The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 3 – Border Czar, Tom Homan
Date: March 25, 2026
Podcast Host: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Guests: Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tom Homan ("Border Czar")

Episode Overview

This hour of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show centers on the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding standoff, the turmoil at U.S. airports, the Biden administration's border and immigration policy, and the war with Iran. The hosts are joined by Senator Bill Cassidy for deep dives on these issues and later by Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” who provides firsthand updates on ICE’s expanded presence at airports and overall immigration enforcement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DHS Funding Standoff & Airport Chaos

• Background: TSA agents are unpaid, long security lines are common, and national security is strained as the funding standoff continues.
• Democratic Strategy: Sen. Cassidy argues Democrats are using the brinkmanship to score political points, repeatedly making new demands after prior ones were met.
  • Quote: “They think they got a winning issue. They’re going to continue to hold it hostage until they extract as much as they can. And they don’t care the cost to the American traveler and they don’t care the cost to the person who works for TSA or FEMA or Coast Guard.” (Sen. Cassidy, [04:02])
• Advice for Travelers: Cassidy tells those flying from New Orleans to book later flights or arrive extra early, especially on busy days, due to three-hour-plus wait times.
  • Quote: “If you’re traveling out of Louis Armstrong Airport, try and get a later flight in the afternoon. If you’re in the morning, go very early, particularly if you’re on Sunday and Monday.” (Cassidy, [05:17])
• ICE & National Guard Role: Suggestion to use ICE or National Guard as TSA support—some roles require little training, but others (like X-ray ops) are highly specialized and not easily replaced.

2. Democrats’ Demands on Immigration and Law Enforcement

• Sen. Cassidy’s View:
  • Democrats refuse to fund ICE deportations and insist on measures (like banning ICE officer masks) that Cassidy claims would endanger agents and their families due to doxing by left-wing protesters.
  • “They also want the ICE agents not to have to wear a mask...They’ve got their street brigades who will then go out and terrorize the person, his family... So, I think what they really want... is to intimidate the officer and their family.” (Cassidy, [08:49])
• Body Cams: GOP and administration are open to body cams but want to control the footage to protect agents.

3. Insider Trading Legislation

• Sen. Cassidy's Bill: Aims to ban stock trading by members of Congress and restore public faith.
  • Quote: “Congress is not a place you come to do well financially. It’s a place you come to do good for the nation...” ([10:46])

4. War with Iran & Strait of Hormuz

• Concerns: Iranian ballistic missile capabilities and the risk of Iran controlling the Strait.
  • “They were trying to develop a nuclear weapon, and they now have ballistic missiles that could go all throughout Europe and all throughout where many of our bases are.” (Cassidy, [12:20])
• Clay & Buck’s Analysis: Trump wants Iranian conflict wrapped up before his planned China trip in May, expecting an end to Israeli bombings as part of a potential deal. ([21:57], [23:46])

5. College Athletics, NIL, and Transfer Chaos

• Cassidy’s NIL Reform Efforts: Seeks to impose some guardrails on athlete transfers and ensure loyalty both from and to student-athletes.
  • “There’s no loyalty to the athlete and no loyalty from the athlete to the community or the school. And they graduate, they don’t go to the pros, and they end up with nothing... That has to stop.” (Cassidy, [14:11])

6. ICE’s Role at Airports & Broader Enforcement (Tom Homan Interview)

• ICE at Airports:
  • ICE is deployed to support TSA amid staffing issues from the funding lapse. They fill in for low-training roles; X-ray and screening still require TSA proficiency.
  • “Our purpose there is to help TSA provide security and get people to the checkpoints. However…if we see illegal activity, they’re going to absolutely take action.” (Homan, [30:23])
• Real-Time Enforcement:
  • Airports create unique opportunities for “target enforcement operations”—everyone presents ID, so it's easier to find and detain “the right guys or gals.” ([30:55])
  • “Every special agent...has a cell phone with the capability of accessing our databases...If we got reasonable suspicion...that’s exactly what we’re going to do.” (Homan, [30:55])
• Political Pushback:
  • Homan slams efforts by progressive DAs like Philadelphia’s Krasner who threaten to arrest ICE agents, calling it “ridiculous,” insisting federal law always prevails over local interference. ([32:03])
• Deportation Numbers:
  • Under Trump: ~700,000 annual removals, with goals to raise that via 10,000 new agents.
  • “We blew that out of the water.” (Homan, [34:31])
• Voluntary Departures:
  • Over 2 million have reportedly left the U.S. voluntarily during the start of the Trump administration. Homan credits increased enforcement for deterring illegal entry and encouraging departures. ([37:52])

7. ICE Officer Morale & Public Perception

• Homan’s Call to Lawmakers:
  • “Rather than vilifying the men and women of ICE and calling Nazis and secret police...Grow set. Put a badge on your chest, put a gun on your hip. And come out with us. See what you have caused.” (Homan, [39:31])
• Violence Against Agents: Homan attributes an “over 1400% increase” in assaults on ICE to negative rhetoric from politicians and media.

8. Recommended Reading on Iran

• For callers seeking history and analysis on Iran:
  • “Persian Puzzle” by Kenneth Pollock
  • “King of Kings” by Anderson
  • “Iran's Ministry of Intelligence: A Concise History” by Ward
  • “Iran's Grand Strategy” by Nasr ([46:31])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On TSA Chaos:
  • “I'm a doctor, excuse the term, but I am urinated off.” (Sen. Cassidy, [04:02])
• ICE at Airports:
  • "You're damn right...if we see illegal activity, they're going to absolutely take action." (Homan, [30:23])
• On Democrat Demands:
  • "They don't want a deal, they want an issue." (Cassidy, [05:17])
• On Enforcement & Safety:
  • “Strap a gun to your hip, put a Kevlar vest on and come do what we do and see if you can stand on the line. I guarantee you none of them can.” (Homan, [39:31])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• DHS Funding & Airport Issues: [03:07]–[08:47]
• ICE, Law Enforcement Policies: [08:47]–[10:16]
• Congressional Insider Trading Bill: [10:16]–[11:51]
• Iran War & Strait of Hormuz: [11:51]–[13:33]
• College Athletics/NIL Problems: [13:33]–[16:16]
• ICE at Airports, Homan Interview: [28:44]–[40:26]
• ICE Officer Morale & Public Perception: [39:31]
• Iran History Book Recommendations: [46:06]–[47:11]

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive, candid look at the ongoing security, legislative, and political challenges at the border and across the country, as seen by two prominent conservative hosts and their insider guests. The hour is rich in firsthand updates, practical advice, and high-stakes political analysis—especially regarding immigration enforcement and lawmaker accountability. Tom Homan’s direct language and call to action for critics of ICE stand out as particularly forceful, while Senator Cassidy’s legislative insights frame the challenges ahead.