The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Episode: Hour 2 – MAGA Leftists
Release Date: March 17, 2025

Introduction to Key Topics

In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into the intricate dynamics of executive authority, presidential pardons, and border security under the Biden administration. The discussion primarily centers around former President Donald Trump's recent statements and actions, examining their implications on current political landscapes and legal frameworks.

Trump’s Assertions and Executive Orders

[04:15] Buck Sexton:
Buck introduces the topic by referencing Donald Trump's appearance on Bill Maher's show, where Trump addressed his opinion on voting alignment and his portrayal of Joe Biden's actions regarding pardons.

[05:18] Clay Travis:
Clay expresses skepticism about Trump's claim that Joe Biden used an "auto pen" to sign pardons without his direct approval.
"What rational basis would there be for an auto pen to be signing executive orders of this level of significance?"

[07:16] Buck Sexton:
Buck discusses the legal aspects of presidential pardons, emphasizing their absolute nature as per the Constitution.
"The pardon power is considered to be absolute. Right. Pardons can't be undone because then there's no such thing as a pardon power."

[09:00] Clay Travis:
Clay raises critical questions about the legality of preemptively pardoning individuals for potential future crimes, highlighting the unprecedented nature of such actions.
"Does the President really have the power to preemptively pardon people from being charged with crimes potentially for actions going back a decade?"

Legality and Implications of Presidential Pardons

[10:36] Buck Sexton:
Buck elaborates on the historical context of presidential pardons, referencing post-Civil War clemency, and contrasts it with the current allegations against Biden.
"Can you just write something that says, I, Joe Biden, hereby sweep away any crime committed by any member of my administration for the last decade?"

[12:15] Clay Travis:
Clay asserts that using an auto pen for significant executive actions is questionable and hints at underlying health issues that might have necessitated such measures.
"Is there something in Joe Biden's ability to hold a pen that made an auto pen necessary?"

[14:57] Clay Travis:
Clay reinforces his stance on challenging the legitimacy of Biden's pardons, emphasizing their potential illegality.
"I am confident that this is not permissible and it's why I said I would challenge it."

Border Security and Executive Authority

[21:58] Clay Travis:
Clay shifts the conversation to border security, highlighting the significant reduction in illegal border crossings under Trump's administration.
"We're sitting here with the lowest border crossings since 1967, an extraordinary accomplishment in the first 50 days of the Trump administration."

[24:02] Buck Sexton:
Buck questions the extent of Republican support for Trump's border policies, noting minimal backing from Senate Republicans.
"How many Republicans really were willing to go along with the preposterous immigration policies?"

[25:18] Buck Sexton:
Buck credits Tom Homan for effective border management and criticizes the Biden administration's handling of immigration.
"Tom Homan is doing phenomenal work and he's a patriot who's serving his country incredibly well."

[27:03] Clay Travis:
Clay emphasizes that Trump simply enforced existing laws to achieve border security, contrasting it with Biden's policy changes that led to increased illegal crossings.
"All Trump needed to do was enforce the laws that were already on the books."

Economic Policies and Public Perception

[34:37] Clay Travis:
Clay outlines the economic successes under Trump, including potential ceasefires in international conflicts, reduced illegal border crossings, and declining inflation and violent crime rates.
"We have inflation hitting a four-year low, violent crime on the decline, and the stock market remains stable despite political turbulence."

[36:36] Buck Sexton:
Buck discusses the uneven economic impact, highlighting that the top 10% of Americans control a significant portion of consumption and emphasizing efforts to address economic disparities.
"Top 10% of Americans are 40 or 50% of consumption. We are trying to address that."

[39:03] Clay Travis:
Clay touches upon consumer behavior and government spending, suggesting a natural economic adjustment away from excessive public expenditure.
"There's going to be a natural adjustment as we move away from public spending to private spending."

Media Narratives and Public Awareness

[31:17] Buck Sexton:
Buck criticizes mainstream media for their selective reporting, especially regarding Trump's achievements, insinuating a deliberate suppression of positive narratives.
"We just played for you. But remember, Buck, for years, Tom Homan came on this show and he said, it's really simple. If President Trump's in office, he will shut down the border just like we shut down the border in the first term."

[33:00] Buck Sexton:
Buck references former leftists aligning with Trump's policies, highlighting a shift in political allegiances and the emergence of "MAGA Leftists."
"I'm just a MAGA leftist now because...

[33:17] Clay Travis:
Clay reinforces the notion that Trump's policies resonate beyond traditional conservative bases, fostering unexpected political identities.
"That makes no sense. Can you explain? Please do."

Final Thoughts and Upcoming Discussions

As the episode concludes, Clay and Buck tease the next hour's focus on Congressman Jim Jordan and the ongoing debates surrounding executive authority and judicial interventions against Trump's promised policies. They also touch upon cultural topics like the NCAA tournament, blending political discourse with relatable, everyday subjects for their audience.

Notable Quotes

• Clay Travis at [05:18]:
  "What rational basis would there be for an auto pen to be signing executive orders of this level of significance?"

• Buck Sexton at [07:16]:
  "The pardon power is considered to be absolute. Right. Pardons can't be undone because then there's no such thing as a pardon power."

• Clay Travis at [09:00]:
  "Does the President really have the power to preemptively pardon people from being charged with crimes potentially for actions going back a decade?"

• Buck Sexton at [10:36]:
  "Can you just write something that says, I, Joe Biden, hereby sweep away any crime committed by any member of my administration for the last decade?"

• Clay Travis at [21:58]:
  "We're sitting here with the lowest border crossings since 1967, an extraordinary accomplishment in the first 50 days of the Trump administration."

Conclusion

This episode provides a critical examination of the Biden administration's use of executive authority, contrasting it with Trump's approach. Through incisive dialogue and pointed questioning, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton aim to uncover the underlying motivations and legalities of recent political maneuvers, offering their audience a perspective that challenges mainstream narratives.