Analyzing the Political Response to Protests and Riots

Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

Here’s a sample episode recapping four Tuesday takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

There's Something Deeper Going On

Dives deep into the escalating crisis in Los Angeles, where ongoing riots tied to illegal immigration enforcement have prompted the deployment of 700 U.S. Marines. Broadcasting from Washington, D.C., Clay and Buck analyze the stark contrast between the current administration under President Donald Trump and the response during the 2020 riots, emphasizing a firmer, law-and-order approach in Trump’s second term.

The hosts explore how the Trump administration is handling the unrest with decisive federal action, contrasting it with the perceived failures of Democrat-led cities and states. They highlight the political and societal consequences of unchecked illegal immigration, including the strain on public services, the manipulation of congressional apportionment due to non-citizen counts, and the broader implications for national sovereignty and the rule of law.

A major theme is the shift in conservative discourse from border wall rhetoric to a more urgent call for mass deportations and interior enforcement. Clay and Buck argue that the Biden-era influx of over 10 million illegal immigrants has created a de facto open border, with long-term consequences for American democracy and representation.

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton

Steve Hilton, gubernatorial candidate in California, provides on-the-ground insight into the destruction in Los Angeles. Hilton describes a total breakdown of law and order, with businesses—many owned by working-class Latinos—devastated by looting and arson. He criticizes California leadership, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, for prioritizing political pandering over public safety.

The hosts also discuss the media’s portrayal of the riots, calling out CNN and others for downplaying the violence. They credit Elon Musk’s ownership of X (formerly Twitter) for enabling more transparent coverage of the events, undermining the “mostly peaceful protest” narrative.

Additional topics include the historical context of the 1986 Reagan amnesty, the unique challenges posed by illegal immigration from Mexico, and the ideological roots of the current unrest, which Hilton links to decades of leftist indoctrination in education and politics.

WI Sen. Ron Johnson

In-depth interview with Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson on the pressing issue of federal spending, the national debt crisis, and the future of economic policy under the leadership of current President Donald Trump.

This hour centers around the much-discussed “Big Beautiful Bill” currently navigating the U.S. Senate. Senator Johnson, a leading fiscal conservative, outlines the unsustainable trajectory of post-COVID government spending, emphasizing how emergency-level expenditures have become the new budgetary baseline. He contrasts historical fiscal responsibility—such as post-World War II spending reductions—with today’s entrenched budget inflation, highlighting a 58% increase in federal outlays since 2019.

Simone Says Sorry

Simone Biles issues an apology to Riley Gaines, but none of us believe she wrote it. It reads like a horribly written PR statement and doesn't make any sense or sound the least bit authentic. 

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