The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Law & Disorder—DOJ Targets Walz and Frey in Explosive New Investigation
Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Ben Ferguson

Overview:

This episode covers two major stories:

1. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) new investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over alleged obstruction of federal law enforcement and financial misuse tied to criminal activity and terrorism.
2. Escalating tensions with Iran, featuring U.S. sanctions and Iranian leadership's response following aggressive rhetoric against the United States and President Trump.

Ben Ferguson delivers his signature, unapologetically conservative analysis while spotlighting the administration’s actions regarding law and order at home and abroad.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

DOJ Investigation into Minnesota Leadership (00:53 - 09:43)

Context & Scope:

• Ben reports that both Governor Walz and Mayor Frey are under DOJ investigation for "possible obstruction of federal law enforcement."
• A grand jury subpoena has reportedly been issued for both, but as of Friday evening, neither office had official notice.

Claims & Analysis:

• Ben distinguishes the current DOJ probe from past accusations against Trump, emphasizing that this time, "people have already gone to jail and a governor has already decided not to run for reelection because of actual fraud and abuse of power" (02:21).
• Allegations involve the diversion of "millions and millions of dollars that then turned into billions of dollars that were stolen from taxpayers," with some allegedly funding terrorist organization Al Shabaab.

Law Enforcement and Political Rhetoric:

• White House is considering deploying the National Guard to Minnesota due to attacks on ICE agents amid civil unrest.
• Ben critiques Democrats, accusing them of spinning the investigation as political intimidation, but insists, “what we’re witnessing right now is a Department of Justice that is doing their job” (03:15).

Democrat Responses and ICE Controversy:

• Ben cites Democratic leaders and media calling for the defunding and abolition of ICE, highlighting recent violence against ICE agents.

• Plays a segment from ABC with Minneapolis Mayor Frey:

  • Quote (05:30 - 05:32):
    "I don’t regret it at all."
    — Mayor Jacob Frey, when asked if he regretted telling ICE agents to "get the F out of Minneapolis"

• Ben characterizes Democrat calls to abolish ICE and legal consequences for ICE agents as dangerous:

  "They want dead ICE agents... They want to lock up the agents and charge them with crimes." (06:23)

ICE Operations and Public Safety:

• Ben references a Fox News headline and ICE statement about the rise in arrests of criminal non-citizens in Minnesota, including "numerous convicted child rapists and killers."
  • Quote (08:03): "Regardless of staged political theatrics, ICE is going to continue to arrest the worst of the worst criminal legal aliens in Minnesota..."
    — Todd Lyons, ICE Director
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt offers support:
  • Quote (09:15): "May God bless them for their thankless work to protect American communities from these sick people."

Summary of Segment:

• Ben frames ongoing law enforcement actions as the President restoring order and holding corrupt officials accountable. He stresses the difference between enforcing existing laws and using government power for political vendettas.

Iran and U.S. Sanctions: Escalation and Strategy (09:44 - 15:21)

Iranian Accusations and Threats:

• Iran’s President blames the U.S. for the nation's economic crisis, citing "inhumane sanctions" and equating any threats to the supreme leader as acts of war.
  • Quote (10:10): "...assault on our supreme leader is tandem to an all out war with the Iranian nation."
• Ben underscores these remarks as state propaganda intended to quell internal dissent.

U.S. Policy and Response:

• The Trump administration imposes a new round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil revenues and key business networks.
• Treasury Secretary (statement at 11:25):
  • Quote (11:39): "We are not only going after the leadership, but we are targeting Iran's oil revenue stream."
• Details on sanctioned entities:
  • A rogue businessman and network allegedly smuggle Iranian oil as Iraqi to evade sanctions, generating "$300 million annually for Tehran" (12:09).
  • Emphasized commitment to "an oil supply free from Iran's destabilizing influence" (12:55).

Tracking Offshore Funds and Economic Pressure:

• Treasury details strategies to follow and freeze assets being moved by Iranian leadership to foreign banks.
  • Quote by Treasury Official (13:15 - 13:54): "We can see millions, tens of millions of dollars being wired out... we are going to trace these assets, and they will not be able to keep them."

Impact and Goals:

• The sanctions, per Ben and the Treasury, aim to cripple the regime's ability to finance terrorism, encourage protest within Iran, and weaken the government by restricting revenue.

  • Ben concludes:

    "It truly is amazing what a real leader can do to topple a regime like Iran and to help the people in that nation." (15:02)

• Ben wraps up expressing the administration's continued resolve:

  • Quote (15:15): "Donald Trump is not backing down. Instead, he's actually doubling down to support the people that are risking their lives in the streets all over the nation of Iran."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey:
  "You went on national television and you said to ICE, get the F out of Minneapolis. Do you regret that language?"
  "I don't regret it at all."
  — (05:30 - 05:32)

• On ICE efforts in Minnesota:
  "Some of these criminal aliens have had final orders of removal for 30 years, but they’ve been free to terrorize the people of Minnesota."
  — Todd Lyons, ICE Director (08:06)

• On Democratic rhetoric:
  "So there it is. Abolish ICE and go to war. You have a governor that's referred to having a civil war. They want dead ICE agents."
  — Ben Ferguson (06:23)

• On U.S. sanctions against Iran:
  "We are not only going after the leadership, but we are targeting Iran's oil revenue stream."
  — U.S. Treasury Secretary (11:39)

• On regime's economic collapse:
  "We can see millions, tens of millions of dollars being wired out... they are abandoning ship."
  — Treasury official (13:15)

• On the Trump administration’s resolve:
  "Donald Trump is not backing down. Instead, he's actually doubling down..."
  — Ben Ferguson (15:15)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:53 — Headline: DOJ investigation into Minnesota governor and mayor
• 03:15 — Ben describes DOJ actions as legitimate law enforcement, dismisses “intimidation” narrative
• 05:30 — Mayor Jacob Frey stands by anti-ICE remarks
• 06:23 — Ben discusses Democratic calls to abolish and criminalize ICE
• 08:03 — ICE statement on arresting Minnesota’s “worst of the worst”
• 09:44 — Iran story begins: Iranian leader’s threats, U.S. sanctions context
• 11:25 — Treasury Secretary outlines new sanctions and their intent
• 13:15 — Treasury details efforts to track and freeze Iranian regime assets
• 15:15 — Ben's closing summary on Trump administration’s resolve regarding Iran

Tone & Delivery

Ben Ferguson employs a combative, urgent, and unapologetically conservative tone throughout, positioning the Trump administration’s response as strong and justified, while portraying Democratic voices as dangerous and negligent regarding national security and law enforcement. The episode is direct, impassioned, and replete with pointed language toward political opponents.

For listeners new to the show or the subject matter, this episode delivers a high-octane briefing on two flashpoints shaping domestic and international policy, interwoven with sharp commentary and exclusive administration perspectives.