The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode Title: Daily Review with Clay and Buck - Jan 22, 2026
Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Guest: Katie Zachariah (California political/legal analyst)
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

The January 22, 2026 episode zeroes in on breaking political news, with top focus on law enforcement actions against anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis, the latest trends in national crime statistics, challenges facing sanctuary city policies, and an analysis of California's political scene following Governor Gavin Newsom’s canceled appearance at Davos. The hosts bring their usual blend of humor and strong opinions as they touch on Trump’s legislative accomplishments, shifting Democrat strategies, and GOP prospects in blue states, rounded out by a lively guest segment with Katie Zachariah.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Church Protester Arrests & DOJ Enforcement

• The big headline of the day (03:23, 20:26): Multiple organizers of anti-ICE protests at a Minneapolis church have been arrested. The Department of Justice (DOJ), under Attorney General Pam Bondi, is moving quickly to prosecute under existing laws that protect places of worship.
• Buck and Clay emphasize how video evidence debunks protester narratives and note Democrats’ muted response—implying even they recognize the protests went too far.
• Clay explains the FACE Act’s origins and how political winds have shifted:
  “You got to be careful sometimes with the laws that you put on the books, because the precedent that is applied for them can shift as the world changes.” (07:31, Clay Travis)
• The hosts debate the prosecutorial process, warning against frivolous charges and emphasizing the importance of evidence-backed indictments.
  “Just bringing a charge… if you bring a charge that is frivolous, especially in a place like Minnesota, they’re just going to show, they’re going to have lawyers show up in a court and the judge is going to dismiss it.” (13:57, Buck Sexton)
• Notable caller (Bobby Charles) discusses political obstruction of ICE in Maine and parallels to Minnesota, citing federal statutes and warning of consequences for officials who incite such behavior. (36:21)

Notable Quote:

“We do not tolerate attacks on places of worship.”
—Attorney General Pam Bondi statement (03:24, Buck Sexton recounting)

2. Sanctuary Cities, Local Obstruction, and Potential Prosecution

• J.D. Vance (10:01): Urges local officials in Minneapolis to cooperate with federal immigration authorities to restore order and reduce crime, highlighting stark differences between red and blue state behavior.
• Clay raises the question of legal jeopardy for officials instructing staff to obstruct ICE, referencing federal supremacy: “Federal law is supreme. So…sanctuary cities are not permissible under federal law.” (11:32, Clay Travis)
• Caller “Ransom” from Columbus, Ohio pushes for aggressive federal charges against state officials who enable sanctuary cities. (44:03)

3. Trump’s First-Year Crime Statistics: Lowest Murder Rate in 125 Years

• Major News (24:15, 26:30): The hosts celebrate the U.S. murder rate dropping to its lowest point since 1900, with a stunning 21% drop in murders during “Trump 2.0’s” first year—a record single-year decline.
• They credit Trump’s law-and-order stance and improved border security, noting disproportionate benefits for black Americans: “No one has saved more black lives than Donald Trump.” (28:44, Clay Travis)

Notable Segment:

“The murder rate in Trump 2.0 year one just hit the lowest level since 1900…murders fell 21% last year, the biggest one year drop ever.”
—Clay Travis (24:15)

4. Democratic Party Optics and Internal Strategy Shifts

• Observed lack of Democrat defense for arrested protesters (20:26, 23:04): “It feels like there has been a sort of code red ordered…to throw this crew to the wolves and not defend them, because I think they recognize the optics were so bad.” (20:26, Clay Travis)
• Comparison with prior protest coverage, suggesting Democrats are strategically distancing themselves due to negative public reaction.

5. California Politics, Gavin Newsom’s Davos Stumble & 2028 Race

• Gavin Newsom’s failed public relations at Davos (51:19, 52:07), his slim prospects as a national candidate, and continued California “dumpster fire” reputation are discussed with guest analyst Katie Zachariah.
• Zachariah asserts Newsom’s focus on trolling Trump, not governing, has actually boosted him as the Democratic frontrunner for 2028, but she doubts his electability nationwide: “Gavin Newsom has nothing better to do…than to go and criticize President Trump.” (52:07, Katie Zachariah)
• Katie outlines the importance of voter ID initiatives for California’s Republican prospects and the billionaire wealth tax debate.
• Clay adds polling data: Newsom is the current 2028 favorite among Democrats, with AOC as a distant second. (55:13)

Notable Exchange:

“The Democrat party now has no platform except to troll President Trump…and to allow criminals to run rampant and to not rebuild a city…That’s what we have from the Democrat party.”
—Katie Zachariah (53:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Pam Bondi on church attacks: “We do not tolerate attacks on places of worship.” (03:24)
• Buck on legal process: “Just bringing a charge…they’re going to have lawyers show up in a court and the judge is going to dismiss it.” (13:57)
• Clay on Trump’s impact: “No one has saved more black lives than Donald Trump. I mean, in the history of the presidency.” (28:44)
• Katie Zachariah on Newsom: “He was there ahead of him and then just absolutely got eviscerated and left in the corner as we all saw at the little kids table when President Trump walked in the room.” (52:07)
• Clay on murder rates: “No one alive listening to us today has ever lived in a United States safer than last year in the United States.” (31:43)

Key Timestamps for Reference

• 03:23: Minneapolis arrests, DOJ actions, and discussion of FACE Act’s origins.
• 05:21: Protest organizer’s defense on CNN, analyzed by hosts.
• 10:01: J.D. Vance’s take on immigration enforcement and city-state dynamics.
• 11:32: Clay’s breakdown of federal vs. local authority on sanctuary cities.
• 24:15: Trump’s crime stats and lowest murder rate since 1900.
• 28:44: Impact of falling murder rates on black Americans.
• 51:19: Gavin Newsom’s Davos trip and California as a battleground.
• 53:49: Katie Zachariah’s critique of Democrat strategy and emphasis on voter ID.
• 55:13: Discussion of Newsom’s prospects for 2028 Dem nomination.
• 60:02: Katie Zachariah on what Republicans need to win in California.

Tone & Style

Dynamic, combative, and humorous—the hosts keep the conversation fast-paced and pointed, frequently intermixing serious analysis with jabs at political rivals and light banter.

Conclusion

This episode provides a rapid-fire, in-depth look at how law enforcement crackdowns are reverberating across the political landscape, the measurable results of Trump’s policies on crime, and why Democratic leaders are recalibrating their messaging. The guest segment offers an insider’s look at California’s political meltdown and outlines key hurdles Republicans face in deep-blue states. The show, packed with quotable moments, serves as both a barometer and a blowtorch for today’s big political narratives.