Verdict with Ted Cruz Episode: Pardon-palooza: Biden Plans to Pardon EVERYBODY, plus Supreme Court hears Challenge to law Prohibiting Sex Transition Surgeries for Kids
Release Date: December 6, 2024

In this compelling episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, host Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson tackle two headline-grabbing topics: President Joe Biden's expansive pardon plans and a significant Supreme Court case challenging Tennessee's law banning sex transition surgeries for minors. The duo provides an in-depth analysis, blending legislative insights with constitutional discourse, to unpack the implications of these developments for the American political landscape.

Biden’s Broad Pardoning Strategy

Predicting Executive Overreach

The episode kicks off with Cruz expressing frustration over President Biden's apparent intention to issue a wide-ranging series of pardons before his term concludes. Cruz laments the need to "admit so often that we were just absolutely right in predicting something," referencing their previous discussions about the White House's pardon aspirations (03:31).

Co-host's Insight on Pardons

Ben Ferguson echoes this sentiment, highlighting that their podcast accurately forecasted the White House's direction. He states,

"We predicted that the left wing media and Democrats were pressing Joe Biden to issue a ton more pardons to pardon the rest of his family, to pardon members of his administration. And now the White House is confirming this move." (05:09)

Political Ramifications

The hosts delve into the political repercussions of such pardons. Ferguson underscores the audacity of the administration's approach, noting the inclusion of high-profile figures like Adam Schiff, Liz Cheney, and Anthony Fauci. He remarks,

"Everyone who may have committed wrongdoing is panicking that there may be some accountability. And so they want to pardon everybody for whatever crimes they might have committed." (07:43)

Legislative Responses and Accountability

Cruz brings attention to Adam Schiff's efforts to curb presidential abuse of pardon power, referencing Schiff's 2018 legislative attempts. He challenges Schiff,

"Now, Adam Schiff, why aren't you introducing this legislation all over again so we can know all of the people that are going to be pardoned, why they're being pardoned and all the files that show what the information is behind it." (11:23)

Supreme Court's Bold Ruling on Transgender Youth

Tennessee's Controversial Law

Shifting focus, the hosts analyze the Supreme Court's recent hearing on Tennessee's law prohibiting sex transition surgeries for minors. Cruz critiques the law as a protective measure against "body mutilation," asserting,

"That is just, I'm sorry, child abuse. If you're mutilating a child at 2 and 3 and 4 years old." (27:23)

ACLU’s Constitutional Challenge

They detail the ACLU's opposition, which argues that banning such surgeries infringes on constitutional rights by denying minors necessary medical treatments. Ferguson summarizes the legal battle,

"Tennessee was arguing that we must protect children from harm and body mutilation...the ACLU is fighting back, saying this violates the Constitution." (26:41)

Supreme Court Deliberations

The conversation delves into the oral arguments, highlighting Justice Sotomayor's controversial comparison of these procedures to taking aspirin. Cruz vehemently opposes this analogy,

"She is saying this is not a big deal at all if you're mutilating a child because even aspirin has risks and effects." (31:00)

Predicted Outcomes and Judicial Philosophy

Ferguson predicts the Court's ruling, leaning towards upholding Tennessee's law. He cites Chief Justice Roberts' stance on deferring to state legislatures,

"Chief Justice Roberts' reasoning that he articulated at the oral argument is going to lead him to vote. I think we will see." (38:08)

Implications and Future Outlook

Erosion of Checks and Balances

Cruz and Ferguson express concerns over the potential erosion of constitutional checks and balances. Ferguson emphasizes the absolute nature of the pardon power,

"Under the Constitution, the pardon power is essentially an absolute power. There are no limitations that Congress can enforce on the pardon power given to the president." (22:32)

Public Accountability as the Last Line of Defense

They argue that public scrutiny remains the primary check against presidential overreach, citing Biden's pardon of Hunter Biden as a case where public backlash serves as a constraint,

"The real constraint is just public shame and disgrace." (24:24)

Broader Constitutional Concerns

The hosts connect these issues to broader constitutional debates, questioning the judiciary's role in interpreting and enforcing these laws. Cruz calls for the election of conservatives to ensure the upholding of constitutional integrity,

"This is why elections are so important. It's why it's so important that conservatives get elected because these are the people that make unbelievable decisions and it deals with kids' futures." (44:26)

Conclusion

In wrapping up, Senator Ted Cruz underscores the critical nature of these discussions, urging listeners to remain vigilant and politically active to safeguard constitutional principles. The episode serves as a clarion call to the public to engage with and influence the unfolding political and legal narratives shaping the nation's future.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson (05:09): "We predicted that the left wing media and Democrats were pressing Joe Biden to issue a ton more pardons to pardon the rest of his family, to pardon members of his administration. And now the White House is confirming this move."

• Ben Ferguson (07:43): "Everyone who may have committed wrongdoing is panicking that there may be some accountability. And so they want to pardon everybody for whatever crimes they might have committed."

• Senator Ted Cruz (31:00): "She is saying this is not a big deal at all if you're mutilating a child because even aspirin has risks and effects."

• Ben Ferguson (22:32): "Under the Constitution, the pardon power is essentially an absolute power. There are no limitations that Congress can enforce on the pardon power given to the president."

• Senator Ted Cruz (44:26): "This is why elections are so important. It's why it's so important that conservatives get elected because these are the people that make unbelievable decisions and it deals with kids' futures."

This episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz offers a thorough examination of imminent political maneuvers and landmark judicial decisions, emphasizing the importance of constitutional fidelity and the active role of the electorate in shaping policy outcomes.