Verdict with Ted Cruz – March 7, 2026

Episode Title: Iran Invites Neighbors to War by Attacking Them, Noem Out-Mullin In & Elections are BIGGER in Texas Week In Review
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson
Guest: Senator John Cornyn (frequent co-host and commentator)

Episode Overview

In this “Week in Review” episode, Ted Cruz, Ben Ferguson, and John Cornyn break down three major political stories:

1. Iran dramatically escalates conflict in the Middle East, attacking numerous regional neighbors.
2. Kristi Noem is ousted as Secretary of Homeland Security, replaced by Markwayne Mullin—triggered in part by a Senate hearing confrontation.
3. Texas’s high-stakes primary elections produce big upsets and set the tone for one of the nation’s most watched Senate races.

Throughout, the tone is blunt, urgent, partisan, and full of personal anecdotes and sharp criticism of political opponents as well as praise for allies.

1. Escalation in the Middle East: Iran's Attacks on Neighbors

([03:27]–[16:35])

Key Discussion Points

• Iran’s “suicidal” escalation:

  • Iran attacks are no longer limited to the US and Israel—now targeting multiple Arab neighbors: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.
  • Ted Cruz calls these attacks “homicidal and suicidal” ([03:58]), noting the unprecedented nature and the risk of expanding war.

• Regional Reaction:

  • Contrary to media reports, Cruz doubts that Middle Eastern allies urged US restraint; his experience is that most are focused on stopping Iran from acquiring nukes.
  • “The Saudis have said publicly if Iran ever got a nuclear weapon, that they would do everything possible to get a nuke themselves to defend themselves from Iran.” (Cruz, [04:58])

• Nuclear Concerns:

  • Cruz doubles down that the world cannot gamble with a nuclear-armed Iran:

    “I think the odds are unacceptably high … that the Ayatollah, if he had a nuclear weapon, would detonate it, maybe in Tel Aviv or maybe in New York or Los Angeles.” ([07:23])

• Trump’s Military Responses and Political Doctrine:

  • Hosts clarify that Trump’s “no more wars” pledge referred to “no more forever wars” (Iraq, Afghanistan), not to all military action. ([08:10]–[08:48])
  • Cruz argues:

    “Donald Trump has never been an isolationist, and he is acting to protect America. This is America first. The reason we are striking Iran right now is because the odds are unacceptably high. Iran has already killed nearly a thousand Americans, and they have every desire to kill more.” ([08:48])

• Public Perceptions and Media Narratives:

  • Cruz and Ferguson criticize left-wing protests in the US against the response to Iran, contrasting these with Iranian women fighting for freedom on the streets.
  • A notable “brave reporter” moment: in Austin, a local CBS journalist refuses to ignore celebrations of the Ayatollah’s death despite pushback ([12:57]).

    “It’s sad that you’ve got to be this brave in America at a local affiliate to report the news, which was the news…” (Ferguson, [13:21])

• Democratic Party Criticism:

  • Cruz targets Kamala Harris for her opposition to military action and claims she and Biden sent over $100 billion to Iran, fueling terrorism ([13:37]).
  • “The Democrat Party was all in, in support of the Ayatollah. Now, sometimes they pretended they weren’t, but when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris sent over $100 billion, flowed that money into the Ayatollah, they funded his terror.” (Cruz, [13:37])

• Strait of Hormuz Closure:

  • Possible mining by Iran halts all civilian and oil shipping—a “massive deal” for the global economy ([15:31]–[15:54]).
  • Cruz: “These guys are just crazy enough to have put mines there, so no one wants to risk it until it’s determined one way or another whether it’s safe.” ([16:28])

Notable Quotes

• Ted Cruz, on Iran’s risk calculus:

  “They’re demonstrating, essentially, they’re willing to kill anybody and everybody. I got to say, that’s also a really powerful illustration. If that’s what they do now, what would they have done with a nuclear weapon?” ([06:39])

• Ben Ferguson, disbelief at US protests:

  “The disconnect from reality from some of these leftists is amazing.” ([10:27])

Timestamps

• [03:27] Iran attacks multiple neighbors
• [04:48] Cruz: Surprise and skepticism on Middle East diplomacy
• [06:39] Potential for even greater disaster with a nuclear Iran
• [07:23] Cruz’s nuclear scenario: “unacceptably high risk”
• [10:27] US protests vs. Iranian women’s resistance
• [12:57] Austin reporter’s defiance
• [13:37] Cruz attacks Biden/Harris record
• [15:31] Hormuz closure
• [16:28] Cruz on the risk of mines

2. DHS Shakeup: Kristi Noem Out, Markwayne Mullin In

([20:45]–[31:02])

Key Discussion Points

• Kristi Noem’s Ouster:

  • Noem is removed as Secretary of Homeland Security due to mounting criticism over a $220 million ad campaign.
  • The critical blow: a bruising Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, especially cross-examination from Senator John Kennedy.

• Kennedy’s Cross-Examination:

  • Kennedy challenges the size, justification, procurement, and political optics of the ad campaign ([21:59]–[26:37]).
  • Suspicions raised about contracts going to politically connected firms:

    “One of the people you picked, the strategy group...the head of that is married to your former spokesperson.” (Kennedy, [25:27])

  • Kennedy doubts Trump approved the campaign; asserts, “President Trump was, quote, mad as a murder hornet that Noem claimed he approved the $200 million ADS contract.” (Cornyn, [26:56])

• Noem’s Defense:

  • Insists the ads were effective in communicating US policy and were bid out properly. Maintains she followed protocol and involved DHS career officials.

• Aftermath & New Leadership:

  • Cornyn: “It was John Kennedy’s cross examination that was pivotal in the decision to shift from Kristi… I do think the results of the Department of Homeland Security in terms of securing the border have been very effective…. But I do think that the testimony that Secretary Noem gave, it was not an easy day for her.” ([27:39]–[29:24])
  • Markwayne Mullin, a trusted Trump ally, is appointed as replacement—anticipated to be confirmed on a near party-line vote.
  • Cornyn expects Mullin will maintain the improvement in border security.

Notable Quotes

• John Kennedy (to Kristi Noem):

  “It troubles me … a quarter of a billion dollars of taxpayer money when we’re scratching for every penny and we’re fighting over rescission packages. I just can’t agree with, Madam Secretary…” ([25:47])

• John Cornyn, on Kennedy’s effectiveness:

  “…the number of nominees that his cross examinations have taken out is quite remarkable. And I think it was John Kennedy’s cross examination that was pivotal…” ([26:59])

Timestamps

• [20:45] Noem’s ouster comments, set-up for Kennedy questioning
• [21:59]–[26:37] Kennedy grills Noem on ads and contracts
• [26:56] Cornyn describes aftermath and Trump’s anger
• [29:24] Transition to Mullin; expectations for confirmation

3. Texas Election Drama: Primary Upsets and Senate Showdown

([34:49]–[43:10])

Key Discussion Points

• Major Upsets and Endorsements:

  • Several candidates endorsed by Cruz/Cornyn win, including Jessica Steinman (Houston), Chris Gober (Central Texas), and John Bonk.
  • Personal tone: Cruz and Cornyn reflect on celebrating these victories with friends and family, underlining close personal ties to their picks ([36:33]–[37:58]).

• Dan Crenshaw Defeated Opponent Endorsed by Cruz:

  • Crenshaw loses congressional race to Steve Toth, Cruz’s rare intervention:

    “I almost never endorsed against Republican incumbents...I’ve made two exceptions in 14 years. The first was Liz Cheney…and then I did it again for Dan Crenshaw for much the same reason, because he had really lost his way.” (Cruz, [38:40])

  • Tales of personal animosity:

    “Dan began screaming and cursing at me...I told him at the time, Dan, if I come after you, I promise you, you’ll know. Like, it will not be subtle.” (Cruz, [40:27])

• Senate Runoff Looms:

  • Bitter runoff between John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton—“the most expensive primary in American history” ([42:06]).
  • Trump’s endorsement still pending.

• Democratic Challenger:

  • Democrats back James Tallarico, described as a leftist but “dangerous” for his ability to sound moderate.

    “He masks his radicalism in reasonable sounding soft language. He masks it in the language of a pastor. It’s incredibly deceptive and dishonest, but that makes it dangerous.” (Cornyn, [42:31])

Notable Quotes

• Ted Cruz, on breaking his no-endorsement rule:

  “If I come after you, I promise you, you’ll know. Like, it will not be subtle, it will not be hidden. You will have full awareness of it.” ([41:12])

• John Cornyn, on the Senate race:

  “This primary is better and nasty… to date the most expensive primary in American history.” ([42:06])

Timestamps

• [34:53] Ben Ferguson tees up Texas election night
• [36:33] Personal stories from campaign victory parties
• [38:40] Ted Cruz on why he opposed Dan Crenshaw
• [40:27] Cruz: Crenshaw’s blow-up
• [42:06] Senate runoff dynamics and Democratic opponent

Memorable Moments & Speaker Highlights

• Blunt, vivid language:

  • Repeatedly, hosts use terms like “suicidal,” “psychopaths,” “mad as a murder hornet,” and “dangerous” to describe adversaries.

• Personal anecdotes:

  • Cruz’s description of being yelled at by Crenshaw in an airport jetway ([40:27]); detailed breakdown of friendship networks behind certain election endorsements.

• Attack strategy toward Democrats:

  • Framing their foreign policy as enabling terror.

• Close behind-the-scenes commentary:

  • Insights into Senate dynamics, Trump’s decision-making, and how sharp questioning can oust senior officials.

Summary Table – Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Timestamps | |------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------------| | Escalation in Middle East | Iran attacks regional neighbors | [03:27]–[16:35] | | DHS Shakeup | Noem ousted; Kennedy hearing; Mullin in | [20:45]–[31:02] | | Texas Primary Elections | Major upsets, Senate runoff, backstory | [34:49]–[43:10] |

Conclusion

This episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz delivers a hard-hitting, behind-the-scenes conservative look at global conflict escalation by Iran, a political takedown of a senior Trump Cabinet official, and the high drama of Texas’s primary elections. Key themes are the perception of existential external threats, the policing of ideological purity within the GOP, and the conviction that bold, unapologetic confrontation—whether with adversary nations, unruly political allies, or “leftists”—is essential for safeguarding American interests.