Courts vs. Commander-in-Chief on Tariffs plus the Room that Comey Forgot

Summary

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode: Courts vs. Commander-in-Chief on Tariffs plus the Room that Comey Forgot
Release Date: May 30, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson delves into three major stories shaping the political and economic landscape of America. From the reinstatement of former President Donald Trump's tariffs to revelations within the FBI and significant decisions in the realm of public health, Ferguson provides a comprehensive analysis of events impacting the nation.

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1. Donald Trump's Tariffs Reinstated After Appeals Court Victory

Overview:
The episode opens with a significant development in U.S. trade policies. An appeals court has overturned a previous ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade that deemed President Donald Trump's Liberation Day tariffs illegal. This reversal means that the tariffs are back in effect, aiming to protect American manufacturing and workers.

Key Points:

• Court Ruling and Reinstatement: The U.S. Court of International Trade had initially blocked Trump's tariffs, labeling them illegal (04:00). However, the White House swiftly filed a motion to stay this ruling, resulting in the tariffs being reinstated the following day.

• White House's Stance: The administration emphasizes that the tariffs are a necessary measure to address the persistent trade deficits threatening national security and the economy.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Bongino, FBI Deputy Director:
  "The Trump administration faced another example of judicial overreach... President Trump correctly believes that America cannot function safely long term if we are unable to scale advanced domestic manufacturing capacity."
  (05:04)

• Brett:
  "It seems highly inappropriate for the judiciary to weigh in here when the Senate had the opportunity to override the President and didn't... This administration is committed to fair trade."
  (08:00)

Analysis: Ferguson highlights the administration's view of the court's decision as an overstep of judicial authority, arguing that elected officials should dictate trade policies. The reinstatement of tariffs is portrayed as a bold move to rebalance trade agreements and reduce the long-standing trade deficit.

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2. FBI Discovers Hidden Documents from James Comey's Tenure

Overview:
In a startling revelation, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino disclosed the discovery of a concealed room within the FBI headquarters, housing numerous documents from former Director James Comey’s era. This finding raises questions about the handling and transparency of sensitive information within the bureau.

Key Points:

• Discovery Details: The hidden room contained documents that were neither digitized nor properly cataloged, with some found stored in bags, indicating potential mishandling of evidence.

• FBI's Response: Bongino emphasized the agency's commitment to transparency, stating that efforts are underway to declassify the materials. He anticipates that the revelations will be "significant" once made public.

• Contextual Significance: This discovery ties into broader FBI initiatives under Director Cash Patel to revisit and enhance accountability in past investigations, including high-profile cases like the January 6th pipe bombs and the 2023 cocaine discovery at the White House.

Notable Quotes:

• Jim Comey:
  "We are working our damnedest right now to declassify... You are going to be stunned."
  (10:01)

• Dan Bongino:
  "These judges are threatening to undermine the credibility of the United States on the world stage."
  (07:51)

Analysis: Ferguson interprets this event as part of a larger narrative of the current administration striving for greater oversight and transparency within federal institutions. The uncovering of hidden documents is portrayed as a step towards restoring public trust and ensuring accountability within the FBI.

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3. HHS Cancels Moderna's $766 Million Vaccine Contract

Overview:
Another major story covered in this episode is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Secretary RFK Jr.'s decision to cancel a substantial $766 million contract with Moderna. The contract aimed to develop an mRNA-based vaccine targeting pandemic influenza viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu.

Key Points:

• Contract Details and Cancellation: Initially awarded in two phases totaling $766 million, the contract was canceled despite Moderna reporting positive interim trial results indicating a robust immune response and favorable safety profile.

• Administration’s Rationale: The HHS cited concerns over the safety and ethical implications of mRNA technology, deeming the continued investment as neither scientifically nor ethically justifiable.

• Broader Implications: This move aligns with Secretary Kennedy's longstanding skepticism towards mRNA vaccines and reflects a shift towards prioritizing public trust and vaccine safety.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Peebles:
  "The Trump administration is canceling a more than $700 million contract with Moderna... Now you have the Trump administration saying that they felt like... it's about safety."
  (14:36)

• Ben Ferguson:
  "Concerns were raised about the safety and testing rigor of the MRNA technology... Remember when they promised you if you got it, you were gonna stop the spread and you didn't have to worry about getting COVID-19?"
  (15:56)

Analysis: Ferguson critiques the administration's decision as a response to growing public skepticism and concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of mRNA vaccines. The cancellation is positioned as a protective measure for American taxpayers and a move to restore trust in medical advancements following dissatisfaction with COVID-19 vaccine promises.

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Conclusion

Ben Ferguson's The 47 Morning Update provides listeners with in-depth coverage of pivotal issues impacting America. From economic policies and judicial actions to revelations within federal institutions and shifts in public health strategies, the episode underscores a period of significant change and the administration's efforts to navigate and influence these complex landscapes.

For those seeking to stay informed on the latest political and economic developments, Ferguson's analysis offers a comprehensive and engaging perspective on the forces shaping today's America.

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Notable Mentions:

• International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ):
  Ferguson highlights the rise of anti-Semitism and the crucial work of IFCJ in supporting Jewish families under threat. (01:04, 17:50)

• Medal of Honor Stories:
  The episode also touches on inspiring tales of bravery, celebrating recipients of the highest military decoration in the United States. (02:14, 18:30)

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Note: Timestamps are provided for reference based on the transcript segments.

Transcript

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

I got it.

[Ben Ferguson]

No, I got it.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Seriously, I insist.

[Dan Bongino]

I insisted first.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Joe]

Okay.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Rock, paper, scissors for it.

[Ben Ferguson]

Rock, paper, scissors.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Shoot, shoot.

[Ben Ferguson]

No.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Ben Ferguson]

Anti Semitism is on the rise around the world and sadly, right here in America. Jewish schools being targeted, synagogues threatened, families living in fear. This is the moment for all of us to take a stand. And that's why I want to tell you about the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You may know of it as ifcj. And they're giving food and shelter to Jewish families under threat. They're building bomb shelters for children, helping survivors of hate rebuild their lives in Israel. And your gift of only $45 will help support their life saving work. Every dollar helps be the difference. Visit ifcj.org that's ifcj.org we all have.

[Angelica Peebles]

That piece, the one that's so you. You've basically become known for it. And if you don't yet fashionistas, you'll find it on ebay. That Miu Miu red leather bomber. The Cousteau Barcelona cowboy top. Or that Patagonia fleece in the 2017 colorway. All these finds are all on ebay, along with millions of more main character pieces backed by authenticity guarantee. Ebay is the place for pre loved and vintage fashion. EBay things people love.

[Narrator]

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States. Recipients have done the improbable, the unexpected, showing immense bravery and sacrifice in the name of something much bigger than themselves.

[Brett]

This medal is for the men who.

[Ben Ferguson]

Went down that day on Medal of.

[Narrator]

Honor Stories of Courage. You'll hear about these heroes and what their stories tell us about the nature of bravery. Listen to Medal of Honor on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Jim Comey]

We had to fix it and rebuild public trust. One of the ways to do it is these cases of significant public interest that matter. You know, we had two pipe bombs planted on January 6. The cocaine in the White House, potentially hazardous material made its way into the White. Nobody seems to know how it got there and nobody seemed to investigate it fully. Like, you know, what planet do we live on where that's not of public interest?

[Ryan Seacrest]

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

[Ben Ferguson]

Good Friday morning. Welcome. It is the 47 Morning Update. And a quick reminder, if you've not hit that subscribe button to this podcast, make sure you do that now so you do not miss a single day. First up, Donald Trump's tariffs are back in effect after an appeals court ruling. The White House fighting back and explaining exactly how they got this big victory which will protect American manufacturing and American workers. Up next, the FBI Deputy Director, Dan Bongino blowing the whistle, saying now the bureau is working to declassify a trove of documents from the James Comey era that were intentionally hidden from the new leadership. That in just a second. And finally, RFK Jr. S Health and Human Services has cancelled Moderna's $766 million vaccine contract. Why? They say the technology actually may not be safe for you at all. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now. Story number one, Donald Trump's tariffs are back in effect after an appeals court victory. The appeals court on Thursday stayed the ruling of the U.S. court of International Trade that came in to block President Donald Trump's Liberation Day tariffs, meaning the tariffs are back in effect. The US Court of International Trade issued an injunction on Wednesday night, late ruling that President Donald Trump's Liberation Day tariffs were, quote, illegal. Well, guess what? The White House and Donald Trump weren't having any of it and they filed a motion to stay the ruling and the tariffs were reinstated. Thursday afternoon, the White House press secretary lighting up the courts and the activist judges involved saying this from the White House, White House.

[Dan Bongino]

The Trump administration faced another example of judicial overreach. Using his full and proper legal authority, President Trump imposed universal tariffs and reciprocal tariffs on Liberation Day to address the extraordinary threat to our national security and economy posed by large and persistent annual US Goods trade deficits. The United States has run a trade deficit of goods every year since 1975. In 2024, our trade deficit in goods exceeded $1 trillion. Everybody agrees. This is unacceptable. President Trump is delivering on his promise to fix this problem. And he has taken a long overdue and much needed bold stance for American workers. After decades of our manufacturing base being hollowed out, the President's rationale for imposing these powerful tariffs was legally sound and grounded in common sense. President Trump correctly believes that America cannot function safely long term if we are unable to scale advanced domestic manufacturing capacity, have our own secure, critical supply chains, and our defense industrial base is dependent on foreign adversaries. Three judges of the U.S. court of International Trade disagreed and brazenly abused their judicial power to usurp the authority of President Trump to stop him from carrying out the mandate that the American people gave him. These judges failed to acknowledge that the President of the United States has core foreign affairs powers and authority given to him by Congress to protect the United States economy and national security. Congress had created the National Emergency act to provide the congressional framework to strike down improper IPA use. And any questions over whether President Trump improperly imposed these IPA tariffs were already adjudicated in Congress. Following Liberation Day, Congress firmly rejected an effort led by Senator Rand Paul and Democrats to terminate the President's reciprocal tariffs. The courts should have no role here. There is a troubling and dangerous trend of unelected judges inserting themselves into the presidential decision making process. America cannot function if President Trump, or any other president for that matter, has their sensitive diplomatic or trade negotiations railroaded by activist judges. President Trump is in the process of rebalancing America's trading agreements with the entire world, bringing tens of billions of dollars in tariff revenues to our country, and finally ending the United States of America from being ripped off. These judges are threatening to undermine the credibility of the United States on the world stage. The administration has already filed an emergency motion for a stay pending appeal and an immediate administrative stay to strike down this egregious decision. But ultimately, the Supreme Court must put an end to this for the sake of our Constitution and our country.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now, the White House wasn't done there. The Treasury Secretary coming out saying this about the judges meddling in Donald Trump's tariffs.

[Brett]

Well, Brett, it seems highly inappropriate for the judiciary to weigh it in here when the Senate had the opportunity to override the President and didn't. So, you know, in terms of separation of powers, the Senate has chosen not to exercise their powers, and the President absolutely has the right to set the trade agenda for the U.S. we are, this administration is committed to fair trade, and we are striking the best deals for the American people. And anything that the Courts do to get in the way both harms the American people in terms of trade and in terms of tariff revenue.

[Ben Ferguson]

Very clearly, the courts are trying to meddle in the President's job and the White House continuing to fight back and win on this issue.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Next story number two.

[Ben Ferguson]

You can file this next story under the category of you don't hate the deep state enough and exactly what they've been hiding from you. The FBI Deputy Director, Dan Bongino has announced the discovery of a previously undisclosed room at the FBI headquarters containing a trove of documents from former Director James Comey's tenure. Bongino described the room as, quote, hidden from us and noted that many of the materials were not processed through standard FBI procedures such as digitization or proper cataloging. Some documents were reportedly found stored in bags, raising concerns about potential mishandling of evidence during Comey's tenure. Bongino also emphasized the FBI's commitment to transparency, stating that efforts are now underway to declassify these materials. Here is more of James Comey talking about all of this on Fox and.

[Jim Comey]

Friends as of Jim Comey because he cannot control himself and his emotions. He is a child. He is a big. And let me tell you one more thing. Jim Comey, who wants you to. Jim Comey taking a shot at the President. Oh, look at me. I'm such a victim. The president's going after me. He's making a ton of money on this book. The only person that got prosecuted was the President. Jim Comey. We're finding stuff even now. Wait till you read the stuff that's coming out.

[Ben Ferguson]

Does he still have loyalists in the building?

[Brett]

Because when I hear the FBI director.

[Ben Ferguson]

Saying, you guys are finding boxes that are hidden.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Okay, how does that happen in the Bureau?

[Jim Comey]

Well, we were there a couple of weeks, and luckily there were a lot of people up there who grabbed us by the arm the minute we came in and said, thank you for being here. You know, we need to talk. There are people there who are really horrified at what happened. And there was a room, and we found stuff, a lot of stuff, a hidden room. I wouldn't call it hidden, but hidden from us at least, and not mentioned to us. And then we found stuff in there, and a lot of it's from the Comey era. And we are working our damnedest right now to declassify. And just so you know, because I get the public, I totally understand people saying, well, do it now. The process is not all the information is ours to declassify some as other intelligence agencies. It's not we literally can't do it. Once that gets done and that gets out there and you read some of the stuff we found that by the way, was not processed through the normal procedure, digitizing it, putting in FBI records. We found it in bags hiding under Jim Comey's FBI. You're going to be stunned.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now, there's one thing that Dan Bongino made very clear. It is a process that he wants to be transparent with the American people. And the declassification of these materials is underway. He, as you heard him say, it's complex because many of these issues involve other intelligence agencies and the FBI does not have the right to declassify, classify their intelligence. Now, he also assured you that once the appropriate processes are completed, the findings will be shared and he anticipates that the revelations will be, quote, significant. Now, this development also aligns with broader initiatives by the current FBI leadership, including the director Cash Patel, to revisit and bring transparency to past investigations. These efforts encompass re examining high profile cases such as the January 6th pipe bombs, the 2022 DOB Supreme Court leak and the 2023 discovery of cocaine at the White House. Now, the actions from the FBI now reflect a renewed focus on accountability and restoring public trust in the FBI. The agency's provocative steps to uncover and address past oversights demonstrate a commitment to to upholding the integrity of their operations, something that Donald Trump promised every American if he was re elected. And he's making good on that promise.

[Ryan Seacrest]

And here is story number three.

[Ben Ferguson]

There's no other way to describe it but a major victory for American taxpayers. The U.S. department of Health and Human Services under Secretary RFK Jr. Has canceled a $766 million contract with Moderna that was intended to fund the development of an MRNA based vaccine targeting pandemic influenza viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu. The funding, awarded through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, known as BARDA, comprised 176 million granted in July of 2024 and 590 million in January of 2025. The cancellation occurred despite Moderna reporting positive interim results from early stage trials involving 300 healthy adults which demonstrated they claimed a robust immune response and favorable safety profile. That's obviously coming from the company. Well, when the announcement came through, this is what it sounded like on msnbc. Administration has canceled a contract with Moderna for the development of a bird flu vaccine for humans or Angelica. Peebles joins us now with more. And you could, you could conjecture a lot of things about this between RFK Jr and vaccines and MRNA? What, what's behind all this? Yeah.

[Joe]

Good morning, Joe. So this is just the latest in a string of events that we've seen related to Covid vaccines over the last week. And what's happening here is that the Trump administration is canceling a more than $700 million contract with Moderna to develop a bird flu vaccine and other pre pandemic influenza viruses. And so what's really notable about this is that obviously we've seen this. You know, we've seen bird flu tearing through birds and also dairy cows and the risk to humans. And so what we saw in the Biden administration and is that they really ramped up this work and they were helping to fund, they were going to fund a phase three trial to see if we could use Mrs. And A for a bird flu vaccine if it indeed spills over to humans. And now the cancellation of this vaccine is quite a surprise. Maybe not a surprise now, because we had been hearing rumblings about this for the past few months, but, you know, we just saw this, this contract ramp up right before the last administration left. And now you have the Trump administration saying that they felt like, after a rigorous review, we concluded that the continued investment in Moderna's H5N1MRNA vaccine was not scientifically or ethically justifiable. And they're saying that it's not just about efficacy, it's about safety. And so it's interesting to hear them really casting doubt on just the safety and the efficacy of MRNA vaccines as a whole.

[Ben Ferguson]

You go back to what the HHS officials stated in that decision, and you would think the media would have spent more time on this saying, following a comprehensive review, they concluded that continued investment in Moderna's H5N1 and M RNA vaccine was not scientifically or ethically justifiable. Now, concerns were raised about the safety and testing rigor of the MRNA technology. And the HHS emphasized the need for safety, number one, integrity number two, and public trust in medical advancements, something that at all disappeared because of the, quote, COVID vaccine. Remember when they promised you if you got it, you were gonna stop the spread and you didn't have to worry about getting COVID 19? Well, that never happened, and we all know we were lied to. Now, this move also aligns with Secretary Kennedy's longstanding skepticism towards MRNA vaccines. Since assuming his role in February, Kennedy has implemented several policy changes reflecting those views, including rolling back COVID 19 vaccine recommendations, as we mentioned yesterday, for healthy children and pregnant women, something that's been celebrated by quite a few Americans. Now, to be clear, no one has banned vaccines. This is going back to giving you the choice and a choice that many Americans had taken away from them during the COVID lockdowns.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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.

[Ben Ferguson]

Anti Semitism is on the rise around the world and sadly right here in America. Jewish schools being targeted, synagogues threatened, families living in fear. This is the moment for all of us to take a stand. And that's why I want to tell you about the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You may know of it as ifcj. And they're giving food and shelter to Jewish families under threat. They're building bomb shelters for children, helping survivors of hate rebuild their lives in Israel. And your gift of only $45 will help support their life saving work. Every dollar helps be the difference. Visit IFCJ.org that's IFCJ.org the Medal of.

[Narrator]

Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States. Recipients have done the improbable, the unexpected, showing immense bravery and sacrifice in the name of something, something much bigger than themselves.

[Brett]

This medal is for the men who.

[Ben Ferguson]

Went down that day on Medal of.

[Narrator]

Honor Stories of courage. You'll hear about these heroes and what their stories tell us about the nature of bravery. Listen to Medal of Honor on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Ryan Seacrest]

In the fall of 1986, Ronald Reagan found himself at the center of a massive scandal that looked like it might bring down his presidency. It became known as the Iran Contra affair.

[Ben Ferguson]

The things that happened were so bizarre and insane, I can't begin to tell you.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Please do. To hear the whole story. Listen to Fiasco, Iran Contra on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Why should you listen to Armstrong and Getty on demand?

[Ben Ferguson]

We're not boring.

[Ryan Seacrest]

A lot of news is boring and tedious and depressing and makes you angry. You don't want to live your life like that. Hey, I'm Jack Armstrong.

[Narrator]

He's Joe Getty.

[Ryan Seacrest]

We're Armstrong and Getty. We try to bring you the truth and help you figure out this crazy.

[Ben Ferguson]

Modern world about something, about a comedic tone.

[Ryan Seacrest]

We have a winner.

[Ben Ferguson]

Yes.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Listen to Armstrong, you geti on Demand on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an iHeart podcast.