The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 1 – “Church Protest Precedence”

Date: January 22, 2026
Podcast Host: iHeartPodcasts
Hosts: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton

Episode Overview

This episode centered on breaking legal and political developments following the arrest of Nikima Levi Armstrong and intensified Department of Justice (DOJ) action against activists accused of storming a Minneapolis church in protest of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Clay and Buck connect these events to broader themes of law enforcement, federal and local political tensions, and Democratic resistance to immigration law. Notably, breaking news about the refusal to bring charges against Don Lemon in connection with the event, the apparent lack of Democratic defense for the activists, and the United States' exit from the World Health Organization are explored.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Minneapolis Church Protest Arrests

• Background:
  Attorney General Pam Bondi announced DOJ arrests related to a coordinated protest and disruption inside a St. Paul, Minnesota church. Nikima Levi Armstrong was a key organizer and among the first arrested.

• Hosts’ Reaction:

  • Clay Travis praised the swift DOJ response as a long-overdue stand for protecting places of worship and upholding the law (04:00).
  • Buck Sexton noted the muted Democratic response, suggesting even their side recognizes a line was crossed (06:32).

  Quote:

  “It's causing fireworks in our nation's capital... We do not tolerate attacks on places of worship. This, I think, is what many of you have been calling for.”
  — Clay Travis (04:00)

• About the Protest:

  • Levi Armstrong, in a CNN pre-arrest interview, claimed the group peacefully attended the service before confronting the pastor and chanting “justice for Renee” and “hands up, don’t shoot” (05:21).
  • The hosts dismissed this, referring to video footage and characterizing the activists as disruptive “leftist agitators” (06:06).

  Quote:

  “Now it's the big, mean pastor was the one who caused the problem in his church...”
  — Clay Travis (06:06)

2. Enforcement of the FACE Act & Legal Ramifications

• The FACE Act, initially enacted to protect Black churches from white supremacist violence, is now being employed to target left-wing protests disrupting services.

• Hosts highlight how legal precedents are double-edged swords and criticize Democrats for potentially obstructing federal law on immigration.

• Discussion of possible obstruction charges against Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey or Governor Tim Walz for impeding ICE enforcement (11:32).

  Quote:

  “The precedent that is applied for them can shift as the world changes... This law is on the books.”
  — Buck Sexton (07:15)

3. Red/Blue State Immigration Divide

• Senator JD Vance, speaking from Ohio, criticized Minneapolis officials for fighting federal enforcement and drew contrasts to cooperation in red states (09:05, 10:01).

  Quote:

  “If you want to turn down the chaos in Minneapolis, stop fighting immigration enforcement and accept that we have to have a border in this country. It's not that hard.”
  — JD Vance (10:01)

• Clay and Buck emphasize that sanctuary policies are “making this happen,” contrasting Minneapolis to other cities that cooperate with ICE (10:46, 11:32).

4. The Limits and Dangers of Politicized Prosecution

• Clay raises the need for “tangible basis” when bringing charges, warning against frivolous politically-motivated lawsuits that will be dismissed and only create martyrs out of alleged offenders (13:57).

• Buck shares an anecdote about possessing a Trump mug shot T-shirt, symbolizing how such prosecutions can backfire and embolden political figures (16:23).

  Quote:

  “You don't want to be in a country where you just get arrested because people don't like you.”
  — Clay Travis (15:53)

5. Breaking News - Don Lemon Legal Developments

• CBS News and the Daily Wire report a federal magistrate judge refused to sign the complaint bringing charges against Don Lemon in connection with the church protest; AG Bondi is reportedly “enraged” (33:05, 39:04).

• The hosts analyze legal nuances: is there an "appellate" path, can DOJ find another judge, is the complaint rewriteable? (39:04–41:02)

  Quote:

  “The Department of Justice charged Don Lemon, former CNN anchor, but so far, the judge has not been willing to sign the complaint, which would allow him to be arrested. It's kind of a weird legal gray area from my perspective.”
  — Buck Sexton (39:04)

• Clay and Buck stress the dangers of a highly politicized judiciary and question the actions of local officials defying federal law, framing the Minneapolis mayor’s stance as lawless (41:02).

6. US Withdrawal from the WHO

• Clay briefly highlights that the US has officially left the World Health Organization, citing the institution’s failed Covid-19 response, and dismisses Democratic trust in such organizations (20:09).

  Quote:

  “The United States has officially left the World Health Organization today... And I don't think we're going to lose out very much. But they were wrong on so much relating to Covid.”
  — Clay Travis (20:09)

7. Democratic Rhetoric & Jasmine Crockett Segment

• Discussion shifts to Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett, who made controversial comments about “random black bodies being strung up” and accused Republicans of emboldening hate and violence (24:43).

• Hosts debunk Crockett’s lynching claims, provide historical context, and suggest she seeks media attention ahead of a likely defeat in the Texas Senate primary (25:13–27:22).

  Quote:

  “They’re about to outlaw the idea of white supremacy and white hate... Forget the fact that you’re talking about getting rid of like the classification for nooses in a time in which we have seen these random black bodies be strung up down south.”
  — Jasmine Crockett (24:43)

• Buck critiques how unsubstantiated claims can still have political impact:

  “So what she is referencing is something that may in black Democrat voting circles kind of pique your attention... but it was, it was a suicide.” (27:22)

8. The Sanctuary City Debate (and Minneapolis Jail Policy)

• The hosts re-emphasize how Minneapolis leadership, notably Mayor Frey, refuses to cooperate with ICE, even with jailed individuals already convicted of crimes (32:00).
• Clay asserts: “We will not just nullify immigration law... He does not believe in immigration enforcement, period.” (32:28)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “We do not tolerate attacks on places of worship.” — Clay Travis [04:00]
• “Even Democrats being like, yeah, this is probably inappropriate.” — Buck Sexton [06:32]
• “This law is on the books... The precedent that is applied for them can shift as the world changes.” — Buck Sexton [07:15]
• “Stop fighting immigration enforcement and accept that we have to have a border in this country.” — JD Vance [10:01]
• “Federal law is supreme.” — Buck Sexton [12:37]
• “You don't want to be in a country where you just get arrested because people don't like you.” — Clay Travis [15:53]
• “The Department of Justice charged Don Lemon, former CNN anchor, but so far, the judge has not been willing to sign the complaint, which would allow him to be arrested.” — Buck Sexton [39:04]
• “The United States has officially left the World Health Organization today... they were wrong on so much relating to Covid.” — Clay Travis [20:09]
• “They’re about to outlaw the idea of white supremacy and white hate.” — Jasmine Crockett [24:43]

Important Timestamps

• [04:00]–[06:32]: Main story: Arrests in Minneapolis church protest, reactions, and context
• [09:05]–[11:32]: Senator JD Vance on red/blue state divides in immigration enforcement
• [13:57]–[16:35]: Legal philosophy on prosecutions; dangers of the process as punishment
• [20:09]–[22:25]: US departure from the WHO discussed in national context
• [24:43]–[27:22]: Jasmine Crockett’s controversial statements, host analysis, and historical framing
• [32:00]–[33:05]: Minneapolis jail policy—explicit ICE non-cooperation
• [33:05]–[41:02]: Breaking: No charges for Don Lemon, legal/judicial process discussed
• [41:02]–[43:38]: Politicized law and Democratic reluctance to defend church protesters

Tone and Language

The episode’s tone is combative but conversational, blending legal and political analysis with pointed humor. Both hosts are openly critical of Democratic policies on immigration, sanctuary cities, and pandemic institutions. They emphasize the rule of law and due process, even as they excoriate “frivolous” or politically-motivated prosecutions on both sides of the aisle.

Closing Summary

The episode offers a timely, detailed look at how national debates over church protests, law enforcement, and immigration are playing out in Minneapolis and beyond. The hosts argue for principled application of the law, drawing broader lessons about political double standards and the risks of both over- and under-enforcement. The breaking legal maneuvering around Don Lemon and the church protest arrests provide a case study in the complexities and tensions at the intersection of activism, prosecution, and federal authority.