Podcast Summary: Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode: BONUS POD: The Files, the Phones, the Ballots all in Federal Hands Now
Release Date: January 29, 2026
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz, Ben Ferguson
Publisher: Premiere Networks

Episode Theme & Purpose

This bonus episode, hosted by Ben Ferguson without Ted Cruz present, dives into two major breaking scandals:

1. The FBI’s federal search and seizure of 2020 election materials at the Fulton County, Georgia election office, reigniting debate over election integrity, federal intervention, and lingering 2020 controversies.
2. The controversy surrounding the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy by ICE agents in Minnesota, new video evidence, and discussions about media narratives versus official accounts.

The goal is to provide conservative-leaning listeners with an inside look at these stories, pushing back against mainstream narratives and highlighting information claimed to be suppressed elsewhere.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Raid on Fulton County, Georgia Election Office

• FBI Search Details and Political Ramifications
  • [00:47–04:42] The FBI, acting on a judge-signed warrant, raided the Fulton County Election Hub to seize 2020 election materials: "Seizing records and materials related to the 2020 presidential election, including ballots and other election documents." — Ben Ferguson (01:55)
  • Federal action is significant, suggesting a legitimate investigation rather than a political stunt: “The FBI did not act unilaterally. They secured a judge signed warrant, which means a federal magistrate found probable cause to authorize the search.” — Ben Ferguson (03:44)
  • Raises questions if “Donald Trump may have been right all along. They’re finally reviewing the concerns that were previously dismissed…” — Ben Ferguson (03:24)
• Implications for Election Integrity
  • [06:24] Many believe 2020 in Georgia was a "crime scene": “Many believe it wasn’t even an election in Georgia. It was a crime scene.” — Ben Ferguson (06:24)
  • Claims that 315,000 Fulton County early votes were certified without required poll worker signatures; also 40,000 affidavits alleging fraud were filed but dismissed.
  • The Fulton County DA’s earlier attempt to prosecute Trump for conspiracy to overturn the election was dismissed after revelations of impropriety in her office.
• FOX News Coverage of the Raid
  • [04:42–06:24] Excerpt from FOX News: “FBI agents are still on site at the records warehouse ... related to the 2020 presidential election. ... Agents retrieved documents, phones, and computers after a judge signed a warrant.” — David Spunt, Fox News (04:55)
  • Judicial and federal involvement highlighted as key for legitimacy: “Late last year, a judge dismissed the [Fulton County] case in its entirety.” — David Spunt, Fox News (05:46)
• Trump's Perspective on Georgia Senate Race
  • [07:17–08:09] Direct quote from Trump about scrutinizing the current senator and the race: "I think it’s very important for Georgia to get a real senator, because the senator they have now is a horrible senator... I know the people of Georgia. I won Georgia three times, but they say twice." — Donald Trump (07:36)

2. Alex Preddy Shooting and ICE Protests in Minnesota

• Media Narratives vs. Video Evidence
  • [08:30–10:54] New viral footage shows Alex Preddy, previously painted as a “victim,” engaged in aggressive actions toward federal officers: “New footage...shows the complete opposite of that narrative. ... Spitting at federal immigration officers and smashing the taillights of their black SUV during a psychotic clash more than a week before he was fatally shot.” — Ben Ferguson (08:37)
  • The video contradicts family attorney statements and popular media representations.
• Sequence and Escalation of Events
  • [11:15–11:49] Preddy was armed, confronted officers, and was involved in multiple altercations within days of his death.
  • Homeland Security’s investigation is ongoing; two agents involved have been put on leave, as is standard protocol.
  • Preddy’s death was the second such incident in Minnesota within three weeks, fueling state and national protests and calls for changes in immigration enforcement.
• Political Fallout
  • [12:45] President Trump backs Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid the uproar, positioning the crackdown as necessary despite protestor and official criticisms.
  • “Here we are with the President, United States of America, yet again, showing that the media lied to all of us about Alex Preddy. They tried to turn him into some innocent individual when the reality is he was assaulting law enforcement on a regular basis.” — Ben Ferguson (13:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They’re finally reviewing the concerns that were previously dismissed by the last regime. Now court-authorized law enforcement activity is a big deal.”
  — Ben Ferguson ([03:24])

• “The FBI did not act unilaterally. They secured a judge signed warrant…this is now a legitimate legal case with legitimate legal action rather than a political witch hunt or a political stunt.”
  — Ben Ferguson ([03:44])

• “President Trump putting it perfectly. 'I won Georgia three times, but they say twice.'”
  — Ben Ferguson, echoing Trump’s sentiment ([08:09])

• "New footage...shows the complete opposite of that narrative. ... Spitting at federal immigration officers and smashing the taillights of their black SUV during a psychotic clash more than a week before he was fatally shot."
  — Ben Ferguson ([08:37])

• “Here we are with the President, United States of America, yet again, showing that the media lied to all of us about Alex Preddy.”
  — Ben Ferguson ([13:34])

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Intro and Main Headlines: 00:47 – 03:00
• FBI Fulton County Election Office Raid: 03:00 – 07:17
• FOX News Report Excerpt: 04:42 – 06:24
• Trump on Georgia: 07:17 – 08:09
• Alex Preddy Shooting & ICE Agents: 08:28 – 13:34

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a combative, skeptical tone toward mainstream media and official explanations, often implying conspiracy or suppression of facts, and uses direct, assertive language aimed at a conservative audience. Ben Ferguson frequently frames events as vindication for Trump supporters and as evidence of establishment wrongdoing or cover-up. The commentary is laced with rhetorical questions and calls to critical examination of news narratives.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is an incisive look at two of the country’s most contentious news stories from a conservative viewpoint. It critically re-examines the FBI's raid on the Fulton County election office, questioning past skepticism of election fraud claims and highlighting Trump’s continued influence. It also seeks to dismantle the media narrative around Alex Preddy’s death in Minnesota, urging listeners to trust alternative evidence and question the mainstream. The episode is assertive, filled with pointed commentary, and provides a counter-narrative to ongoing national debates.