The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Trump Triumphs in Court as Grassley Blows Lid Off Deep State
Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson

Overview

In this hard-hitting episode, Ben Ferguson covers two headline-grabbing developments shaking up the American political landscape:

• President Trump’s legal victory regarding his authority to deploy the National Guard in Portland, as affirmed by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Revelations from Senator Chuck Grassley about the Department of Justice and FBI’s covert surveillance of Republican lawmakers and conservative groups under an operation called “Arctic Frost.”
  Ferguson frames both stories as evidence of “deep state” overreach in the Biden era and significant victories for conservative governance under President Trump.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Win in the 9th Circuit: National Guard Deployment

[03:00–08:23]

Background

• President Trump received a legal win allowing him to deploy the National Guard in Portland to restore law and order during unrest.
• The decision comes from the historically liberal 9th U.S. Circuit, marking a significant moment for presidential authority and Trump’s law-and-order agenda.

MSNBC’s Reaction

• Ferguson highlights the left’s frustration at the court’s decision, playing a significant clip from MSNBC correspondent Lisa Rubin.

Lisa Rubin [06:44]:
“After considering the record…we conclude that it is likely that the president lawfully exercised his statutory authority under 10 USC section 12406... The evidence the president relied on reflects, ‘a colorable assessment of the facts and law within a range of honest judgment.’ We thus conclude that defendants are likely to succeed on the merits of their appeal…”

• Ferguson cites this as proof that Trump’s actions were within his powers, criticizing the left’s resistance.

Ben Ferguson [08:23]:
“It is very clear the left realizes now they’re running out of ways to stop President Trump from doing his job, a job that he was elected by the American people to do.”

Implications

• The ruling solidifies Trump’s discretion as president to deploy the National Guard to protect cities and enforce law and order.
• Ferguson frames unrest in Democratic cities (Portland, D.C., Memphis, Chicago) as proof that tough action is necessary and effective.

2. Deep State Revelations: Grassley, DOJ, and ‘Arctic Frost’

[08:23–16:37]

What is “Arctic Frost”?

• Investigative operation launched by the DOJ and FBI in April 2022 as a “sensitive investigative matter.”
• Targeted Trump, his allies, and Republican lawmakers—purportedly to probe “efforts to overturn the 2020 election.”

Grassley’s Bombshell

• Senator Chuck Grassley releases documents showing that then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy AG Lisa Monaco, and FBI Director Christopher Wray personally approved opening Arctic Frost.
• Scope revealed:
  • Hundreds of subpoenas
  • Dozens of interviews
  • Phone data requests for at least 9 Republican Senators and 1 House member
  • Targeting of GOP-aligned organizations, such as Turning Point USA

Ben Ferguson [10:30]:
“We now know that list has expanded and now includes Senator Ted Cruz. We also know that not only were they spying on elected members of Congress that were Republicans only, they also targeted GOP aligned organizations.”

Grassley’s Characterization

Ben Ferguson (quoting Grassley) [11:15]:
"Grassley’s characterization is simple. He framed Arctic Frost as a sweeping partisan overreach that weaponized law enforcement and surveilled members of Congress. …He said this shows now that they were targeting their political adversaries."

• Grassley connects Arctic Frost directly to the now-dismissed Jack Smith case against Trump.

Fallout and Reforms

• FBI’s CR15 squad (public corruption unit) targeted conservatives—now disbanded as part of a broad agency reorganization.
• Former FBI Director Cash Patel promises transparency and accountability, referencing terminations and ongoing investigations into prior abuses.

Ben Ferguson [15:00]:
“Here we are with even more evidence that the Biden administration did everything they could not only to go after Donald Trump, but to go after anyone that supported Donald Trump politically and any up and coming conservative that they found a threat.”

Memorable Lines

Ben Ferguson [15:43]:
“Thank goodness President Trump is now in the Oval Office and the people around him are making sure that this never happens again.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On presidential authority:

  “What you’re witnessing is a president that is doing exactly what he promised he was going to do. Keep all Americans safe, no matter where you live.”
  —Ben Ferguson [08:17]

• On DOJ/FBI overreach:

  “Grassley called this worse than Watergate.”
  —Ben Ferguson [14:30]

• On targeting of conservatives:

  “Arctic Frost wasn’t just a case to politically investigate Trump. It was the vehicle by which partisan GOP agents and DOJ prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends and improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus, Grassley added.”
  —Ben Ferguson [13:37]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:59] – Show officially begins; Ferguson introduces top stories.
• [03:00–08:23] – Ninth Circuit upholds Trump’s authority to deploy the National Guard.
  • MSNBC reaction clip at [06:44].
• [08:23–16:37] – Grassley/DOJ “Arctic Frost” revelations:
  • Explanation of Arctic Frost and targets [09:24–14:30].
  • Discussion of the scope of surveillance, including targeted senators and conservative groups [11:15–13:37].
  • Fallout, FBI reforms, and conclusions [14:30–16:37].

Tone and Style

• Direct, urgent, and unapologetically partisan in support of Trump and conservative governance.
• Frequent use of phrases like “deep state,” “weaponized law enforcement,” and references to “the left” and “mainstream media.”
• Ends on a hopeful note, expressing gratitude for Trump’s current leadership and promising continued vigilance.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is a succinct yet passionate rundown of recent legal and political developments favoring former President Trump and current conservatives. Ferguson lauds Trump’s legal win on National Guard authority as a return to law and order, while casting deep suspicion on previously undisclosed DOJ/FBI actions against Republican lawmakers. New evidence released by Senator Grassley is presented as proof of a historic abuse of power now being dismantled under Trump’s resumed leadership. The overall message is one of vindication for conservatives, warning of ongoing threats from within the government, and reassurance that corrective actions are underway.