Trump's Purge: His Battle w the Deep State and Global Trade

Summary

Verdict with Ted Cruz: Episode Summary Title: Trump's Purge: His Battle with the Deep State and Global Trade
Release Date: February 3, 2025
Host: Senator Ted Cruz & Co-host Ben Ferguson
Description: Join Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson as they break down the most important news stories of the day and reveal what they mean for you. On "Verdict with Ted Cruz,” you will go behind the scenes of the political debates that define our country.

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1. Donald Trump's Deep State Purge

In the opening segment, Ben Ferguson delves into President Donald Trump's aggressive actions against what he refers to as the "Deep State." Over the past 24 hours alone, significant moves have been made to dismantle long-standing federal institutions that Trump claims have been obstructing his administration’s efforts.

Key Actions:

• Termination of Federal Prosecutors: All federal prosecutors handling January 6th cases have been dismissed, indicating a halt to ongoing investigations into the Capitol riot.

• FBI Leadership Overhaul: David Sundberg, the FBI Assistant Director overseeing the January 6 investigations, was terminated. Additionally, 20 leaders from various FBI field offices have been escorted out of their positions nationwide.

• Bans and Indictments:

  • Intelligence Officers: 51 intelligence officers who propagated misinformation regarding the Hunter Biden laptop have been banned from federal properties. This move targets those who Ferguson and Cruz argue were complicit in election interference.
  • High-Profile Bans: Former officials John Bolton and John Brennan have been permanently barred from government buildings.
  • Gerald Harold Rogers: Indicted for compromising U.S. trade secrets to China.

• Workforce Reshuffle: All 2 million federal employees have been presented with resignation offers, signaling a potential massive reduction in government personnel.

Notable Quotes:

• "This purge is marking the beginning of the end of the corruption in Washington, D.C." — Ben Ferguson [01:13]
• "Donald Trump is breaking it all down to its core and rebuilding it with true patriots that love this country instead of trying to overthrow the will of the people." — Ben Ferguson [04:00]

Ferguson emphasizes that these actions are part of Trump's broader strategy to "drain the swamp," aiming to replace entrenched officials with individuals loyal to his administration and aligned with his political agenda.

2. Texas National Guard Empowered to Enforce Immigration Laws

The second major topic addresses significant changes in immigration enforcement in Texas, highlighting a memorandum of understanding between the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the State of Texas.

Key Points:

• Authority Expansion: The Texas National Guard has been granted the authority to make immigration arrests. This is facilitated through the embedding of U.S. Customs Enforcement immigration officers or Border Patrol agents within the National Guard units.

• Operational Details:

  • Deployment: Soldiers will perform roving patrols alongside immigration agents.
  • Ratio: Preliminary reports suggest a ratio of one immigration officer to four National Guard soldiers.
  • Legal Framework: Based on the Title 8 United States Code, these soldiers are authorized to arrest individuals in illegal status.

• Implications:

  • Increased Enforcement Presence: An additional 3,000 Texas Army National Guard soldiers will join existing federal law enforcement personnel, significantly boosting immigration enforcement capabilities.
  • Potential Expansion: Sources indicate that similar measures might be rolled out to other border states, amplifying the enforcement nationwide.

Notable Quotes:

• "This is going to add at least 3,000 Texas Army National Guard soldiers to the number of ATF, FBI and United States Deputy marshals who are now assisting the Department of Homeland Security and enforcing federal immigration law." — Ben Ferguson [07:10]
• "If you are an illegal immigrant, you better watch your back in Texas and very soon, other states around the country." — Ben Ferguson [07:10]

Ferguson underscores that this strategic deployment is a critical component of Trump's efforts to regain control over the southern border, addressing both immigration and related security concerns.

3. Trump’s Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China: Strategy and Repercussions

The final segment focuses on President Trump's recent executive order imposing tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, a move aimed at addressing trade imbalances and boosting the U.S. economy.

Key Details:

• Tariff Structure:

  • 25% Tariff: Applied to most goods from Canada and Mexico.
  • 10% Tariff: Imposed on Canadian energy products and goods from China.

• Rationale Behind the Tariffs:

  • Economic Protectionism: Aimed at protecting American jobs, especially in steel and manufacturing sectors.
  • Reducing Trade Deficits: The tariffs intend to decrease the trade deficits that have widened under the previous administration.
  • Strengthening National Security: By reducing dependency on foreign imports, especially from countries seen as economically or strategically adversarial.

• Expected Outcomes:

  • Job Creation and Wage Growth: Boost domestic industries that were previously under threat from cheaper foreign imports.
  • Encouraging Domestic Investment: Companies like Hyundai, Apple, and Volkswagen are anticipated to invest more in American facilities.

• International Response:

  • Canada and Mexico: Both nations have announced retaliatory tariffs set to begin alongside Trump’s tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, despite his resignation, and the Mexican president have signaled strong pushback.
  • China: Plans to file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and implement countermeasures to protect its economic interests.

Notable Quotes:

• "These countries are taking advantage of America and there is a massive trade imbalance now." — Ben Ferguson [07:23]
• "Tariffs work by protecting American jobs, reducing dependency on foreign imports and strengthening national security." — Ben Ferguson [09:28]

Ferguson portrays the tariffs as a necessary step to rectify longstanding economic disparities and enhance U.S. sovereignty. He posits that while there may be short-term economic "pain," the long-term benefits for the American workforce and national security justify the measures.

Broader Context:

• Fentanyl Crisis and Border Security: Ferguson links the tariffs and increased border enforcement to broader issues such as the fentanyl epidemic, noting that much of the drug originates from China and Mexico. Enhanced border security is presented as a dual strategy to combat both illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

• Economic and Political Implications: The tariffs are seen as a tool to pressure trading partners into more favorable agreements while simultaneously addressing internal challenges like border security and public health crises.

Conclusion

In this episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson present a comprehensive overview of President Trump's recent initiatives aimed at dismantling what they term the "Deep State," enhancing immigration enforcement through the National Guard, and implementing significant trade tariffs. Through a combination of aggressive personnel changes, strategic empowerment of military forces in civil roles, and economic protectionism, the Trump administration is depicted as making unprecedented moves to reshape the American government and economy. The discussions highlight the administration's focus on national sovereignty, economic revitalization, and security, while also acknowledging the potential for international retaliation and internal upheaval.

For listeners seeking to understand the current political landscape and the implications of these bold strategies, this episode provides an in-depth analysis and perspective from one of the nation's leading political voices.

Transcript

[Unnamed Speaker]

China makes the fentanyl, gives it to Mexico, puts it through Canada, puts it through different places, mostly Mexico, but also a lot through Canada. And so all three haven't treated us very well.

[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 on the 47 Morning Update. First up, Donald Trump dismantling the Deep State in a bloodbath. Who all got fired? Well, you're going to love the list and I'll have that for you in just a moment. Also, the National Guard has been granted authority to make immigration arrests in Texas. What does this mean and how is it going to change the game in fighting illegal immigrants? We'll have that as well. And finally, Donald Trump enacts tariffs on Canada and Mexico. They're fighting back. So who will win the battle? We'll explain that. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now.

Story number one, we all know what.

The Deep State did to try to overthrow the will of the people in elections in this country in recent history. We know how they went after Donald Trump and tried to imprison him and many people around him. We know how they lied about the Hunter Biden laptop. So the question for many has been, will there be accountability?

[Unnamed Speaker]

The answer, yes.

[Ben Ferguson]

And the last 24 hours are proving exactly that, as it is nothing less than a bloodbath with the Deep State. Let me explain to you exactly what has been done. All Federal prosecutors handling January 6th cases have been fired. Computers have been locked and marched out out of their offices. These prosecutors by security. David Sundberg, the FBI assistant director at the helm of the January 6 investigations, has also been terminated. And 20 leaders of FBI field offices have been escorted out of the FBI buildings around the country. This is significant. I mentioned a moment ago the Hunter Biden laptop story. And you may remember all of those intel officials that signed a letter saying that they believe the Hunter Biden laptop story was, in essence, a lie and had the markings of, quote, Russian disinformation. Many of the people, if not all, that signed that letter, knew they were lying to the American people. They knew the laptop was real and had been authenticated, in fact, by the Deep State. So what happened to them? The 51 intelligence officers who spread misinformation about Hunter Biden's laptop and it clearly interfered in our elections, are now banned from entering federal properties in a massive move by the Trump administration. We also have found out that federal employees are now required to return to office with non compliance leading to termination. This is expected to have a major impact on the deep state and many leftists deciding not to come back to work. We also found out that for John Bolton and John Brennan, they're having a very bad day. They have been permanently banned from government buildings as well. Gerald Harold Rogers has been indicted also for compromising US Trade secrets to China. And there has been a ban on all use of pronouns in government communications. We also been told that all 2 million feds have been sent a resignation offer. And this purge is marking the beginning of the end of the corruption in Washington, D.C. is how the Trump administration is looking at it. We are just two weeks into draining the swamp and this is the biggest overhaul of America's government in our modern political history. Simply put, Donald Trump is breaking it all, breaking it all down to its core and rebuilding it with true patriots that love this country instead of trying to overthrow the will of the people.

Now, story number two, there's nothing more.

Exciting than getting to tell you about major breaking news and trends that will probably expand outside of an original story. Well, that is one of those stories you're about to hear right now, and that is this news. The Texas National Guard has now been granted authority to make immigration arrests in a memo of understanding between the Customs and Border Protection, known as the CBP and the State of Texas. Texas will immediately grant the Texas National Guard soldiers. The memorandum, which has not yet been disseminated to all Texas border sectors, will allow the soldiers, we're being told to perform roving patrols and exercise all the duties of an immigration agent so long as a U.S. immigration officer or Border Patrol agent accompanies them. What does this mean? They are going to embed U. S. Customs Enforcement immigration officers or Border patrol agents within the National Guard and everyone with them will have the same authority to arrest. This is going to change the entire game at the southern border in Texas. According to the Memo of Understanding, the ratio of soldiers to immigration officers is preliminarily listed as one officer to four soldiers. The Title 8 United States Code arrest authority was granted to multiple federal law enforcement agencies just days after President Trump's inauguration on January 23rd. The Department of Homeland Security also authorized federal law enforcement agents to, quote, investigate, determine the location of and apprehend migrants in an illegal status. The details of that memorandum obtained and released in a recent news report by CBS News are similar to the memo of understanding reviewed also now by Breitbart, Texas. The duties of the Texas National Guard soldiers are law enforcement related, generally reserved for agents assigned to specific agencies under the Department of Homeland Security. Now, this latest granting of immigration arrest authority, what it means for boots on the ground is this. This is going to add at least 3,000 Texas Army National Guard soldiers to the number of ATF, FBI and United States Deputy marshals who are now assisting the Department of Homeland Security and enforcing federal immigration law. Simply put, the president clearly is finding ways and his staff around him to allow for maximum number of people to go to the southern border in Texas to get the southern border back under control. This is going to be a game changer. I would also expect, based on sources that I've talked to around the White House, that you're going to see this same plan rolled out in other border states as well. The moral of the story, if you are an illegal immigrant, you better watch your back in Texas and very soon, other states around the country.

And lastly, story number three.

President Donald Trump signed a very important executive order yesterday issuing tariffs on goods coming into the United States from Canada, Mexico and China.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Simply put, Donald Trump said, these countries.

[Ben Ferguson]

Are taking advantage of America and there.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Is a massive trade imbalance now.

[Ben Ferguson]

The order implemented a 25% tariff on.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Mexican and most Canadian goods while imposing a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products and Chinese goods. Trump said Americans could feel, quote, some pain after the tariffs take effect. Canada and Mexico also decide to hit back with the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently resigned but is still in charge, and the Mexican president as well, threatening retaliatory measures that include tariffs. Canada's retaliatory tariffs would begin Tuesday, the day that U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports are scheduled to take effect. Mexico said in a video message that they would announce the details of what they call Plan B as soon as Monday afternoon. The Chinese Commerce Ministry also responded by announcing that China would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization, known as the wto, and take necessary countermeasures to, quote, firmly safeguard its rights and interests.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now, let's talk about what is really at stake here.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Tariffs are going to boost the US.

[Ben Ferguson]

Economy, creating jobs, raising wages and reducing imports. Trump's tariffs, he says, will lead to reassuring the growth in in steel and manufacturing in the U. S. Trade deficits with China, Mexico and Canada have worsened under the Biden administration. And tariffs reduced the U. S. China deficit by 35% and encourage companies like Hyundai and Apple and Volkswagen to invest in America. There's also another part of this, the fentanyl crisis. Most fentanyl comes from China and Mexico, fueling record overdose deaths and a border security crisis. Illegal immigration has also surged with 400 suspected terrorists and 2 million gotaways crossing the border under Biden as well.

[Unnamed Speaker]

This is the other reason why the.

[Ben Ferguson]

Tariffs, Trump says are important to make sure that both countries start to secure the border. Also, Canada relies on U.S. trade and defense but spends far less on security for the U. S. The President says simply put, tariffs work by protecting American jobs, reducing dependency on foreign imports and strengthening national security.

[Unnamed Speaker]

That is why he says he's going.

[Ben Ferguson]

To do it now. The question is how quickly can all this be resolved and how long will Canada, China and Mexico stand in this back and forth tariff war? Only timing will tell, but so far Donald Trump has been very successful in making sure that when he has tariffs, it makes for a better deal for all Americans.

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.