The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: A Berlin Wall Moment: Iranians Defy Regime, Demand Freedom plus ICE Under New Attacks
Date: January 16, 2026
Host: Ben Ferguson (Premiere Networks)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into two major stories at the intersection of U.S. policy, global human rights, and law enforcement.

1. U.S. support for Iranian protesters in what many are calling a “Berlin Wall moment,” with the Trump administration promising action against Iran’s repressive regime.
2. Growing assaults on ICE agents across the U.S., the rhetoric fueling these attacks, and the White House response, which blames Democratic leaders for encouraging and allegedly financing violence.

Ben delivers his takeaways with directness and urgency, amplified by exclusive quotes from U.S. officials, activists, and live cable interviews.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. America’s Stand with Iranian Protesters

• UN Emergency Session: Amb. Mike Waltz asserts that President Trump stands with the Iranian people as they protest their repressive regime.

  • Quote (04:00):

    “President Donald J. Trump and the United States of America stands by the brave people of Iran. Period… the regime is solely, solely responsible for the economic misery of the Iranian people and the repression of their freedom and they will be held accountable.”
    — Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador to the UN

• Action over Rhetoric: The episode highlights Trump’s “man of action” reputation and contrasts it with perceived past administrations’ inaction (Obama, Biden). Ben frames this as pivotal support for the Iranian freedom movement.

  • Ben (04:26):

    “This is obviously an important point … America is not all talk … Trump is a man of action. … He has made it clear: all options are on the table to stop the slaughter.”

• Iranian-Americans Demand Global Pressure:

  • An Iranian American activist compares the Iranian regime to ISIS, calling for it to be treated with the same urgency, citing mass arrests, blackouts, and killings.
  • Quote (06:29):

    “People of Iran, they welcomed the strong and forceful message of President Trump, but they want to see action.”
    — Iranian American Activist on CNN

• Historical Context—A “Berlin Wall Moment”:

  • The activist draws an analogy between current protests and the fall of the Berlin Wall, arguing that unified international action—especially from the U.S. and Europe—could be decisive.
  • Quote (08:15):

    “I think this is the Berlin Wall moment in Iran. If international community get united the same way when they were all united to help East Germany to bring down the wall, now Iranian people are trying to bring the wall of dictatorship down.”
    — Iranian American Activist

• A Call for President Trump’s Continued Action:

  • The activist thanks the current U.S. President for support, noting that this is the first time Iranians feel the American president has their back.
  • Quote (09:38):

    “I even smell the freedom. … For the first time, we now see the United States of America’s president taking a strong action, saying that he is ready to save the lives of Iranians. Iranians are welcoming that. I want to see action. Otherwise, empty words are not going to save lives.”
    — Iranian American Activist

• Ben’s Analysis:

  • (11:04):

    “Notice ... what Trump’s policy is doing is allowing for the people of Iran to stand up for themselves. Something they didn’t get under Obama, something they didn’t get under Joe Biden.”

2. ICE Attacks and Political Rhetoric

• Spike in Assaults on ICE Agents: Recent attacks, notably in Minnesota, are linked, according to Ben and the White House, to inflammatory rhetoric from Democratic leaders.

• White House Blames Democrats: The administration asserts Democratic politicians not only escalate anti-ICE rhetoric but also fund leftist agitators—drawing a parallel to Black Lives Matter protests and past civil unrest.

  • Quote (11:40):

    “The White House making it very clear who’s to blame for the attacks … It is the Democratic Party … They are financing the violence.”
    — Ben Ferguson

• Press Secretary Caroline Levitt Condemns Rhetoric:

  • Levitt encourages empathy for ICE agents as patriotic Americans doing a difficult job.
  • Quote (12:38):

    “These are great patriotic men and women … following our nation’s immigration laws at the direction of their bosses, and again at the direction of the law. … The Democratic Party has demeaned these individuals. They’ve even referred to them as Nazis and as the Gestapo. And that is absolutely leading to the violence we’re seeing in the streets.”
    — Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary

• Vandalism and Hate Speech: The episode references images and slogans from protestors, including direct threats to agents.

  • Quote (13:48):

    “I’m pretty sure this car, you can’t see, it said ‘the best agent is a dead agent’ or something to that effect. This is despicable rhetoric that we’re seeing.”
    — Conservative Commentator

• Ongoing Investigations: The White House hints at soon revealing the financial backers of protests-turned-attacks against law enforcement.

  • Ben (13:56):

    “The good news is … there are investigations underway ... the White House is making it clear Democratic rhetoric [is] absolutely leading to the leftist violence against our brave men and women in uniform.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• (04:00) Mike Waltz at the UN:

  “President Donald J. Trump and the United States of America stands by the brave people of Iran. Period.”

• (08:15) Iranian American Activist:

  “I think this is the Berlin Wall moment in Iran.”

• (09:38) Iranian American Activist:

  “I even smell the freedom. … For the first time … America’s president taking a strong action”

• (12:38) Caroline Levitt:

  “The Democratic Party has demeaned these individuals. They’ve even referred to them as Nazis and as the Gestapo.”

• (13:48) Conservative Commentator:

  “‘The best agent is a dead agent’ … this is despicable rhetoric.”

Important Timestamps

• 03:29 – Ben introduces the Iran story and America’s involvement.
• 04:00 – Ambassador Mike Waltz delivers the U.S. position to the UN.
• 06:29–09:38 – Iranian American activist’s remarks on CNN; Berlin Wall moment.
• 11:40 – Shift to story on ICE attacks and Democratic rhetoric.
• 12:38 – Caroline Levitt’s White House press statement.
• 13:48 – Descriptions of vandalism and threats to ICE agents.

Tone & Perspective

The episode maintains a sharply conservative, pro-administration tone. Ben Ferguson’s narration is urgent, occasionally combative, and aimed squarely at listeners who distrust mainstream media and Democratic leadership. Speakers, especially from the White House, are unequivocal in apportioning blame for societal unrest, positioning Trump as an active defender of freedom internationally and law enforcement domestically.

Summary Takeaway

This installment of The 47 Morning Update brings together two stories: the U.S.’s assertive new support for Iranian protestors and a domestic debate over the violence faced by ICE agents. Through interviews, official statements, and pointed commentary, Ben Ferguson highlights what he sees as a pivotal moment for both Iranian freedom and American law enforcement—a “Berlin Wall” juncture abroad, and a law-and-order crisis at home rooted in partisan divides.