Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: BONUS: Border Czar Tom Homan - Exclusive One on One with Senator Ted Cruz
Release Date: May 22, 2025

Introduction

In this exclusive bonus episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosted by iHeartPodcasts, Senator Ted Cruz engages in a compelling conversation with Tom Homan, the newly appointed Border Czar under President Trump's administration. The discussion delves deep into the significant strides made in border security over the past few months, contrasting the current administration's efforts with those of the previous Biden administration.

Guest Introduction

Tom Homan's Role and Background
Tom Homan serves as President Trump's White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations and is the former acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Since Trump resumed office, Homan has been at the forefront of securing the U.S. southern border, focusing on the removal of dangerous illegal aliens and enhancing overall border security.

Achievements Under the Trump Administration

Drastic Reduction in Illegal Border Crossings
Tom Homan highlights a dramatic decrease in illegal border crossings since the Trump administration regained control.

"Under Biden administration, we were dealing with 10,000, 11,000 even a few times 15,000 aliens a day. Yesterday it was 211."
[04:07]

This represents a reduction from approximately 14,000 to just 211 illegal entries per day, marking the most secure border in U.S. history.

Improved Interior Enforcement Operations
Homan emphasizes the increase in arrests and the significant reduction in releases compared to the Biden era.

"Under Biden, there were 184,000 illegal aliens released in the first hundred days. Under Trump, there were nine releases."
[04:58]

Additionally, ISIS-related arrests have tripled compared to Biden’s administration, showcasing enhanced national security measures.

Strategic Measures Implemented

Executive Orders and Policy Changes
Key initiatives led by President Trump and Tom Homan include:

• Remain in Mexico Policy: Mandates that asylum seekers remain in Mexico while their cases are processed.
• Third Safe Country Agreements: Agreements with other nations to divert asylum seekers away from the U.S.
• Ending Catch and Release: Ensures that illegal immigrants are detained rather than released without proper documentation.

"The president's executive orders were a game changer... and we're just following the law."
[06:50]

Infrastructure and Technology Enhancements
Homan outlines the need for continued investment in border infrastructure and technology to further secure the boundary:

• Completion of Border Walls: Finalizing construction to prevent illegal crossings.
• Advanced Surveillance Technologies: Implementing systems to detect breaches and facilitate communication among Border Patrol agents.

"We need more infrastructure, right? So we need to finish building that wall."
[09:05]

Budget and Legislative Support

The "Big Beautiful Bill"
Senator Cruz discusses the importance of the pending budget reconciliation bill, which aims to fund:

• Construction and technological upgrades of the border wall.
• Increased manpower for Border Patrol and ICE agents.
• Expanded detention facilities to accommodate the rising number of arrests.

"We're going to have funding to build the wall... funding for more ICE agents, we're going to have funding for more detention beds."
[11:34]

Homan expresses optimism about the bill's passage, anticipating significant advancements in border security once funded.

Sanctuary Cities and Accountability

Challenges with Sanctuary Cities
The conversation shifts to the issue of sanctuary cities and their impact on border security:

• Public Safety Risks: Sanctuary cities often refuse to detain or assist in the removal of illegal immigrants, posing risks to community safety.
• Legal Actions: The administration is actively pursuing lawsuits against several sanctuary cities and working with the Department of Justice to enforce accountability.

"Sanctuary cities will be held accountable... It's a felony to impede our work."
[25:35]

Public and Community Stance
Homan underscores that both immigrant communities and local residents prefer stringent enforcement over the presence of potentially dangerous individuals in their neighborhoods.

"Public safety threat... Victims and witnesses of crime don't want the bad guy in the neighborhood either."
[25:35]

Terrorism and National Security Concerns

Threat of Terrorists Crossing the Border
Homan expresses grave concerns about the potential for terrorists entering the U.S. via the southern border:

"We got over 2 million known gotaways... Some of these are carrying fentanyl and some of these are going to be people from a terrorist sponsored country."
[28:16]

He cites intelligence reports indicating that some of the individuals crossing are linked to terrorist organizations, emphasizing the urgency of enhanced security measures.

Impact of Open Borders on Terrorism Risks
The discussion highlights the Biden administration's policies, which Homan claims have exacerbated the risk by allowing more individuals, including those with terrorist backgrounds, to enter the country without rigorous vetting.

"Under Biden, we arrested over 400 people on terrorist watches Coming to the southwest border."
[28:16]

Drug Trafficking and Cartel Influence

Reduction in Drug Trafficking
Tom Homan details how securing the border has led to a decrease in drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, which has been responsible for a surge in overdose deaths.

"Fentanyl is being seized on the southern border, and we already see the effects of a secure border."
[37:21]

Impact on Mexican Cartels
Homan discusses the economic and operational blow secured administrations are dealing to Mexican cartels:

"With the border secure, we're hitting them where it hurts. Smuggling's down. Both drugs and people trafficking is down."
[39:01]

He calls for the U.S. to collaborate more closely with Mexico to dismantle these powerful criminal organizations.

Accountability and Legal Implications

Potential Prosecution of Former Officials
The conversation touches upon the actions of former Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, with Homan suggesting that his policies were detrimental to national security:

"What he did was in my opinion, borderline treasonous. He should be held accountable because a lot of deaths occurred under his watch."
[33:53]

Enforcement of Laws and Upholding Legal Standards
Homan stresses the importance of holding individuals, regardless of their position, accountable for actions that undermine border security and public safety.

"No one is above the law, even members of Congress."
[45:04]

Final Remarks and Legacy

Saving Lives and Enhancing Security
Both Senator Cruz and Tom Homan emphasize the profound impact of their efforts on saving American lives by preventing violent criminals and terrorists from entering the country.

"You and President Trump are making a massive difference for the entire country."
[45:50]

Commitment to Continued Efforts
Homan reiterates the ongoing commitment to securing the border, ensuring that the advancements made continue to protect American communities.

"We are taking it... God bless the men and women of the Border Patrol."
[46:57]

Conclusion

This episode provides an in-depth look into the current administration's robust measures to secure the U.S. southern border, the challenges posed by previous policies, and the ongoing efforts to enhance national security. Tom Homan's insights, backed by Senator Cruz's support, offer listeners a detailed perspective on the complexities of immigration enforcement and border security in the modern era.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Under Biden administration, we were dealing with 10,000, 11,000 even a few times 15,000 aliens a day. Yesterday it was 211."
  [04:07]

• "We need more infrastructure, right? So we need to finish building that wall."
  [09:05]

• "Sanctuary cities will be held accountable... It's a felony to impede our work."
  [25:35]

• "We got over 2 million known gotaways... Some of these are carrying fentanyl and some of these are going to be people from a terrorist sponsored country."
  [28:16]

• "What he did was in my opinion, borderline treasonous. He should be held accountable because a lot of deaths occurred under his watch."
  [33:53]

• "You and President Trump are making a massive difference for the entire country."
  [45:50]

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the full podcast.