The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Bonus: Schumer Shutdown—What to Expect plus Dem Rhetoric Keeps Getting Worse, Inciting Violence & Endangering Law Enforcement
Date: September 30, 2025
Hosts: Ben Ferguson & Senator Ted Cruz (guest hosting)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Brief Overview

In this bonus episode, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz dissect the imminent possibility of a government shutdown—dubbed the "Schumer Shutdown"—attributing it to Democratic strategies in Congress. The episode also explores the intensifying, incendiary rhetoric used by some Democratic leaders, which the hosts argue is fueling violence and placing law enforcement at risk. The conversation is interwoven with recent events, notable political quotes, and a montage of controversial statements about law enforcement, especially ICE.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Michigan Church Attack and Law Enforcement Response

Segment Start: [02:51]

• Event Recap:
  • Recent attack at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan: “4 dead, 10 wounded” ([02:51]).
  • Attacker drove truck into church, opened fire, set fire to the church.
• Law Enforcement Praised:
  • Senator Cruz emphasizes rapid response: “Law enforcement did an unbelievable job… probably saved countless lives… including a lot of children.” ([05:17])
  • Condemnation of anti-police rhetoric: Claims that continued demonization of law enforcement, particularly by Democrats, is making their job more dangerous.

2. The Looming Schumer Shutdown: Causes & Consequences

Segment Start: [06:41]
Deep Dive: [09:55] – [22:57]

A. Shutdown Mechanics and Blame Attribution

• How funding works:
  • Cruz details how appropriations work and the standard government funding cycle.
  • As of midnight September 30, government funding expires unless action is taken.
• The ‘Clean CR’:
  • House passed a “clean Continuing Resolution” (CR)—no policy changes, just temporary extension.
  • Senate requires 60 votes; with 53 Republicans, at least 7 Democrats are needed.
  • Democrats, according to Cruz, “are lining up party line to say no” ([10:41]).

B. Motivation Behind Democratic Actions

• Accusations of political theater:

  • Cruz argues Democrats are shutting down the government to appease their party’s radical base after internal dissent on previous deals ([12:12]).
  • Alleges Schumer wants to avoid being “primaried by AOC” and prove himself to the left.

• Notable quote:

  "I believe Schumer’s made a decision—he’s gonna shut the government down because that’s how he proves to the crazies in his party that he is a ferocious warrior."
  <span style="font-size:90%;">—Sen. Ted Cruz [12:44]</span>

C. Democratic Double-Standard: Quotes Over the Years

• Cruz provides a litany of Democratic statements opposing shutdowns in years past, contrasting them with present actions:

  • Chuck Schumer (Jan 2024): “Passing a clean CR… will avert a harmful and unnecessary government shutdown.”
  • Bernie Sanders (Jan 2018): “Shutting down the government is a serious and dangerous action… We must do everything possible to prevent.”
  • Mark Kelly (Sept 2023): “A shutdown would have serious impacts… we can’t let any of that happen.”
  • [Numerous additional past quotes, timestamps: [12:52] – [15:56]]

• Cruz’s claim:

  • These same Senators are now ready to vote for a shutdown, not on principle but to appease anti-Trump sentiment.

• Notable quote:

  “[Democrats] want to have a primal scream. And so I think the odds are very high the Schumer shutdown will happen…”
  <span style="font-size:90%;">—Cruz [15:47]</span>

D. What Does (and Doesn’t) Shut Down?

• Essential services continue: Military, law enforcement, air traffic control, Coast Guard, etc.
• Non-essential workers: Furloughed, usually receive back pay.
• Services disrupted: National parks, Smithsonian museums, etc.
• Recent memo from OMB:
  • Trump admin may use shutdown to “terminate… workers in government agencies critical to Democrat priority” (EPA, Labor, IRS).
  • “If Schumer and the Democrats force a shutdown, we’re going to see the Trump administration give pink slips…” ([18:43])
  • Cruz predicts internal Democratic backlash if this happens.

E. Political Impact & Predictions

• Possible outcome: Dem-constituency jobs targeted, Democrats under internal pressure.

• Cruz argues a shutdown for a few days would have limited long-term consequences and might result in a more 'efficient' government.

• Ben Ferguson's question:

  “Should we secretly be hoping this happens… to get leaner as a government and stop all the waste and abuse?” ([20:42])

• Cruz’s take:

  • “That could end up being a very good outcome.”
  • Predicts Democrats will cave after public backlash if targeted layoffs happen.

F. Media Blame Game

• Cruz anticipates media blaming Trump and Republicans even if Democrats block a “clean CR.”
• Notable quote:

  “Will CNN and MSNBC… try to say… [to] keep the government open, he should spend over a trillion dollars and give in to the Democrats’ demands...? Sure, they’ll try... but that’s a hard argument.” ([24:42])

3. Case Study: Less-Lethal Self-Defense & Public Safety

Segment Start: [06:41] – [08:51]

• Ben Ferguson touts the benefits of the Byrna less-lethal launcher for home protection.
• Senator Cruz shares a story about a homeowner in California deterring an intruder with this device rather than a firearm, emphasizing “lowest level of force” as a positive outcome.

4. Ramping Up Rhetoric: Democrats, Law Enforcement, and Political Violence

Segment Start: [29:06]
Deep Dive and Montage: [30:01] – [41:59]

A. Escalating Accusations & Impact

• Discussion of "incendiary" language from Democratic leaders against their political opponents and law enforcement.

• Gavin Newsom’s all-caps tweet: "Stephen Miller is a FASCIST”—noted for 27 million views ([30:28]).

• Kirk assassination referenced, with Cruz attributing part of the motivation to this kind of rhetoric.

• Direct Quote:

  “Labeling Republicans they disagree with as fascist… is inviting more and more violence.”
  <span style="font-size:90%;">—Cruz [30:51]</span>

B. Media Montage: Democratic Statements on ICE and Law Enforcement

Start: [33:12], runs several minutes

• Compilation of Democrats calling ICE:

  • “Modern-day Gestapo”
  • “Nazi Germany”
  • “Slave patrols”
  • “Secret federal police force”
  • “Terrorists,” “thugs,” “masked agents”
  • Calls for “abolishing ICE” and “unmasking ICE agents”

• Notable moments:

  • ICE Cube’s tour bus being firebombed, allegedly due to confusion about the name "ICE" ([32:46]).
  • Multiple Democratic leaders explicitly or implicitly comparing ICE to Nazi or authoritarian institutions.

• Cruz’s analysis:

  • Drawing a direct line from rhetoric to real-world danger for law enforcement.
  • Points to the Dallas ICE shooter using an app called “ICE Finder” to target agents ([42:13]).

• Quote:

  “This is a direct result. And it’s not fringe people. Hakeem Jeffries stood at the podium and said, unmask these guys and go after them. And… lunatics are listening to them.”
  <span style="font-size:90%;">—Cruz [42:23]</span>

5. Final Thoughts: Consequences and Future Outlook

Conclusion: [43:17] – [43:34]

• Hosts stress the danger of "doxxing" ICE agents—argue that mask-wearing is protective, not nefarious.
• Vow to “keep exposing” incendiary rhetoric and to continue the fight in favor of law enforcement and against what they call Democrat extremism.
• Encourage listeners to tune in for future episodes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sen. Ted Cruz on shutdown prediction:

  “I believe Schumer’s made a decision. He’s going to shut the government down because that’s the way he proves to the crazies in his party that… he is a ferocious warrior.” ([12:44])

• Sen. Ted Cruz on Democratic rhetoric:

  “Labeling Republicans they disagree with as fascist… is inviting more and more violence.” ([30:51])

• On ICE agent safety:

  “Democrats, including Hakeem Jeffries, have called for unmasking ICE, identifying them and going after them. Look, that’s putting ICE law enforcement officers at risk… lunatics are listening to them.” ([42:23])

• On less-lethal defense:

  “The lowest level of less lethal force is able to rectify the situation without bringing a gun into that situation.” ([08:22])

• Ben Ferguson's commentary:

  “Democrats get talking points and they stick with them. And when they do this, they’re doing it on purpose to undermine the rule of law.” ([41:24])

Important Timestamps

• Michigan Church Attack & Law Enforcement: [02:51] – [05:17]
• Shutdown Mechanics & Blame: [09:55] – [15:56]
• Democratic Quotes on Shutdowns: [12:52] – [15:56]
• Government Shutdown Consequences: [16:30] – [22:57]
• Media Blame & Political Fallout: [22:57] – [25:44]
• Byrna Self-defense Story: [06:41] – [08:51]
• Democratic Rhetoric on Law Enforcement: [30:01] – [41:59]
• ICE agent “doxxing,” real-world impact: [42:13] – [43:17]

Overall Tone & Style

• Direct, urgent, and confrontational, with a blend of detailed analysis and partisan critique.
• Frequent references to current events as illustrative case studies.
• Use of humor (“That’s a terrible Bernie Sanders impersonation”) and conversational banter, but dominated by serious concerns about violence and political conflict.

This summary captures the central debates, critical claims, and rhetorical tone of the episode, making it robustly informative for listeners catching up on the content or seeking insight into current conservative talking points on law enforcement, government shutdowns, and political discourse.