The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode: IRS Agents Target the Middle Class, Radical Bias at NPR Exposed & Schumer's Plan to Nuke the Constitution Week In Review
Release Date: April 13, 2024

1. IRS Targeting the Middle Class

Ben Ferguson opens the episode by addressing significant concerns affecting the middle class under the Biden administration. He challenges the administration's claims regarding economic improvements, particularly focusing on gas and grocery prices.

• Biden Administration's Claims: At [01:43], Uri Berliner from the White House states, “We are pleased that gas prices have come down by a $40 relative to that peak that was caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But as you say, we are watching carefully to make sure that those gas prices at the pump don't go up.”

• Ferguson's Counterpoint: Ben Ferguson disputes this, asserting that gas prices are not decreasing and highlights the surge in grocery prices, now up nearly 40% since 2019. He emphasizes that the middle class is being disproportionately affected, not just the wealthy elites as initially promised.

• Economic Data and IRS Audits: Senator Mike Lee provides detailed statistics at [02:08], revealing that while the administration boasts about favorable gas prices, overall prices have risen by 18.6%, and real average weekly earnings have declined by 4.2%. He cites a Wall Street Journal report stating, “President Biden's plan to hire a new army of tax collectors is falling flat. The agents already at work are targeting the middle class.”

• Predictions and Warnings: John Kennedy recalls previous warnings on the podcast about the IRS targeting average Americans, reinforcing the notion that the administration is failing the middle class. Bari Weiss adds that the IRS is hiring 27,000 new employees, intending to “harass citizens, small businesses, and political enemies of the Biden White House.”

2. Radical Bias at NPR Exposed

The discussion shifts to concerns about media bias within NPR, sparked by revelations from a long-time NPR employee.

• Whistleblower’s Account: At [07:11], Uri Berliner, a 25-year NPR veteran, publicly accuses the organization of shifting from a liberal bent to an active agenda against conservatives. In his column for The Free Press, he writes, “Today, those who listen to NPR or read its coverage online find something different, the distilled worldview of a very small segment of the US Population.”

• Interview Highlights: During an interview segment at [12:05], Berliner elaborates on NPR's transformation, stating, “We started covering Trump in a way that... we were trying to damage his presidency to even find anything we could to harm him.”

• Host and Panel Reactions: Ben Ferguson and Ted Cruz express outrage over NPR's alleged bias, with Cruz likening NPR’s current state to "Twitter before Elon Musk bought it," emphasizing its shift towards activism over objective journalism. Bari Weiss strongly advocates for defunding NPR, arguing that it has become a “propaganda outlet” funded by taxpayers.

• Impact on Public Trust: Bari Weiss underscores the consequences of such bias, noting a significant decline in NPR's listener diversity—from 26% conservative in 2011 to only 11% in 2023—highlighting a loss of moderate and traditional liberal audiences as well.

3. Chuck Schumer's Plan to Nuke the Constitution

The episode delves into Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's controversial strategy regarding the impeachment process, which opponents claim threatens the constitutional balance of power.

• Impeachment Process Explained: John Kennedy outlines Schumer’s plan to expedite the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas, comparing it to Harry Reid’s 2013 decision to eliminate the filibuster for judicial and executive appointments. At [25:27], Kennedy explains, “What Chuck Schumer is planning to do next week is every bit as big a deal as nuking the filibuster.”

• Strategic Implications: Ted Cruz questions the rationale behind Schumer’s approach, suggesting it’s an attempt to bypass proper legislative procedures ([29:40]). John Kennedy responds by emphasizing the constitutional obligations tied to impeachment, arguing that Schumer’s actions would undermine the Senate's role as a co-equal branch of government.

• Potential Consequences: Kennedy predicts long-term ramifications, stating at [29:56], “If Schumer does this next week, you will never again see an impeachment trial when the Senate is the same party as the president, that will be taken off the table.” He warns that this could set a precedent where impeachment becomes a tool for political maneuvering rather than constitutional accountability.

• Republican Response: The Republican senators, including Kennedy himself, are strategizing to delay the impeachment process to ensure it receives proper attention. At [25:41], Kennedy shares that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson agreed to postpone sending the articles of impeachment to early next week, aiming to prevent a rushed and potentially unconstitutional trial.

4. Closing Remarks and Future Implications

Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson conclude the episode by reiterating the gravity of the discussed issues. Cruz encourages listeners to engage further by downloading the full podcast for an in-depth understanding.

• Call to Action: Cruz urges Republicans to challenge the impeachment process, emphasizing the importance of adhering to constitutional procedures to maintain democratic integrity.

• Final Thoughts: Bari Weiss highlights the need for bipartisan support to defend media integrity and democratic institutions, aligning with Uri Berliner’s whistleblower revelations.

This episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson provides a critical examination of the Biden administration's economic policies, exposes alleged media bias within NPR, and scrutinizes Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's impeachment strategies. Through detailed discussions and compelling quotes, Ferguson and his panel underscore the challenges facing the middle class, the integrity of media institutions, and the preservation of constitutional safeguards in the legislative process.