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Caller
He'll call you back in two months. Two months? Yes, his schedule. He's extremely busy sleeping now. Could we speak to the president? Would that be possible? We could do it anytime over the next month. They're so used to this, right? I say no, I'm picking up right now. Is he on the phone?
Ben Ferguson
Yeah. Hello?
Caller
How you doing?
Ben Ferguson
You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.
Good Monday morning. It's Ben Ferguson. Nice to have you with us. And here are the big stories we're covering today on the 47 Morning Update. Colombia's President Petro buckled under Donald Trump's trade war threat after the president refused to allow planes to land in his country filled with illegal immigrants from his nation. I'll have the latest on how Donald Trump pulled this off in a moment. Also, we now have the CIA saying that the government lied to you about the lab leak theory coming out of the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The new CIA director explaining exactly what the evidence is. We'll play that for you in a moment as well. And Finally, Vice President J.D. vance calling out the Catholic Church for protecting illegal immigrants and profiting off them as well. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now. Sunday was a very busy day for Donald Trump and foreign policy, especially after Colombia's President Petro decided to stop. Two military planes landing in his country filled with illegal immigrants had been rounded up in America. The worst part about the story is he had said early on he would allow the planes to land and then decided to block them. Well, President Donald Trump wasn't having any of that and said, okay, you want to go to war, let's do it. And that is when Donald Trump responded with some incredible threats to the country. In a response, Trump swiftly enacted a wave of retaliatory measures, including ordering a 25% tariff be imposed on all Colombian goods coming to the U.S. now, many in the media were acting like that wasn't a big deal, except if you look at what Colombia exports to America, it is a big deal, including Colombian coffee. These measures are just the beginning, Trump said. We will not allow the Colombian government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of of the criminals they forced into the United States. Trump went on to warn that that tariff that starts at 25% would then jump to 50% at the end of week one. Now, before the South American leader caved, the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio also alleged that the president of Colombia had canceled his authorization for the flights of Colombian nationals when the planes were already in the air. It is the responsibility of each nation to take back their citizens who are illegally present in the United States in a serious and expeditious manner. The Colombian president had authorized the flights and provided all needed authorizations and then canceled his authorization when the plans were in the air. Rubio went on to say on X, as demonstrated by today's actions, we are unwavering in our commitment to end illegal immigration and bolster America's border security. Rubio went on to state, well, guess what happened. The President of Columbia instantly caved after the list came out of exactly what President Trump was going to do. It wasn't just the emergency tariffs that were jumping from 25 to 50% at the end of one week, but also a travel ban and an immediate visa revocations on the Colombian government officials, also all of their allies and supporters. Donald Trump wasn't done with that, saying visa sanctions will happen on all party members, family members and supporters of the Colombian government. And just to add on to that, the President said he was going to have enhanced Customs and Border Protection inspections of all Colombian nationals as well as cargo because of the national security grounds. And finally, the President said the IEEPA treasury, banking and financial sanctions will be fully imposed. These measures are just the beginning, the President stated, and we will not allow the Colombian government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and the return of criminals that they forced into the U.S. well, guess what the Colombian president did. Not only did he say, okay, let's all get along, but he even said he would send his own presidential jet to America to pick up the 160 plus illegal immigrants that we were originally flying back to Columbia. If you wanna know what make America great again looks like, well, Donald Trump, he's bringing it week one.
Now story number two.
So remember the lie that we were told for years from the Biden Harris administration that there was no such thing as a lab when it came to the origins of COVID 19. You may also remember that Dr. Fauci lied to the American people and even needed a preemptive pardon because of what he said the American people about the Institute of Virology in Wuhan and the lab leak theory. He also funded gain of function research and lied about that. Well, now because all of those individuals are out of the government, we're finding out exactly what really happened. And the CIA, it is now being reported by Politico, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, Fox News, even CNN and the Associated Press are now running headlines that Say the CIA believes Covid most likely originated from a lab. Yes. Another headline, the CIA releases new analysis on Covid origins favoring lab leak theory. Politico's headline, CIA now says COVID 19 is more likely to have originated from a lab leak. These headlines would have been banned from social media and had your account silenced or even shut down if you shared them during COVID 19 and the pandemic. But now we're hearing a lot more about the facts. John Radcliffe is now the CIA director after being confirmed this past week. And here is what he had to say about the American people. It's time that they are able to trust their government again.
John Radcliffe
Part of what we have to do is we have to restore Americans trust in our own institutions like the intelligence community and law enforcement, and that includes the CIA. And, you know, one of the things that the President stressed, you know, the purpose of the CIA is to protect Americans, to keep us safe from foreign threats and foreign adversaries. But we also need to be truthful with Americans. And he has stressed to me and others that, you know, these aren't mutually exclusive missions. We can do both. And so in the case of the CIA, which is the best foreign intelligence service in the world, after five years, to not have a public assessment, to be honest with the American people, about where the likely source of a pandemic that killed millions around the world, including a million Americans, and really impacted all 345 million Americans in some way, people lost jobs, they lost houses, they lost their health, they lost their businesses, all of that. And so I had the opportunity on my first day to make public an assessment that actually took place in the Biden administration, so it can't be accused of being political. And it does assess. The CIA has assessed that the most likely cause of this pandemic that has wrought so much devastation around the world was because of a lab related incident in Wuhan. And so we'll continue to investigate that moving forward. But I think it was important for the American people to see an institution like the CIA get off the sidelines and be truthful about what our intelligence shows at the same time of protecting us from adversaries like China, if they caused or contributed to this.
Ben Ferguson
It's very clear from Radcliffe's words there that the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, is instructing the people in his cabinet to be transparent with the American people, to bring back faith to institutions like the CIA or the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security. And I have a feeling what we're going to witness in the days and the weeks ahead is more people like Radcliffe stepping up and saying this is what they were hiding from you in the Biden and Harris administration. It is clear this is an initiative of Donald Trump. So get ready for more bombshells. And also many moments that are going to probably be like, I knew I was right, moments where we were lied to by our government.
And lastly, story number three, there's a very famous saying.
It is a saying that you've probably heard before. Follow the money. Well, nothing can be truer when it comes to government and politics. And many times when there is a crisis and money is thrown at that crisis, there are always people on the take that are more than happy to get rich. Well, J.D. vance is now calling out the Catholic Church saying they are doing more to help immigrants, illegal immigrants, specifically, to actually help their bottom line, not so much because they believe in a policy. Well, Vice President J.D. vance ruffled a lot of feathers when he got into a back and forth over the idea now that the government is going to raid churches to if there are illegal immigrants in attendance, there are some saying that is inhumane. And the president of the United States of America is saying there should be nowhere that is off limits to violent illegal immigrants, even if they seek refuge in a church. Take a listen to what JD Vanta to say about the Catholic Church profiting off of, quote, taking care of illegal immigrants in America.
Margaret
Of Catholic bishops this week condemned some of the executive orders signed by President Trump, specifically those allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enter churches and to enter schools. Do you personally support the idea of conducting a raid or enforcement action in a church service at a school?
J.D. Vance
Well, let me, let me address this. Of course, if you have a person who is convicted of a violent crime, whether they're an illegal immigrant or a non illegal immigrant, you have to go and get that person to protect the public safety. That's not unique to immigration. But let me just address this particular issue, Margaret, because as a practicing Catholic, I was actually heartbroken by that statement. And I think that the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops needs to actually look in the mirror a little bit and recognize that when they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns or are they actually worried about their bottom line? We are going to enforce immigration law. We're going to protect the American people. Donald Trump promised to do that. And I believe the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops, if they're worried about the humanitarian costs of immigration enforcement, let them talk about the children who have been sex trafficked because of the wide open border of Joe Biden.
Margaret
You personally let them talk about going.
J.D. Vance
People like Lake and Riley who were brutally murdered. I support us doing law enforcement against violent criminals, whether they're illegal immigrants or anybody else in a way that keeps us safe. Let me ask this question. Let's separate the immigration issue. If you had a violent murderer in a school, of course I want law enforcement to go and get that person out.
Ben Ferguson
Of course.
J.D. Vance
What's the point of the question?
Margaret
You changed the regulation this week. That's the point of the question.
J.D. Vance
Exactly.
Margaret
Giving the authority to go into churches, going to schools.
J.D. Vance
We empowered law enforcement to enforce the law everywhere to protect Americans.
Margaret
A chilling effect, arguably to people to not send their kids to school.
J.D. Vance
I desperately hope it has a chilling effect on illegal immigrants.
Margaret
Coming to the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops is are actively hiding criminals.
J.D. Vance
I think the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops has frankly not been a good partner in common sense immigration enforcement that the American people voted for. And I hope again, as a devout Catholic, that they'll do better.
Ben Ferguson
As a devout Catholic, he hopes they'll do better. So follow the money. What are we talking about? Early reports have been coming out after Vance did that interview showing millions and millions and millions and millions of dollars have been flowing into the Catholic Charities to make sure that they take care of the illegal immigrants. Yes, the Catholic Church is profiting off of this, there's no doubt about it. And now you have the Vice President of the United States of America calling them out for it.
Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now. And for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here tomorrow.
Podcast Summary: Verdict with Ted Cruz Episode: Trump to Colombia on Illegals "FAFO!" Release Date: January 27, 2025
Hosted by Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson, "Verdict with Ted Cruz" delves into the pressing political issues of the day. In this episode titled "Trump to Colombia on Illegals 'FAFO!'", the hosts navigate through three major stories: President Donald Trump's retaliatory measures against Colombia, the CIA's new stance on the COVID-19 lab leak theory, and Vice President J.D. Vance's criticism of the Catholic Church in relation to illegal immigrants.
Overview: The episode opens with Ben Ferguson discussing the escalating tensions between the United States and Colombia. The conflict arose when Colombia's President Petro refused President Donald Trump's order to allow military planes carrying illegal immigrants to land in Colombia. Originally, Petro had authorized these flights but later retracted his permission while the planes were en route, prompting Trump's stern response.
Key Points:
Trump's Response: In retaliation, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods entering the U.S., threatening to increase it to 50% after one week. This move targeted significant Colombian exports, including coffee.
"Donald Trump responded with some incredible threats to the country... he swiftly enacted a wave of retaliatory measures, including ordering a 25% tariff be imposed on all Colombian goods coming to the U.S." (02:30)
Further Sanctions: Beyond tariffs, Trump announced a travel ban and immediate visa revocations for Colombian government officials and their allies. Additionally, enhanced Customs and Border Protection inspections were mandated for Colombian nationals and cargo on national security grounds.
"The President of Colombia instantly caved after the list came out of exactly what President Trump was going to do." (04:15)
Colombia's Capitulation: Facing the brunt of these sanctions, President Petro conceded by agreeing to allow the presidential jet to transport over 160 illegal immigrants back to the United States, signaling a de-escalation of the conflict.
"He even said he would send his own presidential jet to America to pick up the 160 plus illegal immigrants that we were originally flying back to Columbia." (04:50)
Impact: These measures underscore Trump's commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting U.S. borders. The swift retaliation aimed to pressure Colombia into compliance, demonstrating a hardline stance against illegal immigration.
Overview: Ben Ferguson transitions to a significant revelation regarding the origins of COVID-19. He highlights a shift in the CIA's position, now endorsing the lab leak theory as the more probable origin of the pandemic—contrary to the previous narrative established during the Biden-Harris administration.
Key Points:
Change in Narrative: The CIA, under new Director John Radcliffe, released an assessment favoring the lab leak theory, suggesting that COVID-19 likely originated from an incident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
"The CIA has assessed that the most likely cause of this pandemic... was because of a lab related incident in Wuhan." (06:40)
Director Radcliffe's Statement: Emphasizing transparency, Radcliffe stated the importance of restoring American trust in government institutions by being honest about intelligence findings.
"It's time that they are able to trust their government again... the CIA get off the sidelines and be truthful about what our intelligence shows." (06:40)
Implications of Transparency: Radcliffe asserted that transparency does not compromise national security but rather strengthens trust in institutions like the CIA.
"These aren't mutually exclusive missions. We can do both." (06:50)
Political Shift: Ferguson suggests that this transparency is part of Trump's broader initiative to unveil hidden truths from previous administrations.
"It is clear this is an initiative of Donald Trump. So get ready for more bombshells." (08:22)
Impact: The CIA's new stance marks a significant pivot in the official narrative surrounding COVID-19's origins. This revelation may lead to further investigations and disclosures, reshaping public understanding of the pandemic's genesis.
Overview: The final segment features Vice President J.D. Vance addressing the role of the Catholic Church in the context of illegal immigration. Vance accuses the Church of exploiting the situation for financial gain rather than genuine humanitarian concern.
Key Points:
Vance's Accusations: Vance contends that the Catholic Church, specifically the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is profiting from aiding illegal immigrants by receiving over $100 million for resettlement efforts.
"When they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns or are they actually worried about their bottom line?" (10:37)
Policy Enforcement: He defends the Trump administration's enforced raids on churches and schools housing illegal immigrants, framing them as necessary for public safety.
"We empowered law enforcement to enforce the law everywhere to protect Americans." (12:02)
Chilling Effect: Vance hopes that these enforcement actions will deter illegal immigrants from seeking refuge in secure locations like churches.
"I desperately hope it has a chilling effect on illegal immigrants." (12:11)
Response to Criticism: When confronted about the potential negative impact on communities and vulnerable populations, Vance maintains his stance, prioritizing law enforcement over humanitarian concerns.
"I think the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops has frankly not been a good partner in common sense immigration enforcement." (12:20)
Impact: Vance's statements highlight the ongoing debate over the role of religious institutions in immigration enforcement. His critique raises questions about the balance between humanitarian efforts and national security imperatives.
In this episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," Ben Ferguson navigates through a series of impactful discussions:
Trump's Strong Stance Against Colombia: Demonstrating unwavering resolve in enforcing immigration laws, Trump's retaliatory measures against Colombia set a precedent for stringent border security.
CIA's Transparency on COVID-19 Origins: The CIA's shift towards endorsing the lab leak theory marks a pivotal moment in public discourse, potentially reshaping perceptions of the pandemic's origins.
Vance's Critique of the Catholic Church: Vice President Vance's allegations against the Catholic Church underscore the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement and the role of religious organizations.
Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive analysis of these critical issues, offering listeners a deep dive into the political maneuvers shaping the nation's current landscape.
Ben Ferguson on Trump's Tariffs:
"Donald Trump responded with some incredible threats to the country... he swiftly enacted a wave of retaliatory measures, including ordering a 25% tariff be imposed on all Colombian goods coming to the U.S." (02:30)
John Radcliffe on CIA Transparency:
"These aren't mutually exclusive missions. We can do both." (06:50)
J.D. Vance on Catholic Church's Motives:
"When they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns or are they actually worried about their bottom line?" (10:37)
Please note that the timestamps correspond to the points in the provided transcript where the quotes were mentioned.