CNN Sparks Outrage Over ICE App, Inside the Boldest Tax Bill in U.S. History & Trump Eyes Fed Shake-Up

Summary

Summary of "CNN Sparks Outrage Over ICE App, Inside the Boldest Tax Bill in U.S. History & Trump Eyes Fed Shake-Up"

Episode Release Date: July 5, 2025
Hosted by: Ben Ferguson
Source: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

---

1. Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson delves into three major news stories shaping the political landscape: CNN's controversial ICE tracking app, the introduction of what Ferguson describes as the largest tax bill in U.S. history, and former President Donald Trump's intensified pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Ferguson provides in-depth analysis, exclusive insights, and features expert opinions to inform listeners about these critical developments.

---

2. CNN’s ICE Block App Sparks Outrage

Ben Ferguson begins by addressing a contentious issue involving CNN and its promotion of a new app named "ICE Block." This app allows users to anonymously report sightings of ICE agents, ostensibly to help individuals avoid encounters with law enforcement.

Key Points:

• App Functionality: ICE Block crowdsources ICE agents' locations on a map, sending alerts within a five-mile radius.
• Intended Purpose: The app’s creator claims it is a benign early warning system designed to help people steer clear of ICE operations, not to incite violence.

Reactions and Controversy:

• White House Criticism: Press Secretary Caroline Levitt accused CNN of promoting violence by publicizing the app amid a 500% surge in assaults on ICE agents nationwide.

  "CNN is encouraging violence by publicizing the app," said Levitt.

• Tom Homan's Condemnation: Former ICE Director and current Border Czar Tom Homan vehemently criticized CNN for its role in promoting the app, calling it "disgusting."

  "Any network that covers that is disgusting as well," Homan stated at [04:22].
  "Assault against ICE is up over 500%. ... This is just disgusting at every level," he added at [05:22].

• Call for DOJ Intervention: Homan urged the Department of Justice to investigate CNN’s involvement, emphasizing the heightened danger posed to federal law enforcement officers.

Ben Ferguson’s Commentary: Ferguson echoes Homan’s concerns, highlighting the risks the app poses to law enforcement and criticizing media outlets that inadvertently endanger public servants.

---

3. Inside the Boldest Tax Bill in U.S. History

Ben Ferguson shifts focus to a newly introduced tax bill, which he heralds as the most significant tax cut in American history, aiming to benefit middle and working-class families.

Key Provisions of the Tax Bill:

• Historic Tax Cuts: Delivers the largest tax cut ever for middle and working-class Americans, increasing annual take-home pay by $10,000 for families.
• No Tax on Tips: Eliminates taxes on tips, incentivizing workforce participation.
• Overtime and Social Security Relief: Removes taxes on overtime and Social Security benefits, enhancing financial security for seniors.
• Support for American Manufacturing: Exempts Made in America auto loans from taxes, promoting domestic manufacturing and preserving jobs.
• Protection for Family Farms: Safeguards 2 million family farms from double taxation.
• Child Tax Credit Expansion: Permanently increases the child tax credit, benefiting over 40 million families.
• Deficit Reduction: Aims to slash deficits by approximately $2 trillion by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs.
• Border Security Funding: Allocates nearly $150 billion for border security, deportation efforts, and the completion of the border wall’s phase two.
• Military and Energy Investments: Modernizes the military, upgrades the Coast Guard, and promotes energy independence by unleashing domestic oil, gas, and nuclear power production.

Ben Ferguson’s Analysis: Ferguson meticulously breaks down each component of the bill, emphasizing its potential to transform the American economy and enhance national security. He underscores the bill's alignment with the "America First" agenda, highlighting its comprehensive approach to taxation, economic growth, and border security.

"This bill delivers the largest tax cut in history for middle and working-class Americans," Ferguson explains at [06:20].

He also contrasts the bill's benefits against the potential consequences of opposing it, framing a vote against the bill as support for the "largest tax increase in history."

---

4. Trump Eyes Fed Shake-Up: Pressure on Jerome Powell

The episode concludes with an examination of former President Donald Trump's escalating efforts to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Trump is actively criticizing Powell's monetary policies and seeking his resignation to implement lower interest rates.

Key Developments:

• Trump’s Demands: Trump publicly calls for Powell to resign, citing dissatisfaction with the Fed's interest rate decisions.

  "Powell should resign immediately," Trump asserted in a social media post at [12:14].

• Potential Successors: The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump is considering several candidates, including former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, and former World Bank President and Fed Governor Christopher Waller.

• Suggested Replacements' Statements: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant hinted at potential appointments during an interview with Bloomberg TV, though he did not confirm any decisions.

• Legal and Structural Challenges: A recent Supreme Court ruling clarified that the Fed is a "quasi-private entity," limiting the President's ability to dismiss Powell without cause, thereby complicating Trump's attempts to remove him.

Ben Ferguson’s Insights: Ferguson highlights the political tension surrounding the Fed’s independence and the broader implications for U.S. economic policy. He suggests that Trump’s push against Powell is rooted in a desire to implement policies that could save Americans trillions in interest costs.

"Lower interest rates save you countless dollars in interest, something that's good for the economy," Ferguson notes at [18:13].

Ferguson also connects this development to the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations, implying significant economic benefits for Americans as part of Trump's "America First" agenda.

---

5. Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Ferguson provides a comprehensive overview of critical issues impacting the United States, from media-fueled conflicts with law enforcement to transformative economic legislation and high-stakes political maneuvering within the Federal Reserve. His analysis offers listeners a deeper understanding of the forces shaping current American policies and the potential implications for the future.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Homan on CNN's ICE App Promotion [04:22]:

  "Any network that covers that is disgusting as well."

• Tom Homan on Rising Assaults Against ICE [05:22]:

  "Assault against ICE is up over 500%. ... This is just disgusting at every level."

• Ben Ferguson on Tax Bill Benefits [06:20]:

  "This bill delivers the largest tax cut in history for middle and working-class Americans."

• Donald Trump on Jerome Powell [12:14]:

  "Powell should resign immediately."

• Ben Ferguson on Federal Reserve Shake-Up [18:13]:

  "Lower interest rates save you countless dollars in interest, something that's good for the economy."

---

For more in-depth analysis and daily updates, subscribe to The 47 Morning Update on the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast. How to have fun anytime, anywhere. Step 1 Go to chumbacasino.com chumbacasino.com Got it. Step 2 Collect your welcome bonus.

[Ben Ferguson]

Come to papa.

[Advertiser]

Welcome bonus.

[Podcast Host]

Step 3 Play hundreds of casino style games for free.

[Ben Ferguson]

That's a lot of games all for free.

[Podcast Host]

Step 4 Unleash your excitement.

[Ben Ferguson]

Woo hoo.

[Podcast Host]

Chumba Chumba Casino has been delivering thrills for over a decade. So claim your free welcome bonus now and live the chumba life. Visit chumbacasino.com no purchase necessary vgw group.

[Tom Homan]

Void prohibited by law 21 + terms.

[Elevate Health Representative]

And conditions apply we all know those GLP1 injections work wonders, but that price tag almost gave me a heart attack. When my insurance denied coverage, I was staring at a choice between paying my mortgage or paying for weight loss. Talk about a rock and a hard place. Then I found Elevate Health Compounded semaglutide at just $58 with payment plans that don't require a second mortgage. Same medication, same results, but a price that real folks can actually afford. Visit joinelevate.com today. That's J O I N E L E V A T e dot com. Your wallet will be as happy as your waistline. This medication is not FDA approved.

[Tom Homan]

Oh, but I never want to hurt our farmers. Our farmers are great people.

[Ben Ferguson]

They keep us happy and healthy and fat.

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

Good Saturday morning to you. Ben Ferguson 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, in a shocking move, a major TV network is now helping warn individuals where ICE agents are so they can get away from being held accountable for breaking our laws. Who's doing it? We'll expose that coming up as well. Also, what made it into the bill that is now headed back to the House from the Senate, I break it all down for you and I'll have all those details for you about exactly what made it in this bill in just a moment. And finally, we also now know that the President saying it's time for the Fed chair, Jerome Powell to be gone to resign. And he's got two or three choices to replace the Fed chairman, which could save Americans literally trillions of dollars in interest. I'll give you those details in a moment. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now. Story number one, the media yet again putting ICE agents lives at risk. This time, CNN featuring a segment on ICE block It is an app that lets users anonymously crowdsource ICE agents sightings across a map and send alerts to others within a five mile radius. The app's creator framed it as a harmless early warning system to help people avoid ice, not to incite violence against the agents. ICE Block enforces constraints they claim as well. One post every five minutes, auto deletion after four hours and explicitly recommends users not interfere with officers. That's their get out of jail free card, apparently. The White House press secretary Caroline Levitt accusing CNN of encouraging violence by publicizing the app, especially AMID A reported 500% surge in assaults on ICE agents nationwide. The acting ICE director called CNN's coverage, quote, reckless and irresponsible, warning that it paints a target on federal law enforcement officers backs. And Tom Homan, the former ICE director and the current border czar, branded the app is simply disgusting and urged the DOJ to investigate CNN's role in all of this. I want you to hear more of what Tom Homan had to say on Fox News Channel about this.

[Lawrence]

This next story is outrageous. A new iPhone app is alerting people about ICE sightings in their area. As if that's not bad enough, CNN appears to be promoting the app, talking to the creator and doing a whole story on it. That is not sitting well with my next guest, Borders. Our Tom Holman joins me now. Tom, they've crossed the line here. This is out of control.

[Tom Homan]

I know. It's just simply disgusting. And any network that covers that is disgusting as well. So I'm hoping DOJ steps in there and see if they cross that line of impeding federal law enforcement officers. Look, Lawrence, you're not talking about this. Assault against ICE is up over 500%. Now you got an app that's going to tell where ICE operations are going to be. It's only a matter of time for ICE agents are ambushed by some nutrition like what happened in L. A, throwing a Molotov cocktail, throwing bricks at these officers. This is just, this is just disgusting at every level. So I hope DOJ dives in this deeply because you know, ISIS concentrate on public safety threats and national security threats. This shouldn't be a partisan issue. This shouldn't be an issue anybody is against. So they're already a dangerous job going after the worst of the worst. These guys are putting their lives on the line every day going after the worst and worse and the national security threat. And this app makes it that much more dangerous. It's incredible that those who enforce law, all of a sudden they're the bad guys want to break the law. They're victims. It's disgusting.

[Lawrence]

Why would CNN promote this? Why would they do a story on this?

[Tom Homan]

Yeah, I can't figure it out. I mean, look, I've been doing this for four decades. I've never seen anything like this in my life. You know, it's got to be they hate Trump more than love law enforcement or I can't figure it out. But something needs to be done. When you advertise this guy's app on national, on a national TV network, this is going to bring more followers, sick followers to the app and use it again, letting the bad guy know ICE is coming, they're here, here's where they're going next. This is dangerous for the men and women of law enforcement.

[Lawrence]

So true, Tom.

[Ben Ferguson]

I want to get Tom Homan clearly slamming CNN for promoting the ICE tracking app and now is saying maybe it's time for law enforcement, the doj, to step in here and see if they cross the line. Impeding federal law enforcement officers yet again. Another example of how the left is doing everything they can to protect illegal immigrants and put American lives at risk.

Next story number two.

Now you may be asking yourself what is actually in this bill that has left the Senate. Let me give you that list because it's an important one. Number one, this bill delivers the largest tax cut in history of the United States of America for middle and working class Americans. Bigger paychecks of $10,000 more in annual take home pay for families as well. A massive campaign idea is now a reality. No tax on tips which will expand middle class America like we've never seen before. We also are going to reward people that work hard with no tax on overtime, incentivizing people to work more to get ahead and something that should have happened a long time ago. No tax on Social Security, giving more security to seniors, especially when cost of living has skyrocketed. We also have no tax on Made in America auto loans. Let me say that again. No tax on made in America auto loans which will help prop up American made automobiles and incentivize Americans to look at America first. It will also help with massive amounts of manufacturing jobs keeping Americans working in manufacturing. It also protects 2 million family farms from punitive double taxation, something that's been a huge problem in this country. Permanent increases to the child tax credit. Let me say that again. Permanent increases to the child tax credit supporting over 40 million American families. Also a vote against this bill is a vote for the largest tax increase in history. Something that Republicans did a very good job of selling to the American people. It also, in this bill, rescinded billions in green new scam funding, which Doge and the Trump administration had exposed in the last several months. It restores fiscal sanity, slashing deficits by roughly $2 trillion. Yes, there are many in the House that want more than that, and we'll have to see what happens moving forward. We also know that this bill eliminated waste, fraud and abuse from the bloated federal programs that we have now been exposing through Doge and permanently securing our southern and northern borders, something the President said needed to be in this bill. We also know that this bill deports at least 1 million illegal aliens a year. Yes, that is also in the bill. And it makes the largest investment in border security in an entire generation, providing nearly 150 billion to secure our border and also to deport illegal aliens, which the American people voted for. The bill also includes finishing phase two of the border wall, something Donald Trump campaigned on back all the way in 2016. And it shifts the cost of adjudication in the immigration system from the American taxpayer to the illegal aliens. We also know that we're hiring because of this bill, hiring 10,000 new ICE agents, more than 5,000 customs officers, and more than 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, yet again, sending a message to the cartels and terrorists that you don't want to try to sneak in to the United States of America or ship your drugs into this country, because we're coming for you. There's also funds for the Golden Dome missile defense system to confront the 21st century threats, something the President and the DoD talked about extensively with the American people. We know that we need to put America first when it comes to our national security. And that's exactly why the funds were included in this bill for the Golden Dome missile defense system. We also know the bill delivers the largest Coast Guard upgrade since World War II. Why are we doing that? Because that's where the fentanyl is coming into this country and the criminal cartels are clearly exploiting our open seas. Now we will have the largest Coast Guard upgrade that we've had since World War II, something that needed to happen decades ago. Finally, the bill modernized our military to ensure it has the resources to be ready and encourages a lethal fighting force. After four years of weakness by the Biden administration, we've fallen behind China, but not any longer. It also ends Biden's war on American energy and drives down energy costs, something that was important in this bill to make sure that we as a nation are in fact energy independent, something that the prior administration did everything they could to make sure that we were weak as a nation. And it also unleashes domestic oil, domestic gas, as well as nuclear power, restoring what made America great all along, the ability to function without relying on Middle Eastern countries or anyone else that's producing oil around the world, including places like Russia. So if you want to know what's in this America first, this big, this beautiful bill, well, here's what's in it now it moves back to the House and hopefully it will be moving within days to the president's desk.

And here is story number three.

We also know this. The president is also moving on to other major issues. For example, Donald Trump is calling for the Fed chair Powell to quit immediately. Trump is ramping up the pressure on Powell, urging lower interest rates against the Federal Reserve chair's continued opposition. The president making it clear that it's time for him to, quote, resign. In a true social post on Wednesday in the late afternoon, Trump said too late should resign immediately. He also linked to a Bloomberg story headline that says Fed chair should be investigated by Congress. The FHSA head is now saying Powell was nominated by Trump to lead the Fed during the first administration. Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump as president, nominated him for a second term. His tenure as the Fed chair is set to end May of 2026. And Trump is ramping up pressure, saying I don't want to wait on Jerome Pals tenure to end, issuing a call for lower interest rates against the Federal Reserve chair and continued opposition and calling out the failure of the Fed's monetary policy, for instance. Earlier this week, Donald Trump posted this Jerome Tulip Powell and his entire board should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen in the United States of America. They have one of the easiest yet most prestigious jobs in America and they failed. And they continue to do so, saying this, if they were doing their job properly, our country would be saving trillions of dollars in interest costs. The board just sits there and watches. So they are equally to blame. We should be paying 1% interest or better. The post preceded Trump signing a letter to Powell urging him to lower interest rates. The White House press secretary, Caroline Levitt told reporters on Monday, Powell stated that the Fed's decision to hold off on dropping your interest rates owes much to concern about the possible impacts of, quote, tariffs on inflation. That coming from CBS News. Now reports say he's waiting to see how the Trump tariff policy, quote, plays out and what it ultimately does to the US economy before making interest rate adjustments. Powell has specifically said he wants to see longer term impacts, if any, on consumer pricing. So I tell you that story to just make it very clear there could be some big changes coming very soon. But it also tells you about the confidence that the president has that by the time many of you hear this, he will already have the biggest tax cut that we've seen in our lifetime and turning it into a reality. So what does that mean moving forward? Well, it means we could see some pretty big changes here, the president even moving forward to say there are, quote, two or three choices to replace the Fed chairman and saying on Tuesday, yes, I'm ready to go. When asked aboard Air Force One whether he has a top choice to succeed Jerome Powell, Trump said exactly this, I have two or three top choices. He declined to give any further information, yet again showing how much Donald Trump's ready to move on. We also know that the Wall Street Journal reported last week that Trump is considering the former Fed governor Kevin Warsh and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett as replacements. Also, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant is also being pitched as a potential candidate that, according to the Wall Street Journal, which also listed former World bank president and Fed Governor Christopher Waller as potential nominees. Now, according to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has toyed with the idea of selecting and announcing a replacement as early as September or October. However, Bessant told Bloomberg TV on Monday that the Trump administration is considering using the next expected Federal Reserve Board of Governors vacancy in early 2026 to appoint a successor. Now, since returning the White House in January, Trump has criticized Powell as well as other Fed governors for declining not to lower interest rates, which are currently in the 4.25 to 4.50 range. Fed chairs have long seen as insulated from presidential dismissal for reasons other than malfeasance or misconduct. But Trump has threatened to test the legal premise with frequent threats to fire Jerome Powell. Now, a Supreme Court ruling in May, by the way, eased concerns that Trump could fire Powell, as the justice called the Fed, quote, a uniquely structured quasi private entity. So that leaves us at this point where the president's clearly saying he believes Jerome Powell and his board are the wrong people for the job and he wants to move as quickly as possible to move the country in the right direction. He also has made it clear that lower interest rates save you countless dollars in interest, something that's good, he believes, for the economy. So if you want to know what's happening right now at the White House, it's pretty clear the president's getting ready for a very big Fourth of July celebration, and it's one that is going to give you a huge advantage in your pocketbook. And he's not done there. He's also now looking to lower interest rates for you as well. And that is exactly what the America first agenda that Donald Trump promised you looks like as we go into the 4th of July.

Thank you for listening to The47 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.

[Elevate Health Representative]

We all know those GLP1 injections work wonders, but that price tag almost gave me a heart attack. When my insurance denied coverage, I was staring at a choice between paying my mortgage or paying for weight loss. Talk about a rock and a hard place. Then I found Elevate Health Compounded semaglutide at just $58 with payment plans that don't require a second mortgage. Same medication, same results, but a price that real folks can actually afford. Visit joinelevate.com today. That's J-O-I-N-E-L-E-V-A T E.com. your wallet will be as happy as your waistline. This medication is not FDA approved.

[Advertiser]

Craftsman days are here at Lowe's with big savings on the tools you need right now. Get a free select tool when you buy the Craftsman V22 pack battery kit. Whether it's the backyard, the bathroom or beyond, Craftsman has the tools to help you power through and get the project done right because DIYing is unpredictable. But your tools shouldn't be. Shop Craftsman at Lowe's today. Valid through 79 while supplies last. Selection varies by location. Maximum initial battery voltage measured without a workload is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18.

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.