In this episode, newly confirmed U.S. Drug Czar Sara Carter joins Lisa to discuss America’s escalating fight against fentanyl, cartel violence, and the global drug trade. Carter shares behind-the-scenes insight into her confirmation process and her current role leading the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Trump. She details a coordinated “whole-of-government” strategy aimed at cutting off drug supply chains, dismantling cartel networks, and saving American lives. The conversation dives deep into the takedown of cartel leader El Mencho, revealing how U.S. and Mexican forces collaborated on one of the most significant operations against organized crime in recent years—and what it signals moving forward. Carter also breaks down: How fentanyl is entering the U.S. through borders, ports, and mail systems The role of China in supplying precursor chemicals Why cartel networks are becoming more sophisticated and dangerous The connection between drug trafficking, national security, and terrorism The reported drop in fentanyl flow and overdose deaths How the administration is targeting both supply AND demand She also delivers a passionate message about unity, urging Americans to come together across political lines to combat addiction and protect future generations.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Save America Act Reaches the Senate Floor: Inside the High‑Stakes Fight for Election Integrity The latest episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, hosted by Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing national debate over election integrity. After months of procedural battles, the Save America Act has officially reached the floor of the United States Senate—a development that Senator Cruz describes as both long overdue and absolutely essential to the preservation of American democracy. This episode offers an in‑depth breakdown of what the Save America Act does, why Democrats are uniformly opposing it, and what comes next as Republicans attempt to navigate Senate rules, internal divisions, and the ever‑present threat of a failed vote. At its core, the discussion centers on a fundamental question: Does voting matter enough to protect it? What the Save America Act Does—and Why It Matters As Senator Cruz explains, the Save America Act is simple, narrow, and commonsense legislation. It contains two core requirements for federal elections: Proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote Photo identification in order to cast a ballot That is the entirety of the bill. There are no complex carve‑outs, no sweeping federal overhauls, and no hidden provisions. According to Senator Cruz, the legislation is designed to ensure that only American citizens vote in American elections, thereby safeguarding both the mechanical integrity of elections and public confidence in their outcomes. The Senator emphasizes that legitimacy in a democracy rests on two pillars: a system that produces accurate results and a public that trusts those results. If either pillar collapses, the entire democratic structure is weakened. The Save America Act, he argues, reinforces both. The Senate Vote That Brought the Bill Forward The episode opens with the announcement that the Save America Act has cleared a crucial procedural hurdle. The Senate voted 51–47 to bring the bill to the floor for debate. Every Republican senator supported moving the bill forward except for one, with one additional Republican not voting. No Democrats supported the motion. This vote does not mean passage is guaranteed. Under Senate rules, final passage will require 60 votes, unless Republicans can force a so‑called talking filibuster—a strategy Senator Cruz strongly advocates and explains in detail later in the episode. A Constitutional and Historical Defense of the Right to Vote A major portion of the episode features Senator Cruz’s extended remarks delivered directly on the Senate floor. In these remarks, he situates the Save America Act within the broader arc of American history. He reminds listeners that the right to vote was secured through enormous sacrifice—from the American Revolution to the Civil War to constitutional amendments expanding suffrage. At every stage, the goal was the same: to ensure that voting was reserved for American citizens and exercised with integrity. Senator Cruz walks through the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty‑Sixth Amendments, emphasizing that expansion of the franchise has always gone hand‑in‑hand with safeguards designed to protect its legitimacy. Debunking the “Voter ID Is Jim Crow” Argument One of the most forceful segments of the episode addresses Democratic claims that voter ID requirements are discriminatory. Senator Cruz calls these claims historically inaccurate, legally unsound, and deeply insulting. He points to a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding voter ID laws, noting that the majority opinion was written by Justice John Paul Stevens, one of the Court’s most prominent liberals. The Court rejected the argument that voter ID suppresses minority turnout and found instead that minority participation often increases when voter ID laws are implemented. Senator Cruz also cites overwhelming public support for voter ID: 81% of Americans support photo ID requirements Approximately 75% of African Americans support voter ID More than 80% of Hispanics support voter ID 70% of rank‑and‑file Democrats support voter ID The only group that overwhelmingly opposes it, he notes, is elected Democrats in Congress. The Common‑Sense Case for Identification Throughout the episode, Senator Cruz underscores what he sees as a glaring inconsistency in Democratic arguments. Americans are required to show photo ID to perform countless everyday activities, including: Buying alcohol or tobacco Boarding an airplane Driving or renting a car Opening a bank account Applying for government benefits Checking into a hotel Yet, Democrats argue that requiring ID to vote is somehow unreasonable. Senator Cruz calls this position illogical and indefensible, particularly given the importance of voting compared to routine daily transactions. Illegal Immigration and Election Integrity Another central theme of the episode is the connection between election integrity and illegal immigration. Senator Cruz argues that the Biden administration’s border policies have allowed more than twelve million illegal immigrants into the United States over four years—an outcome he insists was intentional, not accidental. He contrasts this with the dramatic reduction in illegal crossings following President Trump’s return to office, asserting that executive action alone was sufficient to secure the border when there was political will to do so. According to Senator Cruz, Democratic opposition to citizenship verification and voter ID is directly tied to their desire to expand the electorate with non‑citizens. While Democrats frame their position as “defending democracy,” he argues that undermining election safeguards does the opposite. Why Democrats Are United Against the Bill The episode revisits a moment from the State of the Union address, where President Trump asked members of Congress to stand if they believed American citizens should be prioritized over illegal aliens. Senator Cruz notes that not a single Democrat stood. He argues this moment crystallizes why Democrats oppose the Save America Act: they are unwilling to draw a clear line between citizens and non‑citizens when it comes to political power. The Filibuster Strategy—and Why It May Fail A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Senate procedure and the possibility of forcing Democrats into a talking filibuster, requiring them to physically remain on the Senate floor and publicly defend their opposition. Senator Cruz recounts his own 21‑hour filibuster in 2013, explaining the physical and procedural demands of such an effort. He argues that forcing extended debate would expose the weakness of Democratic arguments and rally public support. However, he delivers a sobering reality: Republicans currently do not have the 50 senators required to sustain this strategy. Without full unity, Democrats can block the bill through standard Senate procedures. What Happens Next If nothing changes, Senator Cruz predicts that the Senate will hold a final vote later in the week. The Save America Act is expected to receive between 50 and 52 votes, falling short of the 60 required for passage. Despite this, Senator Cruz argues that fighting—and being seen fighting—is essential. Not fighting guarantees defeat, he says, while standing firm at least gives voters a reason to engage and show up. Final Takeaway: Why This Fight Matters The Save America Act is not about partisanship, but about whether the United States is willing to protect the integrity of its elections. According to Senator Cruz, if the Senate were voting purely on the merits—on what is good for democracy and good for American citizens—the bill would pass unanimously. That it does not, he argues, reveals far more about the priorities of Washington than about the will of the American people. 👉 Listen and Subscribe to Verdict with Ted Cruz If you haven’t already, hit Subscribe, leave a five‑star review, and share this episode with a friend. You can find Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Fair Question to Ask About Iran President Donald Trump’s real‑time Oval Office remarks on the escalating U.S.–Iran conflict. Clay and Buck unpack Trump’s latest statements—including his clarification that he will not put U.S. “boots on the ground” in Iran—while noting his signature style of answering a question immediately after insisting he won’t. They highlight Trump’s comments about the Dow reaching 50,000 and his emphasis on keeping oil prices stable while managing U.S. strategy in the region. A central focus of Hour 1 is Trump’s response to Israel’s recent strike on part of Iran’s South Pars gas field. Trump said he was unaware the attack was coming but firmly warned Iran that any retaliation against Qatar’s LNG facilities would trigger overwhelming U.S. military action. Clay and Buck break down the significance of South Pars as one of the world’s most important natural gas sites and discuss how attacks on such infrastructure could destabilize global energy markets. They also track the rapid fluctuations in U.S. crude oil prices—swinging between $97 and $120 per barrel—as live updates emerge from the Oval Office. The conversation turns to the broader goals and consequences of the U.S.‑led campaign against Iran. Buck questions what the long‑term strategic objective really is, noting the massive cost of the operation and the complexity of Iran’s internal political structure, including militias like the Basij. Clay points out that predictions of an Iranian uprising have not materialized at the scale initially anticipated, even after the assassination of Iran’s leadership. Yet the White House maintains optimism: Trump and economic adviser Scott Bessent both claim that widespread military and government defections are underway, with Bessent asserting that the Iranian regime may collapse from within. Historical Perspective The hosts also examine U.S.–Israel strategic differences, comparing them to the historic disagreements between America and Britain during World War II. Clay and Buck discuss Israel’s more aggressive posture toward Iran, the threat Iran poses directly to Israel, and Trump's effort to prevent Israeli strikes that could destabilize global LNG supply. They consider whether Israel’s actions were coordinated with the U.S. or executed independently, and what that means for the joint campaign moving forward. From there, Hour 1 explores the scale of destruction inflicted on Iran’s military: its navy, air force, and anti‑aircraft capabilities have been “obliterated,” according to Trump. Clay and Buck analyze whether such overwhelming airpower—enabled by modern drone technology and real‑time intelligence—may represent a historic shift in U.S. military capability. They note how Russia is now supplying advanced drones and intelligence to Iran, making the speed of the U.S. offensive strategically crucial. Iran's Public Executions Iran just hung a 19-year-old wrestler for protesting the regime. Good and evil still exist in the world.  Compare how the American and Australian media covered the 30,000 deaths in Iran during the protest uprising to how the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.   Protecting the Homeland The TSA agents going one month without pay is ridiculous, not to mention making things far more dangerous. The government needs to get their act together and stop using citizens as pawns.  FBI Director Kash Patel says the threat to the homeland is higher because of the DHS shutdown.  You are waiting in long lines at the airport because of lunatic ICE protesters.  Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8   For the latest updates from Clay & Buck, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuckFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1 of The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show opens with the energy of March Madness tip‑off, but quickly pivots into the major breaking news surrounding President Donald Trump’s real‑time Oval Office remarks on the escalating U.S.–Iran conflict. Clay and Buck unpack Trump’s latest statements—including his clarification that he will not put U.S. “boots on the ground” in Iran—while noting his signature style of answering a question immediately after insisting he won’t. They highlight Trump’s comments about the Dow reaching 50,000 and his emphasis on keeping oil prices stable while managing U.S. strategy in the region. A central focus of Hour 1 is Trump’s response to Israel’s recent strike on part of Iran’s South Pars gas field. Trump said he was unaware the attack was coming but firmly warned Iran that any retaliation against Qatar’s LNG facilities would trigger overwhelming U.S. military action. Clay and Buck break down the significance of South Pars as one of the world’s most important natural gas sites and discuss how attacks on such infrastructure could destabilize global energy markets. They also track the rapid fluctuations in U.S. crude oil prices—swinging between $97 and $120 per barrel—as live updates emerge from the Oval Office. The conversation turns to the broader goals and consequences of the U.S.‑led campaign against Iran. Buck questions what the long‑term strategic objective really is, noting the massive cost of the operation and the complexity of Iran’s internal political structure, including militias like the Basij. Clay points out that predictions of an Iranian uprising have not materialized at the scale initially anticipated, even after the assassination of Iran’s leadership. Yet the White House maintains optimism: Trump and economic adviser Scott Bessent both claim that widespread military and government defections are underway, with Bessent asserting that the Iranian regime may collapse from within. The hosts also examine U.S.–Israel strategic differences, comparing them to the historic disagreements between America and Britain during World War II. Clay and Buck discuss Israel’s more aggressive posture toward Iran, the threat Iran poses directly to Israel, and Trump's effort to prevent Israeli strikes that could destabilize global LNG supply. They consider whether Israel’s actions were coordinated with the U.S. or executed independently, and what that means for the joint campaign moving forward. From there, Hour 1 explores the scale of destruction inflicted on Iran’s military: its navy, air force, and anti‑aircraft capabilities have been “obliterated,” according to Trump. Clay and Buck analyze whether such overwhelming airpower—enabled by modern drone technology and real‑time intelligence—may represent a historic shift in U.S. military capability. They note how Russia is now supplying advanced drones and intelligence to Iran, making the speed of the U.S. offensive strategically crucial. The hour ends with a broader conversation about the future of warfare, the dangers of increasingly precise and accessible drone technology, and how dramatically the battlefield has changed since the early 2000s. Clay and Buck emphasize how today’s targeted drone strikes—capable of eliminating one person in a vehicle without harming passengers—show just how advanced and potentially destabilizing military tech has become. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8   For the latest updates from Clay & Buck, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuckFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show delivers a wide‑ranging mix of sharp political analysis, viral cultural moments, national‑security commentary, and lively back‑and‑forth between the hosts. The hour opens with a humorous review of several movies—from Tom Selleck’s Runaway to the widely criticized War Machine—as Clay and Buck joke about Hollywood, Rotten Tomatoes scores, and the absurdity of modern action plots. They shift into a brief conversation about mustaches, grooming, and audience reactions before pivoting into the major political headline of the hour: President Donald Trump’s viral Pearl Harbor remark made during Oval Office comments with Japan’s prime minister. Trump’s quip, which instantly spread online, sets up a broader discussion on global alliances, Iran, and how the modern media would cover major historical events like World War II. From there, the hosts address the Iran crisis, human‑rights abuses by the Iranian regime, and international media coverage highlighting Iran’s executions and brutal crackdowns on protesters. They contrast foreign reporting with what they describe as moral confusion within the American press. Clay and Buck highlight the execution of a 19‑year‑old Iranian wrestler and the estimated 30,000 protestors killed by the regime, underscoring the hour’s theme of good versus evil and the role of U.S. leadership. Hour 2 then shifts sharply to domestic policy with an in‑depth breakdown of the DHS funding standoff, the TSA staffing crisis, and testimony from FBI Director Kash Patel on Capitol Hill. The hosts emphasize the alarming security implications of TSA officers and Homeland Security personnel going a month without pay, arguing that Democrat‑led budget obstruction is creating dangerous airport delays nationwide. They describe massive TSA lines, officer attrition, and national‑security vulnerabilities, warning that political brinksmanship risks a catastrophic security failure. The conversation expands into the broader immigration fight, ICE operations, and what the hosts frame as intentional Democratic obstruction of immigration enforcement. The hour also includes commentary on Chuck Schumer’s SAVE Act remarks, debates over voter‑roll oversight, and escalating political rhetoric around election laws. Clay and Buck connect these developments to what they call a broader pattern of Democratic “misery politics,” arguing that their strategy during a Republican administration is to create public frustration for political gain. As Hour 2 wraps, the hosts read listener messages—including a suggestion that members of Congress should lose their pay during shutdowns—and close with a preview of Hour 3, teasing developing stories about Iran and new controversy surrounding NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife.  Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8   For the latest updates from Clay & Buck, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuckFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 of The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show delivers a fast‑moving blend of politics, culture clashes, viral news, and March Madness excitement. The hour kicks off with Clay and Buck reacting to Jake Tapper’s attempted “fact‑check” of President Donald Trump’s viral Pearl Harbor joke—an exchange the hosts mock as emblematic of the media’s humorlessness and bias. They then pivot to one of the most controversial stories of the day: the explosive resurfacing of social‑media posts from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife, whose years‑long record of anti‑Semitic, anti‑Black, and homophobic language sparks a deeper conversation about media hypocrisy, left‑wing activism, and the selective enforcement of outrage. Clay and Buck debate whether public figures’ spouses should be held accountable, with Buck arguing that the modern progressive movement allows its own radicals to escape scrutiny while weaponizing old posts against conservatives. From there, the discussion expands into a broader critique of city leadership, Democratic politics, and declining urban governance—including mismanagement during the de Blasio era and New York’s inability to keep high‑income residents from fleeing to states like Florida. Buck and Clay contrast their own moves out of the Northeast with the ongoing exodus of taxpayers and businesses from Democratic strongholds, noting how little the political class seems to learn from the consequences of its policies. The show then shifts tone as March Madness takes over the studio. Clay provides real‑time scoring updates, celebrates TCU’s dramatic advancement, and highlights historic milestones like Nebraska’s first‑ever NCAA tournament win. The hosts banter about bracket picks, college‑basketball geography, and their massive audiences across states with teams in play, using the tournament as a fun counterbalance to the heavy political topics. Listeners also weigh in through talkbacks and emails—especially on the ongoing DHS and TSA funding standoff. Clay and Buck share a message from a TSA family describing agents unable to afford childcare or gas due to missed paychecks, underscoring the real human impact of the partisan budget fight. The hosts reiterate their belief that Democrats are intentionally inflicting public pain by withholding DHS funding, forcing essential workers like TSA agents and Coast Guard members to work without pay and creating dangerous travel disruptions at airports nationwide. The hour continues with a detailed conversation about airport security generally, including the necessity of TSA screening, vulnerabilities to airline terror attacks, and past incidents like the shoe bomber and underwear bomber. Clay also tells a story about being unable to enter a White House meeting because he still doesn’t have a Real ID—launching a humorous but pointed critique of Real ID requirements, government inefficiency, and the absurd workaround allowing travelers to bypass Real ID for a $45 fee. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8   For the latest updates from Clay & Buck, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuckFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Nicole Saphier breaks down the growing confusion surrounding vaccines, public health messaging, and the recent legal battle over the CDC’s childhood vaccine schedule. A federal judge has blocked Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s attempt to overhaul the vaccine schedule—not over safety concerns, but due to procedural issues. While the policy reverts to previous CDC recommendations, the headlines have left many Americans questioning what’s changed—and whether vaccines are still safe. Dr. Saphier explains why mixed messaging is fueling vaccine hesitancy, how declining vaccination rates—dating back to before COVID-19—are contributing to a resurgence of measles cases across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and why similar trends are emerging globally, including rising meningitis cases in the UK. She also tackles the tension between medical freedom and evidence-based public health, emphasizing that both can coexist—but only with clear, consistent, and transparent communication from health leaders. In this episode: What the court ruling on RFK Jr.’s vaccine changes actually means Why measles and other preventable diseases are making a comeback How confusing health messaging erodes public trust The role of the CDC, FDA, and public health institutions Why vaccine transparency and patient choice matter more than ever The bottom line: Vaccines remain one of the most effective tools to prevent serious illness—but without public trust, even the best tools can fail.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down a rapidly escalating global and political landscape—from rising tensions with Iran to major shakeups inside the Trump administration. The U.S.-Iran conflict intensifies as Israel eliminates key Iranian figures and Tehran responds with missile and drone strikes across the Gulf. With oil prices climbing and the Strait of Hormuz still under pressure, the hosts debate whether this moment could reshape the Middle East—or spiral into something far more unpredictable. They also dive into the stunning resignation of Joe Kent, once a prominent anti-intervention voice, now at the center of controversy for his reversal on Iran and criticism of the Trump administration. What changed—and what does it reveal about fractures on the right? Plus, a heated debate over the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) raises big questions about voter ID, election integrity, and whether Republicans should force a Senate vote—even if it fails.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Philip Reichert, founder of the new online magazine Junto, to discuss the growing problem of media silos, algorithm-driven echo chambers, and the decline of meaningful debate—especially within conservative circles. Reichert shares his vision for Junto as a platform that fosters good-faith disagreement, intellectual diversity, and productive intra-conservative debate—a sharp contrast to today’s polarized and performative online discourse. They dive into: Why social media algorithms are fueling division and limiting real debate The rise of independent media, Substack, and podcasting as the future of journalism Whether conservatives are losing the ability to challenge their own ideas How Junto plans to feature both sides of key issues in one place The tension between building your own audience vs. legacy media validation The conversation also explores personal themes, including: Balancing career ambition with family priorities The challenges of working in media while raising a young family Why putting family first can come at a professional cost—but is worth it Plus, Reichert offers a powerful perspective on gratitude, American exceptionalism, and service, drawing from his time in the Army and experiences witnessing global conflict.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fiery Mullin Hearing Clay and Buck open the hour by examining escalating national security discussions—including Tulsi Gabbard’s congressional testimony on global threats, continued fallout from Joe Kent’s resignation as NCTC director, and new updates from the evolving conflict in Iran. Both hosts underscore the growing urgency surrounding the SAVE Act, a major election‑security bill they argue is on the brink of defeat in the Senate despite strong grassroots pressure. They warn listeners that Republican leadership appears unwilling to push it across the finish line and emphasize what the bill’s failure would mean for 2026 and beyond. The central drama of Hour 1 unfolds around the contentious confirmation hearing of OK Senator Markwayne Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security. The transcript captures an unusually heated feud between Mullin and KY Senator Rand Paul, who confronts Mullin over past comments about Paul’s violent assault by a neighbor—a near-fatal incident still deeply personal for the Kentucky senator. Rand Paul accuses Mullin of treating the attack like a joke, while Mullin fires back, calling Paul divisive and insisting he never promotes political violence. Clay and Buck dissect the exchange, stressing that this animosity is real—not political theater—and signaling that Paul is almost certainly a “no” vote on Mullin’s confirmation. They also explore why intraparty combat has become increasingly common, blaming social media, performative outrage, and internal GOP drift. The Fight Ahead A rapid-fire look ahead at major political concerns: the Senate’s narrowing legislative window before campaign season freezes action; warnings that Democrats would immediately pursue another impeachment if they retake the House; the need to hold the Senate as a firewall; and upcoming topics including new Iran updates, crime statistics showing D.C.’s murder rate hitting a 125‑year low, Joy Behar comparing Trump to Hitler, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul begging wealthy residents to return as New York’s budget collapses. KY Sen. Rand Paul Senator Rand Paul joins the show live, offering a fiery, unfiltered explanation of why he will vote against Mullin’s nomination to lead DHS. Paul argues that Mullin’s past comments praising violence, his history of physical confrontations, and his refusal to apologize for celebrating Paul’s assault make him unfit to oversee ICE and Border Patrol. Paul also criticizes Mullin’s “macho” persona and says DHS needs steady, lawful leadership—not someone who cites dueling and caning as historical justifications for political conflict. He further warns that the Iran War is a “war of choice,” predicts it will severely damage Republicans politically due to rising oil prices, and stresses that Congress—not the White House—must maintain constitutional authority over war powers. The senator then addresses the growing grassroots fury over the likely failure of the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voting. Paul confirms the bill does not have the votes to pass, blames divisions among Republicans in mail‑in‑ballot states, and notes that while he supports the legislation, GOP resistance from states like Utah, Arizona, and Alaska prevents a unified front. FL Stole the Cash Cows Clay and Buck discuss domestic policy with a blistering examination of New York’s budget crisis, Kathy Hochul’s plea for rich New Yorkers to return, and the staggering revelation that New York City now spends $81,000 per homeless person per year. Clay and Buck break down how taxpayers are bankrolling bloated nonprofit bureaucracies, fraudulent social‑service programs, and a “homeless‑industrial complex” that consumes billions without improving conditions. They highlight parallel scandals in Minnesota and California, including fake autism‑therapy centers and fraudulent daycares, and argue that Democrats have no interest in reform because these systems function as patronage networks that recycle taxpayer money back into Democratic political power. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8   For the latest updates from Clay & Buck, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuckFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.