1 00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:01,600 Speaker 1: Welcome. 2 00:00:01,639 --> 00:00:04,640 Speaker 2: In his verdict with Ted Cruz Weekend Review, Ben Ferguson 3 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 2: with you, and here are the big stories that we 4 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 2: talked about this week that you may have missed. First up, 5 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,720 Speaker 2: regime change. There's a real possibility of it in multiple 6 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:16,440 Speaker 2: countries around the world. So what role should America play? 7 00:00:16,680 --> 00:00:19,959 Speaker 2: We explain that in a moment. Also, Senator Cruz had 8 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,120 Speaker 2: an incredible meeting with the opposition leader of Venezuela at Machado. 9 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 2: She talked about what the future looks like for that country, 10 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 2: and Center Cruz brings you into the room. And finally, 11 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:33,639 Speaker 2: an incredible day in San Antonio, a Senator Cruz met 12 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 2: with the heroes of the Maduro Arrests mission. What do 13 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 2: they have to say and how are they doing? It's 14 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:42,240 Speaker 2: the weekend Review and it starts right now. 15 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 3: And so you're either a Neo khn warmonger or you're 16 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:52,520 Speaker 3: an isolationist like Tucker and his followers. And I actually 17 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 3: think most Americans don't fall into either category. Most Americans, 18 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 3: I think, agree with President Donald Trump and agreed with 19 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 3: President Ronald Reagan. Neither one of them were to use 20 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 3: the insults of the day Neokon warmongers. You know, in 21 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 3: eight years the biggest country Reagan ever invaded, Grenada. Yeah, 22 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 3: he was not interested in invading foreign countries and sending 23 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:22,679 Speaker 3: our soldiers to die abroad. But he understood peace through strength. 24 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:26,319 Speaker 3: He rebuilt our military, He developed SDI strategic Defense initiative 25 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 3: what was called star Wars laser missile defense from space, 26 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 3: and he bankrupted the Soviet Union and won the Cold 27 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 3: War without firing a shot. Donald Trump, likewise, has had 28 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 3: incredible foreign policy victories, but he's not sending our soldiers 29 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:45,120 Speaker 3: to be boots on the ground and to die for 30 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 3: years on end. And I want to take a related 31 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 3: term that on social media gets thrown around as an epithet, 32 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 3: which is regime change. And you'll have people I'm not 33 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:57,559 Speaker 3: for regime change. 34 00:01:57,560 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 4: Well, let me be clear. 35 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 3: Should you be for regime change when the Soviet Union 36 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 3: fell and the Berlin Wall fell to the ground? I 37 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 3: will submit the answer is unambiguously yes. The world is 38 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:13,080 Speaker 3: better off when a cruel, tyrannical communist regime falls. Should 39 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 3: you be for regime change today in communist China, I 40 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 3: think unambiguously yes. The world would be better off if 41 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 3: China were no longer a communist country. Should you be 42 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 3: for regime change in Iran? I would suggest unambiguously yes. 43 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,640 Speaker 3: The world would be a better place if Iran was 44 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 3: not governed by a theocratic, murderous religious zealot who has 45 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:40,920 Speaker 3: killed hundreds, if not thousands of Americans. Now, what is 46 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 3: the consequence of saying you're for regime change? If it 47 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 3: is that you're going to send hundreds of thousands of 48 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 3: American troops to invade the country and be on the 49 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 3: ground for years on end and die in IEDs and 50 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 3: be killed, then I don't support that. That is wrong. 51 00:02:56,720 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 3: And part of the reason regime change has become an 52 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:04,240 Speaker 3: insult is people hear it and they immediately think the 53 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 3: Iraq War. Remember I've opposed the Iraq War for decades. 54 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:12,359 Speaker 3: By the way, when Tucker Carlson was an interventionist cheerleader 55 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 3: with palm palms cheering on the Iraq War, which he 56 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 3: did for years with his bow tie, I've said for 57 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 3: years the Iraq War was clearly a mistake. Why because 58 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 3: it did not advance US national security interest Saddam Hussein 59 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 3: was a cruel and oppressive dictator. He was killing terrorists 60 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 3: who hated America. We came in, we toppled Saddam Hussein, 61 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 3: and the terrorists who hated America took over and began 62 00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 3: killing Americans. By the way, we did the same thing 63 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 3: in Libya with Kadafi. Kadafia was cruel and oppressive, but 64 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 3: he was killing terrorists to hate Americans. We toppled Kadafi, 65 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 3: and the terrorists who hate Americans took over. I believe 66 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 3: we should be America first, which means we should put 67 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 3: America's national security interest first. But just because you don't 68 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 3: want to commit boots on the ground and have hundreds 69 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 3: or things thousands of Americans die and protracted ground combat 70 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 3: does not mean that you should support every tyrannical enemy 71 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 3: of America. 72 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 4: We should want. 73 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 3: Regime change in Iran, and are there ways to promote 74 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:20,160 Speaker 3: regime change other than boots on the ground? And yes, 75 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:22,359 Speaker 3: And I would say one of them is what Donald J. 76 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 3: Trump said. I want to read his tweet again. Iran 77 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 3: is looking at freedom, perhaps like never before, the USA 78 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 3: stands ready to help President Donald J. 79 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 4: Trump. 80 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 3: I agree with President Trump and Tucker and everyone else 81 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 3: who is blasting that we should have nothing to do 82 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 3: with Iran. They're disagreeing with the President, and they are wrong. 83 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:44,479 Speaker 3: We should use our voice. That's why this podcast is 84 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 3: a message to the people of Iran. 85 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 4: Freedom matters. 86 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 3: You're the ones in charge of fighting for your revolution, 87 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 3: but know that America stands with you, and a free 88 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 3: and peaceful Iran is better for Iran, and it's better 89 00:04:58,880 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 3: for America. 90 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: It really is. 91 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,679 Speaker 2: It's an important show. I hope the people in Iran, 92 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:07,239 Speaker 2: especially using Starlink, get this podcast, they're able to listen 93 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 2: to it that we're standing with you, we're supporting you, 94 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,080 Speaker 2: we're advocating for you, and we want you guys to 95 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 2: succeed in what you're doing right now. It's gonna be 96 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 2: very interesting to see because so things are changing so quickly. 97 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 2: There was a video that was put out and it 98 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:21,359 Speaker 2: was also just one of those moments when you're I 99 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 2: love the Internet, and it shows a Russian jet and 100 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 2: a Russian support plane from their military on the tarmac 101 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 2: on the military side at the Tehran Airport. It's interesting 102 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 2: because people were speculating that plane is sitting there ready 103 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:34,880 Speaker 2: to take out the leaders that they need to. 104 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 3: Ben I got to say, what was there in the 105 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:38,799 Speaker 3: windshield the little uber logo. 106 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 4: I'm just curious. 107 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:42,279 Speaker 2: Yeah, it said it said Russian Lift. It was Russia. 108 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's Russian Lift. 109 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 3: Did they at least bring some like, you know, Domino's 110 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 3: pizza or something. 111 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, it's the same plane I think that they 112 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:52,279 Speaker 2: got when they grabbed a side, right, you know, it's like, oh, 113 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 2: come on down, we'll let you be an eye doctor. 114 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 1: It's fine, you're one of our bad. 115 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 4: It's it's the Dictator extraction plane. 116 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly, it's it's those two. And who knows, Baby 117 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 2: Tucker will be on it one day. You can go 118 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,160 Speaker 2: hang out there. He's already bought a house and Qatar, 119 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 2: so you never know. But you see it, and it's 120 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 2: just one of those moments where I love the Internet. 121 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:12,840 Speaker 2: It's like, that's how close we are to seeing genuine 122 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:16,479 Speaker 2: freedom back there that they haven't seen since nineteen seventy nine. 123 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,159 Speaker 2: That is amazing and inspiring. I hope for the best, 124 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:22,160 Speaker 2: and I hope that very few lives or any lives 125 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 2: are lost in this world. 126 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 3: Let me say something also, Ben, you're right, let me 127 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 3: also acknowledge I'm not pollyannish about what comes next. So 128 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 3: if there's a revolution in Iran, if the Iotola is toppled, 129 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 3: it doesn't mean that tomorrow it's suddenly utopia and peace 130 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:45,039 Speaker 3: and harmony. There could be real conflict that there could 131 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 3: be warring sides. Anytime you have a revolution, there is 132 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:52,599 Speaker 3: uncertainty and the outcome can be good or bad. 133 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:55,200 Speaker 4: I don't have a stake. 134 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 3: I don't have a preferred favorite for who the next 135 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:01,920 Speaker 3: leader of Irani is. I don't think that's my place. 136 00:07:01,960 --> 00:07:05,919 Speaker 3: I'm not a voter in Iran. I'mlike Tucker, I'm not 137 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 3: buying a home in the Middle East. 138 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 2: To be clear, you're not buying real estate there. Okay, 139 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 2: I I thought you guys were going to be neighbors. 140 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 2: But okay, look, if. 141 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 3: The people of Iran toppled the Iyatola and the Malas, 142 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 3: my hope is that we see free and democratic elections 143 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 3: and they elect a leader who's a good leader, who 144 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 3: treats his people well, and who wants to be friends 145 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 3: with America instead of enemies. By the way, that's the 146 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 3: exact same outcome I want in Venezuela. I want them 147 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 3: not to have a communist dictator. Now Donald Trump is 148 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 3: taking care of that by arrested him and resting him 149 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 3: and prosecuting him. But I want to see free and 150 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 3: fair elections in Venezuela where they elect somewhat I hope 151 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 3: who embraces freedom and free enterprise and wants to be 152 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 3: friends with America. The lens I look through all of 153 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 3: this is how does it impact America. It's America first, 154 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 3: But I'm not diminishing. Could there be bad outcomes? Could 155 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 3: there be a civil war? Yes, that's a possibility when you. 156 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 2: Have revolution d a country like we saw in Iraq 157 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 2: as well. I mean, you see this where there's different 158 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 2: there's many different religious thoughts and backgrounds in different towns 159 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 2: that leave different things. 160 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 3: And let me draw a distinction on this also, which 161 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 3: is there's a real difference between Saddam Hussein and Iran 162 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 3: in that Saddam Hussein was a cruel dictator, but he 163 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:24,200 Speaker 3: wasn't actively waging war in America. The Ayatola is actively 164 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 3: waging war on America. He's spending money to day funding 165 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 3: terrorists that are trying to kill Americans. And there's a 166 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 3: real difference. There are regimes across this country, across the 167 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:38,120 Speaker 3: world rather that are cruel and oppressive, but they're not 168 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 3: trying to kill us. 169 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 4: The Iyatola is. 170 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:45,679 Speaker 3: And so look, obviously, if the regime falls, you could 171 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 3: end up with a bad outcome, but in my view, 172 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 3: there are very few outcomes that could be worse than 173 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 3: the Ayatola. At this point, they are unmitigatedly our enemies, 174 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 3: and I am hopeful. I think we should be a 175 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:01,560 Speaker 3: voice of encouragement towards better leadership. 176 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 4: But I want to I want to close with this story. 177 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:07,560 Speaker 3: So about a decade ago, I was in Jerusalem and 178 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 3: I had the opportunity to meet Natan Sharansky. And Natan 179 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:15,200 Speaker 3: Sharansky is the famed Soviet dissident. He was in the 180 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:19,160 Speaker 3: Soviet Gulag, and he told me the story about how 181 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 3: when they were in the Gulag and Reagan was president, 182 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:26,680 Speaker 3: that the prisoners would pass from cell to sell notes, 183 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 3: and they would be notes saying did you hear what 184 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 3: Reagan said? Reagan called the Soviet Union an evil empire. 185 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:38,439 Speaker 3: They passed notes. Evil empire, Evil empire, evil empire. Reagan 186 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 3: was asked, what is your strategy on the Cold War? 187 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 3: He said, very simple, we win, they lose. Before that, 188 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 3: everyone said, oh, we're gonna have Dayton, We're just gonna 189 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 3: do nothing, and he's like, we win, they lose. That's 190 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 3: the strategy. When he talked about Marxism Leninism. He said, 191 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:57,200 Speaker 3: Marxism Leninism will end up on the ash heap of history. 192 00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 3: And then the most significant words any leader has uttered 193 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 3: in modern times. He stood in front of the Brandenburg 194 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:09,200 Speaker 3: Gate in Germany and said, mister Gorbachev, tear down this wall. 195 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:11,400 Speaker 2: Which, by the way, I love that part of the story. 196 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 2: And if you haven't looked at it, please go and 197 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 2: look at it. He was told by his staff, yes, 198 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 2: speech writers, to not say it, and. 199 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 4: He's the state back in a free times. 200 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 2: State department had taken it out three times. 201 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:26,559 Speaker 3: The State Department deleted that three times. Reagan wrote it 202 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,560 Speaker 3: back in. And by the way, the State department argued 203 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:31,400 Speaker 3: at the time of his speech, he said, you cannot 204 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 3: say this. It is too aggressive, it's too bellicos and 205 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,800 Speaker 3: here was their killer argument, it's too unrealistic. It will 206 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:42,199 Speaker 3: never ever ever happen. And Reagan laughed and said, this 207 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 3: is the whole point of the speech. And it was 208 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 3: less than three years from giving that speech that the 209 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:48,960 Speaker 3: Berlin Wall was torn to the ground. And by the way, 210 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 3: Berlin Wall did not come down because Reagan ordered in 211 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 3: the Marines. We sent in tanks to knock down the wall. 212 00:10:56,920 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 3: It was the power of the bully pulpit, of the 213 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:02,560 Speaker 3: voice for freedom of the President. And one of the 214 00:11:02,559 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 3: things Ben you've seen that. 215 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 4: Is in my office. 216 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 3: It's actually in one of the offices of my staff. 217 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 1: I love it is. 218 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 3: My first couple of years that I was of the Senate, 219 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 3: someone came to the office and gave me something, And 220 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 3: it's a silk painting of myself, which I don't generally 221 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:21,800 Speaker 3: hang paintings of myself on the wall. Yeah, but the 222 00:11:21,920 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 3: reason that I kept this one is the story behind it. 223 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:30,719 Speaker 3: This was apparently made by a dissident, a prisoner in 224 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 3: North Korea. And I've been from the very first days 225 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 3: I arrived in the Senate, I've been speaking out against 226 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:42,079 Speaker 3: tyrants and communist depression, whether in China or North Korea, 227 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 3: or Venezuela or Cuba or Iran. And much like Natan Sharansky, 228 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:50,959 Speaker 3: apparently the words that I had said here in the 229 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 3: United States had somehow made their way into a dark 230 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:57,520 Speaker 3: prison cell in North Korea. And I don't know the 231 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:01,840 Speaker 3: name of this North Korean who, I don't know his story. 232 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:04,959 Speaker 3: I just know that it was smuggled out and they 233 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 3: delivered it to my office, and I periodically look at 234 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 3: that and say, Okay, like there's a responsibility this podcast. 235 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:17,839 Speaker 3: There may be someone who is risking their life or 236 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 3: even god forbid, loses their life because they hear our 237 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 3: words are inspired to fight against tyranny. And so I 238 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 3: think we have a responsibility to speak truth, to speak 239 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 3: for justice. And that's what I hope this podcast is 240 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:34,960 Speaker 3: doing every week, but especially today. 241 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:37,479 Speaker 2: Now, if you want to hear the rest of this conversation, 242 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:40,079 Speaker 2: you can go back and listen to the full podcast 243 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:41,319 Speaker 2: from earlier this week. 244 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 1: Now onto story number two. 245 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 2: You mentioned by the way that the meeting you had 246 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:48,160 Speaker 2: with her after she met with the President of the 247 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:51,720 Speaker 2: United States of America, Donald Trump, well with twelve different centers. 248 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 1: So how does that room get made? 249 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:55,560 Speaker 2: And it sounds like it was by parson You mentioned 250 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 2: a Democrat that was in that room. Does everybody get 251 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 2: an invite or only certain people? How does that work? 252 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 3: So now it was a smaller subset. And and typically 253 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:07,319 Speaker 3: what happens when you have heads of state come to Washington, 254 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 3: they will often reach out to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 255 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:13,040 Speaker 3: and I sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and 256 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:16,719 Speaker 3: so often we will have uh Uh, regularly we'll have 257 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:19,960 Speaker 3: at like afternoon coffees or lunch lunches with heads of 258 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 3: state when they could they come to town. And and 259 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 3: in the capital there's an office where the Senate Foreign 260 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:28,840 Speaker 3: Relations Committee meets with there's a hearing room with this 261 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 3: big ornate table that they'll set up and they usually 262 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:35,880 Speaker 3: put you have some coffee and some some pieces of 263 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 3: cheese and crackers and like a little bit of good Yeah, 264 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:43,439 Speaker 3: you know it it's but but it it look it is. 265 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 3: It's an opportunity to visit with with world leaders. In 266 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 3: this instance, it wasn't the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Uh, 267 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:53,040 Speaker 3: it ended up being we met in the office of 268 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:55,520 Speaker 3: Dick Durbin, who is the number two Democrat. He was 269 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 3: the one hosting it. 270 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 1: Uh. 271 00:13:57,320 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 3: And and initially I think RBA was making the invites. 272 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:04,199 Speaker 3: And then this is actually something Marina Carina Machado did 273 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:06,959 Speaker 3: that I think was very wise. Also she invited a 274 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:09,079 Speaker 3: number of people. So the reason I was there is 275 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 3: because she invited me. 276 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:12,079 Speaker 4: And look, I. 277 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 2: Saying, Durbin, you didn't make the cut on Durban's is 278 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 2: group chat. You're not in that group chat with them. 279 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 3: So look, I suspect that there were some Democrats that 280 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:25,320 Speaker 3: wanted to have at a meeting of just Democrats in 281 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 3: her Yeah, and I think that would have been really 282 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 3: unfortunate if that had happened, because I think the Democrats 283 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:33,600 Speaker 3: would have wanted to use it to attack Trump. And 284 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 3: I think she realized that that would be that would 285 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 3: not further the people of Venezuela, that would not be 286 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 3: good for anyone, And so she reached out. And we 287 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 3: had four Republicans who was there were there, So I 288 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:50,320 Speaker 3: was there, Rick Scott from Florida was there, Bernie Moreno 289 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 3: from Ohio was there, and and then John Curtis from 290 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:55,640 Speaker 3: Utah was there. And so that was the four Republicans 291 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:57,840 Speaker 3: who were in the room. And then there were about 292 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 3: seven eight nine Democrats that were there, so it was 293 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 3: a larger group of Democrats and they were all posing 294 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 3: for the cameras and and and look, I think Rick 295 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 3: Scott had had obvious reason to be be there. There's 296 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 3: a big, big Venezuelan population in Florida. 297 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:15,840 Speaker 2: Uh. 298 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 3: Rick Scott has a lot of support from the Venezuelan 299 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 3: population in Florida, so it made sense for him to 300 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 3: be there. Bernie his family's from Colombia, and so you 301 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 3: know he you know, Bernie and I are are the 302 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 3: two two Hispanic Republicans that are in the Senate. And 303 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 3: and since he's Colombian American, I'm Cuban American. We kind 304 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 3: of talked smack at each other quite a bit, and 305 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 3: Colombians and Cubans usually throw. 306 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 4: Down a little bit, and and you know, when it 307 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 4: as for me. 308 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 3: Look, there's a significant Venezuelan population in Texas, in particularly 309 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 3: because Venezuela has the largest proven reserves of oil in 310 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:56,840 Speaker 3: the world. Uh and and Houston is obviously the energy 311 00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 3: capital of the world, and so there are a lot 312 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 3: of Venezuelans who are in huge Houston. A lot of 313 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 3: Houston oil companies had been down in Venezuela over the years. 314 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 3: For many years, there was a group called the Sitko 315 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 3: Six that were Americans who were imprisoned in Venezuela, and 316 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,240 Speaker 3: they were Houstonians. They worked for Citgo, the oil company, 317 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 3: and and Maduro had put them in prison, and I 318 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 3: was their leading advocate in the Senate. I went to 319 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:24,360 Speaker 3: the Senate floor repeatedly, I spoke out for them, I 320 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 3: leaned repeatedly on the regime, and ultimately the Sitgo six 321 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:32,920 Speaker 3: were released but it had been you know, I visited 322 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 3: with with Bricarinomachado previously had been engaged. I'd been engaged 323 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:41,560 Speaker 3: with the opposition leaders for some time. And part of 324 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 3: that is, listen, I hate communists. It is you know, 325 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 3: my family was imprisoned and tortured by communists. My dad 326 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 3: was in prison and tortured by Batista. It was not 327 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:56,119 Speaker 3: a Communist, but my aunt, mike Ta Sogna, was imprisoned 328 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 3: and tortured by Castro's goons. And so when it comes 329 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 3: to communist. 330 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: My you're talking one of the extremely low. 331 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:06,880 Speaker 3: I think they're in the embodiment of evil and and 332 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:09,400 Speaker 3: and and one of the real missions that I've had 333 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:11,679 Speaker 3: really since the day I got elected to the Senate 334 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 3: is trying to highlight dissonance. I think there's a real 335 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:18,479 Speaker 3: power to dissonance. There's a real power to those that 336 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:21,959 Speaker 3: stand up to tyrants, that that that show courage, and 337 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 3: that face prison and human rights abuses, because we've seen 338 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 3: tyrannies collapse because of the threats to their legitimacy. And 339 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:33,760 Speaker 3: so I've tried in my time in the Senate really 340 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:36,640 Speaker 3: to shine a light and amplify the message of dissonance 341 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:37,640 Speaker 3: and I. 342 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:39,119 Speaker 2: Got you and I, by the way, I've talked about 343 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:40,679 Speaker 2: this this week when I was up in DC and 344 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 2: we had Bruce pearl on. By the way, if you 345 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,520 Speaker 2: missed that show, go back and listen to it, the 346 00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 2: famous UH basketball coach, Who's who is a man sitting 347 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:49,440 Speaker 2: up for Israel right now? 348 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 4: And that was a fun podcast. 349 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:53,959 Speaker 2: It really was. Go back and grab it. But but 350 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:55,120 Speaker 2: you and I have talked about. 351 00:17:55,040 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 3: And by the way, I did did talk with someone 352 00:17:57,160 --> 00:17:59,679 Speaker 3: last night who said said she loved the podcast and 353 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:02,560 Speaker 3: she was she cracked up the most by hearing that 354 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:05,399 Speaker 3: Bruce and I shared having both run around naked in 355 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 3: college streaking on campus. So if you want to hear 356 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:11,359 Speaker 3: the story of that, gosten, go listen to the last podcast. 357 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: There you go. That's an easy tease right there. You 358 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:15,440 Speaker 1: and I. 359 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:18,480 Speaker 2: I've talked about the moment that we're living in right 360 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 2: now could be one of the biggest historical moments, certainly 361 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:26,880 Speaker 2: of my lifetime, and that is we have three countries 362 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:30,399 Speaker 2: that without Donald Trump being president right now, if Kamala 363 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:32,159 Speaker 2: Harris is in the White House, we would not be 364 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 2: having this conversation. I believe that are on the verge 365 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:37,679 Speaker 2: of quite possibly having free and fair elections within the 366 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:40,920 Speaker 2: next twelve months, and that would be Iran, that would 367 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 2: be Venezuela, that would also be Cuba. People are standing 368 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 2: up for themseillselves and sending up to their government because 369 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 2: they're being inspired by Donald Trump and what he's also said, 370 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:53,080 Speaker 2: which is we have your. 371 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:55,879 Speaker 3: Back well, and I want to take a moment for 372 00:18:56,240 --> 00:19:00,959 Speaker 3: us just to reflect on the incredible, constant quential times 373 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:02,680 Speaker 3: we're living. And this is a point that I made 374 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:06,120 Speaker 3: to Machado when she was in DC. I said, Look, 375 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 3: it is entirely possible that in the next few months, 376 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 3: in the next six months, we could see the regimes 377 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:18,800 Speaker 3: fall in Venezuela, in Cuba and Iran. We could see 378 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:24,480 Speaker 3: elections in Venezuela, in Cuba and Iran. We could see 379 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:28,480 Speaker 3: leaders elected by the people who stand for freedom and 380 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:31,400 Speaker 3: who want to stand with America and be friends with America. 381 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:34,959 Speaker 3: We could see that in Venezuela, in Cuba and Iran, Iran. 382 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 3: It could happen literally in the next few hours of 383 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:41,919 Speaker 3: the next few days. What is happening in Iran is 384 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 3: so consequential, What is happening in Venezuela is so consequential. 385 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 3: In Cuba is not far behind, and if that happens, 386 00:19:52,560 --> 00:19:57,200 Speaker 3: that will be the single most significant foreign policy development 387 00:19:57,240 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 3: the world has seen since the Berlin Wall was torn 388 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 3: to the ground. It will literally remake the geopolitical map 389 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 3: and the consequences of that. Now, to be clear, there 390 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:12,879 Speaker 3: are a thousand things that can go wrong. There are 391 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 3: a thousand things that could go wrong in Venezuela, in Cuba, 392 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 3: in Iran. It's not guaranteed. In fact, it is guaranteed 393 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:22,879 Speaker 3: to not be smooth and without challenges at is one 394 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 3: hundred percent. It will be bumpy and there will be challenges. 395 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:30,639 Speaker 3: But all three regimes are in a panic, they are 396 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 3: in a free fall, and the people of all three 397 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:36,680 Speaker 3: countries are energized. If you were to pick three countries 398 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:43,760 Speaker 3: that for decades have been explicitly passionately anti American, the regimes, 399 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:49,400 Speaker 3: the rulers have been responsible for terrorism, responsible for threatening 400 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:52,879 Speaker 3: the lives of Americans, it would be difficult to find 401 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 3: three more dangerous than Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. And you're right, 402 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 3: this is the direct console quess of strong leadership from 403 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 3: the commander in chief. And it was interesting one of 404 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:06,919 Speaker 3: the Democrat senators who was in the meeting with me. 405 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:09,840 Speaker 3: He actually pulled me aside afterwards and said, you know, Ted, 406 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 3: you made this point yesterday that this could be a 407 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:17,639 Speaker 3: time as consequential as the Berlin Wall being torn to 408 00:21:17,680 --> 00:21:20,320 Speaker 3: the ground. And he said, I hadn't really thought about 409 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:23,679 Speaker 3: it that way, but you're right, and it was an 410 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 3: interesting point. And I have to say one of the things, Look, 411 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:32,040 Speaker 3: I was really impressed with Machado, how she handled her message, 412 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:37,560 Speaker 3: by the way, to the Senators was that America's support 413 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:41,640 Speaker 3: is really important to Venezuela and seeing some unity. Look, 414 00:21:41,680 --> 00:21:45,320 Speaker 3: her message, she was not in any way chastising the Democrats, 415 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:50,159 Speaker 3: but she did say unity is really important, and what 416 00:21:50,359 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 3: is happening the people of Venezuela. This would not have 417 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:56,440 Speaker 3: happened without President Trump. And there were some very partisan 418 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 3: Democrats in that room who were not thrilled to hear 419 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:02,640 Speaker 3: that message because because their message every day is Trump bad, 420 00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:06,200 Speaker 3: Trump bad, Trump bad. But she didn't want to argue 421 00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 3: with them on that, but she just said, listen, this 422 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 3: is a moment we've waited decades for. And and in 423 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:17,919 Speaker 3: the opposition, she said, so many people in Venezuela, what 424 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:20,480 Speaker 3: they said is this day would never come. This day 425 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:22,640 Speaker 3: would never come, and it came, and it is here, 426 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:26,560 Speaker 3: and and and seeing unity from America right now is 427 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:29,720 Speaker 3: so important. Look, I think the same is true for Iran, 428 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:36,280 Speaker 3: seeing unity standing with the protesters against the Ayahtola. If 429 00:22:36,320 --> 00:22:39,320 Speaker 3: we are six months from now with the governments and 430 00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:42,879 Speaker 3: the leaders of those three countries being pro American and 431 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 3: want wanting to be our friends. 432 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:47,920 Speaker 4: That is like Holy Cow. 433 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:51,440 Speaker 3: That makes the world much safer, and that makes every 434 00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:52,439 Speaker 3: American much safer. 435 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 2: As before, If you want to hear the rest of 436 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:57,919 Speaker 2: this conversation on this topic, you can go back and 437 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:00,439 Speaker 2: dow the podcast from earlier this week to hear the 438 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 2: entire thing. I want to get back to the big 439 00:23:04,160 --> 00:23:06,200 Speaker 2: story number three of the week you may have missed. 440 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:08,520 Speaker 1: Let's get back to this. 441 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:12,920 Speaker 2: Just an incredible meeting, the heroes and the bravery, especially 442 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:16,159 Speaker 2: the stories that we've been told going in after Maduro 443 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:18,720 Speaker 2: and look, the guy who lived on a military base, 444 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 2: he had these fighters that were supposed to be protecting 445 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 2: him from Cuba. Seeing that what we had compared to 446 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:27,159 Speaker 2: what they had on the ground, and the way that 447 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:30,200 Speaker 2: we came out without losing a single American life. 448 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 1: Is just unbelievable. 449 00:23:31,359 --> 00:23:35,000 Speaker 2: There were those the soldiers, however, that were injured and shot, 450 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 2: and you got to meet them as they're recovering in 451 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 2: the hospital in San Antonio, talk about just their story. 452 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:44,560 Speaker 2: What did they have to say, what was their perspective. 453 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 3: So we had three of our soldiers who were wounded 454 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:52,639 Speaker 3: during the raid and they're all at the hospital in 455 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,240 Speaker 3: San Antonio. They're being treated. The good news is that 456 00:23:55,800 --> 00:23:59,240 Speaker 3: they're all in good condition. None are in life threatening condition. Now, 457 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:01,879 Speaker 3: they were in good spirits. We had the opportunity to 458 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:04,000 Speaker 3: visit with each of the three of them, with each 459 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:06,280 Speaker 3: of their wives as well. They were there with their wives, 460 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:09,159 Speaker 3: and I will tell you that the first one we 461 00:24:09,720 --> 00:24:11,879 Speaker 3: met with was was was a soldier who was in 462 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:15,680 Speaker 3: charge of helping plan the entire raid. He was leading 463 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:18,119 Speaker 3: one of the helicopters and he had been shot in 464 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:21,639 Speaker 3: the leg and he continued even in the midst of 465 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:26,399 Speaker 3: being shot in the leg. Continued, He did not step 466 00:24:26,480 --> 00:24:28,760 Speaker 3: back from the fight, and he was critical in terms 467 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:34,280 Speaker 3: of his location, making sure protecting his fellow soldiers. You know, 468 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 3: I got to tell you he was he was in 469 00:24:37,880 --> 00:24:42,159 Speaker 3: great spirits. His wife was incredibly proud of him, and 470 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:45,879 Speaker 3: and with all three of the soldiers. I took an 471 00:24:45,880 --> 00:24:49,040 Speaker 3: opportunity to tell them. I said, look, you were part 472 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:53,320 Speaker 3: of history. You were part of history in a way 473 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:58,920 Speaker 3: without exaggeration, that changed the entire Western hemisphere. What you 474 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 3: did was profoundly important. And I also told them, I 475 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:05,840 Speaker 3: took the chance on behalf of texans An American just 476 00:25:05,840 --> 00:25:08,440 Speaker 3: to say thank you, thank you for your bravery, thank 477 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:12,880 Speaker 3: you for your heroism. They went into a situation where 478 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:17,240 Speaker 3: they were vastly outnumbered, and and and and the Cuban 479 00:25:17,280 --> 00:25:21,520 Speaker 3: military that were guarding Maduro opened fire, and and and 480 00:25:21,640 --> 00:25:24,560 Speaker 3: it is amazing, It is an incredible testament to the 481 00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:28,439 Speaker 3: precision and effectiveness of our military that not a single 482 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 3: soldier on the American side was was killed, that there 483 00:25:32,200 --> 00:25:35,160 Speaker 3: was a very large number of Cuban forces defending Maduro 484 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:38,280 Speaker 3: who were who were killed in that firefight, and and 485 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 3: just taking the chance to thank them. And then the 486 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,680 Speaker 3: first soldier who had been shot in the leg I 487 00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:48,520 Speaker 3: was there with Pete. Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, and 488 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:52,720 Speaker 3: and and Pete said, uh, you know, if there's anything 489 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 3: you need, let me know, and and and he said, well, 490 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:57,720 Speaker 3: actually there is something you could do and and Pete 491 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:00,880 Speaker 3: said what And he said, I'd really like the bullet, 492 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:04,400 Speaker 3: the bullet that went into his leg, and the hospital 493 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:07,120 Speaker 3: had it, and and the medical director at the hospital 494 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:09,320 Speaker 3: he said, well, we have the bullet, but we're not 495 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:12,240 Speaker 3: allowed to give it over unless we get give a waiver. 496 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 3: And and he, to his credit, said the waiver is granted. 497 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:19,400 Speaker 3: You can have the bullet. And that soldier was beaming. 498 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:22,280 Speaker 3: He was thrilled to have the bullet. And actually the 499 00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:25,200 Speaker 3: second soldier we met, he had been he had been shot, 500 00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:27,400 Speaker 3: but he had also been cut by a piece of shrapnel. 501 00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 3: He had a cut that ran the whole length of 502 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:33,960 Speaker 3: his arm. Oh wow, And he had the exact same request. 503 00:26:34,040 --> 00:26:36,120 Speaker 3: He said, I'd really like the shrapnel. So they had 504 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:38,000 Speaker 3: the piece of metal that had cut his arm open. 505 00:26:38,359 --> 00:26:41,240 Speaker 3: And again the hospital said we have it, but we're 506 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:43,800 Speaker 3: not allowed to give it to him without the waiver. 507 00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:46,080 Speaker 3: And again Pete said, we're granting the waiver. 508 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:46,840 Speaker 4: You can have it. 509 00:26:46,920 --> 00:26:49,359 Speaker 3: So both of those I assume that they're going to 510 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 3: frame it or otherwise keep it as as just a 511 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:55,159 Speaker 3: memento to to to the injury, the purple heart that 512 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:58,920 Speaker 3: they earned fighting for their country, but also being a 513 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:04,520 Speaker 3: heart of profoundly impacting history. 514 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:06,879 Speaker 2: You mentioned their wives were there, and I don't know 515 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:09,920 Speaker 2: if you can tell us, but age range twenties thirties, 516 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:11,320 Speaker 2: for like, how old are these guys. 517 00:27:13,480 --> 00:27:16,120 Speaker 3: One of the soldiers, the first soldier who helped plan 518 00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:17,320 Speaker 3: the raid was. 519 00:27:17,080 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 4: Was a little bit older. 520 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:21,840 Speaker 3: The other two were young guys, and they were you know, 521 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:25,719 Speaker 3: they were young guys, and they they were not someone 522 00:27:25,840 --> 00:27:27,680 Speaker 3: like if you saw them walking down the street, you 523 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:28,840 Speaker 3: wouldn't do a double take. 524 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:30,919 Speaker 4: The first guy kind of looked a little like Captain America. 525 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:31,719 Speaker 4: I was a little ye. 526 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:35,760 Speaker 3: But the other two look, they were fit, they were 527 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:36,880 Speaker 3: in good shape. 528 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:37,120 Speaker 2: But but. 529 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:41,919 Speaker 3: The skill that you know they have, the heroism, you 530 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 3: know they have if you just saw them on the street, 531 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:50,440 Speaker 3: you wouldn't immediately know that. And and their wives were young, 532 00:27:52,160 --> 00:27:55,520 Speaker 3: and and it was interesting their wives were you know, 533 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:57,760 Speaker 3: they said, there were women of faith. They were praying 534 00:27:57,800 --> 00:28:01,160 Speaker 3: for their husbands. They were really proud to their husbands, proud, 535 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 3: proud of everything that they had been through. And I'll 536 00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:10,320 Speaker 3: tell you that the first soldier he said, well, you know, 537 00:28:10,359 --> 00:28:12,879 Speaker 3: he asked he he heg Seth asked him, well how 538 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:15,280 Speaker 3: are you feeling? And he said, I'm ready to go again. 539 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:21,360 Speaker 3: And I said, great, can you do Saturday? And he said, well, 540 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 3: can we hold off till Monday? So that kind of 541 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:28,120 Speaker 3: gives you a sense of the spirit they were. They 542 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:29,680 Speaker 3: were really in good spirits. 543 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:30,960 Speaker 4: And actually. 544 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:36,359 Speaker 3: With with two of the soldiers, there was an additional 545 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:38,640 Speaker 3: soldier there that was there in the in the hospital 546 00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 3: room who said he used to be their commanding officer 547 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:44,280 Speaker 3: and he had rotated off the unit about it six 548 00:28:44,320 --> 00:28:47,320 Speaker 3: months before the raid and he said, look, I'm really disappointed. 549 00:28:47,320 --> 00:28:50,160 Speaker 3: I mean it, it broke his heart that he just 550 00:28:50,280 --> 00:28:52,040 Speaker 3: missed going on the raid. So he was there to 551 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:54,160 Speaker 3: be with his guys, but he did not go on 552 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:55,800 Speaker 3: the raid, and he was just cheering them. 553 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:56,840 Speaker 1: On as always. 554 00:28:57,120 --> 00:28:59,960 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to Verdict, was center Ted Crue 555 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:02,280 Speaker 2: Ben Ferguson with you don't forget to deal with my 556 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:04,560 Speaker 2: podcast and you can listen to my podcasts every other 557 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:06,560 Speaker 2: day you're not listening to Verdict or each day when 558 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 2: you listen to Verdict. Afterwards, I'd love to have you 559 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:11,960 Speaker 2: as a listener to again the Ben Ferguson podcasts and 560 00:29:11,960 --> 00:29:14,360 Speaker 2: we will see you back here on Monday morning.