Podcast Summary: Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode Title: Schumer Shutdown—What to Expect plus Dem Rhetoric Keeps Getting Worse, Inciting Violence & Endangering Law Enforcement
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson
Date: September 29, 2025

Overview

This episode tackles two interconnected themes:

1. The upcoming government funding deadline and anticipated "Schumer shutdown," with detailed explanations of legislative gridlock and political motivations.
2. The escalation of inflammatory Democratic rhetoric against law enforcement, ICE, and conservatives—discussed as a driver of real-world violence and societal division.

Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson break down the mechanics behind the shutdown threat, analyze Democratic strategy, and dissect examples of incendiary language from high-profile Democrats. They also address the implications of a recent tragic church shooting in Michigan.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Michigan Church Shooting: Violence Against Faith Communities

[02:51–05:17]

• The show opens with the breaking news of a violent attack at a church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. A truck rammed the church, the perpetrator opened fire, resulting in 4 deaths and at least 10 injuries, and the church was set on fire.
• Cruz emphasizes a "pattern… of violent murderers attacking churches, attacking Christian schools, targeting people of faith," calling it another case of "persecution" and "manifestation of hate."

  "We've seen so much hatred for people of faith… I very much pray our nation gets beyond this vicious hate." —Ted Cruz [03:16]

• Both hosts praise the rapid and brave response of Michigan law enforcement officers for saving countless lives.

Key Quote:

"Law enforcement did an unbelievable job of saving lives… we've got to stop demonizing law enforcement in this country the way that Democrats have continued to do." —Ben Ferguson [04:41]

2. Demonizing Law Enforcement and ICE

[05:17–06:41 & Throughout]

• Both hosts argue that sustained negative rhetoric against law enforcement, especially by Democrats, makes their jobs more dangerous and reduces public appreciation.
• Cruz: "Tragically, that rhetoric is inviting violence. We're going to lay that out in detail." [05:17]

3. The Looming "Schumer Shutdown": Why, How, and Who's Responsible

[06:41–25:45]

Government Funding Mechanics

[09:55–12:10]

• Cruz walks listeners through how the government can shut down:
  • Congress must appropriate money for federal spending in annual cycles.
  • The House has passed a "clean continuing resolution (CR)" that extends current funding—but Senate Democrats have voted against it.
  • To pass in the Senate, 60 votes are needed (meaning at least seven Democrats must join Republicans).

Key Quote:

"The House has passed [the CR]... In order for legislation to pass the Senate, it takes 60 votes... and the Democrats all lined up party line [against it]." —Ted Cruz [09:55]

Why Cruz Calls it the "Schumer Shutdown"

[12:10–14:56]

• Cruz frames the anticipated shutdown as deliberately orchestrated by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, under pressure from progressives to prove he's "a ferocious warrior" for their base.
• Quotes past Democratic leaders criticizing shutdowns ("No reasonable member… wants a government shutdown." — Schumer, Jan 2024; "Shutdowns don't work." — Brian Schatz; various from Warren, Sanders, Warner, Kelly, Kaine).
• Hypocrisy is highlighted: when Republicans are in power, Democrats oppose shutdowns; now, Cruz asserts, they're willing to provoke one for political gain.

What a Shutdown Means in Practice

[16:30–20:42]

• "Essential" staff (military, law enforcement, air traffic control) keep working; "non-essential" government workers are furloughed but usually get back pay.
• Services like national parks and Smithsonian museums will close.
• New Dynamic: Russ Vogt (OMB director) has instructed federal agencies to plan potential terminations of workers in areas inconsistent with the president's agenda (not just furloughs).
  • Potential for permanent layoffs, especially in agencies like the EPA, Department of Labor, and IRS—"a very real consequence" for Democratic constituencies.
• Cruz predicts strained party meetings: "I'm willing to bet... the Democrat senators are going to be screaming at each other in that lunch." [19:23]

Is a Shutdown Good for "Draining the Swamp"?

[20:42–22:35]

• Ferguson asks if conservatives should root for layoffs of "deep state" bureaucrats.
• Cruz argues such layoffs could be "a very good outcome," as they would target those he alleges "actively undermine the country."

Political Consequences & Democratic Strategy

[22:35–25:45]

• Historically, Democrats did not pay a political price for past shutdowns, which emboldens them to repeat the strategy.
• Cruz predicts Republicans will try to pass targeted funding (like for the Coast Guard) and that Democrats will block these attempts, counting on media to blame Trump.

  "They're counting on the media to be dishonest, to try to blame the shutdown on Trump." —Ted Cruz [24:05]

4. Escalating Democratic Rhetoric: "Fascists," "Gestapo," and Real-World Violence

[30:15–44:11]

Aftermath of Charlie Kirk Assassination

[30:15–31:53]

• Despite promising to reduce inflammatory talk, prominent Democrats continue to use hyperbolic labels for Republican officials.
• Gavin Newsom tweets "STEPHEN MILLER IS A FASCIST" in all caps, days after assassination of Charlie Kirk (in which bullets were engraved "hey, fascist, catch").

Key Quote:

"Labeling Republicans they disagree with as fascist... is inviting more and more violence." —Ted Cruz [30:39]

Democrats' Targeting of Law Enforcement

[32:09–37:24]

• Hakeem Jeffries plays up the "super villain convention" at the inauguration.
• Historical examples: Harris likening ICE to "Gestapo," Pritzker claims of "Nazi Germany" analogies; "slave patrols" references.
• Recent real-world violence: Ice Cube's tour bus attacked in Portland—attackers allegedly misunderstood his name as connected to ICE.

Audio Montage: Law Enforcement Demonization

[35:05–41:31]

• Clips of various Democrats and commentators labeling ICE as Gestapo, "secret police," "slave patrols," "terrorist organization," "modern day Gestapo."
• Host commentary underscores the coordinated nature of these talking points, arguing they erode public confidence in law, endanger officers, and fuel violence by extremists.

  "Democrats get talking points and they stick with them. And when they do this, they're doing it on purpose to undermine the rule of law... to turn people to hate someone, to hate law enforcement, to hate police, to hate the Supreme Court, to hate law and order." —Ben Ferguson [42:02]

Doxxing Risks for ICE Agents

[42:37–43:54]

• ICE agents wear masks for protection from doxxing and personal attacks.
• Democrats, including Hakeem Jeffries, have called for "unmasking" ICE agents, further heightening risks to them and their families.

Key Quote:

"Hakeem Jeffries... said, unmask these guys and go after them. And that, tragically, lunatics are listening to them." —Ted Cruz [43:02]

Memorable Quotes

• Ted Cruz:

  "It is another manifestation of the hate that we have seen day after day after day. And I very much pray our nation gets beyond this vicious hate." [03:16]

• Ben Ferguson:

  "Law enforcement did an unbelievable job of saving lives and showing up very quickly after this heinous attack began and probably saved countless lives..." [04:41]

• Ted Cruz:

  "The House has passed [the CR]... In order for legislation to pass the Senate, it takes 60 votes... and the Democrats all lined up party line [against it]." [09:55]

• Ted Cruz:

  "They're counting on the media to be dishonest, to try to blame the shutdown on Trump." [24:05]

• Ben Ferguson:

  "Democrats get talking points and they stick with them. And when they do this, they're doing it on purpose to undermine the rule of law." [42:02]

• Ted Cruz:

  "Hakeem Jeffries... said, unmask these guys and go after them. And that, tragically, lunatics are listening to them." [43:02]

Key Timestamps

• 02:51 — Michigan church shooting news and opening discussion
• 03:16 — Cruz: "Another manifestation of the hate..."
• 04:41 — Praise for law enforcement and warning about anti-police rhetoric
• 05:17 — Democrats' rhetoric and preview of shutdown segment
• 09:55 — Shutdown mechanics and Senate vote math; Democratic opposition
• 12:10 — Schumer’s motivations and Democrat quotes on shutdowns
• 16:30 — What a government shutdown really means
• 19:23 — Internal Democratic party dynamics and White House memo
• 22:35 — Political games around agency funding and media strategies
• 24:05 — "Counting on the media to be dishonest..."
• 30:15 — Post-Kirk assassination rhetoric; Newsom’s "fascist" tweet
• 31:53 — Hakeem Jeffries "super villain convention" remark
• 32:24 — Extended examples: ICE as "Gestapo," "Nazi Germany," "slave patrols"
• 35:05 — Audio montage: extreme Democratic rhetoric toward ICE
• 42:02 — Coordinated talking points and law undermined
• 42:51 — ICE "unmasking" debate and dangers for agents

Conclusion

The episode presents a starkly partisan analysis of both the current government funding impasse and the state of political rhetoric. Cruz and Ferguson accuse Democrats of orchestrating the shutdown for political gain, at the urging of their progressive base, and predict Democrats will block even clean funding resolutions while the media enables them to blame Trump and Republicans. In parallel, they highlight a pattern of extreme language from Democrats toward law enforcement and ICE, linking it to increased threats and incidents of political violence.

The overarching tone is urgent, critical of Democratic leaders, and highly supportive of law enforcement. The episode calls out what the hosts see as a dangerous double standard and escalation in political discourse.