The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Daily Review with Clay and Buck - Aug 19 2025
What Happens Next?
A deep dive into the aftermath of a major White House meeting and President Trump’s efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia. Clay and Buck analyze Trump’s comments about arranging a face-to-face meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, his assurance that there will be no U.S. boots on the ground, and the debate over what a security guarantee for Ukraine might entail. They explore whether this could include air support from Poland or other NATO allies, and discuss Trump’s possible motivation to secure a Nobel Peace Prize, raising concerns about whether a rushed ceasefire could lead to future conflicts.
The conversation then shifts to domestic issues, focusing on rising crime in Washington, D.C. and whether deploying more law enforcement and federal agents could dramatically reduce violent crime rates. Clay and Buck highlight the political stakes for Democrats if a surge in policing proves effective, noting that D.C.’s current murder rate mirrors New York City’s peak crime era in 1990. They argue that addressing crime is less about complexity and more about political will, warning that a successful crackdown could expose years of failed policies in Democrat-controlled cities.
Thanks, BLM
Clay and Buck zero in on President Trump’s aggressive plan to restore law and order in Washington, D.C., following his declaration that the city’s crime levels are unacceptable for the nation’s capital. The hosts detail Trump’s sweeping measures, including the removal of homeless encampments, deployment of National Guard troops, and a surge in federal and local law enforcement presence. Within just one week, the D.C. Police Union reports dramatic results: robberies down 46%, carjackings down 83%, car theft down 21%, and violent crime down 22%. Clay and Buck argue that these numbers prove what they’ve long maintained—crime is a matter of political will, not complexity.
The discussion expands to the political fallout of Trump’s crackdown, highlighting a surprising New York Times editorial admitting failures of the “defund the police” movement and acknowledging that progressive policies contributed to lawlessness in cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland. The hosts contrast this with Trump’s results-driven approach, warning Democrats that if his strategy works in D.C., it could reshape the national conversation on crime. They also cite Maureen Dowd’s column cautioning Democrats that Trump is “100% right” on this issue, signaling a major shift in media tone.
Politics of Urban Despair
Listeners hear White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announce that 465 arrests have been made since August 7, including violent offenders and an MS-13 gang member, as well as the removal of four more homeless encampments. Clay and Buck stress the broader implications: if Trump can cut D.C.’s crime rate in half, why can’t similar strategies be applied to other high-crime cities like Memphis, Chicago, and Philadelphia? They argue that focusing enforcement on the most dangerous neighborhoods, as New York City did in the 1990s, could dramatically improve public safety nationwide.
Clay and Buck tackle quality-of-life issues, from locked-up toothpaste in drugstores to the economic toll of urban crime. The hosts blast the failures of lenient bail policies and call for tougher sentencing for repeat offenders, reviving the debate over three-strikes laws. They emphasize that a small percentage of habitual criminals drive most violent crime, and removing them from the streets is key to restoring safety.
MO Sen. Eric Schmitt
Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri, author of The Last Line of Defense: How to Beat the Left in Court, joined the show to share insights on fighting crime and restoring law and order. Schmitt details his successful Safer Streets Initiative, the failures of progressive prosecutors, and why the Trump administration’s renewed focus on U.S. Attorneys is critical for tackling violent crime in cities like St. Louis and Washington, D.C.
The conversation dives into Trump Derangement Syndrome, exposing why Democrats reflexively oppose popular policies such as protecting women’s sports, reducing violent crime, and securing the border. Schmitt also unpacks the weaponization of the DOJ, the unprecedented legal attacks on President Trump, and the censorship-industrial complex that targeted free speech during the pandemic. He calls for Section 230 reform, accountability for social media giants, and legal consequences for bureaucrats who suppress First Amendment rights.
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