The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode Summary: "Biden Admin Expands Access for Illegal Immigrants, Gold Star Families Defend Trump & CNN Calls Out Harris on Border Wall Week In Review" Release Date: September 7, 2024

In this compelling episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson engages in a rigorous discussion with Senator Ted Cruz, dissecting some of the most pressing political controversies of the week. The conversation navigates through the Biden administration's immigration policies, the defense of former President Donald Trump by Gold Star families, and a critical examination of CNN's recent reporting on Vice President Kamala Harris's stance on the border wall. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key points, notable quotes, and insightful analyses presented during the episode.

1. Biden-Harris Administration's Immigration Policy Expansion

Time Stamps: 00:01 - 06:00

The episode opens with Senator Cruz expressing strong opposition to the Biden-Harris administration's recent decision to expand access for illegal immigrants attempting to enter the United States via Mexico. Cruz labels the administration's actions as deceptive, highlighting the contradiction between their claims of a "secure border" and their facilitation of increased immigration.

Key Points:

• Expansion of CBP1 Application: The administration has broadened the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One application to southern Mexico, allowing more asylum seekers from non-Mexican origins to register for entry into the U.S. (02:00).
• Mutual Interests with Mexico: Cruz argues that both the Biden-Harris administration and the Mexican government, under President AMLO, share a common goal of increasing illegal immigration to possibly sway future elections in favor of Democrats (05:35).
• Political Strategy Concerns: The expansion is viewed as a strategic move to inundate the southern border, thereby undermining Republican positions on immigration and border security (04:38).

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz: “This is a lie. And tell you now they want a border wall and a secure border after claiming it was already secure.” (00:01)
• Ben Ferguson: “Joe Biden wants more illegal immigrants in America. Kamala Harris wants more illegal immigrants in America.” (02:00)

2. Gold Star Families' Defense of Donald Trump

Time Stamps: 07:05 - 24:27

A significant portion of the discussion centers on an incident at Arlington National Cemetery, where Donald Trump was accused by the Harris campaign of politicizing his visit to honor fallen servicemen and women. Gold Star families vehemently defend Trump, asserting that their invitations to him were sincere and not for political gain.

Key Points:

• Trump's Solemn Visit: Trump attended Arlington National Cemetery to honor 13 servicemen and women killed in the Afghanistan pullout, at the invitation of the grieving families (07:05).
• Harris Campaign's Accusations: The Harris campaign claimed Trump was using the solemn occasion for publicity, a charge strongly refuted by the Gold Star families (10:02).
• Joint Statement by Families: Families issued a powerful statement condemning Harris, attributing the deaths directly to her administration's policies and accusing her of politicizing their loss (18:17).

Notable Quotes:

• Gold Star Families Statement: “Vice President Harris bears responsibility for the deaths of our sons and daughters. Her administration's catastrophic mishandling of the Afghanistan withdrawal directly led to the murder of 13 service members...” (18:17)
• Senator Ted Cruz: “This is a story that should be national news. It's sad that we're the ones that are having to turn it into national news.” (10:44)
• Ben Ferguson: “Christy Shamblin... she believes our service members are disposable. ... She has no respect.” (24:27)

3. CNN's Critique of Kamala Harris's Border Wall Campaign Ads

Time Stamps: 26:10 - 38:30

The final segment delves into CNN's investigative report scrutinizing Vice President Kamala Harris's contradictory stance on the border wall. Once a vocal opponent, Harris is now featuring Trump's border wall in her campaign advertisements, prompting accusations of hypocrisy.

Key Points:

• Contradictory Campaign Ads: CNN's report highlights over 50 instances where Harris previously criticized the border wall, contrasting sharply with her current campaign ads that showcase the wall built during Trump's presidency (26:10).
• Specific Focus on Sasabe, Arizona: The investigative team pinpointed that the wall featured in Harris's ads is the same section constructed under Trump, raising questions about the authenticity of her support (29:05).
• CNN's Reporting Approach: Ferguson criticizes CNN for what he perceives as a failure to maintain journalistic integrity, suggesting that the network's actions reveal potential bias and desperation for ratings (35:21).

Notable Quotes:

• CNN Report: “More than 50 instances of Harris slamming Trump's border wall. But now new Harris campaign ads actually showcase that very wall.” (26:38)
• Senator Ted Cruz: “They were just ridiculed. It was daylight outside... it was taped.” (32:02)
• Ben Ferguson: “It's a story that illustrates that her campaign is built on deception. It's built on lying.” (35:38)

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz present a critical view of the current Democratic-led administration's policies on immigration and border security. They emphasize perceived hypocrisies within the leadership, particularly focusing on Kamala Harris's contradictory positions and the administration's broader strategy on illegal immigration. Additionally, the robust defense of Donald Trump by Gold Star families serves to underscore the deep political divisions and the contentious nature of recent events surrounding national security and veterans' honors.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the full podcast for an in-depth exploration of these topics, as Ferguson and Cruz provide detailed analyses and passionate commentary on the issues shaping America's political landscape.

Notable Excerpts from the Podcast:

• On Immigration Policy:

  "They look at the 11 and a half million illegal immigrants that they have invited into this country and they view them as future Democrat voters." — Ben Ferguson (02:00)

• On Gold Star Families:

  "Our children deserved better." — Joint Statement by Gold Star Families (18:17)

• On CNN's Reporting:

  "It's called just actually doing your job. That is, in fact, what reporters are supposed to do." — Ben Ferguson (26:38)

This summary encapsulates the major themes and arguments presented in the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners seeking to understand the discussed issues without tuning into the entire broadcast.