In this episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, the host covers pressing national issues facing the United States. He discusses the worsening border crisis, including record seizures of lethal drugs like fentanyl and disagreements within the Democratic party over how to handle immigration policies. The upcoming midterm elections are also examined, with Democrats framing abortion rights as crucial for preserving democracy.
Shapiro also highlights Republican infighting over policies such as renewing surveillance laws, providing aid to Ukraine, and threats of leadership challenges to House Speaker McCarthy. As political tensions intensify ahead of the elections, the podcast unpacks the debates surrounding these controversial topics.
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U.S. agents in Arizona's Tucson sector seized over 38,500 pounds of smuggled drugs in 2021, with a concerning increase in cocaine and fentanyl intercepted. In 2023 alone, they confiscated a record 12,700 pounds of the lethal fentanyl substance.
Democratic Senator Jon Tester openly criticizes Biden's approach, advocating for tougher border control measures like shutting down crossings and keeping migrants in Mexico. Biden considers reinstating Trump's "remain in Mexico" policy if the situation worsens.
Democrats criticize Arizona's enforcement of a pre-statehood 1864 law instituting an almost total abortion ban, with potential for moderation to a 15-week ban. Trump implies the current law "goes too far."
Vice President Harris argues abortion bans threaten democracy, framing the issue as about preserving individual freedoms vital to democratic institutions, per Ben Shapiro.
House conservatives oppose FISA surveillance law renewal terms. Marjorie Taylor Greene threatens vacating Speaker Johnson if he passes Ukraine aid with Democratic support.
Speaker Johnson acknowledges Greene's revolt could spur chaos hindering legislative progress. He plans discussing consequences with Greene, fearing continuous leadership challenges.
1-Page Summary
A crisis at the southern border of the United States is unfolding with record drug seizures and political contention regarding immigration policies.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Tucson sector are facing a significant uptick in drug smuggling with inventive concealment methods such as hiding drugs in microwaves, children's bouncy houses, and watermelons. This sector, which spans 262 miles of the international border with Mexico, saw more than 38,500 pounds of drugs seized in fiscal year 2021. Although overall drug seizures decreased to 26,000 and 25,000 pounds in fiscal 2022 and 2023, respectively, there's been a concerning increase in cocaine and fentanyl interceptions. In fiscal 2023, agents seized a record 12,700 pounds of fentanyl. By March 5th of fiscal 2024, more than 4,700 pounds of fentanyl were taken, which is enough to kill over 3.9 billion people. This substance is extremely dangerous because even small amounts can cause overdose or poisoning. Just ahead of Easter weekend, agents confiscated over 1.1 million fentanyl pills at the Nogales point of entry, including significant finds inside domestic items and children's toys.
The Democratic Party is facing challenges from within as U.S. Senator Jon Tester openly criticizes President Joe Biden's border policies. Tester is actively campaigning against Biden's approach, highlighting his collaboration with Republicans to strengthen border control. He advocates for shutting down the border, targeting fentanyl traffickers, adding border patrol agents, and i ...
Border Crisis
Ben Shapiro discusses Democrats’ focus on abortion rights as a key issue for the 2024 elections, tapping into recent controversy over an old Arizona statute.
Democrats have criticized an Arizona ruling that falls back on a pre-statehood law from 1864, legislating a near-total abortion ban. Shapiro points out that despite the outdated nature of the law, there's potential for the Arizona legislature to update it since the current political landscape is nearly evenly split. This could lead to a more moderate 15-week abortion ban, should the 1864 law be repealed.
Shapiro references Donald Trump’s reaction, which implies that even Trump believes the Arizona abortion law goes too far. Trump is quoted as saying, "I think it'll be straightened out. And as you know, it's all about states' rights and it will be straightened out. I'm sure the governor and everybody else have got to bring it back into reason and that it will be taken care of, I think."
Shapiro's discussion shifts focus toward Vice President Kamala Harris's commentary on democracy in relation to individual freedoms and rights ...
Democrats Attempt to Energize Abortion as a Midterm Issue
Discussions within the Republican Party in Congress have intensified, leading to potential conflicts and threats of leadership challenges.
The party is currently embroiled in a debate around important issues like FISA Section 702 and aid to Ukraine. A congressional wing in the House made an effort to stop the renewal of FISA Section 702, which allows monitoring of overseas communications and can incidentally sweep up communications of U.S. persons. The Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, supported by intelligence chairman Mike Turner, suggests new measures and criminal penalties for surveillance power misuse while allowing the government to act promptly without administrative delays.
House Judiciary leaders, including Chairman Jim Jordan and ranking Democrat Jerry Nadler, are considering an amendment requiring a warrant for searches of the 702 database that involve U.S. persons. However, conservatives in the House are critical of the policy and the process used, with Scott Perry denouncing the procedure as "convoluted" and "manipulated," preventing some amendments from being considered.
Marjorie Taylor Greene is leading a factional challenge against Speaker Mike Johnson. Should Johnson pass a Ukraine aid bill with Democratic support, Greene has threatened to bring forward a motion to vacate. Former President Donald Trump has called on Republicans to terminate the broader surveillance law, highlighting the disapproval House conservatives have regarding the policy and Speaker Johnson's methods.
Ben Shapiro notes that Greene is somewhat isolated in her revolt, but the threat remains. Johnson acknowledges the threat her a ...
Republican Party Infighting in Congress
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