Verdict with Ted Cruz: Episode Summary Episode Title: Trump Begins to Make America Great Again & Biden's Pardon-Palooza
Release Date: January 20, 2025
Host/Author: Premiere Networks
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson

Introduction and Context

In this pivotal episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," co-host Ben Ferguson delves into the seismic shifts unfolding in American politics on Inauguration Day. The focus centers on former President Donald Trump's aggressive agenda as he prepares to take office and President Joe Biden's unprecedented spree of pardons as his term concludes. The discussion sets the stage for understanding the immediate and long-term implications of these actions on the nation's political landscape.

Trump's Inaugural Rally and Vision

The episode opens with highlights from Donald Trump's rally on the eve of his inauguration. Trump passionately outlines his mission to rejuvenate America, emphasizing strength, prosperity, and the dismantling of what he terms a "failed and corrupt political establishment."

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [00:00]: "Make America powerful again, huge, safe again. Build that wall wealthy again."
• Donald Trump [01:30]: "We're going to end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington. A failed administration. We're not going to take it anymore."

Trump's rhetoric is charged with promises to secure the borders, revitalize the economy, and purge entrenched leftist ideologies from governmental institutions. His commitment to "make America great again" serves as a rallying cry for his supporters, setting the tone for his forthcoming administration.

Executive Orders: Details and Implications

Ben Ferguson provides an in-depth analysis of the approximately 200 executive orders Trump is poised to sign on his first day in office. These orders cover a broad spectrum of policy areas, signaling a rapid and extensive overhaul of federal operations.

Key Executive Orders Include:

1. Border Security: Declaring a national emergency at the border and initiating the construction of additional wall segments.

   • Ben Ferguson [03:21]: "Donald Trump is set to sign up to 200 executive orders on his first day in office."

2. Designation of Cartels as Terrorist Organizations: Elevating cartels to the status of foreign terrorist organizations to enhance legal measures against them.

3. Immigration Policies: Reinstituting the "Remain in Mexico" policy and halting the "catch and release" system established under the Biden administration.

4. Energy and Environmental Actions: Terminating Biden's energy drilling restrictions, pausing all offshore wind leases, and withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord.

   • Ben Ferguson [03:21]: "Donald Trump is going to pause all offshore wind leases and get back to what America does. Drill, baby, drill."

5. Federal Workforce Management: Mandating federal employees to return to in-person work, addressing the high absenteeism rates in federal office buildings.

6. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Ending DEI hiring practices within the federal government, shifting focus to merit-based recruitment.

7. Security Clearances: Suspending security clearances, particularly targeting the 51 officials involved in the Hunter Biden laptop controversy.

   • Ben Ferguson [03:21]: "Donald Trump is going to suspend security clearances. This is a big one for the 51 officials who lied about the Hunter Biden laptop story."

These executive orders reflect Trump's commitment to reversing Biden-era policies, prioritizing economic growth, national security, and government efficiency.

January 6th Pardons: Trump's Approach

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Trump's anticipated pardons for individuals convicted in connection with the January 6th Capitol riot. Ben Ferguson explores the potential scope and criteria of these pardons, highlighting internal GOP perspectives.

Notable Points:

• Scope of Pardons: Initial pardons are expected to target those deemed peaceful participants, with more controversial figures potentially spared depending on their actions during the riot.

• Political Repercussions: Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and other GOP figures emphasize a discerning approach, differentiating between violent and non-violent participants.

  • Ben Ferguson [07:43]: "House Speaker Mike Johnson put it perfectly on Sunday when he was on Meet the Press and he said, ‘Trump and Vance agree peaceful protesters should be pardoned, but violent criminals should not.’"

• Legal and Ethical Considerations: The pardons aim to address perceived injustices in the federal government's handling of the January 6th cases, aligning with Trump's narrative of defending his supporters against a biased establishment.

Biden's Pardon-Palooza: A Record of Clemency

Contrasting sharply with Trump's forthcoming pardons, the episode examines President Joe Biden's extensive use of executive clemency in his final days in office. Ben Ferguson highlights the unprecedented volume and controversial nature of Biden's pardons and commutations.

Key Highlights:

• Volume of Pardons: Biden has granted over 8,000 pardons, vastly exceeding his predecessors.

  • Ben Ferguson [09:44]: "Joe Biden is now over 8,000. So who is on the list in the final hours?"

• Targeted Individuals: The pardons include members of the so-called "Biden crime family," significant figures like Hunter Biden, and a large number of non-violent drug offenders.

  • Ben Ferguson [09:44]: "Much speculation leaking right now that Joe Biden's pardon frenzy is now going to include the Biden crime family."

• Controversial Decisions: Despite promises to the contrary, Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 individuals on federal death row, sparing only three.

  • Ben Ferguson [09:44]: "He is going to hook you up if you were a drug dealer or involved in drug offenses."

• Historical Comparison: Biden's clemency actions surpass those of past presidents, including Barack Obama, who issued 1,900 pardons during his tenure.

  • Ben Ferguson [09:44]: "Joe Biden has given out already more than 8,000 pardons. Compare that to Donald Trump between 2017 and 2021, who only gave out 237."

Conclusion and Insights

The episode meticulously contrasts the incoming Trump administration's assertive policy reversals and strategic pardons with Biden's extensive and controversial use of executive clemency. Ben Ferguson underscores the profound implications these actions hold for American governance, legal precedents, and the nation's political polarization.

Final Takeaways:

• Policy Shifts: Trump's executive orders signal a swift departure from Biden-era policies, prioritizing border security, economic deregulation, and federal workforce restructuring.

• Clemency Practices: Both administrations utilize executive clemency to align with their political agendas, though Trump's approach is anticipated to be more selective and ideologically driven compared to Biden's broad and contentious pardons.

• Political Fallout: These maneuvers are likely to deepen partisan divides, influence upcoming elections, and reshape the judiciary's relationship with the executive branch.

Speaker Attribution and Timestamps:

• Donald Trump

  • [00:00] "Make America powerful again, huge, safe again. Build that wall wealthy again."
  • [01:30] "We're going to end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington. A failed administration. We're not going to take it anymore."

• Ben Ferguson

  • [00:07] "We're gonna win big league."
  • [00:18] "Good morning and welcome to The47 Morning Update, Ben Ferguson with you."
  • [03:21] "Donald Trump is set to sign up to 200 executive orders on his first day in office."
  • [07:43] "House Speaker Mike Johnson put it perfectly on Sunday when he was on Meet the Press and he said, 'Trump and Vance agree peaceful protesters should be pardoned, but violent criminals should not.'"
  • [09:44] "Joe Biden is now over 8,000. So who is on the list in the final hours?"
  • [11:37] "Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson."

This episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz" offers a comprehensive examination of the critical transitions occurring within the U.S. presidency, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the strategies and motivations driving both Donald Trump and Joe Biden as their respective terms come to fruition.