The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Episode Summary

Release Date: January 20, 2025
Episode Title: Trump Begins to Make America Great Again & Biden's Pardon-Palooza

Introduction

In this pivotal episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson delves into three monumental stories unfolding on Inauguration Day. The focus is squarely on the incoming administration of President Donald Trump and the outgoing actions of President Joe Biden, particularly surrounding executive orders and mass pardons. Ferguson provides in-depth analysis, insights from White House sources, and notable quotes that paint a comprehensive picture of the political landscape as the new administration takes office.

1. Donald Trump's Inauguration Day Plans and Executive Orders

Trump's Rally and Vision for America

Ben Ferguson opens the episode by recapping President-elect Donald Trump's rousing rally held the night before the inauguration. Trump outlined his vision for a "swift action" to overhaul the federal government, shift priorities rapidly, and end what he termed "four long years of American decline." Ferguson highlights key statements from Trump's speech:

• [01:30] Donald Trump: "We are going to remake the federal government. We are going to shift federal priorities at a breakneck speed and ensure that the curtain closes on four long years of American decline."

• [02:10] Trump emphasizes: "We're going to make our country greater than ever before... Bring back law and order to our cities. We're going to restore patriotism to our schools... and make America great again."

Anticipated Executive Orders

Ferguson reveals insights from White House sources indicating that Trump is poised to sign approximately 200 executive orders on his first day. Key initiatives include:

• Border Security: Declaring a national emergency at the border to expedite the construction of the border wall. Trump is set to reinstate the "Remain in Mexico" policy and halt the "catch and release" system implemented by the Biden administration.

• Energy Policy: Terminating Biden's energy drilling restrictions and pausing all offshore wind leases to prioritize traditional energy sources like oil and gas drilling. Ferguson quotes Trump: "Drill, baby, drill."

• Federal Workforce Management: Mandating federal employees to return to in-person work, addressing reports that over 70% of federal office spaces remain vacant.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Ending DEI hiring practices within the federal government, shifting recruitment focus to merit-based hiring without consideration of sexuality, race, or quotas.

• Climate and Environmental Regulations: Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord and removing regulations that Trump claims increase costs for American businesses.

• Security Clearances: Suspending security clearances for officials involved in the Hunter Biden laptop controversy, accusing them of deceit and misuse of their positions.

Ferguson asserts, "This is exactly what winning looks like. Welcome to Donald Trump's presidency in 2025."

2. Trump's Planned Pardons for January 6th Rioters

Overview of the Pardon Plan

Ben Ferguson transitions to the second major story: President Trump's imminent pardon spree targeting individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6th Capitol riot. According to Ferguson, these pardons have been meticulously drafted and are set to be among Trump's first acts in office.

• [07:45] Ferguson reports: "Trump plans to issue day one pardons for some convicted January 6th rioters."

Criteria for Pardons

The pardons are expected to focus primarily on individuals deemed peaceful during the events of January 6th. Ferguson references Vice President-elect J.D. Vance's stance:

• [09:10] Vice President-elect J.D. Vance: "Rioters accused of violence shouldn't be pardoned."

Republican allies anticipate a "case by case" approach, with non-violent participants receiving clemency while violent offenders remain convicted. House Speaker Mike Johnson encapsulates this sentiment:

• [09:30] House Speaker Mike Johnson: "Trump and Vance agree peaceful protesters should be pardoned, but violent criminals should not."

Ferguson notes that out of approximately 1,270 convictions related to January 6th, only a few hundred are currently incarcerated, suggesting that many may receive pardons as part of this initiative.

3. Joe Biden's Mass Pardons and Clemency Actions

Biden's Pardon 'Palooza'

In stark contrast to Trump's approach, Ferguson highlights President Joe Biden's ongoing and expansive pardon activities as his administration winds down.

• [09:44] Ferguson states: "Joe Biden has given out already more than 8,000 pardons... Compare that to Donald Trump between 2017 and 2021, who only gave out 237."

Notable Pardons and Commutations

Biden's final days in office are marked by a flurry of pardons and commutations, some of which have sparked controversy:

• Hunter Biden: Biden breaks his promise by pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, a move that has drawn significant scrutiny and backlash.

• Death Row Commutations: Biden commutes the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates, citing a shift towards mercy and rehabilitation, leaving only three individuals on death row.

• Drug Offenders: On the preceding Friday, Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 drug offenders, described by the New York Times as the "broadest commutation of individual sentences ever issued by an American president."

Ferguson warns listeners of the ongoing developments: "Get ready to be even more shocked. Buy the last-minute pardons and I'll have them for you tomorrow."

Conclusion

Ben Ferguson wraps up the episode by emphasizing the monumental shifts occurring within both the incoming Trump administration and the outgoing Biden administration. The episode underscores a clear divergence in leadership styles and policy priorities, with Trump poised to implement sweeping changes through executive orders and targeted pardons, while Biden departs with an unprecedented number of clemencies and pardons. Ferguson encourages listeners to stay informed and subscribe for more in-depth analyses in future episodes.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• Donald Trump [01:30]: "We are going to remake the federal government. We are going to shift federal priorities at a breakneck speed and ensure that the curtain closes on four long years of American decline."

• Donald Trump [02:10]: "We're going to make our country greater than ever before... Bring back law and order to our cities. We're going to restore patriotism to our schools... and make America great again."

• House Speaker Mike Johnson [09:30]: "Trump and Vance agree peaceful protesters should be pardoned, but violent criminals should not."

Subscribe for More

Stay informed and ahead of the curve by subscribing to The 47 Morning Update on the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform. For more comprehensive coverage, don't forget to subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast.

End of Summary