Ford News

In this episode of Ford News, Johnathan and Brian dig into the actions the Trump Administration took during the first week of Trump's return to office. We focus on immigration and deportation. What are the facts and the truths? 

In segment 2, we talk about the 18-plus IGs fired by the Trump Administration. Is that even legal? What is an Inspector General? We clear all of this up. 

Then, we round out the show with the Ford Fact Check. This week we focus on the impact that mass deportations and the stopping of immigration will have on the economy. Good luck to all of us being able to afford produce, or dairy, or meat. 


LINKS

Lindsey Graham Says Trump broke the law

Donald Trump Just 'Technically' Violated the Law—Lindsey Graham - Newsweek


Trump Fires Inspectors General 

Trump fires inspectors general from more than a dozen federal agencies | CNN Politics

Trump fires 18 inspectors general overnight in a legally murky move


Federal Judge Blocks Trump Birthright EO

Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s order attempting to end birthright citizenship | PBS News


ICE arrest veteran in New Jersey

ICE Detains US Military Veteran Without Warrant - Newsweek


Colombia President 

Colombia’s president says he will deny entry of US deportation flights

As we start Season 2 of the Ford News Podcast, we are so grateful and appreciative of our supporters, far and wide, who have helped us get to this point. 

We start Season 2 of Ford News hours after Donald Trump was inaugurated. So much has happened in the last 24 hours as the Biden administration ended and the Trump administration began.

Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons for the Jan 6 committee members as well as law enforcement officers who testified about the insurrection. He also issued pardons for family members, who did nothing wrong, but who he feared would be under attack from the Trump Administration. 

Meanwhile, Donald Trump took office and started signing executive orders by the dozen. We take a look at some of the more controversial executive orders he signed, some of which will likely be overturned by the courts. 

In segment two we talk about whether Volume Two of the Jack Smith report will ever see the light of day. Merrick Garland failed this country as Attorney General. 

This week's Ford Fact Check dives into the issue of TikTok. Where did the ban come from?


LINKS


Biden Pardons

Biden pardons his siblings and their spouses | AP News
Biden pardon list: See full release of 39 people pardoned by president
Joe Biden Grants Clemency To Leonard Peltier


Trump Executive orders

Initial Rescissions Of Harmful Executive Orders And Actions – The White House




Special Counsel Jack Smith Volume 1

Special Counsel Jack Smith Final Report Vol. 1 | DocumentCloud


Ford Fact Check

Trump Signs Executive Order That Will Effectively Ban Use Of TikTok In the U.S.: NPR

Potential TikTok Ban Signed Into Law By Biden—Part Of Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan Aid Package

On this episode of Ford News, Johnathan, and Brian start by discussing Judge Juan Merchan's surprising announcement in New York that Donald Trump would need to appear in court on January 10 to be sentenced in the case where he was found guilty of 34 felony counts in the "hush money" case. 
We also dive into the bumpy road that Speaker Mike Johnson has ahead after his re-election. 

In segment two, we bring you the "Ford Fact Check," where Johnathan talks about the horrible assumptions MAGA made about the New Orleans terrorist. 

LINKS 

Trump sentencing 

Judge orders Trump to be sentenced in hush money case on Jan. 10, but says he won't be incarcerated

Trump must be sentenced in hush money case, judge signals no jail | Reuters


Mike Johnson Speaker 

Johnson wins dramatic reelection as speaker after 2 GOP hard-liners switch votes - ABC News


New Orleans 

Texas man kills 15 on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street after driving a truck with ISIS flag through a crowd


New Orleans Republican lies

The GOP Keeps Parroting Trump’s False Claims About the New Orleans Attack – Mother Jones

Republicans Wrongly Tie New Orleans Attack to Illegal Immigration; Suspect Was a Citizen - FactCheck.org


Vegas suicide bombing 

Cybertruck bombing appears to be suicide of veteran who had PTSD, FBI says

Acclaimed recording artist and actress Tori Keeth joined Johnathan and Brian to discuss her story. 

Tori has been raped twice. 

She has persevered and become a strong advocate for victims of this horrible crime that happens to too many individuals.

Listen to Tori tell her story and give words of encouragement to other victims while decrying the perpetrators who continue to make ways in their lives despite ruining the lives of their victims. 

Listen to Tori's song about her experience, Poison, on Spotify HERE

and on Apple Music HERE 


Consider supporting an organization that Tori supports that helps victims, RAINN. 


Follow Tori on all socials @torikeeth .

On this episode of Ford News, Johnathan, and Brian start the show by talking about MAGA infighting about foreign workers in the United States using the H1B Visa program to work in the States.  The Tech Bros, like Elon, love this rule, but MAGA will MAGA and be appalled that foreigners may be better at a job than Americans. The Saga continues....

In segment two, the guys talk about Donald Trump having delusional thoughts about buying Greenland (again), making Canada the 51st state, and possibly conducting a light invasion of Mexico. And....Donald Trump is pushing for the United States to regain control of the Panama Canal. 

The Ford Fact Check is all about illegal immigration. Johnathan has all of the facts and data! 

LINKS 

Trump, Panama, Greenland, Canada 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/29/trump-greenland-panama-china-threats

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen-cardin-trumps-tough-talk-panama-canal-push/story?id=117170338




Panama's founding and history

https://1997-2001.state.gov/regions/wha/panama/991206_faqs.html


Musk and Ramaswamy H-B1 Visa 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/musk-vivek-ramaswamy-h1b-visa-maga-immigration-what-to-know/



Trump backs H-1B visas, aligning with Musk on immigration

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/28/trump-h1b-musk-immigration-debate/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyv7gxp02yo


Ford Fact check. 

US Bureau of Labor statistics 7.7 million open jobs. 
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm

Current US birth rate 
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2024/20240525.htm

https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/usa/united-states/birth-rate#:~:text=The%20birth%20rate%20for%20U.S.,a%200.09%25%20increase%20from%202020.

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/07/22/what-we-know-about-unauthorized-immigrants-living-in-the-us/

On this episode of Ford News, Johnathan and Brian discuss the report released by the Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the ethics, or lack thereof, of the Supreme Court justices. Clarence Thomas has been a bad boy. 

In segment two we talk about Elon Musk's support for a far-right German political group called AfD. They love them some Aryans and have Neo-Nazi tendencies. Fun! 

This week's "Ford Fact Check" dives into the false narrative that President Biden is selling Trump's unused border wall material. Why can't MAGA tell the truth?

LINKS

Supreme Court House investigation

Supreme Court Justices Involved In ‘Ethical Crisis,’ Senate Democrats Say

Senate Judiciary Dems Release Report on Supreme Court Ethics

Kyle Griffin's Synopsis



Elon Musk's support of AfD

Elon Musk endorses far-right German political party, wading deeper into global politics | CNN Business

Who is AfD

Germany's AfD: How right-wing is nationalist Alternative for Germany? - BBC News


Border Wall Material Sale

Border Wall Material Sale isn't Biden's doing

It's the 36th episode of Ford News, and on this episode, Johnathan and Brian start the show by talking about the determination of New York County D.A. Alvin Bragg to ensure that Donald Trump is not let off the hook in the Stormy Daniels case in New York. We also dive into FBI Director Christopher Wray saying he will step down upon Donald Trump taking over the presidency. 

Segment Two brings us to ABC settling the defamation suit filed by Donald Trump over anchor George Stephanopoulos calling Trump a "rapist" after the E. Jean Carroll trial. Why are all of these corporations bending the knee to Donald Trump? 

This week's Ford Fact Check focuses on some on the left who are trying to use Executive Order 13848 to come up with some sort of cockamamie reason why Joe Biden should stay in office. It's crazy. 


Links

Alvin Bragg 

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/10/bragg-trump-hush-money-verdict-election-000314


https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-hush-money-sentencing-decision-looms-2024-11



Christopher Wray 

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/chris-wrays-fbi-departure-immediately-clear-path-kash/story?id=116772096

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/12/12/chris-wrays-abdication-of-leadership-00194002



ABC Settlement 

https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68

Judge clarifies: Yes, Trump was found to have raped E. Jean Carroll

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/07/19/trump-carroll-judge-rape/



Ford Fact Check 

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-13848-imposing-certain-sanctions-the-event-foreign-interference-united

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenpastis/2024/12/15/mystery-drones-over-new-jersey-and-nearby-states-dhs-sees-no-foreign-threats-as-feds-send-detection-system-to-ny-updated/

Johnathan and Brian go international on this episode of Ford News as they tackle the topic of Syria and the fall of the Assad regime after 50 years in power. Who are the rebel forces that forced Assad to flee? What countries back these forces? What does this mean for the Middle East and the rest of the world? What will happen now in Syria? We tackle all of those issues. 

In segment two, we head to Europe as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues. How has Russia tried to interfere with the elections of other countries and how have the citizens of those countries pushed back? These events even further underscore the importance of NATO as President-Elect Trump wants to pull the United States out of the alliance. 

The Ford Fact Check aims to fact-check the interview that Donald Trump did with "Meet the Press" on Sunday.  

LINKS

Assad losing power 

Assad regime ends in Syria as rebels claim Damascus


Assad in Moscow granted Asylum 

Assad is in Moscow after fleeing Syria and will be given asylum, Russian state media report - BBC News


Syrians Celebrate 

Joyous celebrations across Syria after al-Assad’s fall | Syria's War News | Al Jazeera


Russia and Iran betray Syria

Assad fall 'not surprising' as Russia and Iran decided to throw 'Syria under the bus' | World News | Sky News


Trump meets with Zelenskyy in Paris

After Trump was late, Zelenskyy-Macron trilateral was all smiles and handshakes – POLITICO


Zelenskyy says he is open to a ceasefire if Ukraine gets NATO protection 

Zelenskiy Open to Cease-Fire If NATO Protects Unoccupied Areas


Ford Fact Check

NATO: Which countries are spending 2% or more on their defense

How much is each NATO country spending on its military in 2024? | NATO News | Al Jazeera


How is Ukraine funding being spent 

How Much U.S. Aid Is Going to Ukraine? | Council on Foreign Relations


How Tariffs work 

Economics 101: What Is a Tariff? Learn How Tariffs Work in Economics With Examples - 2024 - MasterClass

On this episode of Ford News, Johnathan, and Brian led the show with the breaking news that President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter. We discuss why President Biden would go against his previous statements that he wouldn't pardon Hunter. 

In segment two, the focus is on two potential nominees in the Trump administration: Kash Patel and Pete Hegseth. Kash Patel as the likely nominee for FBI Director has been received poorly, to say the least, by most. He's a conspiracy theorist who wants the FBI to go after anyone in the media or government who has not supported Donald Trump. 

Meanwhile, potential Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's mother wrote an email pleading with her son to get help for the way he treats women. Plus, he's unqualified to lead a working force of almost three million people at the Pentagon. 

And in the final segment, we bring you this week's Ford Fact Check in which we once again reiterate that close to 90% of the fentanyl brought in to the United States is by American citizens. Donald Trump has been misleading on this. 

Oh...and Johnathan discovers a music star! 

LINKS

Hunter Biden Pardon 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/01/statement-from-president-joe-biden-11/

https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/01/politics/hunter-biden-joe-biden-pardon/index.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/joe-biden-issue-pardon-son-hunter-biden-rcna182369


Pete Hegseth 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/us/politics/hegseth-email-text.html

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/pete-hegseths-secret-history

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/30/politics/pete-hegseth-mother-email-new-york-times/index.html


Kash Patel 

https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/kash-patel-is-pushing-conspiracies-and-his-brand-hes-poised-to-help-lead-a-trump-administration/

https://watch.montanapbs.org/video/trump-s-team-1733087940/


Ford Fact Check  - The Fentanyl Crisis

https://www.cato.org/blog/us-citizens-were-89-convicted-fentanyl-traffickers-2022#:~:text=Fentanyl%20smuggling%20is%20ultimately%20funded,immigrants%20for%20the%20same%20offense.


Tori Keeth, Moscato! Rising Star 

https://youtu.be/LQOj32LUtbY?si=uxNIQHk6dgcXrvLA

On this episode of Ford News, Johnathan and Brian dive into what will happen with Donald Trump's legal cases as he is less than two months away from being back in the White House. Could he be sentenced in his New York case? 

In segment two, we dive into the fiasco of Matt Gaetz being nominated for Attorney General. Now that he has withdrawn his name, we talk about what will happen to the House ethics report on him and what his future is. Could he fail forward? 

And this week's "Ford Fact Check" is all about Donald Trump having no qualms about whether he respects administration norms or not. Hint....He doesn't. Can he be punished for not doing what other presidents have done as they prepare to enter the White House? We don't think so. 

LINKS

Trump cases. 

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/on-judge-merchans-order-formally-postponing-trumps-sentencing/

Special Counsel Jack Smith 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/special-counsel-jack-smith-team-resign-trump-takes-office-rcna179928

Matt Gaetz Allegation

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/politics/matt-gaetz-second-sexual-encounter-minor/index.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/matt-gaetz-says-doesnt-plan-rejoin-congress-withdrawing-name-attorney-rcna181378


RFK Jr Allegations 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1rw8d0p2j7o

https://www.statesboroherald.com/world/ap-source-rfk-jrs-wife-hanged-herself/

Pam Bondi Allegations 

https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/the-trump-foundation-pam-bondi-scandal/

Pete Hegseth Allegation. 

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/politics/pete-hegseth-police-report-defense-secretary-trump/index.html

Transition Ethics Act.  Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ron Johnson. Signed into law by Trump. 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/394#:~:text=Each%20MOU%20shall%20include%20an,published%20on%20the%20GSA%20website.