Podcast Summary: "May It Please the Court"
The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Release Date: December 11, 2020

In the episode titled "May It Please the Court," host Ben Ferguson engages in a comprehensive discussion with Senator Ted Cruz, delving into the tumultuous post-2020 election landscape, ongoing Supreme Court lawsuits, foreign policy developments, and critical legislative debates. The conversation provides listeners with an insider's perspective on pivotal political maneuvers and the potential implications for America's future.

1. Election Lawsuits and the Supreme Court

Overview:
The episode opens with a discussion about the numerous lawsuits challenging the 2020 presidential election results. Specifically, 17 states, along with President Donald Trump, have joined Texas in filing lawsuits alleging election irregularities in key battleground states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Key Points:

• Texas and Pennsylvania Cases:
  Senator Cruz was approached to argue both the Texas and Pennsylvania cases before the Supreme Court. While he offered his services for Pennsylvania, the court declined to hear the case due to its focus on state law rather than federal issues. This decision was succinctly communicated through a one-line order with no accompanying opinion (00:00–04:13).

• Supreme Court's Original Jurisdiction:
  Cruz explains the Supreme Court's limited capacity to entertain these lawsuits, emphasizing that suits between states fall under its original jurisdiction but are rarely granted (04:13–09:24).

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  “In Pennsylvania, the Constitution requires in-person voting in all but very limited circumstances. The legislature expanded the law to allow universal mail-in voting. There was a clear violation of state law.” (01:18)

• Michael Knowles:
  “If the court didn't take the Pennsylvania case, I fear it may not take this case either.” (04:50)

2. Political Dynamics and Legislative Actions on Capitol Hill

Overview:
Beyond election-related lawsuits, the conversation shifts to other significant legislative activities, highlighting the Senate's approval of a major arms sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Abraham Accords peace deal between Morocco and Israel, and the contentious debates surrounding the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Key Points:

• Arms Sale to UAE:
  Cruz discusses his pivotal vote in favor of the arms sale, which bolstered the Abraham Accords, fostering peace in the Middle East. He candidly shares the deliberative process behind his decision, indicating the complexity of such foreign policy choices (10:08–17:04).

• Abraham Accords:
  Highlighted as a significant achievement, the Accords represent historic peace agreements between Israel and the UAE/Bahrain, which Cruz attributes to clear and unequivocal foreign policy strategies (10:08–14:56).

• National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
  Cruz expresses concerns over recent iterations of the NDAA, particularly provisions related to renaming military bases and restricting presidential authority to withdraw troops, signaling potential legislative gridlock (21:04–23:41).

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  “The Abraham Accords were a vindication of a foreign policy approach that I've been advocating for a long time, which is that the best way to produce peace is clarity and lack of ambiguity.” (10:08)

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  “If you were to guess, it's a pretty good guess that there will be a similar margin in the Senate, but I think we'll lose some of the votes we had.” (23:41)

3. Internal GOP Challenges and Senate Majority Implications

Overview:
The discussion delves into the internal dynamics of the Republican Party, especially concerning potential Senate majorities and the ramifications of narrow victories in crucial states like Georgia.

Key Points:

• Senate Majority Concerns:
  Cruz outlines the dangers of a narrow Republican majority in the Senate, including the possibility of significant legislation passing despite GOP control, due to "squishy" Republicans willing to side with Democrats (24:07–26:52).

• Future Legislative Battles:
  He warns of looming threats such as massive tax increases, the potential statehood of Washington D.C., and attempts to pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices if Democrats seize control (24:46–26:52).

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  “Having the majority doesn't give us everything. You might still get a ton of terrible legislation, especially with the squishes. But there are certain fundamental pieces of legislation that have a 0% chance of passing, and that is more than enough to keep me fighting.” (26:52)

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  “If you were to guess, it's a pretty good guess that there will be a similar margin in the Senate, but I think we'll lose some of the votes we had.” (23:41)

4. Foreign Influence and National Security

Overview:
Addressing national security concerns, Cruz and Knowles discuss alleged foreign influence within U.S. politics, specifically citing Representative Eric Swalwell's interactions with a Chinese spy.

Key Points:

• Allegations Against Eric Swalwell:
  They critique the reported close relationship between Swalwell and a purported Chinese spy, emphasizing the dangers of foreign infiltration within political ranks (18:46–20:29).

• Broader Implications:
  Cruz underscores the persistent threat of foreign espionage and the necessity for vigilance to protect national interests (19:01–20:29).

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Knowles:
  “Representative Eric Swalwell appears to perhaps in particular have taken that message to heart...the degree of infiltration that China seems to have taken with the top ranks of the Democratic Party is troublesome.” (19:22)

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  “For a long time I've accused the Democrats of being in bed with the Chinese Communists. I just didn't realize that that was more than a metaphor.” (18:46)

5. Certainty of Election Outcome

Overview:
Concluding the episode, Cruz addresses listener concerns about the finalization of the 2020 election amidst ongoing lawsuits, offering reassurance about the certainty of a presidential outcome by January.

Key Points:

• Election Finalization:
  Cruz asserts confidence that, barring extraordinary circumstances, the election results will be finalized, and the new president will be sworn in on January 20 as mandated by law (27:28–28:35).

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  “In the ordinary course of things, we will have a president, either a new president or the same president sworn in on January 20. That is the date set by law.” (28:06)

• Michael Knowles:
  “To paraphrase Jim Carrey from Dumb and Dumber, what I'm hearing you say is we have a chance. That's what I'm hearing. We will find out.” (28:35)

Conclusion

The episode "May It Please the Court" offers a deep dive into the intricate web of post-election legal battles, legislative challenges, and foreign policy achievements shaping the United States. Senator Ted Cruz provides candid insights into the strategic decisions and potential hurdles facing the Republican Party, emphasizing the importance of clarity in foreign policy and the complexities of maintaining legislative control amidst internal divisions. Listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the political landscape, underscored by Cruz's commitment to safeguarding conservative principles in a rapidly evolving environment.

Notable Exclusions:
The summary intentionally omits advertisements, introductory remarks, and non-essential segments to focus solely on substantive content discussed during the episode.