Verdict with Ted Cruz: "Trump Fires Away w Orders, Biden Pardons the Family & Justice for Jan 6th Hostages"

Release Date: January 21, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," hosted by Ben Ferguson, Senator Ted Cruz delves into the whirlwind of political actions taken by the newly inaugurated President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden. The discussion centers around Trump's aggressive use of executive orders, Biden's controversial pardons of his family members, and Trump's unprecedented pardoning of individuals involved in the January 6th events at the U.S. Capitol.

1. Trump's Aggressive Executive Actions in His First 24 Hours

Timestamp: 00:00 - 03:22

Ben Ferguson opens the episode by highlighting President Trump's immediate and robust approach to governance. Within his first day in office, Trump has already initiated numerous executive orders aimed at fulfilling his campaign promises.

Key Actions Discussed:

• National Emergency at the Southern Border: Trump swiftly declared a national emergency to address immigration, signaling a strong stance on border security.

  Donald Trump (00:00): "We won. We won. The golden age of America begins right now. I will very simply put America first."

• Designation of Cartels as a Terrorist Organization: This move authorizes the military to actively combat drug cartels, marking a significant escalation in the fight against organized crime.

  Ben Ferguson (01:40): "He knew you could have come back for 39 million, but they wanted us back so badly."

• Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO): Trump justified this decision by contrasting the financial contributions of China and the U.S., emphasizing perceived unfairness.

  Donald Trump (02:28): "We paid $500 million to World Health when I was here and I terminated it."

• Restoration of Free Speech: A directive was signed to prohibit government censorship, reinforcing the administration's commitment to First Amendment rights.

  Ben Ferguson (02:43): "Stop government censorship of all speech."

• Regulatory Freeze and Federal Hiring Halt: Trump revoked 78 executive orders from the Biden era, froze new federal regulations, and mandated that federal employees return to office-based work.

  Ben Ferguson (03:24): "Revisions of 78 Biden era executive orders regulatory regulation freeze."

Notable Quote:

Ben Ferguson (03:32): "We are withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, saying goodbye to the ridiculousness of the extreme green New Deal religion."

These actions collectively demonstrate Trump's immediate pivot towards deregulation, border security, and national sovereignty, setting a decisive tone for his administration.

2. Joe Biden's Pardons: Protecting the Biden Family

Timestamp: 03:22 - 09:42

The conversation shifts to former President Joe Biden's final acts in office, specifically his widespread pardons of family members, a move Ferguson portrays as protective rather than justifiable.

Key Points Discussed:

• Pardoning of Hunter Biden and Other Family Members: Biden extended clemency to his son, Hunter Biden, and other family members, which Ferguson argues is an attempt to shield them from legal repercussions.

  Ben Ferguson (08:59): "Not only did he pardon his son Hunter Biden, but he went on to pardon many other family members as he was walking out the door."

• Media Hypocrisy and Criticism: Ferguson criticizes the media for previous coverage of potential preemptive pardons during Trump's 2020 campaign, labeling such stories as "fake news."

  Ben Ferguson (09:42): "And if you just listen to the words I just played for you, remember how much the media lied to you in 2020 and how much they're going to lie to you for the next four years about Donald Trump."

• Legacy Concerns: The episode underscores the belief that Biden's pardons will tarnish his legacy, emphasizing that these actions were more about protecting the family than serving the public interest.

  Media Representative (09:33): "It's a stain on his legacy to do it like this."

Notable Quote:

Ben Ferguson (09:33): "Joe Biden's legacy... was solely about protecting the Biden crime family."

Ferguson underscores a narrative that portrays Biden's final days in office as focused on self-preservation and familial protection rather than national interest.

3. Trump's Pardons for January 6th "Hostages"

Timestamp: 09:42 - 12:23

Returning to President Trump's recent actions, Ferguson discusses the controversial pardon of approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol events, whom Trump refers to as "hostages."

Key Actions Discussed:

• Full Pardons for January 6th Participants: Trump issued comprehensive pardons to those convicted in relation to the Capitol riot, categorizing them as hostages of the government.

  Donald Trump (11:20): "These are the hostages. Approximately 1500 for a pardon. Full pardon."

• Media Backlash: The media's negative reaction to these pardons is highlighted, with Ferguson arguing that Trump's actions are benevolent compared to Biden's previous pardons.

  Ben Ferguson (12:12): "As the newly sworn in 47th President... you can sign a document. And he did commute 14 prison sentences issuing, quote, a full and complete and unconditional pardon..."

• Eligibility of Pardons: Notably, none of the pardoned individuals share the Trump surname, distancing his actions from personal favoritism.

  Ben Ferguson (12:23): "None of these pardons were for anybody with a last name Donald Trump."

Notable Quote:

Ben Ferguson (11:20): "We are going to release our great hostages."

Ferguson frames Trump's pardoning of January 6th defendants as a humanitarian gesture, portraying the act as rectifying perceived injustices by the previous administration.

Conclusion

Throughout this episode, Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson provide a critical examination of the contrasting actions of Presidents Trump and Biden. Trump's rapid implementation of executive orders and pardons is lauded as a decisive move to "save America" and restore American greatness. In stark contrast, Biden's final acts are depicted as self-serving, aimed at shielding his family from legal scrutiny. The discussion underscores a broader narrative of combating perceived corruption and governmental overreach, positioning Trump's presidency as a corrective force against past administration policies.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• Donald Trump (00:00): "The golden age of America begins right now."
• Ben Ferguson (03:32): "We are withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord..."
• Ben Ferguson (09:33): "Joe Biden's legacy... was solely about protecting the Biden crime family."
• Ben Ferguson (11:20): "We are going to release our great hostages."

For more in-depth analysis and updates on the latest political developments, subscribe to "Verdict with Ted Cruz" and the Ben Ferguson Podcast.