The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (Hour 3: Burn it Down Dems)

Date: March 9, 2026 | Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This hour centers around the latest political and security headlines, focusing on the aftermath of events in Iran, domestic terrorism in New York City, and ongoing issues with DHS funding. The hosts are joined by Congressman Chip Roy (TX), who discusses his Attorney General campaign, election security bills, and national security concerns. Throughout, Clay and Buck's trademark tone blends urgency with humor, targeting perceived failures of Democratic leadership and emphasizing conservative viewpoints.

Key Discussion Points

1. Market Volatility After Iran Developments

• Opening Update (03:07): Buck Sexton explains the overnight spike in oil prices to $120/barrel following tensions involving Iran. However, prices dropped back to around $95/barrel by showtime, which stabilized the stock market.
  • Quote: "The oil price of oil and gas, we talked about this a bit. Overnight it hit $120 a barrel. It is back down now to around $95 a barrel...not the crazy spike that it looked like." [03:07]

2. Interview: Congressman Chip Roy (TX)

A. Attorney General Runoff Campaign

• Roy's Credentials (05:28): Highlights his prosecutorial and legislative experience, contrasted with his opponent's lack of legal practice.
  • Quote: "My opponent spent $18 million...he is a trust fund kid who's never been in a courtroom, never practiced law, never prosecuted a bad guy..." [05:52]
  • He emphasizes staying positive but notes he'll "return fire" if attacked negatively.

B. Election Security & The SAVE Act

• Senate Filibuster Explained (07:48): Roy details how the Senate's "default state of a quorum call" prevents genuine debate on voting security bills. He calls for a real "talking filibuster."
  • Quote: "If we force them to do a talking filibuster, it will change the dynamic of the Senate. It will be like Mr. Smith goes to Washington. They will have to mean it." [09:04]
  • Asserts Democrats are avoiding public debate on citizen voting and voter ID.

C. U.S. Response to Iran Crisis

• Strategic Counsel (11:02): Roy urges "stay the course and keep leading," arguing that thanks to domestic oil production, the U.S. is far less vulnerable to Mideast shocks.
  • Memorable Line: "We were elected to lead. We weren't elected to get reelected. When you start trying to get reelected as your policy aim, you lose. When you lead, you win." [12:59]

D. DHS Funding Standoff

• Fallout for TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard (13:45): Roy blames Democrats for cutting funding, causing long TSA lines and reduced staffing.

  • Quote: "Democrats pulling back the funding on DHS...is leaving TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA and other functions dangling...things are going to start getting worse and Democrats are going to own it." [13:45]

• Runoff Voting info: May 26, early voting in mid-May. Chip Roy appeals for support: "Texas should not be for sale...I've spent a lifetime in public service." [15:10]

3. New York ISIS-Inspired Terrorism Charges

A. Commissioner Jessica Tisch's Announcement

• Press Conference Summary (22:14, 26:18): FBI and NYPD filed federal charges against Amir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi for attempted material support to ISIS, use of WMDs, and related crimes. The attack failed due to malfunctioning IEDs.
  • Tisch: "The defendants are charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS using a weapon of mass destruction...both defendants have admitted that they acted on Saturday because of ISIS." [22:14, 26:18]

B. Host Reactions

• Clay & Buck's Take (23:01 onward):

  • Highlight media misreporting: "The way that many media groups covered this was as if this was in some way a cause of the protest. When these were counter protesters." [23:15]
  • Argue U.S. is vulnerable to such terror because of lax border security, referencing other recent violent incidents with suspected ideological connections to overseas conflicts.
  • Buck explains the IRGC/Quds Force structure, comparing them to historical security apparatus such as the Nazi SS, and their ability to inspire attacks remotely via the internet.
    • "They also run a lot of external terrorist ops...the Internet makes this a very easy game for them." [29:30]

• National Security Context:

  • Border vulnerabilities noted: "Not only that, we had a wide open southern border with people traveling in from all over the world...You don't even know who's here." [29:48]

4. Ongoing DHS/TSA Chaos Blamed on Democrats

• Travel Disruptions (31:38–34:42):

  • Increases in travel wait times at airports (up to five hours in some cities), attributed to DHS funding impasse.
    • "Doesn't it seem like a really bad idea to not be paying TSA agents right now? Especially as we are entering spring break season..." [30:43]
  • Repeatedly assert that Democratic political maneuvering, particularly in the Senate, is to blame for practical hardships faced by travelers and government staff.

• Political Framing:

  • Clay on Dems: "It's almost like Democrats would rather burn everything down than let the other side run things better than them...They're rooting against America right now in every sense, because they are not in power." [32:17]

5. Iran Regime Update and U.S. Military Technology

• New Supreme Leader & Rumors (33:31):
  • Reports that new Iranian Supreme Leader, son of Khomeini, is severely injured after recent events.
  • Buck discusses the U.S.' technological military edge, referencing drone/precision strike capabilities.
    • Memorable Moment: "In this video, the car is driving...they use the flying Ginsu knife...took out the guy in the passenger seat and didn't touch the three other guys. That is the kind of technology we're talking about now..." [35:50]

6. Listener Engagement & Offbeat Topics

• Calls and Talkbacks (41:42–45:53):
  • Reggie (Fort Bragg) gives a mechanic's take on Teslas and EV battery life.
    • "Once that car reaches a certain age, just like your cell phone, nobody's going to want to deal with it...it's just going to become a statue." [42:17]
  • Clay and Buck riff on car technology, family vehicles, and "self-driving" mom dilemmas.
  • Long-running in-jokes about sidearms, specifically the 1911 vs. polymer 9mm debate.
    • Clay (joking): "Your 1911 is a relic from a bygone era...it's already a museum piece and you have it in your home." [45:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chip Roy: "If we force them to do a talking filibuster, it will change the dynamic of the Senate. It will be like Mr. Smith goes to Washington." [09:04]
• Jessica Tisch (NYPD Commissioner): "Both defendants have admitted that they acted on Saturday because of ISIS." [22:14, 26:18]
• Clay Travis: "It's almost like Democrats would rather burn everything down than let the other side run things better than them." [32:17]
• Buck Sexton: "We have their entire battle space mapped out and it's just we hit what we want to hit, when we want to hit it." [36:33]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:07 – Opening news, oil/stock updates, ISIS arrest headline
• 05:28 – Congressman Chip Roy: Texas AG campaign, credentials
• 07:48 – Chip Roy explains Senate filibuster, SAVE Act
• 11:02 – Roy on U.S. strategy in Iran, energy independence
• 13:45 – DHS funding standoff, TSA/FEMA impacts
• 15:10 – Runoff election details from Chip Roy
• 22:14 & 26:18 – Jessica Tisch: federal terror charges explanation
• 29:48 – Buck and Clay discuss border, terror risks, TSA funding
• 32:17 – Clay on Democratic motivations, "burn it down" framing
• 33:31 – Iran regime succession news, discussion of military tech
• 41:42 – Listener calls and talkbacks: Tesla, family cars, and gun banter

Takeaways

• Security & Leadership: The episode strongly criticizes Democratic leadership’s handling of security (international and domestic), border policies, and DHS funding, arguing this creates vulnerabilities—from terrorism to holiday travel snafus.
• Political Stakes: Through Chip Roy, listeners are urged to recognize down-ballot races’ significance (Attorney General, Congressional), especially amidst Senate paralysis on election security reforms.
• Media Skepticism: Hosts challenge mainstream coverage of both terrorism and political crises, highlighting selective reporting and framing.
• Technological & Military Edge: Buck offers an inside look at U.S. advancements in military targeting—a flex aimed at adversaries like Iran.
• Lively Listener Involvement: The show mixes heavy news, partisan humor, car ownership debates, and gun enthusiast banter, maintaining a dynamic blend of seriousness and levity.

This summary captures the substance, tone, and key moments from this news-packed, sometimes fiery episode—ensuring you stay informed on what was discussed, even if you missed the broadcast.