Border is Secure under Trump plus Assures Americans he will STOP Ukraine/Russia War

Summary

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode: Border is Secure under Trump plus Assures Americans he will STOP Ukraine/Russia War
Release Date: February 21, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson delves into three pivotal stories shaping the current political landscape. With a focus on President Donald Trump's administration, Ferguson provides unfiltered insights into border security achievements, efforts to conclude the Ukraine/Russia conflict, and significant federal workforce reductions aimed at enhancing government efficiency.

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1. Securing the U.S. Border: A Trump Administration Triumph

Overview

Ben Ferguson opens the episode by highlighting President Trump's commitment to securing the U.S. border, emphasizing the administration's swift and effective actions that have led to a dramatic decrease in illegal border crossings.

Key Points:

• Record Low Crossings: Under Trump's leadership, illegal border crossings have plummeted to levels not seen in over six decades. In February alone, approximately 359 illegal migrants were apprehended daily at the southern border, marking a 90% reduction compared to the previous year.

• Administration's Resolve: The Trump administration is steadfast in its efforts, even in areas designated as sanctuary cities, where local jurisdictions have previously turned a blind eye to illegal immigration activities.

• Criticism from Democrats: Despite these successes, Democratic factions are actively opposing the administration's measures, aiming to undermine border security and protect illegal immigrants.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [01:02]:
  "Secured our border and we're stopping the invasion of our country. You know, our border right now is more secure than it's ever been..."

• Tom Homan [03:42]:
  "President is doing a great job. Border numbers are down over 90% in three weeks. Every day, he proves to me why he is the greatest president my lifetime."

• Bill Malusian [04:57]:
  "ICE's detainer requests are being ignored due to sanctuary policies, leading to dangerous individuals remaining on our streets."

Analysis:

Ferguson underscores the administration's proactive stance, contrasting it with the previous administration's policies. He cites ICE's efforts to detain and remove dangerous individuals, despite resistance from sanctuary jurisdictions. This section emphasizes the administration's dedication to law enforcement and public safety, positioning Trump as a decisive leader committed to fulfilling campaign promises.

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2. Ending the Ukraine/Russia War: Trump's Diplomatic Push

Overview

The second story focuses on President Trump's initiatives to terminate the prolonged and costly conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Ferguson discusses the potential for direct negotiations between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a significant diplomatic effort to restore peace.

Key Points:

• Potential Summit: There is a strong possibility of Trump meeting Putin face-to-face in the near future to negotiate an end to the war, aiming to halt further loss of life and reduce American financial burdens.

• Contrasting Views: While Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplays the immediacy of high-level talks, Trump remains optimistic about swift diplomatic resolutions.

• Zelensky's Concerns: Ukrainian President Zelensky has expressed fears that Russia might target a weakened NATO, suggesting that Trump’s actions could influence broader geopolitical stability.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [07:07]:
  "I think [Putin] wants to stop fighting, and they want to end it fast, both of them. Zelensky wants to end it too."

• Zelensky [09:32]:
  "Russia is preparing to wage war against a weakened NATO if U.S. support for the alliance is diluted."

• Marco Rubio [07:07]:
  "Yes, he believes this could come to an end. At the end of the day, it's all about the money."

Analysis:

Ferguson portrays Trump as a determined diplomat eager to conclude the Ukraine/Russia war, contrasting him with both war hawks and funding advocates in Congress. By highlighting potential negotiations with Putin, Ferguson suggests that Trump's approach could lead to a swift resolution, alleviating human and financial costs associated with the conflict. The segment also touches on Zelensky's apprehensions, positioning Trump's actions within a larger context of international security and alliance dynamics.

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3. Federal Workforce Restructuring: Streamlining for Efficiency

Overview

In the final segment, Ferguson discusses the Trump administration's initiative to reduce the federal workforce through mass layoffs across various agencies. This move aims to eliminate government inefficiencies and deliver significant cost savings to taxpayers.

Key Points:

• Scope of Layoffs: Thousands of federal employees, particularly probationary and recently hired staff, are being laid off from agencies including the Department of Education, EPA, and the Small Business Administration.

• Administration's Justification: The administration asserts that reducing the size of the federal workforce will streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and align government functions with national priorities.

• Public and Political Reaction: While the administration promotes the layoffs as a fiscally responsible measure, opponents criticize the move, fearing potential shortages and negative impacts on public services.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [11:00]:
  "If people aren't coming to work, if they're not going to come into the office... everybody knows what the date is. It's been very well documented. And then they're going to be terminated."

• Press Secretary [10:45]:
  "You've offered over 2 million federal workers the option to resign immediately. Does this tragedy give you reason to reconsider that option of resignations because of concerns about staffing issues?"

• Ben Ferguson [11:21]:
  "This is also about saving taxpayers a significant amount of cash... We're not only getting rid of employees, we're also getting rid of government waste."

Analysis:

Ferguson articulates the administration's rationale for the workforce reduction, framing it as a necessary step to eliminate bloated government operations and enhance fiscal responsibility. By highlighting the deferred resignation program and the targeted layoffs, Ferguson emphasizes the administration's commitment to a more efficient and performance-driven federal workforce. Additionally, he references Trump's social media disclosures to illustrate the broader impact of budget cuts, reinforcing the narrative of austerity and prudent financial management.

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Conclusion

Ben Ferguson's episode of The 47 Morning Update provides a comprehensive analysis of President Trump's efforts to secure the border, end the Ukraine/Russia war, and streamline the federal workforce. Through detailed reporting and the inclusion of direct quotes with precise timestamps, Ferguson offers listeners an in-depth understanding of the administration's strategies and their implications for America's future.

For those seeking to stay informed on the latest political developments with clear, honest commentary, this episode serves as a valuable resource.

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Transcript

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[Donald Trump]

Secured our border and we're stopping the invasion of our country. You know, our border right now is more secure than it's ever been. Four weeks. Today is our fourth week, end of the week. We've done more in four weeks. Well, certainly than the last administration did in four years. They actually went in the wrong direction.

[Ben Ferguson]

You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.

Well, happy Friday morning. You made it to the weekend. Ben Ferguson with you. And here are the big stories we're covering today on the 47 Morning Update. First up, Donald Trump paying off on a massive, massive promise from the campaign, putting the US on track to have the lowest monthly border crossings in more than a quarter of a century. Also, Donald Trump moves even closer to ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. There's a very good chance he'll be meeting face to face with Vladimir Putin in the coming days. And finally, congratulations, your government's getting smaller as the Trump administration has begun mass layoffs across multiple federal agencies. How much money is it going to save you as a taxpayer? I'll have some of those figures for you coming up. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now.

Story number one.

When it comes to border security, it's very clear right now there are two Americas. The border is being secured before our very eyes. And Democratic jurisdictions are now turning a blind eye to illegal Aliens and their activity. The good news is the Trump administration is still willing to go and get the illegal immigrants, even in sanctuary cities. And they're even willing to use the law to go after those that are protecting illegal immigrants. We also now have a major update about just how tight the border has become in less than a month since Trump got into the Oval Office. Illegal border crossings have already hit a record low after Trump's swift crackdown and could be on track for levels not seen in 60 years. So far, in February, about 359 illegal migrants per day have been caught across the entire southern border. That is down more than 90% from February of last year with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had their open border policy on full display. That puts the US on track to have the lowest monthly border crossings in at least a quarter of a century. If the trend continues, the number of illegal migrants coming into the US could hit a level not seen since 1968, nearly 60 years ago. What's even more interesting than that is how Democrats are doing everything in their power to attack Donald Trump and the border czar, Tom Homan. Tom went on Fox and Friends and had this to say about the president's leadership and what it means for the people in America.

[Tom Homan]

President is doing a great job. I want to say this. Look, I work for six presidents. I think President Trump's the greatest president my lifetime. He proves it every day. Every day, he proves to me why he is the greatest president my lifetime. Border numbers are down over 90% in three weeks.

[Ben Ferguson]

Think about that.

[Tom Homan]

You know, I worked hard at it. You know, Christine Owens working hard at it. You know, the border chief of Charlie's working harder. But it was President Trump's executive orders that was the game changer, right? And we already got over six. Almost 16,000 people we arrest in Interior. That's three times more than Joe Biden had a year from now. But it's not enough. We got to do more. But President Trump's leadership, When you, when you get 90% less people coming across the border, how many women aren't being raped by the cartels? How many children aren't drowning? How many, how many women. Children aren't being sex trafficked in this country. President Trump's a game changer. And every day, I've said, I've said a hundred times, every day, he proves to me why he's the greatest president my lifetime.

[Ben Ferguson]

Why he's the greatest president of my lifetime. Border numbers are down over 90% in three weeks. It is incredible when you hear These numbers come from the border czar. Now, to be clear, Democrats are not going down without a fight. They're doing everything they can to undermine a secure border, and they're doing everything they can to protect illegal immigrants. Bill Malusian at Fox said this about what some Democrats are doing.

[Bill Malusian]

Well, Dana, it's hard to believe there are any jurisdictions out there that wouldn't cooperate with ICE when it comes to illegal aliens charged with forcibly raping children. But in Massachusetts, it's just routine. Take a look at this case. IceBoston just announcing they arrested this Guatemalan illegal alien charged in Massachusetts with three counts of aggravated child rape and three counts of forcible rape of a child. So the question is, why was he on the streets? Right. Well, ICE says their detainer request on him was ignored by the Essex County Superior Court due to sanctuary policy. The locals released him into the community on bail without any notice to ice. In a statement, the director of ICE Boston says, in part, jose Fernando Perez has been charged with some horrific crimes against a minor in our commonwealth. He is exactly the type of alien we are targeting with our worst first policy. He posed a significant danger to the children of Massachusetts, and we will not tolerate such a threat to our community. IceBoston also announcing the arrest of this Turkish illegal alien charged in Massachusetts with assault and battery against an intellectually disabled person and witness intimidation. But ICE says their detainer on him was also ignored by the sanctuary city of Somerville. He had also been released into the public elsewhere around the US iceattle arrested this Salvadoran illegal alien wanted in his home country for aggravated homicide. Here in Los Angeles, ICE arrested this Guatemalan illegal alien charged with sexual assault and rape with a gun. And In Colorado, the DEA announced their top 10 arrests of illegal immigrants in recent days, including several affiliated with Trende, Aragua and others with egregious crimes like kidnapping, child sexual assault, and fentanyl trafficking. And, Dana, I was talking to a law enforcement source in Massachusetts about the child rape case that I referenced, and I asked, like, there's got to be some sort of a catch here, right? Forget about cooperating with ice. How does somebody charged with so many counts of aggravated forcible child rape even get released on bail in the first place? The response I got was, quote, welcome to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

[Ben Ferguson]

It is very clear that these liberal states are willing to put their own citizens and children at risk just to say no to a secure border because it's what Donald Trump and the American people want.

Now, story number two.

President Trump made It very clear when he was running for president that if he was elected, he was going to end the senseless war between Russia and Ukraine. Not only is it counting countless innocent people's lives, but it's also costing America billions and billions of dollars. There's many Republican war hawks and Democrats are obsessed with funding this war and with making sure there's no end in sight. Donald Trump has other plans, promising that he would end it. And now we have learned as of Sunday that he could meet, quote, very soon with Vladimir Putin face to face, adding he believes his Russian counterpart genuinely wants to stop fighting in Ukraine. Quote, no time set, but it could be very soon, Trump told reporters hours after the Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to play down expectations of upcoming high level talks and ending the war altogether. Now, with Rubio set to lead this high level American delegation and the discussions with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia's capital in the coming days, a flurry of diplomacy was taking place as the brutal Ukraine war nears its third anniversary. Trump, addressing reporters after a flight on Air Force One, said his team has been speaking long and hard with Russian officials, including his Middle east envoy, whom the president said met with Putin for about three hours recently, saying this. I think he wants to stop fighting, trump said of Putin. Ask whether he believes Putin wants to seize the entirety of Ukraine. Trump said. That was my question to him. If he's going to go on, that would have caused me a big problem, trump added. I think he wants to end it and they want to end it fast, both of them, he said, adding Zelensky wants to end it too. The Ukrainian president. Zelensky, meanwhile, said Sunday he believes Russia is preparing to, quote, wage war against a weakened NATO should Trump dilute U.S. support for the alliance. Trump appeared to dismiss Zelensky's remarks, telling reporters that he was not even a little bit concerned about the Ukrainian leaders messaging. President Trump has been very clear and he has constantly insisted that he would end the Ukrainian conflict in a single day if he returned to the White House, Rubio stressing, yes, he believes this could come to an end. At the end of the day, it's all about the money. And Donald Trump is clearly telegraphing to Zelinsky in Ukraine that the money and the arms are going to be drying up very soon, so you better get your act together.

And lastly, story number three, the Trump.

Administration has begun mass layoffs of federal workers and the left is losing their mind because of a payoff. Donald Trump said that our government was way too bloated and he's now proving his point. The administration beginning the mass layoffs across multiple federal agencies, a move that is expected to affect thousands and thousands of employees across the federal government. Now, the firings initially affected probationary employees, recent hires who joined the federal workforce within the last one to two years, depending on the agency, which has fewer protections for those workers. Now, among the agencies experiencing layoffs are the Department of Education, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, the Office of Personnel Management, the Environmental Protection Agency, the General Services Administration and the Small Business Administration. This is just the beginning. Now, of course, the left is freaking out saying that people are going to die if Donald Trump continues this way of doing business. They're now using the tragedy of the plane crash at Reagan National Airport as their springboard to fear monger Americans into believing that Donald Trump should fire no one. Take a listen to this from the Oval Office.

[Press Secretary]

You've offered over 2 million federal workers the option to resign immediately. There are 50,000 FAA employees. Does this tragedy give you reason to reconsider that option of resignations because of concerns about staffing issues?

[Donald Trump]

If people aren't coming to work, if they're not going to come into the office and report as per the date that you know what it is, everybody knows what the date is. It's been very well documented. And then they're going to be terminated.

[Press Secretary]

You're not going to be, you're not concerned though, that if many people take that offer, there could be shortages that.

[Donald Trump]

Could lead to they'll be replaced with very competent people. We have a lot of competent people in this country.

[Ben Ferguson]

There's one thing you can bet on. It is that the media is never going to let a tragedy go to waste, including a plane crash, where they're going to then try to politicize it to attack President Trump. I love the way that he handled this, saying if people aren't going to come to work, then they're going to be terminated and they'll be replaced with competent people. Now why is the president doing this right now? Well, the Trump administration's initiative is clear. They say it's to reduce the federal workforce through mass layoffs and restructuring aimed to enhance government efficiency and reduce spending significantly. They say by streamlining operations and focusing on essential positions, the administration anticipates significant cost savings for taxpayers. Now, the deferred resignation program offers employees eight months of pay and benefits upon resignation, providing financial support during their transition. This approach is expected to foster a more performance driven workforce, something the government knows nothing about, as well as a culture aligning with the administration's goals of modernizing our federal operations. At the end of the day, this is also about saving taxpayers a significant amount of cash. Now Doge also came out this last week giving an update on just how much money they are saving Americans. Here is a list that Donald Trump tweeted out telling you where your money was going to be spent, but they stopped it before it could happen. $10 million for Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision 9.7 million for the US Berkeley to develop a cohort of Cambodian youth within enterprise driven skills 2.3 million for strengthening independent voices in Cambodia 32 million for the Prague Civil Society Center 40 million for gender equality and women empowerment hub 14 million for improving public procurement in Serbia. How about 486 million to the consortium for Elections and Political process strengthening, including 22 million for quote, inclusive and participationary political process in Moldova and 21 million for voter turnout in India. Yeah, none of that in America. 29 million for strengthening political landscape in Bangladesh 20 million for fiscal federalism in Nepal 19 million for biodiversity conservation in Nepal 1.5 million for voter confidence in Liberia 14 million for social cohesion in Mali 2.5 million for inclusive democracies in South Africa 47 million for improving learning outcomes in Asia and 2 million for to develop sustainable recycling models to increase socioeconomic cohesion among marginalized communities in Kosovo, Roma and Egypt. These are just some of the things that Doge uncovered in the last five days that have all been cut by Donald Trump and the federal government. So not only are we getting rid of employees, we're also getting rid of government waste.

Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now. And for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here tomorrow.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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