in the streets on Portland Avenue between 33rd and 34th Street. That blockade was removed by officials yesterday. I believe so. But I did get to talk to a lot of people on the ground. It was cold and it was rainy, so a lot of the paid agitators were not there. And I got to speak with local residents about what their concerns were and how they feel. They hate ice, they hate Trump, but it was, I thought it was fair to let them voice their opinion and I engaged in some civil dialogue with them. So it's an amazing story. And what's going on here? And now there are these coordinated, nationwide Soros funded protests going on around the country. Some groups receiving up to $8 million from Soros. It's really just an incredible time here and they're sewing civil unrest across the country. But check out this dialogue I had with these people's opinions on what happened here yesterday. Had a share in. He has seen. Yeah.

[Local Resident]

From this way. I was surprised when I heard the shot. There was something like. But it was, it was devastating. Yeah, yeah, I saw her car was towing. But they shouldn't kill her. That was not. Yeah, let her. If she's gonna escape, let her escape. You have her plate number. She's not gonna go in the sky. Why would you shoot somebody?

[David Zier]

What about the other angle that showed the cop was clipped, you know, when she, when she drove by. He was, he was hit by the car.

[Local Resident]

He's making a light. Yeah, we all can see that.

[David Zier]

But it's on video.

[Scott Bessant]

Yeah. Remember at the beginning of the video.

[David Zier]

When one car drives around her car?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yeah.

[Public Podcast Announcer]

But then their truck stops to confront her.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Why?

[David Zier]

Why they do that?

[Local Resident]

They could have done better, but they choose not to.

[David Zier]

Yeah, like I just said it, that one car at the beginning drove around her car, but then the ICE stopped to deal with her. Why couldn't they just drive around?

[Local Resident]

It was clear out. She was ready to go.

[David Zier]

Let her go.

[Local Resident]

It's not self defense. You're making a self defense.

[David Zier]

Do you think ICE is justified in any way in, in general, in taking out people who committed crimes in America who are here illegally? Is that okay to arrest them and deport them if they did? Outside of the. In a good situation?

[Local Resident]

It's never good. This country is a canter. Of immigrants. Your grandparents came.

[David Zier]

Yeah, sure.

[Local Resident]

Same reason my. I came in 19.

[David Zier]

My great grandfather came from.

[Local Resident]

You have the same story come. Your grandparents come here for better opportunity religions of freedom. I came in the same.

[David Zier]

What if somebody came here illegally and they committed a crime? Is it okay for ICE around them up?

[Local Resident]

If they committed crime, it's a different story.

[David Zier]

But they. That's who's getting arrested. Seven out of ten have committed crimes in.

[Local Resident]

That's not true. That's. That number is not.

[David Zier]

So you think they're lying about that number?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Exactly.

[David Zier]

About all sorts of things.

[Local Resident]

If they catch me, they will treat me like I'm nothing, you know, And I'm citizen of this country. Yeah, yeah. We all humans. We don't deserve. So Trump himself is immigrant.

[David Zier]

Yeah, we all. We're all kids of immigrants.

[Local Resident]

It's the land of immigrants, right?

[David Zier]

Yeah, but not illegal immigrants. Well, my grandparents came here legally.

[Local Resident]

No one came here legally. They come with a manflower boot.

[David Zier]

Well, they.

[Local Resident]

Well, yeah, they come here and took over.

[David Zier]

My grandparents and great grandparents were allowed to come in legally in the United States.

[Local Resident]

We're not ready for that.

[David Zier]

Why does everybody want to come here look so bad?

[Local Resident]

I mean, listen, people came here the same reason your grandparent came 1950.

[Anna Giaritelli]

19.

[Local Resident]

Yes.

[David Zier]

Mine came in 1886.

[Local Resident]

1886. I came the same reason your grandparents came. I came here in 1993 and they came here legally. Yes, we all have different.

[David Zier]

Where is your family different?

[Local Resident]

My family from Somalia.

[David Zier]

Somalia?

[Anna Giaritelli]

Yes. Yes.

[Local Resident]

We have a different colors, but we came here for the the same reason.

[David Zier]

We heard they care illegally when they stole the legs. So you think that that ICE agent acted will willfully to murder her for any good they did it and not in any way in self defense.

[Local Resident]

He should be arrested as we're talking. For God's sake.

[Anna Giaritelli]

What he did the fact that they're.

[Public Podcast Announcer]

Not even investigating at all.

[David Zier]

Well, I'm sure they are. The FBI took over the investigation.

[Local Resident]

Let me tell you you. Our kids are not going to school. We're not going work. We're not doing anything until this case is solved.

[David Zier]

Like two we.

[Local Resident]

We're in a war with ICE for the next three years. Let me tell you something. Three more years strong. We can go together.

[Anna Giaritelli]

Let's.

[Local Resident]

Let's this country be divided as you wanted. Let be destroyed as you wanted. We will not work. We will not send our kids to school. Let's see what you did, President. You're not my president.

[David Zier]

I can tell you he doesn't want.

[Scott Bessant]

To unite people at all.

[David Zier]

He's trying to, to bring people together at all. He's only trying to sell more and more division. I followed the campaign for seven years and I, I, I saw him unite a lot of people. A lot of hardworking people and a lot of minorities. He's got a lot of black people involved. He had the First Step Act. He got black people out of prison who are there on drug, drug charges that Bill Clinton put into effect and Joe Biden. Yeah, okay. George Bush. Yeah.

[Local Resident]

Nobody did this.

[Scott Bessant]

Are not the ones.

[Local Resident]

We were never like this in my life. I never seen the 30 years in this country. I never seen like this.

[Anna Giaritelli]

It was great.

[Local Resident]

For those of us who believe in justice should never rest. You heard me, folks. For those of us who believe in justice should never rest.

[David Zier]

ICE wouldn't need to be on the street. If a lot of the jail, especially like in Chicago and Seattle, cooperated, they wouldn't be out on the street rounding up people who have criminal warrants. Right. Because they're not getting cooperation. They're only crying. They say at least seven out of 10 committed crimes. They say, but can you give any evidence that that's not true? I'm just asking. You have specific, like, information that people who are not criminal. Illegal aliens, because, you know, the concept of an illegal alien usually came in illegally. You're already committing a crime. But let's say we get past that. If they were here and committed a crime, should they be rounded up and, and deported?

[Scott Bessant]

No, they should serve justice here in.

[David Zier]

America even though they're not citizens of the United States.

[Local Resident]

We have neighbors.

[David Zier]

Okay.

[Local Resident]

We want to protect everybody. We want everybody to be safe. But justice has not been serious.

[David Zier]

Well, I want to thank you guys again. So, yeah, you know, yesterday was a tragedy. So. And the facts will come out a little more.

[Scott Bessant]

Right.

[David Zier]

So, you know, and this is a residential area. It's really, you know, it's a unique, unique situation here, too. You've got people raising families right here. And so I understand the angst.

[Anna Giaritelli]

So.

[David Zier]

But thank you again.

[Anna Giaritelli]

All right.

[David Zier]

What's that? I'm just, I'm from Long Island. I'm from real America's Voice. I'm David Z. I have a show. So just trying to get people's perspectives. I want to thank everybody for joining the Rap family and watching Breaking Point on Real America's Voice News. See you next time. This is more than news. It's a movement.

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[David Zier]

A turning point.

[Scott Bessant]

A chance to be part of something greater than yourself. Scan the QR code and stand with Rav. The story isn't over, and neither is your part in it.

[David Zier]

Step in, be counted, be heard.

[Scott Bessant]

Together we are Rav.

[Public Podcast Announcer]

You will achieve American greatness.

[David Zier]

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