Trump Federalizes DC Police & Dems' Heads Explode plus Admin Directs the Military to Take Out Terrorist Drug Cartels

Summary

Verdict with Ted Cruz: Trump Federalizes DC Police & Dems' Heads Explode plus Admin Directs the Military to Take Out Terrorist Drug Cartels
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Host: Senator Ted Cruz
Co-Host: Ben Ferguson
Producer: Premiere Networks

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson delve into two significant actions taken by President Donald Trump: the federalization of the Washington D.C. police force and the administration's directive for the military to target Latin American drug cartels, now classified as terrorist organizations. Released on August 12, 2025, this episode provides a thorough analysis of these moves, examining their legal foundations, societal impacts, and the fervent reactions they have elicited from Democrats and the mainstream media.

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Federalization of the D.C. Police Force

Context and Announcement:
At [03:45], Ben Ferguson outlines President Trump's decisive move to federalize the D.C. police, aiming to combat the escalating violent crime rates plaguing the nation's capital. The administration's response addresses rising murder rates, carjackings, and gang-related activities that critics attribute to progressive policies undermining law enforcement effectiveness.

Legal Basis:
Senator Cruz emphasizes the constitutional and statutory authority enabling this action. At [16:07], he references Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the U.S. Constitution, granting Congress exclusive legislation over D.C., and the 1973 Home Rule Act, which authorizes the President to take control of the D.C. police during emergencies. Ben Ferguson further elaborates on these points, citing specific sections of the D.C. code and historical legal opinions that validate the President's authority in this context.

Implementation Details:
The President declared a public safety emergency, invoking Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to place the D.C. police under federal control. Additionally, a memorandum was signed directing the Secretary of Defense to utilize the National Guard in supporting local law enforcement efforts. This includes reassigning DEA Administrator Terry Cole as the interim federal commissioner of D.C. police and deploying 120 FBI agents for nighttime patrols ([05:26]).

Impact and Reception:
Senator Cruz highlights the immediate concerns of D.C. residents regarding safety, recounting personal experiences such as a past break-in and theft incident while recording the show ([11:22]). He criticizes Democrats and media figures for labeling the President's actions as dictatorial, arguing that combating violent crime is a legitimate and necessary governmental function. Cruz asserts, “'Dictators and tyrants are fighting crime? Like that's a bad thing, really?'" ([13:12]).

Ben Ferguson supports this stance by presenting alarming statistics:

• DC's murder rate surpasses that of many global cities, including Bogotá, Colombia ([05:26]).
• Vehicle theft rates in D.C. are more than three times the national average, with 842.4 thefts per 100,000 residents ([05:26]).
• Recent incidents, such as the carjacking of Congressman Henry Cuellar, underscore the urgency of federal intervention ([11:31]).

Police Union Support:
The episode notes the supportive stance of the D.C. police union, which has publicly thanked the President for his intervention, indicating a significant alignment between federal actions and local law enforcement needs ([16:07]).

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Administration's Directive Against Drug Cartels

Designation as Terrorist Organizations:
Transitioning to the second major topic, at [31:03], Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson discuss President Trump's executive order authorizing the military to target Latin American drug cartels, officially classifying them as foreign terrorist organizations. This bold strategy marks a significant escalation in the fight against drug trafficking and associated violence impacting American lives.

Details of the Order:
Ben Ferguson cites a New York Post report stating, "President Trump has secretly authorized the military to use force against Latin American drug cartels classified as foreign terrorist organizations" ([29:07]). The order empowers U.S. forces to engage these cartels on land and sea, aiming to dismantle and obliterate their operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Historical Precedent:
Senator Cruz draws parallels to the successful implementation of Plan Colombia under President George W. Bush, which effectively decimated major drug cartels and restored stability in Colombia ([34:15]). He suggests that similar military initiatives could yield comparable success against current drug trafficking organizations ([34:15]).

Implications and Reactions:
The administration's actions have stirred intense backlash from Democrats and certain media outlets, who argue that such measures could provoke international conflicts or be perceived as aggression against Mexico ([34:54]). However, Cruz counters these narratives, asserting that targeting drug cartels is a defensive and law-and-order-oriented strategy rather than an offensive war, thereby dismissing claims that the President is sanctioning World War III ([34:54]).

Public Support and Political Ramifications:
The hosts argue that these decisive actions reflect the will of the American people, who are weary of the ongoing violence and loss of life due to drug trafficking. They posit that successful outcomes in D.C. and against drug cartels could set a precedent for empowering federal authorities to address similar issues in other high-crime cities, thus transforming the national approach to law enforcement and public safety ([20:43]).

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Democrats' Criticism and Media Response

Throughout the discussion, Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson critique the Democratic Party and mainstream media for their vehement opposition to the President's initiatives. They argue that Democrats prioritize political correctness and progressive agendas over tangible law enforcement and public safety measures. Quotes illustrating this sentiment include:

• “[...] Democrats are the party of criminals. They are.” ([17:04])
• “[...] you're doing something that they say is, is, is out of his job description. And they're like, this is what dictators and tyrants do.” ([16:07])

The hosts contend that the relentless criticism stems from a broader ideological battle where Democrats resist measures that effectively combat crime, fearing it undermines their progressive policies and social experiments in urban governance.

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Future Implications and Conclusion

Looking ahead, the hosts speculate that successful federal interventions in D.C. and against drug cartels could embolden similar actions in other cities plagued by high crime rates. Senator Cruz envisions a potential shift in how federal authority is exercised in urban centers, advocating for a more robust and proactive federal law enforcement presence to ensure public safety.

He asserts, “If you don't like it, you can leave.” ([20:43]) reflecting a viewpoint that residents unhappy with strict law enforcement policies can relocate, thereby reinforcing the principle that safety and order should not be compromised for political ideologies.

In wrapping up, Ted Cruz underscores the importance of supporting strong law-and-order measures and commends the President for his bold steps to safeguard American communities. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to stay informed and engaged in the ongoing discourse surrounding national security and public safety.

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Notable Quotes

• Senator Ted Cruz [05:26]:
  “D.C.'s murder rate is higher than Bogota, Colombia. DC has one of the highest murder rates among large US cities.”

• Senator Ted Cruz [13:12]:
  “Dictators and tyrants are fighting crime? Like that's a bad thing, really?”

• Ben Ferguson [16:07]:
  “The police union has come out and said thank you to the president and said, we need your help because we have so many officers down.”

• Senator Ted Cruz [34:54]:
  “If we attack the cartels or terrorist organizations, that's not an attack on Mexico. That's not going to war with Mexico.”

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Conclusion

This episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz" offers an in-depth examination of President Trump's strategies to enhance public safety in Washington D.C. and combat international drug cartels through military intervention. By dissecting the legal frameworks, societal impacts, and political reactions, Cruz and Ferguson present a strong case for federal authority in addressing these pressing issues. Their analysis not only informs listeners about current governmental actions but also invites reflection on broader themes of law, order, and political ideology in shaping America's future.

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Note: Advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content discussions were excluded to focus on the substantive analysis provided by Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson.

Transcript

[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ben Ferguson]

And I'm Jamie Rubin, a former advisor to both Presidents Clinton and Biden.

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[Ted Cruz]

Welcome. It is verdict with Senator Ted Cruz, Ben Ferguson with you. We are a day late, but it's because when we tried to do the show last night, we had major technical difficulties and couldn't get the connections right. So that's why we're coming with you today on this show putting out on Tuesday. The good news is we've had some unbelievable news. It's broken. And so it could be a blessing in disguise. And, and one of the big issues that is broken, Senator, is the President. United States of America has made every liberal lose their mind because he's actually trying to fight crime in Washington D.C. and they're saying he's a dictator and a tyrant for doing this.

[Ben Ferguson]

Well, today on Monday, the President made a bold announcement that the federal government is federalizing the D.C. police force, that they are going to fight violent crime in D.C. they're going to tackle the out of control murder rates, the violent crimes, the carjackings that have plagued that city, plagued that city because of left wing policies that have undermined the ability of the police to actually protect the residents there. And you're right, this has Democrats and this has the media losing their minds. How dare a President of the United States actually stand up against violent criminals? We're gonna break that down. We're gonna explain to you exactly what he did. We're gonna explain to you the legal basis for why he can do so. We're also gonna explain why D.C. is different. One of the talking points you're seeing on television right now is, well, he's go this in every country, every, every city in the country. He's just going to take over every city in America. And I don't think that's right. I don't think that's going to happen. DC is qualitatively different constitutionally and legally. We're going to explain to you why? We're also going to talk about another order President Trump put out, again, targeting bad guys, but in this case drug cartels, where he has directed the military to use military force to go after drug cartels as terrorists. Terrorists who are endangering American lives. Again, this is something that Democrats are deeply upset about. It seems there's nothing that could upset a Democrat more than law enforcement actually going after murderers or rapists or gang members. And that's exactly what President Trump is doing. And by the way, that's exactly what he promised the voters he would do if he was elected.

[Ted Cruz]

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[Ben Ferguson]

Well, look, D.C. has gotten seriously dangerous. And I'll tell you, people going to work in D.C. people living in D.C. are concerned for their safety. They're concerned for the safety of their families. They're concerned for the safety of their spouses and their children. You know, Rand Paul had a Capitol Hill staffer who was stabbed walking along the sidewalk in the middle of the afternoon. There was a man who served in the first Trump administration who was in his car at 5pm on the street. He was shot in the head and murdered. This violence is the direct result of disastrous Democrat policies that have handcuffed the police, that have limited the ability of the police to go after violent criminals. And the result is DC has become a very dangerous place. So what happened? President Trump Monday morning, he announced at a press conference, quote, this is Liberation Day in D.C. and we're going to take our capital back. And he declared a public safety emergency. And he took two actions. Number one, he invokes Section 740 of the D.C. home Rule act, placing the D.C. police directly under federal control. And number two, he signed a memorandum to the Secretary of Defense to utilize the National Guard. He placed DEA Administrator Terry Cole as the interim federal commissioner of D.C. police. And he also announced plans to temporarily, temporarily reassign 120 FBI agents in D.C. to nighttime patrol duties. Um, all of that was announced today. And the reason he did it is he walked about the statistics about DC crime. DC's murder rate is higher than that of many cities around the globe. DC's murder rate is higher than Bogota, Colombia. DC has one of the highest murder rates among large US cities. Nationwide, the homicide rate is more than 27 murders per 100,000 residents. That was in 2024. Vehicle theft in DC is more than three times the national average. With 842.4 thefts per hundred thousand residents. It is among the most dangerous cities globally. And in recent years, the number of car thefts has doubled and the number of car jackings has tripled. Look, I had actually, while I was recording Verdict, I don't know if you know this story, but years ago, when Verdict just started, while I was recording Verdict, we had our. The truck that I was driving in parked on the D.C. streets and we went down to the TV studios in the basement. And while the truck was on the streets, someone broke into the window, shattered them open, and stole my briefcase. Took my briefcase with my computer and my iPad and took the whole thing.

[Ted Cruz]

You didn't have classified documents in there, did you? You know, I did not have them randomly there. Okay, I'm liking. Sure. Otherwise that would have been some big news here.

[Ben Ferguson]

Unlike Joe Biden, I've never removed classified documents from a secure compartmentalized facility. Unlike Sandy Berger, who was Bill Clinton's national security advisor. I've never stuffed classified documents in my underwear or in my socks to try to smuggle them out. So, no, it was just annoying. And by the way, here's a stat about carjackings. In recent years, the number of carjackings in D.C. has tripled. And one of those victims of carjackings was Congressman Henry Cuellar, a Texas congressman. Again, it was evening time. He was just coming home with his dinner and he was carjacked in front of his apartment, where apparently numerous members of Congress live in this apartment building. And a member of Congress was carjacked. And so President Trump is acting directly. And apparently one of the motivations from this is that a White House staffer named Edward Korostai and he's a Doge staffer and his nickname is Big Balls. And I will say, by the way, one of the funniest things I've ever seen is because he was working in Doge, it forced Dana Bash and CNN to say the words big balls like 19 different times on air. Which I have to admit, I couldn't watch the segment without doubling over, laughing. Well, apparently this young man unfortunately was assaulted over the weekend by about 10 juveniles near Dupont Circle. And so when a 19 year old staffer in the White House can't be safe in D.C. the President, I think, should act. And that's what President Trump has done.

[Ted Cruz]

So it's amazing how mad they are that he's actually trying to fight crime. And it's actually pretty simple. He's saying it's out of control, the numbers are out of control. The data shows it's out of control. And yes, the numbers have come down this year, thank goodness. Part of that's because I think law and order and the President advocating for law enforcement all over the country and allowing law enforcement to be empowered to do their job and ICE agents to do their job. But, but they're actually angry at him because he's doing something that they say is, is, is out of his job description. And they're like, this is what dictators and tyrants do. And I go back to that line. I'm like, wait, dictators and tyrants are fighting crime? Like that's a bad thing, really?

[Ben Ferguson]

Well. And the federal government has authority over D.C. explicitly under the Constitution. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution gives Congress, quote, exclusive legislation over D.C. and Congress through its delegate. The D.C. council designated that the president serves as the D.C. national Guard's commander in chief. And that's in D.C. code Section 49, 409, which reads, quote, the President of the United States shall be the Commander in chief of the militia of the District of Columbia. There's an executive order from 1969 that delegates the day to day authority over the D.C. guard from the President to the Secretary of Defense, who further delegates it to the Secretary of the Army. So there's explicit authority to authorize the National Guard. And Also Congress in 1973 passed a law called the Home Rule Act. And what the Home Rule act does is it gives the President explicitly the power to take control of the D.C. police, quote, whenever he determines that special conditions of an emergency nature exist which require the use of the metropolitan police force for federal purposes. And that statute, the Home Rule act further says, the mayor shall provide, shall not may. Shall provide the police, quote, as the president may deem necessary and appropriate, not as the mayor deems, not as the City Council deems, as the president may deem. And the authority is limited to 48 hours unless the president sends notice to the congressional committees on D.C. justifying the action, at which point the authority is limited to 30 days. Trump has said he sent that notice this morning. This section's never been invoked before, but it is explicit, unequivocal statutory authority to do what he did. And the fact that Democrats of the media are losing their mind is they don't like the fact that he's exercising clear legal authority and clear legal authority that he's using precisely because the D.C. mayor and the D.C. city council have refused to do their jobs.

[Ted Cruz]

It's amazing that they refused to do their job. And even now the police union coming out, this is part of that story. I think it's really important so people understand reality compared to how the media is covering this. The police union has come out and said thank you to the president and said, we need your help because we have so many officers down. And they're like, we are asking and telling the president, thank you. And that's the police union who is saying this. And yet the mayor's still like, well, I don't know about this. I'm like, if your police union is telling you you need the help, why would you not just say, let's put politics aside here? Let's work with the president, let's work with the National Guard, let's get things safe at the Metro stations where we've seen a large uptick in crime. Let me tell you where I could use this National Guard, where you could put it and do this in a bipartisan way. But again, it goes back to this Trump derangement syndrome. That white orange man is always bad, even if he's fighting crime.

[Ben Ferguson]

Yeah, but it's not just that. It's that today's Democrat Party can't stand the police. It used to be there was a time when police unions, many of them were Democrats. I will tell you, as I travel the country, everywhere I go, and especially blue cities, when I arrive in a city like New York, in a city like Chicago, when I got off the plane in Chicago, I'm often greeted by 4, 5, 6, 8 police officers, unified cops, uniform cops, who will come up to me and they just say thank you. They'll give me their patches. And they feel so beleaguered. And I tell them, this is something I try to make A point. And you've traveled with me, Ben, you've seen this. When I see a police officer, I'm in Dallas today. When I landed in Dallas, Love Field, there were several officers there. I thanked, shook the hands of every officer there, said, thank you, thank you for what you're doing, thank you for fighting to defend us. And I'll tell you what I tell the officers in Chicago and everywhere else, which is it's my job to have your back. And why has DC undermined the police so systematically? Because the Democrat Party has been taken over by the nut jobs. It's been taken over by the abolish the police crazies, the defund the police crazies. DC has in place no cash bail policy so that people commit violent crimes and get released on no cash bail. That is, that is madness. And one of the things President Trump asked Congress to do is, is abolish DC's no cash bail. I would certainly vote to do so. I think that's absolutely the right thing to do. I will tell you, I think the odds are very high that Senate Democrats will filibuster any effort to get rid of no cash bail in D.C. because the Democrats today are the party of criminals. They are. And look, when I say that, Ben, that sounds hyperbolic. That sounds. Oh, come on. How can they really be the party of criminals? Well, they're the ones that tell you they are. They're the ones that, their dismay is, how dare the President be committed to arresting murderers and rapists and gang members. And I want to be clear about something. D.C. is qualitatively different. So there's a statute, long standing statute, called Posse Comitatus. Posse Comitatus bars the use of the US military for civilian law enforcement except when authorized by the Constitution or another provision of federal law. And so if, if the President were to do this in New York City or Chicago, there would certainly be a challenge under Posse Comitatus that using the military for law enforcement violates that. Importantly, however, the Department of Justice, in 1989, the Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion that found that President George Herbert Walker Bush could use the D.C. car guard to carry out law enforcement missions in D.C. as part of the so called war on drugs. And so you've got a Department of justice opinion, long standing from decades ago that says D.C. is different because it's not a state, it is a federal enclave. The federal government has blanket authority over dc. And so this is an instance where the President is acting pursuant to his authority. And I expect that his actions are gonna prove highly effective, which I gotta tell you, Ben, I think that scares Democrats even more.

[Ted Cruz]

Well, and that brings me to the second part of this, which is you look at how big of a success this could be pretty quickly, and if it is a success, it's just gonna expose so many other sanctuary city leaders. The Gavin Newsoms, the LA Mayor, the Baltimore mayor, Chicago mayor, the Memphis mayor, the Detroit mayor, the New Orleans mayor, all of these top crime cities for exactly what they've done. It's the policies. You look at just D.C. and how soft they've been on crime with juveniles. And juvenile crime exploded in D.C. during COVID and after Covid because they refused to hold juveniles accountable for their actions. We've seen this happen a lot of other places around the country. So if this turns into a major success for the present and people feel safe in dc, how big of a political victory for law and order? I'm not talking about Republican or Democrats. I'm talking about for law and order could this be and precedent moving forward. The brain say, hey, I'm willing to help you. You just gotta ask for the help. Because we can do what we just.

[Ben Ferguson]

Did in Washington, D.C. yeah, look, that's exactly right. And I think the obvious analog is border security. We spent four years under Joe Biden and the Democrats, with the Democrats saying they were helpless to secure the border. It was impossible to do. I was there a year ago at the State of the Union address when Joe Biden said he needed new legislation. The only way to secure the border is if Congress passed new legislation. Now, I was there this year when Trump gave his State of the Union address, and it was after border crossings with Trump being sworn into office had dropped more than 99%. And Trump, my favorite line from his whole State of the Union address is he said, it turns out we didn't need new legislation, we just needed a new president. Well, the same thing is true here. Look, President Trump has demonstrated conclusively the border can be secured. And it could have been secured four years ago, except Joe Biden and the Democrats wanted open borders because they saw political benefit. If we see the kind of successes that I know President Trump hopes we'll see that I think we are likely to see. It will demonstrate not just every resident of D.C. but every resident of every other high crime city in the country. Wait a second. This can be stopped. My family can be protected. And the fact that the murder rates in my city are so high that the rape and child molestations and the carjacking rates are so high. That is a choice, a voluntary choice from Democrat politicians who put partisan priorities above protecting their citizenry. That's what that. That at the end of the day is I think one of the biggest reasons Democrats are freaking out. And I want to make another point about this, which is there used to be an implicit agreement about D.C. home rule, which is that Republicans wouldn't interfere day to day and the Democrat officials in D.C. wouldn't run the city as a social experiment driven by progressive self indulgence like in other blue cities. And the D.C. mayor and city council broke that implicit agreement. D.C. is fundamentally different from other major cities because it's the nation's political capital and if you are serving in the federal government, you have to be in D.C. if the residents of New York or San Francisco want to elect crazy Soros politician district attorneys, if they want their officials to implement their combination of communism and anarchy and woke policy shutting down schools and businesses, you know what? If you don't like it, you can leave. And leaving that you can get out of a blue city. To the extent voters anywhere in America elect representatives to represent them. Look, the people of Texas, 31 million Texans have sent me to represent them in the Senate. I have to go to Washington D.C. to do that. That's where the Senate is. My staff, many of whom are Texans, they have to be in D.C. to do that job. And so the lawlessness, the President is acting. Look, fine, if you've got San Francisco Democrats who want to go from one lawless hellhole to another, that's their choice. But the nation's capital, there is an obligation to keep it safe. And I think the President is doing the exactly the right thing by acting boldly. I want to commend him. This is a bold step and I think it's really important.

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[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ben Ferguson]

The following is an ad paid for by Kirk Elliott Precious Metals.

[Ted Cruz]

Hey, everybody, it's Ben Ferguson here. And let's talk for a second. If you're feeling uneasy about the economy, inflation, or what's happening in Washington, you're not alone. And that's why I decided to bring on a good friend of mine, Dr. Kurt Elliott from Kurt Elliott Precious Metals. Kurt, welcome.

[Kurt Elliott]

Thanks, Ben. Always a pleasure to talk with you.

[Ted Cruz]

So, look, people are watching their retirement accounts shrink. The dollar is losing value. What are you telling folks right now?

[Kurt Elliott]

You know, Ben, what I share with people is pretty straightforward. When uncertainty rises, it's smart to invest in something tangible, something real. Gold and silver have weathered storms for generations. They're not just a hedge, they're a foundation when everything else feels shaky. That's why more people are reaching out to us now. Not for hype, just for steady answers.

[Ted Cruz]

Yeah, I've seen it for myself. You guys make it incredibly easy. You walk people through everything step by step. And that's important.

[Kurt Elliott]

Absolutely. Whether you're just getting started or have years of experience, we make it simple. We focus on the relationship with our client. Clear and transparent pricing, and you'll always know exactly what you're getting. No surprises, no pressure. And if it's right for you, we can help you roll over part of your IRA or 401k into physical metals.

[Ted Cruz]

Yeah, that's really a big deal. And the question is, how do people get started?

[Kurt Elliott]

Just go to kepm.com ben or call us at 720-605-3900. Ask any question on your mind. Our team is here to help you protect what you've worked so hard to build with zero pressure. Just real guidance. And this is just the beginning. You're never going to be alone on the journey moving forward. The journey is about the relationship to us, not just the transaction.

[Ted Cruz]

So if you've been thinking about securing your future, now's the time to do it. I trust Kirk, and you can, too. Visit kepm.comben that's kepm.com ben or 720-605-3900 today.

[Kurt Elliott]

Thanks, Ben. I appreciate your trust. We're here to help People move forward with confidence no matter what the headlines say or the world throws at us.

[Ted Cruz]

It also goes back to the second part of the show and it deals with the present, making very big steps, bold steps here. And look at what he has decided to now do when it comes to dealing with drug cartels. He's made them, some of them have been named terrorist organizations. And this was done deliberately on purpose by this president to be able to go after the drug cartels which these cartels are clearly killing Americans each and every day with the drugs coming across the border and also the violence that comes across the border. And the President now has enough. He put out a tweet and he's ordering now the US Military to destroy not only the drug cartels. But the New York Post is reporting as well that the President has apparently authorized military force against Latin American drug cartels classified as foreign terrorist organizations. The the Pete Edseth went on Laura Ingram show tonight, was asked about, he's like, look, we know a lot more about these cartels than they realize. We know a lot more about where they are, what they're doing, where they're moving. And the President said this is a top priority and I'm working on it. And that was a pretty bold statement from the man in charge of the Pentagon.

[Ben Ferguson]

Absolutely, yes. Here's what the New York Post reported. Quote, President Trump has secretly authorized the military to use force against Latin American drug cartels classified as foreign terrorist organizations. The move is the most aggressive action Trump has taken yet against gangs trafficking drugs like fentanyl across the US Mexico border, the activities of which were previously the purview of federal law enforcement. The order first reported Friday by the New York Times gives US Forces official permission to engage cartels on land and sea. Quote, the President is determined to not just dismantle but completely destroy Maduro's Cartel de los Solis and to obliterate their operations in the Western hemisphere. A source close to the White House said the State Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations include involved in drug trafficking include Venezuela's Trenda Aragua and Cartel de los Solis as well as El Salvador's rooted Mara salvatrucha known as MS.13. And that is incredibly consequential because it now sets up the stage I would expect to see military action taking out the cartels that have been designated as terrorist organizations. That takes this to a whole new level. And just like what the President is doing in D.C. that has Democrats beside themselves because given a choice between siding with law abiding American citizens or murderers and gang members. Today's Democrats side with the murderers and gang members. And given a choice between siding with international gangs and drug cartels that are trafficking poison to our kids and murdering Americans or standing with American families, sadly, the Democrats choose to get on a plane and go down to El Salvador and have daiquiris with Ms. 13 human traffickers.

[Ted Cruz]

Well, let's talk about the narrative as well on this today. I was watching and they were saying, well, this is the president sanctioning World War three. This is the president sanctioning a attack on Mexico, and that's gonna start a war. I think those might be two of the most egregious and just absurd statements. The president. If we attack the cartels or terrorist organizations, that's not an attack on Mexico. That's not going to war with Mexico. Even though the Democrats and those in the media are trying to explain it that way, I don't think the American people would see it that way either, especially with Americans dying on a daily basis.

[Ben Ferguson]

Look, I think that's right. And I'll point out also that there is a clear precedent for this. When George W. Bush was president, you had the nation of Colombia just wracked by drug cartels, the Medellin cartel, the Cali cartel. And the result of these cartels is crime in Colombia was out of control. The murder rate was out of control. You had acts of terrorism that were attacking, and the cartels were murdering, were blowing up, were shooting police officers and judges and elected officials and mayors, and it was really in bad shape. And the people of Columbia elected President Uribe as the president of Columbia. And he asked President George W. Bush, will you help us? And Bush launched what was called Plan Colombia. Plan Colombia sent the military in and just decimated the cartels. It turns out our military is really good at killing the bad guys. And we did so. And it ended up turning Colombia around. It made a massive difference in the nation of Colombia. So our military knows how to do this. There's clear precedent with some of these. With some of these cartels, we will be asked in by the governments with open arms. In other instances, you may have elected officials and governments that resist America coming in. That becomes more complicated. The United States has acted against terrorists in foreign nations, even when the sovereign government is less than thrilled about that. But it's more complicated if the government is asking us not to, but it is nonetheless. How exactly the Trump administration navigates that, that will be an open question over the next three years. But I gotta tell you this if you're a Mexican drug lord, if you're a drug lord anywhere, particularly in one of these gangs that has been designated a terrorist organization by the President, I would sleep with one eye open because, you know, a Predator drone is really good at making things go boom in the night. And I think the terrorists and the drug cartels are all sleeping a lot less comfortable right now.

[Ted Cruz]

Amen to that. They have not had to worry about this threat in my entire lifetime. And I think that's another part of the story where they've never been treated the way that now the President's treating them. And the American people are clearly behind this. This is two major examples of the President promising law and order and national security and safety, and he's definitely backing it up. Don't forget we do this show Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So hit that subscriber auto download button. Please share this podcast wherever you can on social media and the Senator and I will see you back here on Wednesday morning.

[Rodney Williams]

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[Jamie Rubin]

I'm Christiana Manpour and I've been on the front lines and interviewing world leaders for more than 30 years.

[Ben Ferguson]

And I'm Jamie Rubin, a former advisor to both Presidents Clinton and Biden.

[Jamie Rubin]

We were married for 20 years and divorced for seven. Now we've joined forces on the X Files to make sense of how we ended up with no world order. Listen to Christiane Amanpour presents the X files on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Rodney Williams]

I'm Rodney Williams. And I'm Travis Holloway. Welcome to the wealthbreak podcast, a real conversation about finance. Let's be honest, building wealth doesn't look the same for everyone.

[Ben Ferguson]

I feel like sometimes being broke is.

[Christiana Amanpour]

A cycle and that we might have.

[Rodney Williams]

To revisit that and we're not stopping at success stories.

[Christiana Amanpour]

What happens when it doesn't go right? How do you cope with it?

[Rodney Williams]

Because wealth isn't just about money. It's about creating a life where you thrive and help others do the same. Listen to the Wealth Break podcast on the iHeartradio app.

[Ben Ferguson]

This is an iHeart podcast.