Cash Patel Cleans House, Grand Juries Target Schiff plus Over 100,000 Americans Apply to Join ICE

Summary

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The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode Date: August 16, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode spotlights sweeping changes at the FBI under new leadership, growing legal threats to prominent Democratic figures, and a surge in American patriotism reflected in over 100,000 applications for ICE agent positions. Host Ben Ferguson, accompanied by clips and commentary from Miranda Devine and Maria Bartiromo, unpacks these developments in detail, highlighting the ongoing battle against deep-state corruption and shifts in law enforcement culture.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FBI "House Cleaning" Under Cash Patel

[06:24–09:24]

• Ben Ferguson introduces the major shakeup at the FBI, attributing the changes to new leadership by Cash Patel and support from Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

• Ferguson plays interview clips (from Maria Bartiromo’s FOX News show) featuring Patel and Bongino, emphasizing renewed commitment to accountability, transparency, and supporting agents who acted appropriately during recent political turmoil.

• Notable Layoffs:

  • Former acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll
  • Special Agent Walter Giardina
  • Stephen Jensen

  All linked to the controversial prosecutions involving Trump allies and January 6th cases, including Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon.

Miranda Devine:

• “These people were all involved in the politicization of the FBI under Joe Biden and Christopher Wray, attacking and persecuting Trump allies and people who had worked for Trump.” [08:13]
• Devine credits Patel with an overdue but deliberate strategy: keeping these officials close for six months before their removal, hinting at deeper ongoing investigations.

Maria Bartiromo:

• Highlights a new era of “systematic, very orderly procession of investigations, subpoenas, and grand juries,” drawing attention to emerging cases targeting former Democratic power players.

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2. Grand Juries & Dem Targeting: Schiff and Letitia James

[09:24–11:11 / 12:33–16:09]

• Miranda Devine notes that grand juries are now examining Adam Schiff (now a senator; former key figure in Trump-Russia investigations) and Letitia James (NY AG who led legal offensives against Trump), with Ed Martin appointed as special attorney:

  • Investigations cover mortgage fraud, bank fraud, and wire fraud, potentially carrying up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
  • Signals long-awaited accountability as a possible watershed for those who abused government power for political ends.

• Ben Ferguson:

  • Reiterates the demand for accountability: “That is all that we're asking for here, is that you take a look at all of this and you say, were there actual laws that were broken?” [11:12]
  • Recalls the “weaponization” of government agencies, referencing raids on Trump officials’ homes.

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3. Whistleblower Allegations Against Adam Schiff

[12:33–16:09]

• Breaking story: A Democratic whistleblower from the House Intelligence Committee alleges that Adam Schiff orchestrated leaks of classified information in 2017 to discredit Trump and position himself for a top CIA post in a possible Hillary Clinton administration.
• Allegations:
  • “Sensitive material was funneled to Schiff and then selectively leaked to the press.”
  • The Department of Justice declined to pursue at the time.
  • The whistleblower considered it “unethical and potentially treasonous.”
  • A newly declassified FBI document (a “302”) corroborates the whistleblower’s account.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt:

• “The president has already said he wants to see Adam Schiff held accountable for the countless lies he told the American people in relation to the Russiagate scandal. … This administration is taking accountability very seriously.” [14:23]
• Quotes the FBI director:
  • “Certain officials used their positions to selectively leak classified information to shape political narratives. It was all done with one purpose, to weaponize intelligence and law enforcement for political gain. Those abuses eroded public trust...” [15:27]

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4. ICE Applications Surge: A New Wave of Law & Order

[16:09–19:28]

• Topic: More than 100,000 Americans have applied for 10,000 ICE jobs after a new hiring campaign, reflecting a groundswell of support for Trump’s law-and-order stance.
• Details:
  • ICE roles include deportation officer, criminal investigator, and attorney.
  • Major incentives: $50,000 signing bonuses, student loan support, and relaxed qualification restrictions.
  • Recent DHS statistics cite a 1,000% increase in attacks on ICE agents, attributing challenges to prior Biden-Harris policies and antagonism toward law enforcement.
  • Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem are spotlighted for their commitment to “defending the homeland.”

Ben Ferguson:

• Frames the ICE hiring surge as proof of renewed confidence in law enforcement:
  • “So many people are willing to fight to protect this country when they know the Commander-in-Chief is backing them up. And that’s exactly what you’re getting from President Trump.” [19:08]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Miranda Devine [08:13]:
  “These people were all involved in the politicization of the FBI under Joe Biden and Christopher Wray, attacking and persecuting Trump allies... I was surprised that they lasted as long as they did, but I think it's great that finally Kash Patel has cleaned house...”
• Caroline Levitt [14:23 / 15:27]:
  “The president has already said he wants to see Adam Schiff held accountable for the countless lies… As for this new FBI whistleblower report… This is obviously a bombshell… It was all done with one purpose, to weaponize intelligence and law enforcement for political gain.”
• Ben Ferguson [11:12]:
  “Serious accountability—that is all that we’re asking for here. … If there is something there, hold those accountable for their actions.”
• Kristi Noem (quoted, [17:06]):
  “This is a defining moment in our nation's history. Your skills, your experience and your courage have never been more essential. Together we must defend the homeland.”

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [06:24] – FBI shakeup: Ferguson introduces story of Patel “cleaning house.”
• [08:13] – Devine details ousted officials’ history of politicization.
• [09:24–11:11] – Grand juries and potential legal peril for Schiff and Letitia James.
• [12:33] – Whistleblower claims against Adam Schiff detailed.
• [14:23] – White House press secretary responds to Schiff story.
• [16:09–19:28] – ICE applications surge and new recruitment push.

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Tone & Style

• Direct, urgent, and combative; speakers emphasize “accountability,” “corruption,” and “restoration of trust.”
• Frequent allusions to “deep state,” “weaponization” of government, and Trump’s law-and-order agenda.
• Ben Ferguson’s style is assertive and geared toward listeners looking for analysis not found in mainstream coverage.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode of The 47 Morning Update offers detailed, insider-focused analysis of the post-2024 shift in federal law enforcement and political accountability. With the new FBI leadership overseeing an unprecedented internal overhaul, and grand juries investigating top Democratic figures for criminal misconduct, the podcast captures a watershed moment in Washington’s power dynamics. Bolstered by a surge in ICE applicants, the episode underscores the resonance of a renewed emphasis on law, order, and public trust in government institutions.

Transcript

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[Ben Ferguson]

They really are, they're, they're, they're stuck. They don't know what to do. They have probably more, I would say more than half are sane, but they are led by insane people. You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Good Saturday morning to you, Ben Ferguson, Nissan with you. And these are some of the stories that you may have missed that we talked about this week on the 47 Morning Update. First up at the FBI, they're cleaning house and we're now finding out much more about just how corrupt the deep state has actually been. We're going to break down what's happening now and hear from Miranda Devine about what this means for the future at the FBI.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Also, Adam Schiff in big trouble. New accusations coming out from a Democrat that he purposely leaked classified information to undermine and overthrow the Trump presidency back in 2017. And finally, more than 100,000Americans have said we want to work for the president and be ICE agents. That's right. Nationwide, more than 100,000Americans have applied for just 10,000 jobs. I'll give you the details on how big of a deal that is in just a moment.

[Ben Ferguson]

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[Narrator/Reporter]

It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now.

[Ben Ferguson]

Story number one, Cash Patel seems to be cleaning house at the FBI. Yes, that's exactly what is happening now as Patel has decided it is time to make sure he has good people working there. Miranda Devine went on Maria Bartromo show on FOX News Sunday and had this to say about what's going on at the FBI.

[Narrator/Reporter]

You also hear some audio from Dan.

[Ben Ferguson]

Bongino and Cash Patel in an earlier.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Interview they did at the very beginning. I want you to listen carefully to.

[Ben Ferguson]

What they're saying about what we're doing now to get to the bottom of something like January 6th and the pipe bomber case, for example, you need three things. You need people, you need information and you need people with information. I'll allow the public to put that together and just wait and you'll see. Nothing we're doing, nothing is by accident. Dan and I have already told the FBI every employee that acted appropriately, we are going to defend you to the Hill literally, no matter the consequences.

[Maria Bartiromo]

And that was FBI Director Cash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino with me in my exclusive on the FBI back in May earlier this year. As more heads rolled at the FBI this past week, former FBI Acting Director Brian Driscoll and Special Agent Walter Giardina were forced out, among others. Forced out. Driscoll oversaw the Jan. 6 investigation while Giardina worked on cases against President Trump and Peter Navarro, the trade executive in the White House who was ultimately convicted and sent to prison. Joining me now with more on all of this is New York Post columnist and FOX News contributor Miranda Devine. Miranda, great to see you. Literally, it's been a decade of scandals led by the Democrats. But first, I want to get your take on these FBI changes. First they promoted Driscoll and then they asked him to leave.

[Charli Webster]

Yes. And also Stephen Jensen and Walter Giardina. And these people were all involved in the politicization of the FBI under Joe Bide and Christopher Wray, attacking and persecuting Trump allies and people who had worked for Trump, including the Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon being jailed for contempt of Nancy Pelosi, effectively, and the January 6th defendants. Stephen Jensen was in charge of the most overzealous prosecution, persecution, investigation of these Trump allies. And so I think it was long overdue, really. I was surprised that they lasted as long as they did, but I think it's great that finally Kash Patel has cleaned house and I assume and your interview with Patel and Dan Bongino is the only record of this, but that they there was method in the madness, that there was a reason to keep them close for the first six months and now to remove them summarily.

[Maria Bartiromo]

Marina, what's your take on what we're seeing? Are we finally seeing some signals of some accountability? We've been waiting for accountability, from the Russia collusion nonsense to the impeachments of Trump, the laptop from hell. How do you see things now?

[Charli Webster]

That's a really good question, Maria. And I think we're seeing really positive signs. There just seems to be a systematic, very orderly procession of, you know, investigations and subpoenas and grand juries. We saw on Friday that Letitia James, the attorney general of New York, who prosecuted Trump every which way she could find, as well as the notorious Adam Schiff, who of course was, you know, now is a senator, but then was a congressman who led a lot of the Russia hoax nonsense back in Trump's first term and is really somebody like Letitia James, who continues to mouth the refrain, no one is above the law. Well, they found out that they're not above the law because Pam Bondi, the attorney general, appointed on Thursday night Ed Martin, as the special attorney to investigate these two. He can bring up grand juries wherever he likes, and he's done. So grand juries are looking at Adam Schiff and Letitia James in Maryland and in Virginia on allegations of mortgage fraud, also bank fraud and wire fraud. And these charges, if convicted on them, they would serve up to 30 years in jail. So it's a serious accountability.

[Ben Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Maria Bartiromo]

I want to ask you more.

[Ben Ferguson]

A serious accountability. That is all that we're asking for here, is that you take a look at all of this and you say, were there actual laws that were broken? That is what Miranda Devine is saying is a real possibility, that there are real laws that were broken, real corruption that we can clearly see. And because there is real corruption, there are real laws that may have been broken. There should be accountability. This is all that the President, United States of America has been asking for, which is, hey, FBI, do your job. Take a look at all of these things, see what happened and if there is something there, hold those accountable for their actions. Now you look at the weaponization of our government, the weaponization of our deep state. You look at how it was weaponized to take out political opponents. You look at Letitia James, you look at those in around Biden, you look at so many that were just involved in incredible levels of corruption and they all thought they could get away with it because no one would ever come knocking. Remember, they were the ones that were knocking on the doors, raiding people's homes, even going into the presence of the United States of America's House. Never, ever forget that. Next story number two In a bombshell.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Report, a Democratic whistleblower has come forward. A longtime staffer on the House Intelligence Committee and told the FBI back In December of 2017, during Donald Trump's first year in office, that then Representative Adam Schiff authorized the leaking of classified information during the Russiagate investigation to discredit President Donald Trump, believing that he would be appointed CIA director under a potential Hillary Clinton presidency. In meetings, Adam Schiff allegedly stated the leaks would be used to indict President Trump. When the whistleblower objected, others reportedly reassured him that they would not be caught. The whistleblower described a system where sensitive material was funneled to SHIFT and then selectively leaked to the press. One document allegedly seen by a small group including SHIFT and Representative Eric Swalwell, you remember the congressman that was literally sleeping with a Chinese spy, was leaked almost verbatim within a day. The whistleblower labeled these actions unethical and potentially treasonous and sought FBI involvement, though the Department of Justice reportedly declined to pursue the investigation further. The White House press secretary called the report of bombshell, citing the newly released FBI documentation about the whistleblower's account. Here's more of what Caroline Levitt had to say when she was asked about it in the White House briefing room.

[Candice Rivera]

Thanks, Caroline. My question involves Russiagate. A whistleblower alleges that then Congressman Adam Schiff approved leaking classified information to smear President Trump's image during the Russia scandal. Does the president plan to investigate Adam Schiff? And what would accountability look like if more information confirms this report? The President. The president has already said he wants to see Adam Schiff held accountable for the countless lies he told the American people in relation to the Russiagate scandal. I brought Tulsi Gabbard out to this podium to talk to you about all of that. And this administration is taking accountability very seriously. As for this new FBI whistleblower report, I understand Cash Patel last night declassified a 302 FBI document showing that a whistleblower who is a Democrat, a career intelligence officer who works for Democrats on the House Intel Committee for more than a decade, repeatedly warned the FBI in 2017 that then Rep. Adam Schiff had approved leaking classified information to smear then President Donald Trump over the Russiagate scandal. This is obviously a bombshell whistleblower report. Hopefully more people in this room will cover it as such. And I have a quote from the FBI director for all of you. He has said this for years. Certain officials used their positions to selectively leak classified information to shape political narratives. It was all done with one purpose, to weaponize intelligence and law enforcement for political gain. Those abuses eroded public trust in our institutions. The FBI will now lead the charge with our partners at doj. And Congress will have the chance to uncover how political power may have been weaponized and to restore accountability. That's what the administration is focused on. And hopefully we'll see some more media reports on this whistleblower allegation. If this were reversed, if this were. If this were allegations against the President or any of these Cabinet officials, I'm sure everyone in this room would cover it as such.

[Ben Ferguson]

This is obviously a major story that.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The media doesn't want to cover, but.

[Ben Ferguson]

We'Re going to keep you informed on it, and we're going to make sure you know exactly what's happening every step of the way. And finally, story number three. Donald Trump has done something that's truly incredible. Allow law enforcement to do their jobs. And now Americans are signing up in record numbers to get in on law and order. We now have found out that over 100,000Americans have submitted applications for jobs at the U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, following the launch of a Department of Homeland Security hiring campaign in late July. The Trump administration initiative seeks to add 10,000 more ICE personnel. Because of the tens of millions of illegal immigrants that are in this country. ICE agents are needed, and now they're offering major perks as well, and even easing some of the qualification restrictions to make sure that we get incredible people that are willing to work within ice. This is one of the best parts of all of what Donald Trump has done. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stressed the significance of the hiring push, saying, quote, this is a. A defining moment in our nation's history. Your skills, your experience and your courage have never been more essential. Together we must defend the homeland. Gnome emphasized that ICE agents are responsible for deporting the worst of the worst criminals from the United States of America. To draw in applicants, ICE is providing sign on bonuses as high as $50,000, along with programs for repaying or forgiving student loans and additional perks. This hiring campaign occurs amid DHS statistics show an 830% surge in attacks on ICE agents, a number that NOME indicated has now climbed to 1000% because the radical left demonizing law and order. The acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has drawn also attention to the difficulties ICE agents are enduring and encountering in the public because of the open border policies of the former Biden Harris government. The dedicated men and women of ICE now face unprecedented challenges in removing millions of criminal legal aliens from our country. And that's exactly why they're trying to hire 10,000 new individuals now. The ICE hiring portal features various positions such as deportation officer, criminal investigator and general attorney, and it also clearly responds to the occupational hazards, noting that agents are quote unquote expertly trained and that all possible measures are implemented to protect them. Every candidate for law enforcement position will be subject to health evaluations, substance screenings and fitness tests during recruitment. This is exactly why they've received more than 100,000 applicants, because so many people are willing to fight to protect this country when they know the Commander in Chief is backing them up. And that's exactly what you're getting from President Trump. 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 on Monday morning.

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[Candice Rivera]

You want smart political talk without the meltdowns?

[Ben Ferguson]

We got you. I'm Carol Markowitz.

[Maria Bartiromo]

And I'm Mary Kathryn Hamm.

[Ben Ferguson]

We've been around the block in media.

[Candice Rivera]

And we're doing things differently. Normally is about real conversations, thoughtful, try.

[Ben Ferguson]

To be funny, grounded and no panic.

[Candice Rivera]

We'll keep you informed and entertained without ruining your day. Join us every Tuesday and Thursday Normally on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Bartiromo]

This is an iHeart podcast.