Guests - Ava Chen, Betsy Smith

China Unveils New Deep Sea Weapon: Cable Cutter

China has unveiled a new deep sea weapon designed for undersea cable cutting, though this isn't entirely new technology. According to Ava Chen from the New Federal State of China, this weapon was actually invented and patented by Communist China as early as 2020. The device is inexpensive, versatile, and can be attached to submersibles operating at extreme depths—up to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).

The technology has been in use for approximately five years, with evidence of its deployment appearing last year in November in the Baltic Sea region, where two cables were severed. While Chinese involvement wasn't officially confirmed, CCP-operated vessels were spotted in the area when the cables were cut.

Even more concerning, Taiwan has reported 27 undersea cable severances in the last five years—precisely corresponding to the timeframe when this cutting device was invented. These cables are crucial for connecting Taiwan to the world.

"The main function is sabotage," Chen explains. "They want to cut off your communication. They use it to show 'I can hurt you' if you criticize the CCP or push back against them. Instead of directly attacking your homeland, they do these kinds of sabotage activities and they can get away with it."

Chen emphasizes that the CCP has been able to execute these operations because they've compromised many elements in Western society, not just in the United States but across Europe and the Baltic region.

"With the help of the West—your money, your technology, and your key people, these societal elites that lend legitimacy to a communist state—the CCP has built its capabilities," Chen states. "The CCP alone cannot do this. We made them strong."

US Missile System in Philippines Enrages China

A new U.S. missile system has been deployed in the Philippines, putting key Chinese military and commercial hubs within striking distance. This development represents an early test of President Trump's commitment to deterring Chinese aggression against American allies in Asia.

The deployment comes as Xi Jinping continues his fixation on taking control of Taiwan, a goal he has been planning for since coming to power in 2012. According to Chen, Xi has transformed the Chinese government into his personal empire, with his wife, younger brother, and daughter effectively running the country.

"In the last two years, Xi Jinping declared a dictatorship as president or general secretary of the CCP for life," Chen explains. "Usually there are two term limits, but now he's basically turned the rogue regime into Xi's empire."

This concentration of power has led to instability within China's military leadership. Numerous high-ranking officials, generals, and admirals have disappeared, been arrested, or died under suspicious circumstances. Recent examples include the director of the Central Military Commission's Political Works Department, Admiral Miao Hua, who was arrested and disappeared, along with numerous Rocket Forces generals who reportedly committed suicide or died mysteriously.

"How can Xi Jinping fight with this going on?" Chen questions. "That doesn't mean he's not crazy enough to start shooting at Taiwan. He's a beast when cornered."

Despite these concerning developments, Chen suggests that war isn't inevitable: "It doesn't mean that it will have to be a war. The reason why the tension between the US and China is escalating is because Xi is unstable."

American Business Leaders as Hostages in China

China recently hosted the China Development Forum 2025, gathering over 80 American business leaders from companies like Apple, BlackRock, Citadel, and other major investment firms. These executives attended the forum where Chinese officials promised to loosen restrictions and create a more business-friendly environment.

However, on the same day (March 24th), the Chinese State Council unveiled a new regulation implementing their "anti-foreign sanctions law," which Chen describes as a direct countermeasure to Trump's tariffs.

"This law specifies the seizure, detention, and freezing of assets, relevant transactions, cooperation, and other activities that are prohibited or restricted," Chen explains. "They're going to seize all assets including cash, bills, bank deposits, securities, fund shares, equities, intellectual property rights, accounts receivables, and other properties and property rights."

Chen points out the stark contrast between the promises being made to business leaders and the threatening law being simultaneously implemented: "The CCP on one hand is giving them the carrot, which is an illusion. They're lying. On the other hand, they're showing them the stick, saying, 'I could in a split second make you lose everything in China.'"

What makes the situation even more manipulative is Xi's scheduling. The forum was held on March 23-24, but Xi arranged to meet with the executives on March 28th, forcing them to remain in China for four additional days if they wanted an audience with him.

"These executives have not realized they are hostages. They are actually hostages," Chen warns. "There's no free business, no free capital, no free market they're dealing with. This is the most tyrannical, brutal, totalitarian regime on earth."

Chen urges Americans to reconsider where their investment money is going: "Your retirement right now is caught up in this. Your investment in Black Rock could possibly be gone. These are material risks that these investment banks and hedge funds have not disclosed to you."

Xi Jinping's Wealth and Strategic Manipulation

Despite appearances, Xi Jinping is not an impulsive leader. According to Chen, who cites Miles Guo's personal knowledge of Xi and his family, "Xi Jinping is a very strategic leader. He is very smart. A lot of people think, 'Oh, he's crazy, he must be dumb.' No, Xi Jinping is very Machiavellian."

The strategic nature of his actions is evident in how he's handling American business executives while simultaneously threatening their assets through new legislation.

This manipulation extends to the Chinese economy as well. Chen disputes the Chinese government's claims about spurring domestic consumption, noting that the population is actually shrinking dramatically. "Two hundred million Chinese people died in the last five years because of COVID, because of lockdown, because of vaccines. And they're still dying," Chen states.

She cites the example of Shanghai's two-month lockdown in 2022, during which an estimated 400,000 residents died—not from COVID, but from lack of medical care, starvation, and neglect.

A recent report from the Director of National Intelligence estimated that Xi's personal assets total approximately one billion US dollars, but Chen believes this figure is grossly underestimated. She points to major companies reportedly owned by Xi's family:

"Huawei—Xi Jinping family. ZTE—Xi Jinping family. WeChat—Xi Jinping family. Just think about these three organizations, three sectors and companies you already know. His wealth is over one billion. We're talking about possibly trillions."

Chen suggests that beyond Xi, there are "100 to 200 kleptocrat families" controlling trillions in assets hidden throughout the Western world, including the United States, Europe, and Switzerland.

Tucson Withdraws Ordinance to Ban Camping in Washes

Shifting to local issues, Tucson has withdrawn an ordinance that would have banned camping in washes amid community concerns. This decision highlights the ongoing struggle with homelessness in the city.

Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association, argues that it's time for a "grown-up conversation" about homelessness in Tucson. "Housing is not the issue. The issue is mental health and addiction," Smith asserts.

She criticizes the city's focus on providing "low barrier beds," which she describes as "overnight housing for people who refuse to deal with their addiction, who refuse to deal with their mental health." Smith contends this approach merely "parks" homeless individuals without addressing root causes.

Smith advocates for the "theory of displacement" as a practical strategy: "We need to displace these people and they can move along. They can go to New Mexico. They can go to California, but they should not be allowed to just drug and drink and camp in parks that were meant for families and taxpayers."

The situation at Santa Rita Park exemplifies the problem, with extensive encampments that the city council "refuses to deal with," according to Smith. She points to Mayor Regina Romero's statement at a recent city council study session: "My question is, where do we take these individuals?"

Smith challenges this approach: "We don't have to live like this. There are plenty of cities around this nation the same size as Tucson where you can actually go to the park and walk your dog and play with your kids."

Addressing Homelessness and Mental Health

Smith distinguishes between different homeless populations, particularly noting that veterans deserve special consideration. "Veterans are entitled, if they were honorably discharged and they serve this nation, they are entitled, they're in a different lane," Smith explains. "We should be identifying veterans in our homeless community and get them the help they need immediately."

For the broader homeless population, Smith emphasizes the need to address mental health and addiction issues rather than simply providing housing. She argues that many homeless individuals "want to live this lifestyle because this lifestyle allows them to do their drugs and not deal with their own mental health."

She suggests that upcoming city council elections provide an opportunity to address these issues with "reasonable people on the city council who will come up with real solutions because they've worked in the city government, they've worked in business, they've had real jobs and they've taken care of their families and employed people."

Both Smith and Winn note that despite the failure of Proposition 414, which would have provided additional funding for public safety, the city should still prioritize police funding. "One of the primary responsibilities of city government is the safety of the city residents and the city visitors," Smith states. "Money has got to go toward things like public safety."

Winn suggests a thorough audit of the city's billion-dollar budget to identify areas where funds could be redirected to essential services. "These pet projects that don't contribute to the overall progress of the city are not only dangerous, but they're not financially responsible," Winn asserts.

Secret Service Protection Removed from Alejandro Mayorkas

In a brief update, Winn and Smith discuss the removal of Secret Service protection for former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He joins Hunter and Ashley Biden, John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and Anthony Fauci on a list of Biden allies no longer receiving taxpayer-funded security.

Smith approves of this decision, stating, "Alejandro Mayorkas didn't give a damn about your safety, my safety, or the safety of the American public in general. He was the architect of this open border situation that now the Trump administration is having to deal with."

She questions why American taxpayers should fund protection for someone who "refused to use his office to protect American people," particularly when Mayorkas is likely a "multi-millionaire" who can afford private security.

Phoenix Police Officers Suspended After Incident with Deaf Man

Three Phoenix police officers have been suspended for 24 hours without pay following an incident involving a deaf man with cerebral palsy. The officers were attempting to arrest the man, who did not comply with their commands, leading them to physically restrain him. They were unaware of his condition until after the fact.

The Phoenix police union is speaking out against the suspensions because it was previously determined that the officers did not violate use of force policies. Smith explains the difficulty of these situations: "I've arrested people that are deaf, and you don't have a clue that they're deaf because they can't communicate with you."

She notes that the body camera footage showed the man ran from the officers and fought them, despite being able to see they were uniformed police officers. "Using force against your citizens, it never looks pretty," Smith acknowledges. "It's unfortunate that these three Phoenix police officers had to use force, but they did and they did it within policy."

Smith connects this incident to broader challenges facing the Phoenix Police Department, which is currently fighting a potential federal consent decree from the Department of Justice. Such decrees involve expensive consultants taking control of police agencies for extended periods. Smith criticizes the system as "laborious" and often politically motivated, particularly under mayors like Phoenix's Kate Gallego, who Smith characterizes as unsupportive of police.

The discussion concludes with Smith and Winn lamenting deteriorating conditions in both Phoenix and Tucson, noting how increasing crime and homelessness are making Arizona less attractive to potential residents and visitors. They call for better support of law enforcement and sound fiscal management to restore what were once highly respected police departments.