Verdict with Ted Cruz – BONUS POD: Comer Wrapping Up Biden Autopen Investigation plus Defense Secretary in Puerto Rico (September 9, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this special episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," co-host Ben Ferguson dives into two major stories dominating U.S. political headlines:

1. The House Oversight Committee nearing the end of its investigation into President Biden's controversial use of the autopen for mass pardons during his final days in office.
2. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's unannounced trip to Puerto Rico amidst increased U.S.-Venezuela tensions and the broader fight against drug cartels now labeled as terrorist organizations.

The discussion includes analysis from legal and military experts, as well as reactions from key political figures, directly addressing the legitimacy and implications of executive actions and shifting U.S. defense strategy in the Caribbean.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biden Autopen Scandal & House Oversight Investigation

[03:18 – 11:00]

• Revelations From the Investigation

  • Chairman James Comer announces the committee is "wrapping up” its probe into the use of President Biden's autopen, specifically for issuing thousands of pardons.
  • Internal communications from senior Biden staff (notably Chief of Staff Jeff Zients) reveal acute concerns about these unsupervised executive actions:
    • “An email from Biden's chief of staff... confirmed the use of the presidential autopen for those pardons. 'I approve the use of the autopen for the execution of all of the following pardons. Thanks, Jay Z.'” ([08:30])
  • Debate centers on whether President Biden himself approved these actions or if unelected aides acted independently.

• Political and Legal Fallout

  • Chairman James Comer calls it “a historic scandal with massive repercussions,” demanding accountability for actions taken without presidential approval.
  • Donald Trump weighs in, branding it:
    • “The Biden autopen scandal is big, not as big as the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax or the rigged 2020 presidential election, but nevertheless, one of the biggest ever.” ([04:52])

• Left’s Response

  • Former Biden staffers downplay the issue, suggesting Republicans are using the scandal as a distraction from unfavorable economic numbers.
  • They argue the pardon process was “totally fine” and routine.

Notable Expert Commentary

• Mark Smith, Constitutional Attorney (via FOX News Channel):

  • Sees political/legal upsides for Trump in ongoing Supreme Court cases about presidential authority.
  • “The big picture here is this is very good news politically and legally for President Donald Trump... Donald Trump keeps winning before the Supreme Court these questions of executive power and his authority.” ([08:50])
  • On legality:
    • “At a very high level, certainly a president is allowed to use an autopen... but this all assumes... the president actually approved these pardons... The only way to know... is if someone from the Biden administration admits he really didn't know what was going on.” ([10:07])

• Procedural Questions

  • Legally, autopen signatures are accepted, but the crux is presidential intent and approval. If Biden was not aware or did not approve, pardons’ legitimacy could be challenged, potentially in the Supreme Court.

2. Defense Secretary’s Visit to Puerto Rico & U.S. Military Strategy

[11:02 – 17:58]

• Context of the Trip

  • Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs Chair General Dan Kane, made an unannounced visit to Puerto Rico as the U.S. increases military operations in the Caribbean.
  • Visit follows a major U.S. strike against a vessel linked to Venezuela’s “Trend Cartel,” now designated as a terrorist group.
  • Eight warships and a significant contingent of Marines have been positioned in the region; plans to deploy ten F-35s are underway.

• Political and Strategic Implications

  • Discussions focus on whether Puerto Rico is becoming a new hub for counter-narcotics (and potentially broader defense) operations.
  • The visit underscores a potential pivot in U.S. defense strategy—shifting focus to hemispheric protection against transnational threats.

Expert and Official Reactions

• Puerto Rico’s Governor Jennifer Gonzalez (on X):

  • “We thank President Trump and his administration for recognizing the strategic value Puerto Rico has to the national security of the United States and the fight against drug cartels in our hemisphere perpetuated by narco dictator Nicolas Maduro.” ([14:10])

• John Burns, Strategic Director, Concerned Veterans for America:

  • “The key takeaway... is the national defense strategy... there's a large pivot towards defense of the American hemisphere and away from being heavily engaged in other parts of the world... Our primary interest is securing our hemisphere and our homeland.” ([14:48])
  • On rules for intervention:
    • “The President has said... he's not considering this a regime change mission, which I think was very, very encouraging.” ([15:41])

• Ben Ferguson’s Commentary:

  • Emphasizes the operational benefits of Puerto Rico’s geography, its proximity to drug transit routes, and the swift response it enables for U.S. military and law enforcement assets.
  • “President United States of America is saying we are going all in and we're going to do this with all of the technology and the forces that America has.” ([17:47])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:52 | Donald Trump | “The Biden autopen scandal is big... one of the biggest ever.” | | 08:30 | Jeff Zients (email) | “I approve the use of the autopen for the execution of all of the following pardons. Thanks, Jay Z.” | | 08:50 | Mark Smith | “The big picture here is this is very good news politically and legally for President Donald Trump.” | | 10:07 | Mark Smith | “Legally fine… but the question is did Joe Biden actually approve these pardons or not?” | | 14:10 | Gov. Gonzalez | “We thank President Trump and his administration for recognizing the strategic value Puerto Rico has...”| | 14:48 | John Burns | “Our primary interest is securing our hemisphere and our homeland.” | | 15:41 | John Burns | “The President has said... not considering this a regime change mission, which I think was very encouraging.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:18] — Story 1 begins: Comer and House Oversight probe into Biden’s autopen pardons
• [08:08] — Excerpts and analysis: Mark Smith on legality and political atmosphere
• [11:02] — Story 2 begins: Pentagon chief Hegseth’s unannounced Puerto Rico visit
• [14:03] — CBS News coverage: strategic importance and expert/military reactions
• [15:26] — Legal/strategic guardrails regarding military deployment in the Caribbean

Episode Summary Table

| Segment | Main Focus | Key Speakers / Commentary | Timestamps | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Biden Autopen Scandal | House investigation, legal/constitutional stakes | James Comer, Donald Trump, Mark Smith | 03:18–11:01 | | U.S.-Puerto Rico Move | Defense strategy, Venezuela tension, cartel fight | Sec. Pete Hegseth, Gen. Dan Kane, Gov. Jennifer Gonzalez, John Burns | 11:02–17:58 |

Wrap Up

The episode provides in-depth coverage of two breaking stories: the unraveling of the Biden autopen scandal and its legal ramifications, along with the U.S. military’s evolving Caribbean strategy targeting narco-terrorist threats. The hosts and guests underscore the intersection of presidential authority, national security, and the posturing of American power close to home, all set against the 2024-25 political climate.

Listeners gain context for headlines about executive overreach and America’s shifting defense priorities—with expert insight and pointed commentary straight from D.C. and the field.