Verdict with Ted Cruz

Verdict with Ted Cruz

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. "Verdict with Ted Cruz" is being brought to you by Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC, a political action committee dedicated to supporting conservative causes, organizations, and candidates across the country. In 2022, Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC plans to donate to conservative candidates running for Congress and help the Republican Party across the nation.

Episodes

March 14, 2026 31 mins

1. No Endless War or Ground Occupation

  • Strong emphasis that this is not Iraq or Afghanistan:
    • No large ground invasion
    • No nation-building
    • No long-term occupation
  • Military strategy described as rapid, overwhelming, air-dominant action.
  • Confidence that U.S. casualties will be minimal and duration short.

2. Military Action Against Iran Is Justified as Self-Defense

  • The conflict is framed as a response to...
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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

 

 Go Thank an Oil Man 

 

Clay and Buc...

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1. Claim of Increased Terrorist Threat

  • four terrorist attacks have occurred within ten days in the U.S.
  • All attacks are described as being carried out by radical Islamic terrorists targeting Americans.
  • The country may be on the verge of a large-scale mass-casualty attack.

2. Blame on Open Border Policies

  • The Biden administration is accused of maintaining a “wide open border”.
  • Claims are made that mi...
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  • Central Claim: Border Security as National Security

    • Illegal immigration is not just a humanitarian or economic issue, but a national security threat, linking border crossings to terrorism, sleeper cells, gang activity, and violent crime.
  • Praise of Trump-Era Immigration Enforcement

    • After Donald Trump returned to office, immigration enforcement intensified immediately.
    • 32,000+ arrests in the first 50 days, ass...
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1. The State of the Iran Conflict

  • The U.S. is in week two of a war with Iran, claiming major military success
    • Iran’s missile and drone capabilities have been nearly eliminated.
    • Iran’s navy has been almost entirely destroyed.
    • The U.S. is using overwhelming force, rapid strikes, and no gradual escalation.

2. U.S. Objectives (as framed in the discussion)

The stated goals of “Operation ...

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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Iran Endgame

 

Clay and Buck open the hour analyzing ...

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1. Rising Support for Socialism

  • A Fox News survey shows 38% of voters believe moving toward socialism would be a good thing, the highest level recorded.
  • Despite that, 61% still view socialism negatively.

2. Declining Confidence in Capitalism

  • Voters are split on whether capitalism is working:
    • 50% say capitalism works well
    • 49% say it works poorly
  • This divide is presented as a driver of interest in socialis...
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1. U.S. Military Success Against Iran (“Operation Epic Fury”)

  • The U.S. has massively reduced Iran’s missile and drone launch capacity over eight days.
  • U.S. forces allegedly destroyed air defenses, missile sites (including mobile launchers), drone infrastructure, and naval capabilities.
  • They argue the U.S. now holds air and naval superiority, enabling cheaper munitions and sustained operations.

2. G...

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1. Iran’s Regional Escalation

  • Iran launched missiles, drones, and attacks on multiple Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan), pulling them into alignment with the U.S. and Israel.
  • Commentary emphasizes Iran’s willingness to target anyone, showing “suicidal” or “homicidal” motives.
  • Raises the danger of Iran possessing nuclear weapons.
  • Discussion clarifies...
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1. U.S. Military Action & Objectives in Iran

  • The U.S., alongside Israel, has conducted a major military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s military capabilities—missiles, drones, and leadership structure.
  • Primary objective: Regime collapse, not a prolonged war.
  • Trump administration views the Iranian regime as a 47‑year sponsor of terrorism and responsible for killing Americans.
  • Intelligence suggested Iran was...
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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Conflict Accelerates Tech

 

Clay Travis and Buck Sext...

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1. Democrats and DHS/ICE

  • Some Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, are discussing abolishing ICE and even dismantling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  • Democrats want major restrictions on ICE operations, such as:
    • Requiring judicial warrants for arrests
    • Banning face masks for agents
    • Requiring body cameras
    • Restricting enforcement at “sensitive locations” (hospitals, schools, polling sites)
    • ...
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1. Purpose of Trey’s Law

  • Federal legislation introduced to prohibit Non‑Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) from silencing child victims of sexual abuse.
  • Ensures victims cannot be legally barred from speaking about their own abuse.
  • Victims may choose confidentiality, but it cannot be forced on them.

2. The Story Behind the Law

  • Trey was abused for years at a Missouri summer camp.
  • As an adult, during civil litigat...
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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

How Does This End?

 

The escalating conflict with Ira...

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1. Operation Epic Fury – Day 3

  • The U.S. and Israel continue coordinated strikes on Iranian military targets.
  • Iranian missiles, drones, and aircraft have been intercepted across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.

2. Netanyahu Rejects Claims of Dragging U.S. Into War

  • Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu states it’s “ridiculous” to claim Israel pushed the U.S. into war.
  • Praises Trump as a stron...
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1. Major U.S.–Israel Strike on Iran

  • President Trump ordered a large-scale coordinated U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign on Iran.
  • Over 900 U.S. airstrikes and ~1,200 Israeli strikes occurred within the first day.
  • The attack reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and several senior Iranian officials.
  • The hosts emphasize that intelligence was “exquisite,” enabling targeted strikes on leadership meetings.
  • ...

1. Supreme Court Tariff Decision

  • A predicted 5–4 ruling upholding presidential tariff authority was incorrect; the Court ruled 6–3 against the administration’s use of one specific tariff statute (AIPA).
  • Majority held that the statute allowed banning imports but not charging tariffs—a conclusion strongly criticized in the dissents (Kavanaugh, Thomas).
  • Despite the ruling, the impact is expected to be limi...

Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Epstein Files Fallout

 

The continued fallout from th...

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1. Allegations of DOJ/FBI Surveillance

  • The Biden DOJ and FBI spied on Trump‑aligned individuals, including:
    • Susie Wiles (Trump campaign figure)
    • Kash Patel
  • Allegations include secret subpoenas for phone records, including calls involving attorneys, raising concerns about attorney‑client privilege.
  • This is part of a broader history of political weaponization of federal agencies.
    • DOJ/FBI surveillance also tar...
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1. Cuba Coast Guard Incident

  • A US‑registered speedboat was fired upon by Cuban authorities, resulting in 4 deaths and 6 injuries.
  • Cuba claims:
    • The boat’s occupants fired first.
    • Passengers (Cuban nationals living in the US) carried assault rifles, handguns, body armor, etc.
    • The group was attempting armed infiltration with terrorist intent.
  • The US position:
    • Nothing is verified yet; US agencies are investig...
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