Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode Summary: DNC Pipe-bomber ARRESTED, plus Three Days at the WH – Medals of Honor, Trump Accounts & Lowering Auto Prices

Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson

Overview

In this episode, Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson break down a packed week of significant news and legislative action in Washington, D.C. At the center is the long-awaited arrest of the alleged DNC/RNC pipe bomber from January 2021, which sparks a candid conversation on law enforcement, DOJ priorities, and accountability. The hosts then pivot to Senator Cruz’s three high-profile days at the White House, spotlighting:

• The passage of the Metals Act, dramatically increasing stipends for Medal of Honor recipients
• The implementation of Trump Accounts, aimed at wealth building for future generations
• Sweeping deregulatory reforms for the auto industry to reduce vehicle prices and increase safety

The episode is energetic, critical, and optimistic—emphasizing themes of justice, governmental accountability, and consequential conservative policymaking.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Pipe Bomber Arrest: What Took So Long?

Timestamps: 03:01–18:22

• Arrest After Five Years:
  After nearly five years, the FBI arrested Brian J. Cole Jr., suspected of planting pipe bombs at the DNC and RNC on January 5, 2021. Cruz and Ferguson immediately question the delay, noting that much of the evidence was seemingly available for years.

  “Why the heck did this take five years to find this guy? … What was the Biden Department of Justice doing?” — [Senator Ted Cruz, 03:01]

• Evidence Was There All Along:

  • Purchase history of bomb-making materials
  • Surveillance and license plate tracking near the scene
  • Cell phone records placing Cole at key locations

  “There’s no reason to think evidence wasn’t in the FBI’s possession four and a half years ago. It is infuriating.” — [Senator Ted Cruz, 07:29]

• Political Priorities & Accountability:
  Cruz and Ferguson argue that the previous (Biden) DOJ prioritized political prosecutions over violent crime, targeting minor offenders from January 6 rather than focusing on real threats.

  “They were chasing down every little old lady who stood on the National Mall and saying God bless America … instead of going after a violent criminal.” — [Senator Ted Cruz, 07:29]

• Notable Quotes from Law Enforcement:
  Pam Bondi, Dan Bongino, and others express outrage over DOJ inaction and pride in finally closing the case under new leadership.

  “There was no new tip, there was no new witness. Just good, diligent police work and prosecutorial work.” — [Pam Bondi, 09:02]

  “This is what it’s like when you work for a president who tells you to go get the bad guys… not focus on extraneous things.” — [Dan Bongino, 11:44]

• Calls for Congressional Oversight:
  Cruz calls for past DOJ and FBI officials to testify under oath about the delay and whether political directives were behind inaction.

  “Merrick Garland needs to be held accountable… Chris Wray… needs to answer that same question.” — [Senator Ted Cruz, 10:37]

Memorable Moment

“If you’re down in Venezuela and anyone asks you to drive a speedboat with some drugs… you may just call in sick that day because it doesn’t turn out.”
— [Senator Ted Cruz, 14:20]
(in reference to tough law enforcement under the new administration)

2. Three Days at the White House: Big Legislative Wins

Timestamps: 21:24–41:17

A. Monday: The Metals Act — Supporting Medal of Honor Recipients

• Cruz’s legislation triples the monthly stipend for the 61 living Medal of Honor recipients, from $1,400 to $5,600.

  “I authored that legislation… it passed the House and Senate unanimously. …We’re now giving those Medal of Honor recipients the respect that they are due.” — [Senator Ted Cruz, 23:21]

• The personal connection: Medal of Honor recipients inspiring school children in the Senate gallery.

B. Tuesday: Trump Accounts — Building Wealth for Future Generations

• Legislation opens investment accounts for every child in America, seeded with $1,000 at birth, with parent/family/employer contributions allowed up to $5,000 annually. Accounts are invested in the S&P 500.

  “Every kid in America is going to become an owner of the biggest employers in America. That’s transformative… making a whole new generation of capitalists.” — [Senator Ted Cruz, 27:13]

• The Dell family commits $6.25 billion: Every child under age 10 in eligible zip codes will receive an additional $250 deposit.

  “They’re giving $250 for the 250th anniversary of America to every child … under age 10 who lives in a zip code where the median income is $150,000 or less.” — [Senator Ted Cruz, 30:45]

C. Wednesday: Deregulating Auto Industry — Lowering Prices, Saving Lives

• Trump administration zeros out CAFE standards, rolling back costly and complex regulations on carmakers.

  “What the President did this week benefited consumers. Lowered prices, made cars and trucks a lot cheaper. It also made them safer. … It saved lives.” — [Senator Ted Cruz, 37:18]

• Trump echoes industry relief:

  “We’re canceling the EPA’s absurd tailpipe emission standards. …These policies forced automakers to build cars using expensive technologies… The action is expected to save the typical consumer at least $1,000 off the price of a new car — and we think substantially more than that.” — [Donald Trump, 34:33]

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

Senator Ted Cruz

• “Locking up criminals protects our families. It keeps ourselves and our children safer. That is a very good thing. That is the President delivering on his promises.” — [18:11]
• “We are creating a new generation of capitalists. Every child in America is going to be an owner of the biggest employers in this country.” — [28:45]
• “CAFE standards were making cars much, much more dangerous. …There are people who will live now because of this change.” — [40:30]

Ben Ferguson

• “This is just letting law enforcement do their job and not do political operative jobs… there’s a teamwork here that I have not seen in a very long time.” — [13:34]
• “You just said something there at that speech… the private sector getting in on this and wanting to see these accounts.” — [30:29]

Donald Trump

• “Plastic instead of steel. …People died because of that... Plastic in an auto accident and it broke up and people were shattered because of that crazy deal.” — [39:43]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pipe bomber arrest analysis begins: [03:01]
• Pam Bondi statement: [09:02]
• Dan Bongino on law enforcement priorities: [11:44]
• Calls for DOJ/FBI accountability: [16:47]
• Medals Act/White House Monday recap: [21:24]
• Trump Accounts details and Dell family gift: [25:53], [30:45]
• Auto deregulation segment and Trump quotes: [33:25], [34:33]
• Cruz/Trump Oval Office exchange on auto safety: [37:59]
• Summary and wrap-up: [41:17]

Takeaways

• Accountability: The hosts credit Trump-era DOJ leadership for finally prioritizing and closing the pipe bomber case, while fiercely criticizing previous DOJ/FBI inaction.
• Legislative Action: Cruz highlights substantive, bipartisan wins benefiting veterans and children, and major regulatory reform for the auto industry.
• Optimistic Tone: Despite critical assessments of previous DOJ leadership, the episode is upbeat about “law enforcement winning again” and policies that directly benefit everyday Americans.
• Memorable Moments: Emotional tributes to Medal of Honor recipients, Cruz’s back-and-forth with Trump, and the high-profile philanthropic gesture from the Dell family.

Listeners are left with a sense that, for these hosts, conservative principles are translating into concrete policy victories—whether through justice served, support for American heroes, wealth-building for kids, or consumer freedom.