DEMS Let 18K Terrorists into America plus Trump Leads on AI & Moving to Designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization

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Dec 12, 2025

The discussion kicks off with alarming claims that 18,000 known or suspected terrorists may have entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, highlighting serious national security risks. The conversation shifts to the competition in artificial intelligence, with President Trump advocating for a centralized regulatory approach to ensure U.S. leadership. Lastly, there's a strong push to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, emphasizing its funding of global jihadist activities and the potential threat it poses to national security.

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INSIGHT

18,000 Alleged Terrorists Entered US

The Trump administration claims NCTC identified about 18,000 known or suspected terrorists who entered during the Biden years.
Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson argue this reflects a massive national security failure tied to border policy.

INSIGHT

Gotaways Pose Disproportionate Risk

Cruz highlights 2 million 'gotaways' as the most concerning subset because they evaded processing and are likelier to be criminals or terrorists.
He frames prior administration policy as prioritizing politics over checking these high-risk individuals.

ANECDOTE

Afghan Evacuees With Terror Ties

Joe Kent recounts that of 88,000 Afghans admitted under Operation Allies Welcome, NCTC identified about 2,000 with ties to terrorist organizations.
Cruz and Ferguson use this example to illustrate failures in expedited vetting that brought dangerous individuals in.

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1. National Security Concerns

We open with alarming claims that 18,000 known or suspected terrorists have entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, allegedly due to lax border security.
The source cited is testimony from Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing.
Specific examples include Afghan nationals linked to terrorist organizations who entered under the Operation Allies Welcome program.
The conversation emphasizes the risks posed by "got-aways" (migrants who evade border patrol) and criticizes the administration for prioritizing politics over security.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and U.S. Leadership

The second segment focuses on President Trump’s executive order aimed at centralizing AI regulation to prevent fragmented state-level rules.
Senator Cruz frames AI as the “economic battle of the 21st century”, comparing it to the U.S. winning the internet race in the 1990s.
Whoever leads in AI will shape global values—either American principles of liberty or China’s model of surveillance and control.
Trump’s remarks highlight the need for a single federal approval system to accelerate AI development and maintain U.S. dominance.

3. Designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization

Senator Cruz advocates for legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates as terrorist organizations.
He explains a shift from a top-down approach (targeting the global organization) to a bottom-up strategy (starting with affiliates like Hamas).
The discussion notes bipartisan support but criticizes the House for weakening the bill.
Cruz stresses that allies such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have already designated the group as a terrorist organization.

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