Verdict with Ted Cruz: BONUS POD – Autopen-Gate and Medicaid Benefits in New York

Release Date: July 17, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson
Produced by: Premiere Networks

Introduction

In this bonus episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," co-host Ben Ferguson delves into two major political controversies: the unfolding investigation into President Joe Biden's use of the presidential autopen and allegations surrounding Medicaid benefits for illegal immigrants in New York. Skipping advertisements and introductory banter, the episode focuses on dissecting these pivotal stories, offering insights and commentary backed by recent developments and statements from key political figures.

Story 1: Investigation into President Biden's Autopen Usage

Overview:
Ben Ferguson opens the discussion by addressing the significant revelation that the White House is launching an official investigation into President Joe Biden's use of an autopen—a device that mimics handwriting for signing official documents. This investigation aims to uncover who was utilizing the autopen, the extent of its use, and whether President Biden was aware of these actions.

Key Points:

• Official Confirmation:
  The White House has confirmed the initiation of an investigation into the alleged misuse of Biden's autopen for signing pardons, executive orders, and other official documents without the president's direct oversight.

• Statements from Political Figures:

  • Caroline Levitt, Press Secretary:
    At [01:14], Levitt remarked, "Joe Biden was the worst, the most incompetent and senile president in our country's history," emphasizing the severity of the situation and hinting at possible misconduct by unelected staffers.

  • Donald Trump:
    Commenting at [06:06], Trump stated, "Whoever operated the autopen had a policy which is, by the way, I think the biggest scandal... I think it's the biggest scandal, one of them in American history." He underscores the gravity of the autopen scandal, suggesting it overshadow other high-profile controversies.

• Investigation Details:
  Ben Ferguson explains at [06:24] that the investigation will involve reviewing tens of thousands of documents from the National Archives and Records Administration. These documents are expected to provide evidence regarding Biden's awareness and authorization of the autopen's use.

• Fifth Amendment Invocations:
  Two key figures have invoked their Fifth Amendment rights in relation to the investigation:

  • Anthony Bernal, Former Chief of Staff for First Lady Jill Biden:
    At [08:18], Bernal refused to answer questions about Biden's cognitive fitness and the autopen's usage, raising suspicions of a potential cover-up.

  • Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's Longtime White House Physician:
    Similarly, at [08:52], Dr. O'Connor declined to comment on whether he was instructed to misrepresent Biden's health, further fueling Republican claims of internal concealment.

• House Oversight Committee's Stance:
  Led by Representative James Comer, the committee views these declarations as evidence of a possible concealed cover-up within the White House. Comer emphasizes the implications of unelected staff potentially making presidential-level decisions.

• Democratic Responses:

  • Representative Jasmine Crockett:
    Defends President Biden by asserting that verbal missteps do not equate to cognitive failure, attempting to downplay the investigation's significance.

Notable Quotes:

• Caroline Levitt, Press Secretary ([01:14]):
  "Joe Biden was the worst, the most incompetent and senile president in our country's history."

• Donald Trump ([06:06]):
  "Whoever operated the autopen had a policy which is, by the way, I think the biggest scandal... I think it's the biggest scandal, one of them in American history."

Story 2: Medicaid Benefits for Illegal Immigrants in New York

Overview:
The second segment tackles the contentious issue of Medicaid benefits allocation to illegal immigrants in New York. Representative Wesley Hunt challenges Governor Kathy Hochul's administration to provide transparency regarding the number of undocumented individuals receiving Medicaid, countering Democratic claims that illegal immigrants are not beneficiaries of such programs.

Key Points:

• Representative Wesley Hunt's Inquiry:
  At [10:20], Hunt demands data from Governor Hochul about the estimated 670,000 illegal immigrants in New York and their participation in Medicaid, challenging the Democrats' assertion that no illegal immigrants receive these benefits.

• Section 1115 Waivers:
  New York has utilized section 1115 waivers, allowing the state to deviate from federal Medicaid standards. Hunt questions whether these waivers have been misused to extend Medicaid coverage to undocumented immigrants, contravening federal laws that prohibit such benefits.

• Governor Hochul's Response:
  The Governor's spokesperson rebukes Hunt, suggesting his focus should be on opposing the broader Medicaid reforms instead of targeting New York's application of waivers. However, the spokesperson avoids directly answering the specific inquiry about illegal immigrants' Medicaid enrollment.

• Republican Concerns:

  • Federal Compliance:
    The Biden administration reportedly permits states like New York to use 1115 waivers to extend Medicaid to undocumented immigrants, which Republicans argue violates federal funding intentions.

  • Driver's License Controversy:
    Hunt also ties New York's "Green Light Law," which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, to potential unauthorized access to Medicaid benefits, citing a Justice Department lawsuit against the law for hindering federal immigration enforcement.

• Democratic Defense:

  • Spokesperson's Argument:
    Claims that most undocumented individuals are not eligible for full Medicaid coverage, drawing a parallel to how most American citizens also do not qualify for full benefits, thereby minimizing the perceived issue.

  • Referencing Broader Legislation:
    Democrats argue against the proposed points by Hunt by emphasizing the overall integrity and necessity of Medicaid programs, suggesting that criticisms distract from more significant legislative battles, such as the "One Big Beautiful Bill."

• Historical Context:
  The episode references an executive order by former President Trump aimed at preventing taxpayer-funded benefits from reaching unqualified aliens, highlighting a key area of partisan disagreement over immigration and public benefits.

Notable Quotes:

• Representative Wesley Hunt ([10:20]):
  "This is what Democratic leadership looks like. Open borders, benefits for illegal aliens and betrayal of the people they're supposed to be representing the American people."

• Governor Hochul's Spokesperson ([15:00] Approximate Time):
  "If Representative Hunt were truly concerned about the health and well being of his constituents, he should have directed his focus to voting against the big ugly bill which will invoke irreparable damage to Medicaid programs nationwide..."

Conclusion

Ben Ferguson wraps up the episode by emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in both the Biden administration's handling of presidential duties and New York's administration of Medicaid benefits. He underscores the importance of holding elected officials accountable and ensuring that taxpayer funds are managed appropriately, especially concerning undocumented immigrants' access to public benefits.

Listeners are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with these critical political developments, as they have significant implications for governance, public trust, and the integrity of governmental institutions.

Notable Quotes Summary

• Caroline Levitt, Press Secretary
  "[01:14] Joe Biden was the worst, the most incompetent and senile president in our country's history."

• Donald Trump
  "[06:06] Whoever operated the autopen had a policy which is, by the way, I think the biggest scandal... I think it's the biggest scandal, one of them in American history."

• Representative Wesley Hunt
  "[10:20] This is what Democratic leadership looks like. Open borders, benefits for illegal aliens and betrayal of the people they're supposed to be representing the American people."

• Governor Hochul's Spokesperson
  "If Representative Hunt were truly concerned about the health and well being of his constituents, he should have directed his focus to voting against the big ugly bill which will invoke irreparable damage to Medicaid programs nationwide..."

This detailed summary encapsulates the critical discussions from the bonus podcast episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding President Biden's autopen investigation and the debate over Medicaid benefits for illegal immigrants in New York.