Summary of "Sham Hunter Indictment is ALL about Protecting Joe Biden"
The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Release Date: September 15, 2023

Introduction

In the September 15, 2023 episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, host Ben Ferguson engages in a comprehensive discussion with Senator Ted Cruz regarding the recent indictment of Hunter Biden. The conversation delves into the implications of the indictment, its potential impact on President Joe Biden, media portrayal, and ongoing impeachment inquiries.

Hunter Biden's Indictment: A "Nothing Burger"

Ben Ferguson initiates the discussion by labeling Hunter Biden's indictment as "not shocking" and describes it as a "big nothing burger." He argues that the indictment solely focuses on federal gun charges, thereby insulating President Joe Biden from any direct legal repercussions. Ferguson emphasizes that the indictment targets only Hunter, diverting attention from more severe potential charges related to corruption.

[00:01] Ben Ferguson: "It's the fix is already in. [...] they've indicted him on the federal gun charges. This insulates the President. It protects the big guy."

Senator Ted Cruz concurs, asserting that the indictment is deliberately limited to personal offenses to shield President Biden. He underscores that if Hunter Biden were an ordinary individual without political connections, his charges would likely garner little attention. Cruz posits that the real issue lies in allegations that Hunter solicited millions from foreign entities in exchange for favors from his father.

[00:46] Senator Ted Cruz: "This is not about Hunter Biden. [...] The reason this matters is because there's considerable evidence that Hunter Biden solicited and received tens of millions of dollars from corrupt foreign players in exchange for official favors from his dad, Joe Biden."

Cruz details the charges: two counts related to falsifying statements during a gun purchase and a third concerning possession of a firearm while using a narcotic. He criticizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) for delaying the indictment, suggesting the primary motive is to protect President Biden.

Comparison to Potential Plea Deal

Ferguson probes the impact of the indictment versus a possible plea deal, questioning whether the current charges increase Hunter Biden's likelihood of serving jail time.

[03:20] Ben Ferguson: "How is this gonna change? [...] does that change the chances he might actually go to prison for any amount of time?"

Senator Cruz responds by explaining that the DOJ initially aimed for a lenient plea deal that would grant Hunter immunity without any guilty plea. However, due to whistleblower testimonies and increased scrutiny, the DOJ shifted its strategy, leading to the current indictment. Cruz anticipates that without the original plea agreement, there’s a higher chance Hunter might face jail time, potentially between six months to a year.

[03:41] Senator Ted Cruz: "I think the odds are significantly higher that Hunter serves some jail time."

Media Coverage and Weak Case Claims

Ferguson highlights the contradictory media narratives surrounding Hunter Biden's indictment—initially portraying it as significant, then downplaying its strength.

[12:20] Ben Ferguson: "They're trying to make this a big deal while at the same time the media... trying to tell you that the case against Hunter Biden is actually really weak."

Garrett Hake from MSNBC provides a media perspective, describing the charges but also hinting at future charges beyond the current indictment.

[12:32] Garrett Hake: "This indictment on field dealing only with the gun and drug charges. I think it's reasonable to presume we have not heard the last of charges against the president's son."

However, Cruz rebuts this, asserting that the DOJ's primary aim is to resolve the matter swiftly to protect President Biden, ensuring no further investigations into alleged corruption.

Legal Analysis and Critique of Media Narratives

Ferguson challenges the legitimacy of media claims that the case against Hunter is weak, referencing specific evidence from the indictment.

[15:28] Senator Ted Cruz: "The critical elements are [...] he clearly checked the box lying on the form. So to say the case is weak, I don't even know a factual claim, an element of the crime that is in dispute."

Jennifer Rogers, a CNN legal analyst, questions the strength of the case, citing its rarity and potential legal challenges post the Bruen Supreme Court decision on the Second Amendment.

[15:56] Jennifer Rogers: "I think this case is weak. [...] After the Supreme Court's decision in the Bruin case... gun possession statutes are in jeopardy."

Cruz vehemently disagrees, arguing that the facts of the case (gun purchase, drug addiction, false statements) are indisputable and that legal scholars do not doubt the validity of such firearm possession laws.

Reaction to James Carville's Comments on Impeachment

The episode shifts focus to James Carville, a prominent Democratic strategist, who criticizes House Republicans' handling of the impeachment inquiry against President Biden.

[22:01] James Carville: "I mean, James Comer or Jim Jordan [...] I want them to hold hearings [...] make fools out of."

Cruz criticizes Carville's remarks, defending the intelligence and competence of House Republican leaders like James Comer and Jim Jordan, and dismissing Carville's characterization as unfounded.

[23:43] Senator Ted Cruz: "What you asked to be thrown into it is [...] the evidence [...] is very significant."

Impeachment Inquiry Update and Evidence Against Joe Biden

Cruz outlines substantial evidence implicating President Biden in corrupt activities related to Hunter Biden's business dealings, including:

• Suspicious Financial Activities: Over 100 suspicious activity reports suggest money laundering by the Biden family.
• Shell Corporations: More than 20 shell companies used for financial transactions.
• Direct Evidence: Text messages threatening to retaliate unless millions were provided, and President Biden's acknowledgment of leveraging U.S. loan guarantees to influence Ukrainian prosecutions.

[36:15] Ben Ferguson: "Up to 5,400 emails from fake email addresses from Joe Biden to Hunter Biden, [...] burner phones by Joe Biden."

Cruz emphasizes that these pieces of evidence refute claims of no direct evidence against President Biden and underscores the importance of impeachment hearings to expose these alleged corruptions.

[41:05] Senator Ted Cruz: "James Carville, be careful what you wish for, because if the American people hear this evidence, it stinks."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Cruz reiterating the importance of exposing alleged corruption within the Biden administration through impeachment hearings. He highlights the contrast between the media's downplaying of Hunter Biden's indictment and the substantial evidence he believes exists against President Biden. Ferguson encourages listeners to engage with the podcast series for a deeper understanding of these issues.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ben Ferguson [00:01]: "It's the fix is already in. [...] they've indicted him on the federal gun charges. This insulates the President."

• Senator Ted Cruz [00:46]: "This is not about Hunter Biden. [...] Hunter solicited and received tens of millions of dollars from corrupt foreign players in exchange for official favors from his dad, Joe Biden."

• Senator Ted Cruz [03:20]: "I think the odds are significantly higher that Hunter serves some jail time."

• Senator Ted Cruz [15:28]: "The critical elements are [...] he clearly checked the box lying on the form."

• Senator Ted Cruz [23:43]: "What you asked to be thrown into it is [...] the evidence [...] is very significant."

• Senator Ted Cruz [36:15]: "Up to 5,400 emails from fake email addresses from Joe Biden to Hunter Biden, [...] burner phones by Joe Biden."

• Senator Ted Cruz [41:05]: "James Carville, be careful what you wish for, because if the American people hear this evidence, it stinks."

This episode of The 47 Morning Update provides a critical examination of Hunter Biden's indictment and its broader implications for President Joe Biden, emphasizing the hosts' perspective on political motives and media narratives surrounding the case.