Verdict with Ted Cruz

1. Minnesota AG Keith Ellison’s Senate Testimony
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was questioned in the Senate regarding alleged failures to prevent and address large‑scale fraud in the state’s Feeding Our Future program.
Senators—primarily Josh Hawley—accused Ellison of: Ignoring whistleblower warnings as early as 2018–2019.
Meeting with individuals later indicted for fraud and allegedly offering to “look into” investigators who were scrutinizing them.
Accepting approximately $10,000 in campaign donations from individuals tied to the fraud shortly after their meeting.

Ellison strongly denied wrongdoing, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.
The session was tense, marked by interruptions, raised voices, and confrontational exchanges.
2. Refusal to Condemn Louis Farrakhan
During questioning, Ellison declined to explicitly condemn antisemitic statements attributed to Louis Farrakhan.
He attempted to redirect discussion to immigration topics, expressing discomfort with the line of questioning.
3. Democrats Linked to Record Sewage Spill
Democratic officials in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia oversaw infrastructure failures leading to the largest sewage spill in U.S. history.
A burst 72‑inch sewer pipe released nearly one billion gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River.
Criticism is directed at: Lack of media coverage.
Slow response times.
Infrastructure mismanagement.

Emergency pumps had to be transported from Texas and Florida to address the crisis.
4. Discussion of Government Competence
Democratic‑run cities and states mismanage public systems (snow removal, wildfire mitigation, infrastructure maintenance, etc.).
They argue such patterns reflect systemic governmental incompetence.
5. Save America Act & Voter ID Debate
The Save America Act, passed in the House with near‑unanimous Republican support, requires: Proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote.
Photo ID to vote.

Senator Ted Cruz advocates for aggressive procedural tactics in the Senate, including: Forcing a “talking filibuster.”
Using the two‑speech rule to pressure Democratic senators.

The argument made: voter ID laws are widely supported across political and demographic groups.
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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.

Melting ICE?

The Trump administration’s announcement—reinforced by Tom Homan—that Minnesota’s ICE surge operation is being scaled down after a “mission accomplished”‑style success. Clay and Buck outline how Minneapolis quietly reached a handshake agreement to reverse sanctuary‑style resistance and begin alerting ICE when violent illegal immigrants are taken into custody, a major policy pivot after years of non‑cooperation. The hosts warn that activist “street harpies,” Antifa‑aligned groups, and left‑wing organizers may try to replicate Minneapolis’s obstruction tactics in other liberal cities. They also dive deep into the political consequences, arguing that Tim Walz’s political career is effectively over, and preview competitive 2026 races—especially the Minnesota Senate race, where Michelle Tafoya trails by just a few points.

MASA: Make America Smart Again

A major interview featuring U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who outlines several key initiatives aimed at reshaping American education during the lead‑up to America’s 250th anniversary. A major focus of the conversation is the newly launched Presidential 1776 Award, a national civics and history competition created to reverse declining historical literacy among young Americans. McMahon explains that students will take a 90‑minute “Impossible Test” of 4,000 rapid‑fire questions, advancing through three rounds for scholarships of up to $150,000. Clay and Buck enthusiastically offer to take the test themselves—joking about challenging media figures—and highlight how this effort aligns with a broader push to revive foundational American history.

The interview expands into President Trump’s education reform strategy, which aims to return educational authority to the states by dismantling federal bureaucracy and moving Department of Education functions to other agencies. McMahon emphasizes that despite more than $3 trillion spent since the Department’s creation in 1980, national test scores have declined—proving that centralized control has failed. She highlights the “Mississippi Miracle,” where the state dramatically boosted literacy by reinstating phonics‑based “science of reading” instruction, prompting other states to adopt similar reforms. She also discusses school innovation across the country—from classical academies to AI‑driven models like Austin’s Alpha School—and her goal of producing a best‑practices toolkit for all fifty states. The hour then pivots sharply to controversial school protests in Minneapolis, where staff and administrators walked out during political demonstrations, prompting criticism that public schools behave as “shock troops” for far‑left activism. McMahon signals that such closures could invite federal investigation or funding consequences, especially given Minnesota’s already weak academic performance. Clay and Buck follow with a broader critique of America’s K–12 system—calling it a glorified daycare model that prioritizes union demands over student outcomes—while advocating for parental empowerment, school choice, and more flexible education pathways.

Another Trans Shooter

A major conversation on rising violence involving transgender-identifying shooters, sparked by news of a British Columbia mass shooting. The hosts link this to previous attacks in Minneapolis and Nashville, arguing that the media and police distort facts by prioritizing preferred pronouns over biological accuracy. The transcript includes an extended critique of mental‑health issues, hormonal drugs, and the cultural narrative that non‑affirmation constitutes “genocide,” which the hosts argue contributes to radicalization among vulnerable individuals. They highlight the police’s admission that the Canadian shooter was biologically male, despite earlier claims of “female,” and examine concerns about public safety, media bias, and political correctness.

Jesse Kelly Hangs With Us

Jesse Kelly, host of The Jesse Kelly Show and author of the newly released Jesse’s Little Red Book opens the hour with their signature banter—roasting each other’s haircuts, mustaches, and Super Bowl party choices—before diving into deeper political and cultural issues shaping the country under President Donald Trump.

A major segment centers on Jesse Kelly’s new book, which he describes as a free, 93‑page collection of his insights on politics, culture, party dynamics, and even food. From there, the hosts pivot into a fiery discussion of the Jeffrey Epstein hearings, expressing frustration that self‑identified victims continue holding press events without naming alleged abusers. The conversation compares the situation to the trajectory of the Me Too movement, arguing that legitimate victim advocacy has been diluted by performative claims, opportunism, and media manipulation.

The political analysis intensifies as the hosts look ahead to Election 2026, with Jesse predicting that Republicans may lose the House but retain the Senate, depending largely on the strength of the economy and whether “normie voters” feel financial relief in their everyday lives. The hour also features a humorous cultural debate after Clay proposes that Taylor Swift may be evolving into the “21st‑century Beatles,” prompting Jesse’s mock‑therapeutic concern and Buck’s acknowledgment of Swift’s global cultural dominance.

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1. Large-Scale Individual Fraud Example
A Los Angeles contractor, Alexander Suker, is accused of stealing $23 million intended to feed and house homeless individuals.
Funds were allegedly used for luxury homes, cars, vacations, designer goods, and private schools, instead of homeless services.
2. Failure to Deliver Promised Services
Suker was contracted to provide three meals per day to up to 600 homeless people.
Inspections reportedly found only canned beans and ramen noodles, contradicting billing claims.
Prosecutors allege the use of fake vendors, falsified facilities, and false service records.
3. Broader Pattern of Fraud in California
Federal authorities indicate at least 12 additional similar cases under investigation.
A U.S. Attorney stated that large sums were pushed out quickly with minimal vetting or checks and balances.
4. Comparison to Other State Scandals
Investigators and commentators compare California’s situation to Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future fraud, claiming California’s fraud may be larger in scale.
Independent investigator Nick Shirley claims billions of dollars may be involved statewide.
5. Alleged Billions in Unaccounted Public Funds
$70 billion in taxpayer funds missing or unaccounted for
$24 billion spent on allegedly nonexistent homelessness programs
$18 billion on nonfunctional high-speed rail
$32 billion in stolen COVID relief funds
$2.5 billion lost to SNAP fraud
6. Political and Structural Implications
California leadership is accused of enabling fraud by prioritizing rapid spending over accountability.
Calls are made for whistleblower lawsuits as a tool to recover funds.
Critics argue that higher taxes are being proposed despite massive losses.
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1. The Case at the Supreme Court
The case is Trump v. Vos Selections, argued on Nov. 5, 2025.
Small businesses are challenging Trump-era tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
2. Central Legal Questions
Does IEEPA’s power to “regulate imports” include authority to impose tariffs?
Did Congress delegate too much taxing authority to the President?
→ This triggers two major constitutional doctrines: Non‑Delegation Doctrine – Congress cannot hand over core lawmaking powers (like taxation) without clear limits.
Major Questions Doctrine – Major economic or political actions require explicit congressional authorization.

3. Constitutional Tension
Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to: Lay and collect taxes/tariffs
Regulate commerce with foreign nations

Tariffs sit at the intersection of foreign policy (executive power) and taxation (legislative power).
4. Oral Argument Themes
Justices skeptical of Trump’s argument:
Roberts – Concerned tariffs are fundamentally taxes on Americans, which is Congress’s domain.
Gorsuch & Barrett – Pressed the need for clear statutory limits; worried about unchecked executive authority.
Justices leaning toward upholding the tariffs:
Kavanaugh – Emphasized long history of broad presidential discretion in foreign affairs.
Thomas – Focused on historical practice of using tariffs as trade tools.
Alito – Concerned about practical impacts and the large reliance interests ($133B already collected).
5. Predicted Outcome (from the document’s speaker)
Expected ruling: 5–4 in favor of Trump, upholding tariff authority.
Predicted majority: Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Kavanaugh + either Barrett or Gorsuch.
Reasoning: Court is reluctant to disrupt years of foreign policy and economic decisions already relying on the tariffs.
Institutional stability concerns—similar to Roberts’ reasoning in the Affordable Care Act case.

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1. Trump’s 2006 Call to Police About Epstein
According to a 2019 FBI interview with the Palm Beach police chief, Donald Trump called the chief in 2006, saying: Epstein’s behavior with underage girls was widely known.
Ghislaine Maxwell was “evil” and should be investigated.

Trump said he left an event when he saw teenagers present and later banned Epstein from Mar‑a‑Lago.
2. Contrast With Media Narratives
These details contradict media implications that Trump hid involvement with Epstein.
It frames Trump as wanting Epstein stopped early in the investigation.
3. Trump Responds to Questions About Epstein Files
During a recent Oval Office exchange, CNN’s Caitlin Collins asked about redactions in released Epstein documents.
Trump stated: Too much was released, not too little.
The country should “move on.”
Nothing incriminating about him emerged.

4. Ghislaine Maxwell’s Congressional Deposition
Maxwell appeared virtually before the House Oversight Committee.
She invoked the Fifth Amendment for every question, including: Whether she was close to Epstein
Whether she helped traffic girls
Whether she instructed girls to provide sexual favors
Whether she surrounded herself and Epstein with influential people
Whether she would name other co‑conspirators

Her lawyer stated she is protecting her appeal.
Lawmakers received no substantive answers.
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