Verdict with Ted Cruz
Episode: 'Null & Void' Experts Question the Autopen, Harrowing Story of Survival in the Texas Flood plus When Woke Satire Stops Being Funny Week In Review
Release Date: July 19, 2025
Host: Senator Ted Cruz
Co-Host: Ben Ferguson
Produced By: Premiere Networks

1. Biden’s Auto Pen Dilemma

Overview:
Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson delve into a significant political controversy involving President Joe Biden's use of an "auto pen" for granting pardons. The discussion centers around recent revelations by The New York Times, which suggest that President Biden may have authorized pardons without personally approving each individual case, potentially violating Department of Justice guidelines.

Key Points:

• Department of Justice Guidelines:
  Cruz explains that, according to a Department of Justice memorandum, while the President may use an auto pen to sign executive orders, laws, or pardons, "the operative legal test is did the President make the individual determination to sign the executive order, to sign the specific piece of legislation to grant the pardon?" (01:35)

• New York Times Revelation:
  The Times reported that President Biden "did not individually approve each name for the categorical pardons that applied to large numbers of people" (03:00). Instead, he approved the general standards, and his aides used the auto pen to finalize the list without his direct involvement in each case.

• Legal Implications:
  Cruz argues that if Biden did not personally approve each pardon, "those pardons aren't valid" (04:50). He calls for the White House and Department of Justice to "devise and implement a legal challenge" to invalidate these actions (06:24).

• Hunter Biden Example:
  The discussion highlights that President Biden "personally signed the pardon for Hunter Biden", contrasting it with other pardons where his direct approval is questionable (05:04).

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cruz:
  "The President cannot delegate that authority to anyone else. The President has to make the decision." (01:45)

• Ben Ferguson:
  "He signed off on the standards he wanted to be used to determine which convicts would qualify for a reduction in sentence." (03:10)

2. Harrowing Story of Survival in the Texas Flood

Overview:
The hosts share a deeply moving firsthand account from Aaron Parsley's article in Texas Monthly, detailing his family's terrifying experience during the devastating floods in Texas. This segment highlights the personal tragedies and the resilience of Texans in the face of natural disasters.

Key Points:

• Personal Account:
  Aaron Parsley narrates the ordeal of his family caught in rapidly rising floodwaters, emphasizing the chaos and fear during the event. He describes how their house, built on stilts to withstand floods, was overtaken by the powerful river.

• Survival Efforts:
  Parsley recounts the desperate measures taken to save his young daughter, Rosemary, and the tragic loss of his son, Clay. The narrative underscores the unpredictability and destructive force of natural disasters.

• Community and Support:
  Cruz emphasizes the collective grief and support within Texas communities, noting that families like Parsley's "need their friends, their loved ones to hold them tight" and require "God's blessing and mercy and grace" (18:30).

Notable Quotes:

• Aaron Parsley (from transcript):
  "We simply didn't know that we were about to be plunged into the water. We simply didn't know." (07:16)

• Ted Cruz:
  "A combination of profound relief and unbearable sadness overwhelms me now." (19:49)

3. When Woke Satire Stops Being Funny: The Cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s Show

Overview:
Cruz and Ferguson critically examine the recent cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show, attributing it to Colbert's perceived shift from comedy to partisan activism. They argue that Colbert's approach alienated a significant portion of the audience, leading to the show's downfall.

Key Points:

• Critique of Stephen Colbert:
  Cruz labels Colbert as "a vicious, dishonest, partisan leftist" who is "utterly consumed with Trump Derangement Syndrome" and claims he "despises more than half of America" (20:36). This intense criticism suggests that Colbert's hostile demeanor was detrimental to his show's success.

• Impact on Late Night Comedy:
  The hosts lament the decline of balanced political satire on late-night shows. Cruz reminisces about a time when comedians like Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon included humor targeting both political sides, contrasting it with what he describes as Colbert's one-sided attacks.

• Contentious Segments:
  They discuss specific instances, such as Colbert's "vaccine song," portraying it as an example of his sanctimonious and preachy approach that failed to resonate with a broader audience (24:02).

• Alternative Comedy Examples:
  Cruz praises shows like "Team World Police," which he cites as successful examples of balanced and profane comedy that appeals to a wider audience by mocking both Republicans and Democrats.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cruz:
  "Stephen Colbert is now unemployed. He's been canceled because, oddly enough, Americans don't like to listen to someone screaming at them." (23:57)

• Ben Ferguson:
  "When we did on July 4th, our movie section, but one of my favorite movies was Team World Police. Did you ever see that, Ben?" (27:00)

• Ted Cruz:
  "Colbert just got angry. He's just like, I want to prove you are evil. You are the devil." (25:15)

Conclusion

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, the hosts tackle pressing political controversies, share stories of personal tragedy and resilience, and critique the current state of political satire in media. Through in-depth analysis and passionate discussion, Cruz and Ferguson provide listeners with a conservative perspective on the issues shaping today's political landscape.

For those interested in the full depth of these conversations, Verdict with Ted Cruz offers a comprehensive podcast available on all major platforms.

Timestamp Reference Guide:

• 01:35 Department of Justice Guidelines
• 03:00 New York Times Revelation
• 04:50 Legal Implications
• 05:04 Hunter Biden Example
• 07:16 Survival Story Introduction
• 18:30 Community and Support
• 20:36 Critique of Stephen Colbert
• 23:57 Colbert's Cancellation Reason
• 24:02 Contentious Segments
• 25:15 Vaccine Song Example
• 27:00 Praise for Alternative Comedy