1. Trip Recap & Foreign Relations


El Salvador:
Cruz praises President Nayib Bukele for drastically reducing homicide rates by aggressively targeting gangs like MS-13 and 18th Street. He contrasts El Salvador’s success with U.S. crime and immigration challenges.


Panama:
He toured the Panama Canal and highlighted U.S. concerns about China’s growing influence there, including ports, bridges, and tunnels near the canal. Cruz warns that China could disrupt canal traffic in a future conflict, threatening U.S. national and economic security.


Mexico:
Cruz met with senior Mexican officials (Foreign Secretary, Defense Secretary, Agriculture Secretary). He urged cooperation on border security and dismantling drug cartels, stressing Trump’s policies and a reported 99% drop in illegal border crossings.


Mexican leaders, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, rejected U.S. military involvement, citing “sovereignty.”


Cruz compared Mexico’s stance to El Salvador’s crackdown and Colombia’s Plan Colombia (early 2000s), arguing that success requires political will.


He warned that if Mexico refuses, the U.S. may still act militarily against cartels under Trump’s leadership.

2. Domestic Politics & Crime


Cruz and Ferguson shift focus to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, criticizing him for downplaying crime in Chicago.


Cruz cites statistics on Chicago’s murder rate (highest in the U.S. for 13 consecutive years) and argues Democrats prioritize criminals over victims.


He frames Democrat policies in Illinois, California, and nationally as failures comparable to Mexico’s refusal to confront cartels.

3. Broader Political Commentary


Cruz claims Democrats have become the “party of criminals,” siding with offenders over law-abiding citizens.


He notes polling showing Americans are highly concerned about crime in cities.


Discussion touches on 2025 midterm elections:


Republicans may benefit from Democrat extremism.


But Cruz worries about a GOP “enthusiasm gap,” citing a special election loss in Iowa.


He stresses the need for Republican voter turnout despite Trump’s early policy “successes.”

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1. Trip Recap &amp; Foreign Relations
<ul data-start="373" data-end="1576">
<li data-start="373" data-end="612">
El Salvador: Cruz praises President Nayib Bukele for drastically reducing homicide rates by aggressively targeting gangs like MS-13 and 18th Street. He contrasts El Salvador&rsquo;s success with U.S. crime and immigration challenges.
</li>
<li data-start="614" data-end="904">
Panama: He toured the Panama Canal and highlighted U.S. concerns about China&rsquo;s growing influence there, including ports, bridges, and tunnels near the canal. Cruz warns that China could disrupt canal traffic in a future conflict, threatening U.S. national and economic security.
</li>
<li data-start="906" data-end="1576">
Mexico: Cruz met with senior Mexican officials (Foreign Secretary, Defense Secretary, Agriculture Secretary). He urged cooperation on border security and dismantling drug cartels, stressing Trump&rsquo;s policies and a reported 99% drop in illegal border crossings.
<ul data-start="1184" data-end="1576">
<li data-start="1184" data-end="1301">
Mexican leaders, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, rejected U.S. military involvement, citing &ldquo;sovereignty.&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="1304" data-end="1462">
Cruz compared Mexico&rsquo;s stance to El Salvador&rsquo;s crackdown and Colombia&rsquo;s Plan Colombia (early 2000s), arguing that success requires political will.
</li>
<li data-start="1465" data-end="1576">
He warned that if Mexico refuses, the U.S. may still act militarily against cartels under Trump&rsquo;s leadership.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="1578" data-end="1581">
2. Domestic Politics &amp; Crime
<ul data-start="1620" data-end="2031">
<li data-start="1620" data-end="1741">
Cruz and Ferguson shift focus to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, criticizing him for downplaying crime in Chicago.
</li>
<li data-start="1742" data-end="1895">
Cruz cites statistics on Chicago&rsquo;s murder rate (highest in the U.S. for 13 consecutive years) and argues Democrats prioritize criminals over victims.
</li>
<li data-start="1896" data-end="2031">
He frames Democrat policies in Illinois, California, and nationally as failures comparable to Mexico&rsquo;s refusal to confront cartels.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2033" data-end="2036">
3. Broader Political Commentary
<ul data-start="2078" data-end="2571">
<li data-start="2078" data-end="2190">
Cruz claims Democrats have become the &ldquo;party of criminals,&rdquo; siding with offenders over law-abiding citizens.
</li>
<li data-start="2191" data-end="2273">
He notes polling showing Americans are highly concerned about crime in cities.
</li>
<li data-start="2274" data-end="2571">
Discussion touches on 2025 midterm elections:
<ul data-start="2330" data-end="2571">
<li data-start="2330" data-end="2382">
Republicans may benefit from Democrat extremism.
</li>
<li data-start="2385" data-end="2475">
But Cruz worries about a GOP &ldquo;enthusiasm gap,&rdquo; citing a special election loss in Iowa.
</li>
<li data-start="2478" data-end="2571">
He stresses the need for Republican voter turnout despite Trump&rsquo;s early policy &ldquo;successes.&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
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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.

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,&rdquo; 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.

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,&rdquo; 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.

On the Road in Mexico Urging the Mexican Government to get Serious about Defeating Cartels plus Dems Bemoan Trump's Fighting Violent Crime

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d834e448-a355-4dc3-ada9-b33b005aee51/transcript

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