The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode Title: Trump Slams the ‘Seditious Six’ After Military Defiance plus Clinton-Appointed Judge Blocks Comey Prosecution
Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson

Overview

In this episode, Ben Ferguson addresses two major political developments:

1. The Department of War’s investigation into Senator Mark Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers—dubbed the "Seditious Six"—for publicly urging the military to refuse “illegal orders” from President Trump.
2. The dismissal of the federal indictment against former FBI Director James Comey by a Clinton-appointed judge, and what comes next in that case.

Throughout, Ben critiques the involved lawmakers and judiciary, previews the likely appeals to come, and positions mainstream reporting as misleading on these controversies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Department of War Investigates the ‘Seditious Six’

[03:30–12:38]

• Incident Details:
  • Senator Mark Kelly (Ret. US Navy Captain) appeared in a video alongside five other Democratic lawmakers (Alyssa Slotkin, Chris DeLuzio, Chrissy Houlihan, Maggie Goodlander, Jason Crow).
  • The video called on current military and intelligence personnel to "refuse illegal orders" from President Trump’s administration.
• Official Response:
  • The Department of War is investigating Kelly for "serious allegations of misconduct," potentially leading to recall for court-martial.
  • The Department issued a reminder: "Military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ... All service members... have a legal obligation... to obey lawful orders... Orders are presumed to be lawful." (Ben citing the DoW statement, [05:30])
• Video Excerpt (Notable Quote):
  • "Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders." – Democratic Lawmakers, [08:10]
• White House & War Secretary Reaction:
  • President Trump posted:
    "The traitors that told the military to disobey my orders should be in jail right now... It was sedition at the highest level and sedition is a major crime." (Reading Trump’s Truth Social post, [09:10])
  • War Secretary Peter Seth called the video "despicable, reckless, and also false, saying this encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their commanders undermines every aspect of good order and discipline." ([09:54])
• Ben Ferguson’s Framing:
  • Emphasizes that only Kelly, as a retired officer, is subject to military law.
  • Claims, "Their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion, which only puts our warriors in danger." ([10:16], summarizing War Secretary’s statement)
• Senator Kelly’s Response:
  • Kelly highlights his military record, insists his intention is to uphold the Constitution, and refuses to be “silenced by bullies.”
  • "If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding the administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution." – Mark Kelly ([11:15])
• Democratic Support:
  • Senator Ruben Gallego defended Kelly, writing online:
    "F--- you and your investigation." (Paraphrased by Ben, [12:00])
  • Ben: "That’s your Senator from Arizona."

Memorable Moments:

• The repeated phrase “Don’t give up the ship” as a rallying cry ([08:43])
• Tension between constitutional duty and military order, as framed by both Democratic lawmakers and the administration.

2. Clinton-Appointed Judge Dismisses Indictment Against James Comey

[12:38–15:35]

• Judicial Ruling:
  • U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Curry (Clinton appointee) dismissed the Justice Department’s indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, citing improper appointment of the interim U.S. attorney who brought the indictment.
  • Key ruling excerpt:
    "Ms. Halligan, the sole prosecutor who presented the case, … was unlawfully appointed in violation of 28 USC 546 and the Constitution's Appointments Clause... I will grant Mr. Comey's motion and dismiss the indictment without prejudice." (Ben reading from the ruling, [13:20])
• Justice Department Response:
  • DOJ plans to appeal, with former Chief of Staff Chad Mazzelli arguing the dismissal is the “wrong remedy”—the indictments were ratified by DOJ leadership.
  • "This may delay justice, but it won't stop it. An appeal is coming. Comey and James are not off the hook." – Chad Mazzelli ([13:54])
• Ben Ferguson’s Analysis:
  • Frames the judge as “another activist judge” causing a delay but not exoneration for Comey.
  • Urges listeners not to believe headlines suggesting “victory” for Comey.
  • "If you see the headlines that say that you should be celebrating or that the case is all over, just know that's the mainstream media lying to you yet again..." ([15:15])
  • Reiterates his position: "I never want anyone to be persecuted because of their political leanings. I do want there to be justice if you lie to Congress. And that's exactly what it appears like James Comey actually did." ([15:23])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Department of War on the UCMJ:
  "All service members... have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful. A service member's personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order." – DoW Statement, summarized at [05:30]

• Democratic Lawmakers’ Video:
  "Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders." – Democratic Lawmakers, [08:10]
  "Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up—the ship." – Democratic Lawmakers, [08:41]

• President Trump (Truth Social):
  "The traitors that told the military to disobey my orders should be in jail right now, not roaming the fake news networks... There can be no other interpretation of what they said. War Secretary Peter Seth made his own statement..." – Read by Ben Ferguson, [09:10]

• War Secretary Peter Seth:
  "Encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their commanders undermines every aspect of good order and discipline. Their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion..." – Peter Seth, summarized by Ben, [09:54]

• Senator Mark Kelly’s Response:
  "I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution." – Mark Kelly, [11:15]

• Senator Ruben Gallego:
  "F--- you and your investigation." – Paraphrased, [12:00]

• Judge Curry on Comey Case:
  "I will grant Mr. Comey's motion and dismiss the indictment without prejudice." – Reading ruling, [13:24]

• Chad Mazzelli (DOJ):
  "This may delay justice, but it won't stop it. An appeal is coming. Comey and James are not off the hook." – [13:54]

• Ben Ferguson’s Perspective:
  "If you see the headlines that say that you should be celebrating or that the case is all over, just know that's the mainstream media lying to you yet again..." – [15:15]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:30] Show starts, Ben introduces two main stories
• [04:20] Department of War begins investigation into Senator Mark Kelly
• [07:20] Audio segment: Democratic lawmakers issue highlighted statements
• [08:10] “You must refuse illegal orders.”
• [09:10] Trump’s Truth Social response
• [09:54] War Secretary Peter Seth responds
• [11:15] Mark Kelly’s full statement read in detail
• [12:41] Clinton-appointed judge dismisses Comey indictment
• [13:20] Ben reads from the judge's ruling
• [13:54] DOJ analysis and promise of appeal
• [15:15] Ben’s closing analysis of mainstream media reporting

Summary

Ben Ferguson’s episode is a deep dive into ongoing clashes between the Trump administration, Democratic lawmakers, and the judiciary. He presents the Department of War’s probe of Senator Mark Kelly and others as a matter of law and order versus political theater, highlighting the administration’s hardline stance and the Democratic pushback. The show then unpacks the recent dismissal of James Comey’s indictment, casting doubts on the judicial process but predicting the legal fight is far from over.

Listeners are urged to look past mainstream headlines, with Ben frequently stressing the importance of facts over spin. The episode features memorable, contentious exchanges and illustrates the fraught state of politics around military loyalty, judicial independence, and accountability in the Trump era.