The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 3 - Karoline Leavitt Addresses Minneapolis Turmoil

Date: January 26, 2026
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

The third hour of "The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show" centers on the ongoing turmoil in Minneapolis, recent White House actions, and the broader implications for national border policy and law enforcement. With a focus on the deployment of Tom Homan, the "border czar," to Minnesota, hosts Clay and Buck analyze the political messaging, reactions from local and federal officials, and the media's role in shaping the narrative. Special White House statements from Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt are discussed, as well as calls from listeners in affected cities. The tone mixes urgency, skepticism of Democratic leadership, and strong advocacy for border enforcement and law and order.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Urgency Surrounding Minneapolis Unrest and Border Enforcement

• The show opens after breaking news from the White House, highlighting the seriousness of unrest in Minneapolis and the Trump administration’s approach to enforcing border policies nationwide.
• Tom Homan, described as "border czar," is being deployed to Minneapolis as an escalation of federal response.

Buck Sexton [02:52]:

"This is the single most important fight right now in the country."

2. White House Press Briefing Highlights

Caroline Leavitt on Homan's Assignment

• Leavitt affirms confidence in DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, clarifies Homan’s move is not a sign of dissatisfaction, but a proactive measure following a winter storm and rising tensions.

Caroline Leavitt [04:27]:

"Mr. Homan is doing an exceptional job...he's catching a plane in just a few hours...at the request of the President."

Presidential Call with Minnesota Governor

• Leavitt details President Trump's call with Governor Tim Walz, laying out three demands for restoring order:
  1. Surrender criminal illegal aliens to federal authorities
  2. State/local police must hand over arrested illegal aliens
  3. Local police should assist federal efforts, especially regarding violent criminals

Caroline Leavitt [07:38]:

"If Governor Walz and Mayor Frey implement these...CBP will not be needed to support ICE on the ground in Minnesota."

On Media & Public Attention

• Leavitt criticizes Democrats and media for selectively expressing outrage—sympathy for protestors but silence on victims of crimes by illegal immigrants.

Caroline Leavitt [09:52]:

"Yet we never saw outrage from Democrats...over these horrifying crimes against US citizens."

3. Analysis and Commentary by Hosts

Tom Homan's Track Record & Media Portrayal

• Homan's long career and recognition, including a Presidential Medal of Honor from Obama, are noted. Hosts argue current criticism is politically motivated.
• Buck argues Homan's expertise in immigration:
  Buck Sexton [05:11]:

  "He’s an encyclopedia of knowledge...completely aligned with the President."

Media Coverage Patterns

• Clay criticizes MSNBC for not airing White House briefings, implying suppression of alternative narratives.

Linking Border Security to National Crime Rates

• Hosts credit a decline in national murder rates to stricter immigration enforcement and deportations.

Clay Travis [11:08]:

"Do you think maybe having a secure border and kicking tons of violent predators out of the country has done maybe a little bit to help make us all safer...?"

Buck Sexton [11:52]:

"It's a virtuous cycle...when you take more illegal alien criminals off the streets, your resource allocation improves, your ability to deal with [crime] is stronger."

Minneapolis as a Flashpoint

• Clay suggests Minneapolis is uniquely uncooperative with ICE and contrasts this to Texas and Florida, which he says have been effective and drama-free in enforcing immigration laws.
• Both predict potentially tragic outcomes for ICE agents amid escalating anti-law enforcement sentiment.

Clay Travis [15:17]:

"I think we are rapidly, rapidly speeding towards what feels to me an inevitability where innocent ICE agents are going to be killed..."

4. Listener Calls & Community Perspectives

On-the-Ground Reports from Minnesota

• Jim from Minneapolis: Notes signs targeting ICE, frustration with media for omitting legal violations by armed protestors.
  [20:35]

Firearm Policy and Protest

• Discussion about requirements for legal carry and confusion over laws regarding firearms at protests, highlighting complexity and variance by state.
  [21:22–23:05]

• Tim from Florida: Shares technical details about the firearm involved in the incident, referencing viral videos of accidental discharge.
  [23:09]

Law Enforcement Cooperation and Sanctuary Cities

• Buck explains the legal/structural challenges in compelling local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, criticizing sanctuary policies for undermining broader law and order.
  [31:23–33:26]

Caller from Memphis

• Describes feeling safer due to increased federal resources, questions why protesters would bring guns.
  [34:03–34:39]

More on Protests vs Active Obstruction

• Hosts clarify the distinction between First Amendment protest and obstruction or sabotage of law enforcement activities.
  [36:00–36:28]

Firearm Technicalities

• Multiple callers discuss firearm reliability and potential issues with the model used in the shooting.
  [36:53–38:18]

Local Legal Details

• Tamara in Florida highlights local laws requiring a perimeter around active police investigations, suggesting such policies would defuse protest chaos.
  [43:35–44:01]

Law Enforcement Perspective

• Rich in California: SWAT officer’s views on responsibility and context about carrying firearms in public settings as a non-law enforcement civilian.
  [44:10–44:59]

Memorable Quotes

• Buck Sexton [02:52]:
  "This is the single most important fight right now in the country."

• Caroline Leavitt [09:52]:
  "Yet we never saw outrage from Democrats or their allies in the liberal media over these horrifying crimes against US citizens."

• Clay Travis [11:08]:
  "Do you think maybe having a secure border and kicking tons of violent predators out of the country has done maybe a little bit to help make us all safer and drive down the murder rate overall?"

• Clay Travis [15:17]:
  "I think we are rapidly, rapidly speeding towards what feels to me an inevitability where innocent ICE agents are going to be killed because of this temperature rise..."

Important Timestamps

• 02:52 – Buck sets the stage: Minneapolis and border enforcement as the "single most important fight"
• 04:27 – Caroline Leavitt's press briefing on Tom Homan's deployment
• 07:38 – Leavitt details President Trump's call with MN Governor Walz
• 09:52 – Leavitt criticizes media/Democrats' selective outrage
• 11:08–11:52 – Hosts discuss how border policy may impact national crime rates
• 15:17 – Clay on risks to ICE agents and responsibility of local officials
• 20:35 – Jim from Minneapolis shares local ground perspective
• 21:22–23:05 – Legal requirements for concealed carry at protests
• 34:03 – Memphis nurse caller questions why armed protestors are needed
• 36:00–36:28 – Buck emphasizes distinction between protest and sabotage
• 43:35 – Tamara from Florida shares details of "halo" laws protecting police

Tone & Closing

The tone is direct, urgent, and highly critical of Democratic city and state leaders, media, and "sanctuary" policies. Clay and Buck seek to connect local events to broader national trends and to reinforce their perspective that law enforcement support, immigration control, and media accountability are existential issues for the country.

For further context or detailed analysis, listeners can download the full episode or find more at the Clay and Buck podcast feed.