Podcast Summary: Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode: BONUS POD: Iranians Protest & Die for Freedom plus Trump Targets Funding Behind Anti-ICE Chaos
Date: January 13, 2026
Hosts: Ben Ferguson, Senator Ted Cruz
Podcast: Verdict with Ted Cruz

Overview

This episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz examines two major national headlines:

1. The intensifying protests in Iran and the U.S. response, including statements from President Donald Trump regarding airstrikes as a potential option if the Iranian regime continues killing protestors.
2. The Trump administration’s efforts to expose and confront the funding and organization behind anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protests following a controversial officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis.

The episode is hosted mainly by Ben Ferguson, with references to interviews and statements from President Trump, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, and other political figures. No direct conversation with Ted Cruz is included in the audio sampled.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Response to Iranian Protests

Background and Current Situation ([06:30])

• Iranian authorities are violently cracking down on widespread street protests, reportedly killing unarmed protestors.
• The U.S., under President Trump, is taking a hard public stance and keeping the option of military airstrikes "on the table" if the violence escalates.
• Despite public rhetoric, diplomatic channels remain open, with Trump's special envoy Steve Witzkoff reportedly in private communications with Iranian officials.

President Trump's Remarks ([09:10])

• Trump’s warning: The president reiterates a "red line": if Iran starts "shooting at" protestors, the U.S. will respond forcefully.
  • Quote (Donald Trump, 10:31):

    “If they do that, we’re going to hit them very hard. We’re ready to do it.”

• Trump describes the scale and chaos of the protests:
  • Quote (Donald Trump, 11:00):

    “The crowds are just, they’re massive. The enthusiasm to overturn that regime is incredible. … There’s so many people protesting, nobody’s ever seen anything like what’s happening right now.”

• He explains that while there have been deaths, many occurred due to stampedes rather than direct shootings, but reiterates a U.S. commitment to act if “something bad” happens.
  • Quote (Donald Trump, 12:10):

    “I’ve told them that if they do anything bad to these people, we’re going to hit them very hard. We’re going to hit them very hard.”

White House Confirmation ([13:05])

• Caroline Levitt, the White House Press Secretary, confirms a significant increase in deaths but stresses that Trump wants to hold Iran accountable while pursuing diplomatic solutions.
  • Quote (Caroline Levitt, 13:17):

    “One thing is for sure, the President … is going to hold Iran accountable for what’s happening right now on the ground, keeping all options on the table.”

2. Crackdown on Anti-ICE Protests and Uncovering Funding

Incident in Minneapolis ([15:40])

• President Trump addresses the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. He claims the woman and her associates were professional agitators harassing law enforcement.
  • Quote (Donald Trump, 16:05):

    “The woman and her friend were highly disrespectful of law enforcement. … I think, frankly, they’re professional agitators. And I’d like to find out — and we are going to find out — who’s paying for it with their brand new signs and all the different things. But these are professional agitators.”

• Trump emphasizes the need to identify and disrupt the funding behind these protests, alleging that they're not spontaneous but orchestrated.

DHS and Congressional Response ([17:50])

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amplifies calls to uncover "dark money" funding anti-ICE activism.
• Texas Rep. Lance Gooden states:
  • Quote (Rep. Lance Gooden, 18:05):

    “The anti-ICE mobs are anything but organic. Dark money is bankrolling these far-left groups like ICE Watch and lighting the fuse. Americans deserve to know who’s cutting the checks.”

The Situation on the Ground ([19:30])

• Federal authorities are increasing their presence amid what they describe as highly organized, anti-ICE protests. About 1,000 additional federal officers may be sent to Minneapolis.
• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defends the ICE officer's actions and labels aspects of the protests as “domestic terrorism”; local officials like Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis strongly object to these characterizations.
  • Quote (Mayor Jacob Frey, 20:10):

    “She’s calling Minneapolis like this dystopian hellhole. … This is a safe city. ICE and Kristi Noem and everything they’re doing is making it far less safe.”

• New footage reportedly shows aggressive interactions between protestors and law enforcement, including the use of tear gas and crowd control tactics.

ICE and Border Patrol Resolve ([22:15])

• ICE and Border Patrol agents vow to continue their enforcement regardless of local opposition or activism.
  • Quote (Border Patrol, 22:42):

    “Absolutely not. We’re out here to do a job, and we’re not going to stop until it’s done. If a mayor wants to say something, … that is not going to stop what we’re doing in Minneapolis or anywhere across the country.”

Summary of Administration’s Stance

• The administration is doubling down on claims that organized, funded agitation against ICE is widespread and vows to expose the "dark money" sources behind these efforts.
• Quote (DHS Assistant Secretary, 24:15):

  "The officer in this shooting was — dofully acted in self defense."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iran and protestors:
  Donald Trump (10:31): “If they do that, we’re going to hit them very hard. We’re ready to do it.”

• On scale of protests:
  Donald Trump (11:00): “The crowds are just, they’re massive. The enthusiasm to overturn that regime is incredible.”

• On anti-ICE agitators:
  Donald Trump (16:05): “I’d like to find out — and we are going to find out — who’s paying for it…”

• On funding sources for anti-ICE protests:
  Rep. Lance Gooden (18:05): “Americans deserve to know who’s cutting the checks.”

• On agent resolve:
  Border Patrol (22:42): “We’re out here to do a job, and we’re not going to stop until it’s done.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 06:30 – Lead-in to the Iranian protests segment
• 09:10 – President Trump's remarks on Iran
• 13:05 – Press Secretary Levitt on increased protestor deaths
• 15:40 – Transition to ICE protests and funding investigation
• 16:05 – President Trump on professional agitators
• 17:50 – DHS amplifies funding claims
• 18:05 – Rep. Lance Gooden on “dark money”
• 19:30 – Fox News report: escalation in Minneapolis
• 20:10 – Mayor Jacob Frey’s rebuttal
• 22:15 – Border Patrol’s commitment
• 24:15 – DHS Assistant Secretary on officer’s actions

Tone and Language

The tone throughout the episode is assertive, urgent, and overtly supportive of law enforcement and the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on both foreign and domestic issues. There is a recurrent theme of suspicion toward left-wing activism, with direct accusations of professional, organized agitation and foreign or “dark money” funding. The hosts and quoted voices (Trump, administration officials, conservative lawmakers) employ emphatic, at times combative language, framing issues as matters of national and public safety, and accusing opponents and the media of dishonesty.

Conclusion

This episode offers listeners an in-depth, insider's view of two major news stories through the perspective of Trump administration allies:

• U.S. readiness to intervene militarily in Iran if protestor deaths continue, balanced with ongoing diplomatic outreach.
• A strong initiative to investigate and dismantle what is portrayed as coordinated, well-funded opposition to ICE, with both Trump and his team pledging to uncover and expose financial backers of anti-ICE protests.

Throughout, the show urges listeners to remain vigilant, informed, and supportive of these policy stances.