The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 3 – Terror Cell Activations in the U.S.?
Date: March 12, 2026
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode centers on escalating concerns about potential terror cell activations in the U.S., with a specific focus on a series of recent violent incidents that may be connected to Islamic jihadist activity. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton analyze the latest reports from Michigan, Virginia, Texas, and New York, expressing worry over what they see as a pattern of terrorist actions. The hour also features interviews with Senator Eric Schmidt (Missouri) and Senator John Cornyn (Texas), covering legislative initiatives, the SAVE Act, Senate filibuster rules, the status of Homeland Security funding, and the implications of ongoing political primary races.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legislative Update: SAVE Act & Senate Filibuster

Guest: Senator Eric Schmidt (Missouri)
(03:33 – 14:59)

• SAVE Act status and filibuster strategy

  • The SAVE Act, which mandates proof of U.S. citizenship to vote and seeks to address concerns including mail-in ballot security, transgender surgery for minors, and men in women's sports, is expected to reach the Senate floor soon.
  • Schmidt endorses the return to a “talking filibuster” to force opponents to physically hold the floor and defend their positions, specifically pressing Democrats to "own" their opposition.
  • Notable point: Republicans must maintain a quorum throughout to prevent Democrats from stalling via technical procedures.

  “The Democrats should have to own this and earn it if they want to block the idea that you have to be a US Citizen to vote.” — Senator Eric Schmidt (04:12)

• Blocking Homeland Security funding

  • Democrats are accused of blocking short-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including TSA, Coast Guard, and ICE, over disagreements about immigration enforcement.
  • Schmidt charges that Democrats’ actions are driven by animus toward Trump and ideological opposition to immigration enforcement.

  “They don't care that American mothers and daughters are being raped and murdered by illegal immigrants... But they're defunding Homeland Security. That's what their position is.” — Senator Eric Schmidt (07:04)

• Current events and violence

  • Recent shootings and attempted attacks across Michigan, Texas, and New York are cited as evidence of deteriorating security and the need for robust DHS funding.
  • Schmidt describes the current political environment as “stupid, but not complicated” (09:16), blaming Democratic obstruction.

• College sports reform

  • Schmidt details a bipartisan bill to help reorganize college athletics, addressing chaos surrounding payment, media rights, and antitrust exemptions.

  “If we fix it...I think it changes things for the next 50 years. Will be great for fans.”— Senator Eric Schmidt (13:57)

2. Breaking News: String of Violent Attacks

Hosts Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
(20:20 – 26:44; 43:11 – 46:33)

• Old Dominion University shooting, synagogue attack in Michigan, Austin (TX) shooting, NY's attempted IED

  • The hosts connect the dots between multiple violent incidents across the U.S., suggesting an “activation” of jihadist sleeper cells.
  • Buck laments the lack of immediate transparency about the attackers’ identities—arguing, “The longer there are no details about the person who did the shooting, the more likely it is it's someone the media doesn't want to focus on as a terrorist shooter.” (20:20)

  “Indicators are pointing toward these are exactly the kind of lone wolf sleeper cell, whatever you want to call them, Islamic Jihad attacks in this country that people have been concerned about.” — Buck Sexton (20:20)

• Urgency and public vigilance

  • Both hosts advocate hyper-vigilance and increased awareness for listeners, arguing these attacks could signal a coordinated effort.

  “I think you need to be hyper vigilant—aware of danger in a way that maybe typically you’re not.”— Clay Travis (23:18)

• Breaking name release and confirmation

  • Buck cites law enforcement sources indicating the Old Dominion shooter’s name is “Muhammad Jalal,” reinforcing their terrorism concerns (23:53).

3. Live Developments: Michigan Synagogue Attack

(43:11 – 46:33)

• Attack recap & response

  • The attacker rammed a vehicle full of explosives into a Detroit-area synagogue and engaged in a shootout with armed security.
  • Only the attacker was killed; the lead security officer was injured by the vehicle but is expected to recover.
  • The building had conducted an FBI active shooter drill just months prior.
  • The attack is described as a “vehicle-borne improvised explosive device” (VBIED) scenario, apparently thwarted by the on-site response and faulty explosives.

  “This is the best possible outcome based on those early reports...bad guy killed, everybody else going to be fine. Thank God.” — Buck Sexton (44:54)

4. Interview: Senator John Cornyn (Texas)

(27:12 – 38:54)

• Primary runoff and Trump endorsement

  • Cornyn is running against Ken Paxton, with Trump’s endorsement seen as a critical factor but not yet given.

  “I told the President that I thought his endorsement would be very impactful and I would be delighted if he chooses to endorse me.” — Senator John Cornyn (27:52)

• Filibuster views and SAVE Act

  • Cornyn describes an “evolution” in his stance on the filibuster due to the heightened partisanship, expressing openness to talking filibuster for the SAVE Act.
  • He frames the issue as practical politics, noting Democrats would remove filibusters if roles were reversed.

• General election and down-ballot impact

  • Cornyn claims he is better positioned than Paxton to hold the seat and buoy party turnout.
  • Pledges to support the GOP ticket regardless of runoff outcome (33:29).

• Effectiveness and MAGA credentials

  • Defends his conservative record, highlighting 99.3% votes with Trump and specific achievements (Supreme Court confirmations, border security funding).
  • Addresses criticism and misperceptions about his record, clarifying a (positive) vote for Pete Hegseth for DoD Secretary.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Eric Schmidt on filibuster:

  “The Senate’s got kind of lazy with the way we do it now...this is about holding the floor, voting on amendments, for a period of time.” (05:27)

• Clay Travis on terror threat:

  “This is all in the last 10 or 12 days that it appears we’ve had four different would be terror attacks… stay poised, stay smart and be vigilant.” (46:08)

• Buck Sexton, summing up the incident at the synagogue:

  “People should be able to gather freely in this country to worship without that kind of fear.” (45:36)

• Senator John Cornyn on his temperament:

  “I’m conservative. I’m just not mad about it.” (34:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:33 – Start of Senator Eric Schmidt interview (SAVE Act, filibuster, DHS funding)
• 10:15 – Schmidt on Iran conflict and college sports bill
• 20:20 – Breaking news analysis—multiple violent attacks and terrorism concerns
• 23:53 – Buck reveals shooter’s name at Old Dominion University
• 27:12 – Start of Senator John Cornyn interview (runoff, Trump endorsement, filibuster changes)
• 43:11 – Clay recaps latest on Detroit synagogue attack
• 44:54 – Buck summarizes positive outcome of synagogue attack
• 46:08 – Both hosts reiterate the call for vigilance following recent terror incidents

Tone & Style

The discussion blends serious urgency regarding public safety and national security with the show’s trademark snappy, conversational back-and-forth. Both hosts emphasize vigilance and political accountability. The interviews are direct, probing both legislative substance and political strategy.

Summary

This hour is a high-alert, fast-moving breakdown of what Clay Travis and Buck Sexton call a “new wave” of domestic terror attacks, contextualized in real-time with late-breaking news from multiple American cities. Through interviews with two high-profile senators, the hosts examine legislative attempts to secure elections and address immigration enforcement while connecting these policy battles to the threat landscape illustrated by recent violence. The show closes with pointed advice to listeners—stay vigilant, informed, and engaged in the political process.