The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Civil War Inside the Democratic Party Erupts Over ICE Enforcement
Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Ben Ferguson
Producer: Premiere Networks

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Ferguson delves into what he describes as a "civil war" within the Democratic Party over their stance on ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). He explores the political infighting around ICE enforcement, Democrats’ calls to abolish ICE, and recent high-profile arrests in Minnesota. Ferguson criticizes Democratic leaders, local officials, and activists for what he claims is protecting criminal illegal immigrants and demonizing law enforcement, particularly ICE agents. Through quotes, news coverage, and interviews, he frames the divide as emblematic of a broader struggle between law and order versus radical ideology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Alleged "Civil War" Within the Democratic Party

• Opening Theme (00:44): Ferguson frames the episode as exposing “anarchy in the Democratic Party,” accusing Democrats of waging war not on criminals, but on ICE itself, debating whether to openly admit to wanting to abolish ICE or to “lie a little bit.”
• Quote:

  "There is anarchy in the Democratic Party right now and they have gone to war. Not with the people that they should be going to war with, the criminals...but instead, they're now going to war with ICE."
  — Ben Ferguson (00:44)

2. High-Profile Arrests in Minnesota

• Ferguson reads details of recent ICE arrests in Minneapolis, spotlighting three individuals he describes as dangerous criminal illegal aliens:
  • Hovai Kumay (Laos): Convicted sex offender against a child.
  • Samuel Arabello Hernandez (Guatemala): Charged with rape and lewd acts with a minor.
  • Annabelle Gomez (Honduras): History of sexual conduct crimes and domestic assault.
• Critique of Media Coverage (02:23–04:51): Ferguson calls out the local and state media for allegedly ignoring such stories, implying Democrats shield the public from the realities of ICE's work.
• Quote:

  "These are just three...there’s a whole stack of them...These are the kinds of individuals this operation focuses on—individuals who escalate situations and endanger others."
  — Ben Ferguson (04:51)

3. Democratic Politicians' Response and Rhetoric

• Ferguson cites a statement criticizing “Trump’s politicalization of the DOJ,” as proof that Democrats are more concerned with ICE's enforcement than the underlying crimes.
• Attacking Senator Schumer: Ferguson claims Schumer is “defending” convicted sex offenders by opposing ICE’s practices.
• He notes an internal split between Democrats who publicly support abolishing ICE and those who remain coy.
• Quote:

  "Senator Schumer is fighting hard to keep criminals like PA Zhang, a rapist and child molester, in the country."
  — Ben Ferguson (04:51)

4. Alleged Demonization of ICE Agents

• Media Soundbite (06:51): Plays audio of Senator Chris Van Hollen praising whistleblowers and protestors against ICE operations, which Ferguson reframes as defending criminals.
• Quote:

  "One of the things that gives me great hope...are the patriots...standing up, blowing whistles to protect their neighbors [from ICE]."
  — Chris Van Hollen (06:51)

• Ferguson:

  "They are protecting the child rapists and the murderers. The worst among us that ICE are going out to get."
  (07:25)

5. Local Leaders Respond to Anti-ICE Protests

• Audio from the St. Paul Mayor discussing protests in churches and ICE’s tactics, with Ferguson accusing her of siding with protestors who disrupt religious services.
• Quote:

  "ICE has led the way in their charge of going on to school properties and detaining people from places that should be just as well kept sacred."
  — St. Paul Mayor (08:41)

6. Democratic Senator Tina Smith's Reaction

• Senator Smith is questioned about protestors targeting a city church and refrains from overtly condemning the behavior.
• Quote:

  "Almost all of the protests and demonstrations that we've seen...have been peaceful, have been nonviolent...Let’s show them how we stand up for each other and stand up for our neighbors."
  — Senator Tina Smith (10:06)

7. Minneapolis City Council’s "Lie" About ICE

• Plays a clip of a council member suggesting ICE's presence brings danger, not safety, and smears ICE as responsible for violence.
• Quote:

  "The first murder in the city of Minneapolis was perpetrated by federal agents. If this was about safety, ICE would be out of our city."
  — Minneapolis City Council member (11:04)

• Ferguson objects, calling it a "disgusting lie" and blaming Democratic leadership for endangering citizens by refusing to cooperate with ICE.

8. National Democratic Figures’ Wider Criticism

• Stacey Abrams (13:23):

  "Economic populism raised up Hitler in Germany. It raised up Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. And we watched it raise up Trump and his regime right here in America."

• Ferguson accuses Democrats and prominent figures of not only targeting ICE but using extreme comparisons to Hitler and Chavez against Trump and his supporters.

9. Faith, Morality & Far-Left Tactics

• John Ossoff (14:27): Objects to ICE operations at churches and accuses them of violating religious sanctuary.
• Quote:

  "I don’t know, Pastor, where it is in Scripture that it says deny care to the sick...that it says violate the house of worship to hunt down the refugee."
  — John Ossoff (14:27)

10. Episode Conclusion

• Ferguson reiterates that Democrats’ opposition to ICE and law enforcement is part of a Marxist, socialist, and anti-order agenda, arguing that this ideological battle is why Trump was elected.
• He urges listeners to heed the Democrats’ words as proof of their intentions and emphasizes the importance of elections for the future of law and order in America.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Ferguson (00:44):
  "It is a civil war in the Democratic Party right now. Democrats coming out in force trying to demonize ICE..."
• Chris Van Hollen (06:51):
  "Patriots in places like Minneapolis...blowing whistles on the illegal tactics of ICE."
• St. Paul Mayor (08:41):
  "ICE has led the way in their charge of going on to school properties and detaining people from places that should be just as well kept sacred."
• Sen.Tina Smith (10:06):
  "Almost all protests...have been peaceful...What all of our messages have been is basically take the bait, don’t fuel the President’s narrative."
• Minneapolis City Council Member (11:04):
  "If this was about safety, ICE would be out of our city."
• Stacey Abrams (13:23):
  "Economic populism raised up Hitler in Germany...and we watched it raise up Trump and his regime right here in America."
• John Ossoff (14:27):
  "I don’t know...where in Scripture it says...violate the house of worship to hunt down the refugee."

Key Timestamps

• 00:44 — Ferguson outlines the "civil war" over ICE within the Democratic Party.
• 02:23–04:51 — Specific criminal cases from Minnesota.
• 06:51 — Senator Chris Van Hollen's defense of anti-ICE activism.
• 08:41 — St. Paul Mayor comments on protests in churches.
• 10:06 — Senator Tina Smith reacts to protests and narrative-building.
• 11:04 — Minneapolis Council Member claims ICE undermines safety.
• 13:23 — Stacey Abrams’ Hitler/Chavez/Trump comparison.
• 14:27 — John Ossoff criticizes ICE’s tactics and faith-based sanctuary violations.

Tone & Style

Ben Ferguson’s tone is urgent, direct, and confrontational. He frequently uses charged language ("anarchy," "civil war," "Marxist socialists and communists") and positions himself as offering the stories and angles that the mainstream media will not cover. He attributes protection of criminals and demonization of law enforcement to a deliberate Democratic agenda, reinforcing a right-leaning, pro-law enforcement perspective.

Summary

This episode sharply critiques Democratic leaders and activists for opposing ICE and allegedly shielding criminal illegal immigrants. Ferguson uses recent Minnesota arrests and quotes from prominent Democrats to illustrate what he calls a deep ideological split within the party and paints the battle over ICE as symbolic of a broader threat to law and order. Through a mix of news, interviews, and opinion, Ferguson urges listeners to recognize the stakes behind political rhetoric and remain vigilant as these partisan battles shape America’s future.