Verdict with Ted Cruz

BONUS POD: "Civil War Inside the Democratic Party Erupts Over ICE Enforcement"

Release Date: January 21, 2026
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz (not present in this episode) & Ben Ferguson (hosting solo)

Episode Overview

In this episode of Verdict, host Ben Ferguson delves into escalating tensions within the Democratic Party over ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operations, particularly referencing events in Minnesota. Ferguson frames the debate as a “civil war” among Democrats—between factions openly calling to abolish ICE and those who want to guise their aims. The episode centrally criticizes Democratic leaders’ positions on law enforcement and accuses them of protecting criminal illegal immigrants, while spotlighting their rhetoric and responses to recent ICE arrests and leftist protests.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Framing the Democratic Party’s “Civil War” (03:04)

• Ferguson opens by asserting that the Democratic Party is in turmoil over how to handle ICE, with some wanting to abolish it outright (“do we just straight up be honest and say we want to abolish ICE or do we kind of lie a little bit?” – 03:11).
• The host portrays the Democrats as “going to war with ICE” rather than with criminals being arrested for grave offenses.

2. Spotlight on Recent Arrests in Minnesota (04:16)

• Ferguson and an unnamed official discuss specific “criminal illegal aliens” arrested in Minneapolis, referencing charges including sex offense against a child, rape, lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, and domestic assault.
• The official criticizes local and state media for not reporting these arrests:

  "It's very interesting that I haven't seen this individual or many others like him reported on very much by the local news media or the state news media." – Guest, 04:55

3. Critique of Democratic Leaders’ Responses (06:46)

• Ferguson accuses leaders like Senator Chuck Schumer of defending convicted criminals and claims Democrats are acting to keep “rapists and child molesters” in the country.
• He argues that Democrats are reverting to a “playbook” of demonizing ICE, describing agents as Gestapo and denying the agency’s focus on serious criminals.

4. Democratic Rhetoric and Protests (08:46)

• Ferguson plays and reacts to clips from Democrats including Chris Van Hollen, who praises protesters opposing ICE:

  "One of the things that gives me great hope even amidst all of this division and chaos sown by Donald Trump, are the patriots in places like Minneapolis who are standing up, blowing whistles to protect their neighbors." – Chris Van Hollen, 08:48

• Ferguson criticizes the celebration of these “patriots,” equating their actions with protecting criminals and lambasts local governments for refusing to cooperate with ICE (“let them go instead of actually holding them for ICE” – 09:31).

5. Responses to Church Protests and Local Leaders (10:36)

• The St. Paul mayor, when questioned about protesters entering a church to target a supposed ICE-affiliated pastor, suggests law enforcement would have responded the same way to any disturbance at a place of worship (10:53).
• Ferguson argues this amounts to tacit approval for far-left groups disrupting religious services.

6. Senator Tina Smith’s Position (12:01)

• Smith, asked about protests targeting churches, emphasizes most Minnesota demonstrations are “peaceful and nonviolent” and advises not to “fuel Donald Trump’s narrative” (12:25).
• Ferguson criticizes Smith for what he sees as minimization of aggressive acts and claims this demonstrates pride in far-left activism.

7. Narrative from Minneapolis City Council (13:20)

• Ferguson features a city council member characterizing ICE as not being about public safety, and even blaming federal agents for the city’s first murder.

  “If this was about safety, ICE would be out of our city.” – Democratic Minneapolis City Council Member, 13:50

• Ferguson calls this a “disgusting lie” and accuses city officials of refusing to confront crime.

8. Stacy Abrams and National Democratic Messaging (15:18)

• Ferguson plays a clip of Stacey Abrams drawing parallels between the rise of Trump and historical dictatorships via “economic populism.”

  “Economic populism raised up Hitler in Germany. It raised up Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. And we watched it raise up Trump and his regime right here in America.” – Stacey Abrams, 15:18

• The host contends this reveals the left’s willingness to rhetorically escalate in opposing Trump and ICE.

9. John Ossoff’s Church Comment (16:29)

• Ossoff is quoted as refusing to directly condemn protests targeting church pastors suspected of immigration enforcement ties, instead refocusing on care for the vulnerable in a biblical context.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Ferguson’s Framing:

  "There is anarchy in the Democratic Party right now and they have gone to war. Not with the people that they should be going to war with—the criminals... but instead they're now going to war with ICE." — Ben Ferguson, 03:07

• On Arrested Criminals:

  “These individuals were walking the streets of Minneapolis with impunity as of yesterday.” — Guest, 04:20
  “…there's a whole stack of them… when we look over the past year at the 10,000 that have been arrested here… that stack is enormous.” — Guest, 05:38

• On Protesters' Actions:

  “They are protecting the child rapists and the murderers, the worst among us that ICE are going out to get.” — Ben Ferguson, 09:24

• On Local Government:

  “In Minneapolis, the local government refuses to work with ICE… let them go instead of actually holding them for ICE…” — Ben Ferguson, 09:29

• Stacy Abrams on Trump:

  “Economic populism raised up Hitler in Germany. It raised up Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. And we watched it raise up Trump and his regime right here in America.” — Stacey Abrams, 15:18

• Takeaway Message:

  “This is why every election is so important. It’s also the reason why so many voted for Donald Trump because they want law and order now.” — Ben Ferguson, 16:57

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Event | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 03:04 | Ferguson sets up “civil war” within the Democratic Party | | 04:16 | Discussion of specific ICE arrests in Minnesota | | 06:46 | Ferguson criticizes Democratic leaders, references Schumer| | 08:46 | Chris Van Hollen defends protestors in Minneapolis | | 10:36 | St. Paul mayor on protests disrupting church service | | 12:01 | Senator Tina Smith addresses protest methods | | 13:20 | Minneapolis City Council comments on ICE and safety | | 15:18 | Stacey Abrams invokes Hitler/Chavez in analogizing Trump | | 16:29 | John Ossoff’s church-related remarks | | 17:37 | Ferguson’s closing statement and call to action |

Tone & Style

• The episode is combative, urgent, and critical, with Ferguson using strong language (“anarchy,” “deranged mobs,” “civil war,” “Gestapo”) to characterize Democrats’ actions and rhetoric.
• Democratic leaders are repeatedly accused of dishonesty, endangering public safety, and attacking law enforcement, while Republican positions—including Trump’s—are portrayed as defenders of order and justice.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode offers an unapologetically conservative critique of the Democratic Party’s internal strife over ICE enforcement, featuring a string of quotes and real-world incidents from Minneapolis as proof of dangerous leniency toward criminal illegal immigrants. Host Ben Ferguson portrays Democrats as radicalized, arguing that they protect lawbreakers and vilify ICE, all while refusing to confront the fallout in their own communities. The show includes pointed reactions to statements from prominent Democrats, ending with a call for listeners to take the left’s rhetoric seriously when preparing for future elections.