Podcast Summary: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode Title: Comer Wrapping Up Biden Autopen Investigation plus Defense Secretary in Puerto Rico
Date: September 9, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson (Premiere Networks)

Overview

In this episode, Ben Ferguson covers two major political stories centered on recent developments from the White House:

1. The concluding investigation by the House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, into President Joe Biden's alleged misuse of the autopen to sign thousands of pardons and other executive actions in his last days in office.
2. A surprise visit by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to Puerto Rico, targeting the U.S. military’s escalating operations against drug cartels in the Caribbean, particularly in response to tensions with Venezuela.

Ferguson presents sharp analysis, exclusive expert commentary, and links every major headline to greater political implications, particularly in relation to President Donald Trump’s administration and campaign messaging.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biden Autopen Scandal: House Oversight Committee Investigation

(Begins at 03:38)

• Latest Developments: Chairman James Comer has announced the final stage of the Oversight Committee’s probe into the use of the presidential autopen by Biden’s aides to grant thousands of pardons—allegedly without Biden’s direct knowledge or approval, raising concerns about executive overreach and legitimacy.

  • Quote [04:27]:
    Ben Ferguson (quoting James Comer):
    “As President Joe Biden declined, his aides carried out executive actions without his approval, casting even more doubt on the legitimacy of thousands of pardons and also other executive actions... there must be accountability for this scandal.”

• Political Blowback:

  • President Trump weighed in, framing the autopen controversy as a major scandal—but “not as big as the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax or the rigged 2020 presidential election.”

  • Biden staffers have attempted to downplay the issue, suggesting Republicans are using it to distract from unfavorable jobs data.

  • Quote [04:53]: Ben Ferguson (quoting a former Biden staffer):
    “Republicans like to talk about Biden whenever news hits that they don't want to talk about today... Instead, they want to talk about Biden because Trump ... is responsible for the latest numbers.”

• Constitutional and Legal Perspectives:
  Ferguson shares an excerpt from constitutional attorney Mark Smith on FOX News (played at 05:51) discussing the significance of the autopen revelations.

  • Key Legal Takeaways:

    • The president’s Article II powers mean executive branch decisions should reside with the elected president, not unelected aides.

    • Legally, using an autopen or e-signature is acceptable—but the core issue becomes whether Biden personally approved these pardons. If not, Smith argues, their legitimacy could be questioned.

    • The facts around Biden’s personal involvement remain disputed and key to any possible court challenge.

    • Memorable Quotes:

      • [06:32] Mark Smith:
        “The big picture here is this is very good news politically and legally for President Donald Trump... all of the executive powers in Article 2 of the Constitution is vested in him as the president, the one person that's elected by all the people, voted on by all Americans.”
      • [07:50] Mark Smith:
        “Certainly a president is allowed to use an auto pen... but this all assumes... the person who is doing this is signing off on this is actually approved the use... The question is: did Joe Biden as president really authorize these or not? That’s the factual question. That’s the key.”

• Supreme Court Relevance:

  • Ferguson notes that the ongoing trend at the Supreme Court has been to support the president’s executive authority, pointing to a breaking development allowing ICE agents to resume immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.

    • Quote [08:44]:
      Ben Ferguson:
      “Whether it's on the autopin or on this issue of arresting illegal immigrants in LA, the Supreme Court keeps backing the President of the United States... this is true.”

2. Defense Secretary's Covert Visit to Puerto Rico & the War on Cartels

(Begins at 09:43)

• Unannounced Trip:
  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Kane made an unannounced visit to Puerto Rico amid growing U.S.-Venezuela tensions and an increased counter-narcotics military campaign. The trip and expanded military activity came after a recent U.S. strike against a Venezuelan vessel tied to the “Trend Cartel,” labeled as a terrorist organization.

  • Quote [10:01]:
    Ben Ferguson:
    “It was an unannounced visit, an unplanned visit for the public to Puerto Rico as the U.S. has ramped up military activities in the Caribbean aimed at drug trafficking networks.”

• Military Buildup:

  • The U.S. is boosting its regional presence:
    • 10 F-35 fighter jets deployed to Puerto Rico.
    • 8 U.S. Navy warships operating in the Caribbean.
    • About 1,000 Marines conducting amphibious training on the island.
  • The Pentagon is considering using Puerto Rico as a strategic operational hub for counter-cartel operations.

• Geopolitical Context:

  • U.S. actions have drawn mixed regional responses—some leaders support the intervention while others call for more transparency.
  • Venezuela denies U.S. allegations regarding the cartel ship and criticizes the use of force.

• Analysis Excerpt - CBS News Segment:
  [11:46] Nancy Cordes (CBS) introduces John Burns, Concerned Veterans for America, for deeper analysis.

  • National Security Pivot:

    • The new national defense strategy is set to redirect focus towards hemisphere defense, drawing down on overseas commitments in favor of U.S. and Caribbean security.

    • The deployment is about securing the homeland, not regime change in Venezuela.

    • Memorable Quotes:

      • [12:31] John Burns:
        “There’s a large pivot towards defense of the American hemisphere and away from heavily being engaged in other parts of the world... our primary interest is securing our hemisphere and homeland.”
      • [13:24] John Burns:
        “The President has said that he doesn’t want to or he’s not considering this a regime change mission, which I think was very, very encouraging.”

  • Ben Ferguson’s Commentary:

    • Emphasizes that the primary mission is anti-narco terrorism, not political intervention in Venezuela.

      • Quote [13:30]:
        Ben Ferguson:
        “As much as the media tries to lie to you and tell you that the President's going for regime change, that is not what this is about at all. This is all about fighting narco terrorism. And yes, they are terrorists that are killing Americans.”

  • Strategic Rationale for Puerto Rico:

    • Its location is ideal for intercepting drug routes.

    • U.S. jurisdiction ensures easier logistics and legal processes.

    • Physical proximity allows fast interdiction of maritime smugglers.

    • Reinforced with layered Coast Guard and military presence for surveillance, interdiction, and rapid response.

      • Quote [14:22]:
        Ben Ferguson:
        “Why Puerto Rico? … It's pretty simple geography... Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands sit inside the Caribbean transit zone, historically a gateway for cocaine, fentanyl, and other drugs headed to the mainland USA.”

    • The mission aims to send a strong message: the U.S. is going “all in” on the war against drug cartels in the hemisphere.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [04:27] James Comer (via Ferguson):
  “Historic scandal with massive repercussions...”
• [06:32] Mark Smith, constitutional attorney:
  “All of the executive powers in Article 2 of the Constitution is vested in him as the president.”
• [07:50] Mark Smith:
  “Did Joe Biden as president really authorize these or not? That’s the factual question. That’s the key.”
• [10:01] Ben Ferguson:
  “It was an unannounced visit … as the U.S. has ramped up military activities in the Caribbean aimed at drug trafficking networks.”
• [13:30] Ben Ferguson:
  “This is all about fighting narco terrorism. And yes, they are terrorists that are killing Americans.”

Timeline & Key Timestamps

• 00:36 – Episode opening and introduction of main stories
• 03:38 – Deep dive: Biden Autopen Investigation
• 05:38 – Expert analysis from constitutional attorney Mark Smith
• 08:44 – Supreme Court update linked to executive power
• 09:43 – Segment: Pentagon Moves & Defense Secretary visits Puerto Rico
• 11:46 – CBS segment with Nancy Cordes and analysis by John Burns
• 13:30 – Ferguson’s strategic analysis: “Why Puerto Rico?” and mission goals
• 15:29 – Closing remarks and podcast sign-off

Summary

This episode of The 47 Morning Update spotlights two stories central to current U.S. politics and security. Ben Ferguson frames the Biden autopen investigation as a major constitutional scandal with wide-ranging legal and political consequences—one likely to play out at the Supreme Court and impact the 2024 presidential race. In the second half, the focus shifts to expanding military efforts against Caribbean drug cartels, using Puerto Rico as a strategic outpost in an assertive hemispheric defense strategy. Throughout, Ferguson emphasizes accountability, legal precedent, and the projection of American power in the face of evolving challenges.