USAID-Who was on the Take? plus Nat Guard on the Border & Zelenskyy "Where's the MONEY?!"

Summary

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode: USAID—Who Was on the Take? Plus National Guard on the Border & Zelenskyy "Where's the MONEY?!"
Release Date: February 8, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson delves into three major stories that have significant implications for U.S. politics and international relations. Ferguson provides in-depth analysis and exclusive insights into Donald Trump's recent actions against USAID, the Texas National Guard's new role in immigration enforcement, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's alarming claims about U.S. aid transparency.

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1. Donald Trump's Showdown with USAID

Timestamp: [01:55]

Ben Ferguson opens the discussion by addressing Donald Trump's intensified criticism of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Trump labels USAID as a "radical left lunatic filled organization wasting taxpayer dollars," asserting that it has been effectively shut down under his directive.

Key Points:

• Shutdown of USAID: Trump accuses USAID of significant waste and abuse, emphasizing that the organization is no longer functioning as intended. He claims, "The war would have never started if I were president."

• Allegations of Misuse of Funds: Trump cites specific instances of alleged financial mismanagement, including:

  • $1.5 million allocated to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Serbia's workplaces.
  • $70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland.
  • $47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia.
  • $32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru.

  Trump states, "As an American taxpayer, I don't want my dollars going towards this crap."

• Agency Leadership's Response: Following Trump's directive, USAID staffers received an email ordering them to work remotely, limiting their physical presence at the D.C. headquarters. This move aligns with Trump's broader agenda to eliminate what he perceives as fraudulent activities within federal organizations.

• Media and Democratic Reaction: The media has labeled Trump's actions as an overreaction. Democrats responded by storming the USAID building, framing it as an insurrection. However, the White House remains steadfast, presenting evidence to justify the shutdown.

Notable Quote:

"I love the concept, but they turn out to be radical left lunatics." — Donald Trump [03:29]

Ferguson's Analysis: Ben emphasizes the gravity of Trump's actions, suggesting that the shutdown is part of a broader effort to purge government agencies of inefficiency and ideological bias. He raises critical questions about the true recipients of USAID funds and hints at ongoing investigations led by Elon Musk to uncover further abuses.

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2. Texas National Guard Empowered in Immigration Enforcement

Timestamp: [07:07]

Fergusion shifts focus to a groundbreaking development in immigration enforcement: the Texas National Guard has been granted the authority to make immigration arrests. This change comes through a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the state of Texas.

Key Points:

• Scope of Authority: The MOU allows National Guard soldiers to perform immigration-related duties, including making arrests, provided they are accompanied by U.S. immigration officers or border patrol agents. The preliminary ratio is set at one immigration officer to four National Guard soldiers.

• Implementation: Although the memorandum has not yet been distributed to all Texas border sectors, the immediate authorization marks a significant shift in border enforcement strategy.

• Impact on Border Security: With an additional 3,000 Texas Army National Guard soldiers involved, alongside existing federal law enforcement agents, this move is poised to enhance the U.S. government's capacity to control illegal immigration at the southern border.

• Potential Expansion: Sources indicate that similar arrangements may soon be adopted by other border states, potentially transforming national immigration enforcement practices.

Notable Quote:

"This is going to add at least 3,000 Texas Army National Guard soldiers to the number of ATF, FBI, and United States Deputy Marshals assisting the Department of Homeland Security." — Ben Ferguson [10:16]

Ferguson's Analysis: Ben underscores the strategic importance of this collaboration between state and federal agencies. He suggests that this initiative reflects the administration's commitment to tightening border security and deterring illegal immigration through increased manpower and authority.

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3. Zelenskyy Questions the Transparency of U.S. Aid to Ukraine

Timestamp: [10:18]

In the final segment, Ferguson addresses Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's troubling revelations regarding the transparency and allocation of U.S. aid to Ukraine. Zelenskyy asserts that less than half of the authorized funds have been effectively utilized, raising concerns about corruption and inefficiency.

Key Points:

• Discrepancy in Aid Figures: Zelenskyy states that Ukraine has received approximately $78 billion in aid, despite the U.S. authorizing around $175 billion to support the war-torn nation. This suggests that about $100 billion remains unaccounted for.

• Nature of the Aid: While much of the aid was designated for military support, including weapons valued at $70 billion, the exact whereabouts and usage of these funds are unclear.

• Corruption Allegations: Reports highlight rampant corruption within Ukraine, ranking it as the second most corrupt European nation in 2023, trailing only Russia. The U.S. House Oversight Committee has uncovered instances of bribery, misuse of government resources, and inflated procurement practices among Ukrainian officials.

• Transparency International's Findings: The organization's assessment of Ukraine's corruption further corroborates concerns about the effective governance of received aid.

Notable Quote:

"We received no more than 75 billion," — Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ferguson's Analysis: Ben critiques the lack of oversight and accountability in the distribution of U.S. aid to Ukraine. He questions whether the funds have remained within the United States or have been siphoned off by corrupt officials in Ukraine. Ferguson calls for a thorough investigation by figures like Elon Musk to trace the missing billions and ensure that U.S. taxpayer money is utilized effectively.

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Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Ferguson provides a comprehensive overview of significant political developments, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in both domestic and international arenas. From Trump's crackdown on USAID and the Texas National Guard's expanded role in immigration enforcement to Zelenskyy's alarming claims about U.S. aid to Ukraine, Ferguson highlights critical issues that demand public attention and governmental scrutiny.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• Donald Trump: "I love the concept, but they turn out to be radical left lunatics." [03:29]
• Ben Ferguson: "This is going to add at least 3,000 Texas Army National Guard soldiers to the number of ATF, FBI, and United States Deputy Marshals assisting the Department of Homeland Security." [10:16]
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "We received no more than 75 billion." [10:18]

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Stay Informed For more insightful analysis and updates on the stories shaping America and the world, subscribe to The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson on the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

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I insisted first.

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[Donald Trump]

Now I'd like to see that end. It's a ridiculous war. It would have never started if I were president. That war would have never started. Putin would not have started that war if I were president. And by the way, you wouldn't have had October 7th if I was president either. That mess would not have started.

[Ben Ferguson]

You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.

Good Saturday morning to you, Ben Ferguson with you. And these are some of the stories that you have missed that we talked about this week on the 47 Morning Update. First up, Donald Trump goes to war with US Aid saying it turned out to be a radical left lunatic filled organization wasting taxpayer dollars. It has now been in essence shut down and the lunatics have been not allowed back in the building. I'll have the details on that in just a moment. Up next, the National Guard has been granted authority to make immigration arrests in Texas. What mean and how is it going to change the game in fighting illegal immigrants? We'll have that as well. And finally, Zelensky now is, I guess, becoming a whistleblower now, claiming that less than half the money that the US has sent has ever actually showed up. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now. When Donald Trump was running for the presidency the second time, he made a very clear promise to the American people he was going to go into this government and save your tax hours from fraud, waste and abuse. Well, apparently an awful lot of our tax dollars have been going to all of those categories when it comes to U.S. aID, a program that Donald Trump actually liked when he was president back in 2016. So what did they find this time after it was radicalized by the Biden Harris administration.

The first term, though, USAID was something that you liked in some respects.

[Donald Trump]

I love the concept of, yeah, sure, I love the concept, but they turn out to be radical left lunatics. And the concept of it is good, but it's all about the people.

[Ben Ferguson]

President Donald Trump making it clear USAID turned out to be radical left lunatics. So what did he do? In response, USAID staffers were told to stay out of the D.C. headquarters after Elon Musk said that Trump agreed to shut it down, calling it just a ball of of worms, the workers received an email Monday telling them to stay out of the agency's D.C. headquarters. Now, staffers with the U.S. agency for International Development were actually ordered, quote, at the direction of agency leadership, to work remotely except for personnel with essential on site and building maintenance functions individually contracted by senior leadership. This according to an agency wide email that was sent out. Further guidance will be forthcoming is what the email said at the end. Now, you may ask yourself why such a massive reaction from the White House? Well, the media, of course, said this was an overreaction and Democrats went to USAID and stormed the building almost like it was an insurrection. Well, they brought receipts at the White House as the White House press secretary let the American people know exactly why they decided it's time to shut it all down.

[Donald Trump]

And here's the reason why Elon Musk and others have been taking a look. Because if you look at the waste and abuse that has run through USAID over the past several years, these are some of the insane priorities that that organization has been spending money on. $1.5 million to advance DEI in Serbia's workplaces, 70,000 for a production of a DEI musical in Ireland, 47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia, 32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru. I don't know about you, but as an American taxpayer, I don't want my dollars going towards this crap. And I know the American people don't either. And that's exactly what Elon Musk has been tasked by President Trump to do to get the fraud, waste and abuse out of our federal government.

[Ben Ferguson]

And that, my friends, is what you call bringing the receipts. The list of just some of the waste and abuse at USAID that Doge had been working on eliminating. That list is just some highlights. They apparently are finding even more abuse of your tax dollars being used for the most ridiculous things you could imagine. That 47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia. No one, whether you're Republican or Democrat, should be in favor of that. 32,000 for transgender comic books in Peru. None of our money should be going to comic books in Peru, ever. Period. And the 1.5 million to adv dei in Serbia's workplaces. The real question now people should be asking is, who was on the take when the money went to these different countries? Where did the money actually end up? Did 70, 000 actually really go to production of a DEI musical in Ireland? Or was someone just taking that money, funneling that money? That, I have a feeling, is what Elon Musk is going to dig into next. But let me say this. It's clear the Trump administration is not just stopping with dei. They're not just stopping with usaid. They're not stopping with anywhere in the government where they see waste and abuse and the abuse of our tax dollars that we work so hard for being sent all over the world.

Now, story number two.

There's nothing more exciting than getting to tell you about major breaking news and trends that will probably expand outside of an original story. Well, that is one of those stories you're about to hear right now, and that is this news. The Texas National Guard has now been granted authority to make immigration arrests in a memo of understanding between the customs and border Protection known as the CBP and the state of Texas. Texas will immediately grant the Texas national guard soldiers the memorandum, which has not yet been disseminated to all Texas border sectors, will allow the soldiers, we're being told to perform roving patrols and exercise all the duties of an immigration agent so long as a U.S. immigration officer or border patrol agent accompanies them. What does this mean? They are going to embed U. S. Customs enforcement immigration officers or border patrol agents within the National Guard, and everyone with them will have the same authority to arrest. This is going to change the entire game at the southern border in Texas. According to the memo of Understanding, the ratio of soldiers to immigration officers is preliminarily listed as one officer to four soldiers. The Title 8 United States Code arrest authority was granted to multiple federal law enforcement agencies just days after President Trump's inauguration. On January 23, the Department of Homeland Security also authorized federal law enforcement agents to, quote, investigate, determine the location of and apprehend migrants in an illegal status. The details of that memorandum obtained and released in a recent news report by CBS News are similar to the memo of Understanding reviewed also now by Breitbart, Texas. The duties of the Texas National Guard soldiers are law enforcement related, generally reserved for agents assigned to specific agencies under the Department of Homeland Security. Now, this latest granting of immigration arrest authority, what it means for boots on the ground is this. This is going to add at least 3,000 Texas Army National Guard soldiers to the number of ATF, FBI and United States Deputy Marshals who are now assisting the Department of Homeland Security in enforcing federal immigration law. Simply put, the President clearly is finding ways and his staff around him to allow for maximum number of people to go to the southern border in Texas to get the southern border back under control. This is going to be a game changer. I would also expect, based on sources that I've talked to around the White House, that you're going to see this same plan rolled out in other border states as well. Moral of the story, if you are an illegal immigrant, you better watch your back in Texas and very soon other states around the country.

And lastly, story number three, if you've.

Ever studied Ukraine, you know that the country is insanely corrupt. The leadership's corrupt, the oligarchs are corrupt, and when you send money to Ukraine, it disappears very quickly. It's also saying something that even people in Russia say, yeah, we know our country is corrupt, but you've seen nothing until you've seen Ukraine. Well, just how bad is it? Well, Zelensky is now claiming that Ukraine received, quote, less than half of US aid and they don't know where all the money went. Yes, Ukrainian President Zelensky has said that his country has only received around 78 billion in aid from the United States, despite America authorizing around a 175 billion to, quote, support the war torn country, meaning a hundred billion dollars is missing. Now, in an interview with the Associated Press published, Zelensky said he doesn't know where most of the money the United States allocated under the Biden administration to Ukraine has gone. When I hear both in the past and even now from the US that America's provided Ukraine with hundreds of billions. As the president of a nation at war, I can tell you we've received no more than 75 billion, he said. We're talking about tangible things because this aid didn't come as cash, but rather as weapons, which amount to about $70 billion. But when it's said that Ukraine received 200 billion to support the army during the war, that's not true. I don't know where all that money went, Zelensky admitted. So they got the money, but now it's missing. Perhaps it's true on paper, he went on to say, with hundreds of different programs, I won't argue, and we're immensely grateful for everything. But in reality, we received about 76 billion. It's significant aid, but it's not 200 billion. The Ukrainian leaders suggest that perhaps the additional funds went to humanitarian programs, which he said he was uninformed about except for knowing of their existence. Now, the question that you're obviously asking yourself right now is, okay, did the money even leave America? And if it did leave America, who has it now? Well, there have been long noted concerns in Washington over sending billions of dollars to Ukraine, given its corruption issues. In 2023, Transparency International ranked Ukraine as the second most corrupt European nation, only behind Russia with a score of 33 out of 100. In fact, the Oversight Committee in the US House of Representatives found that Ukrainian government officials allegedly engaged in bribery, used government vehicles for personal use, and purchased inflated food supplies for Ukrainian forces, padding their own pockets. Now, despite previously downplaying the widespread corruption in the former Soviet state, the New York Times even reported in 2023 that unnamed Ukrainian officials admitted US taxpayer money intended for military contracts had, quote, failed to produce weaponry or ammunition, and that some money has, well, just vanished. Moral of the story? It's probably time for Elon Musk and his team to take a look at Ukraine.

Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now. And for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here tomorrow.

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