Republicans Own What Happens Next (w/ Michael Steele) | The Bulwark Podcast
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The arrest of Don Lemon for journalism is a direct attack on the First Amendment and press freedom, revealing government tyranny.
- ❖The federal government is actively concealing details and identities related to the killing of Alex Prey in Minneapolis, undermining state jurisdiction and accountability.
- ❖Lindsey Graham attempted to hold government funding hostage to secure cash payouts for senators whose phone records were investigated post-January 6th.
- ❖Donald Trump is suing the government for $10 billion over leaked tax records, highlighting a pattern of personal enrichment and grifting from the system.
- ❖The appointment of Kevin Walsh as Fed chair raises significant conflict of interest concerns due to his father-in-law's close ties and financial dealings with Trump.
- ❖Republicans are held accountable for funding and enabling policies that lead to government overreach, such as the deployment of the National Guard at a cost of $500 million with no achieved goals.
- ❖The administration's political motivations are causing real-world harm, including FEMA's delayed response to natural disasters in states with opposing politics.
Insights
1First Amendment Under Attack: The Don Lemon Arrest
The hosts frame the arrest of independent journalist Don Lemon for covering an anti-ICE protest inside a church as a blatant act of government tyranny and an assault on free speech. They argue that despite potential disagreements with the protest's location, a journalist documenting events should not face arrest, especially when multiple judges and career DOJ prosecutors refused to pursue the case. Pam Bondi's direct involvement, stating the indictment was 'at my direction,' is cited as evidence of political motivation.
Don Lemon was arrested for covering anti-ICE protesters disrupting a church service. Multiple judges dismissed the case, and DOJ prosecutors refused involvement. Pam Bondi publicly claimed the indictment was 'at my direction.'
2Federal Cover-Up and 10th Amendment Disregard in Alex Prey Killing
The hosts express outrage over the federal government's refusal to identify the agents who killed Alex Prey in Minneapolis, or to release crucial evidence like his phone. They highlight that this occurred on a public street, making it a matter of state and city jurisdiction, yet federal authorities are withholding information from local officials like Governor Tim Walls and Mayor Jacob Fry. This is presented as a clear violation of the 10th Amendment and an example of federal overreach and lack of accountability.
Federal agents killed Alex Prey. The government has not released the names of the individuals involved or Prey's phone, despite local officials demanding answers. This occurred on a public street, not federal property.
3Corruption and Self-Interest: Graham's Payout Demand and Trump's $10 Billion Lawsuit
Lindsey Graham is criticized for threatening a government shutdown unless a provision allowing senators to receive cash payouts for phone records seized by Jack Smith (related to January 6th) was reinstated. This is juxtaposed with Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for leaked tax records. The hosts argue these actions demonstrate a profound level of self-serving corruption, where public officials prioritize personal financial gain over governance and fiscal responsibility.
Lindsey Graham demanded a provision for senatorial cash payouts for seized phone records. Donald Trump is suing the IRS for $10 billion over leaked tax records.
4Compromised Federal Reserve: Kevin Walsh's Appointment
The appointment of Kevin Walsh as Fed chair is viewed as a direct threat to the Fed's independence. The hosts point out that Walsh's father-in-law, Ron Lauder, is a close friend of Trump, involved in the 'Greenland scam' and a lithium deal in Ukraine, and mentioned in the Epstein emails. They assert that Walsh is expected to lower interest rates as per Trump's personal agenda, regardless of economic realities, thereby compromising the institution for political and personal gain.
Kevin Walsh, new Fed chair, is son-in-law to Ron Lauder, a Trump confidante involved in the Greenland proposal, a Ukraine lithium deal, and the Epstein emails. Trump allegedly appointed Walsh with the expectation of lowered interest rates.
Lessons
- Recognize that attacks on press freedom, like the Don Lemon arrest, are direct threats to fundamental constitutional rights and signal broader government overreach.
- Demand transparency and accountability from federal agencies regarding incidents like the Alex Prey killing, especially when local jurisdictions are sidelined.
- Hold elected officials accountable for prioritizing personal financial gain or political loyalty over their public duties, as exemplified by Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump's actions.
- Understand that the independence of critical institutions like the Federal Reserve can be compromised by politically motivated appointments and conflicts of interest.
- Vote strategically in upcoming elections, considering how candidates and parties have responded to instances of government overreach, corruption, and challenges to democratic norms.
Quotes
"Arresting Don Lemon for what? Uh, you know, it it's look, the Fed chair and all of that stuff. A lot of this has been in play for a while. uh the the extra stuff. Um you know, suing the government for $10 billion, going after uh a celebrity host, all of that [ __ ] is is the distraction."
"And the attorney general is demanding that an independent journalist get arrested over the objections of prosecutors and judges."
"Instilling fear in the American press corps is what this is to getting folks like you and me to suddenly but more importantly um you know the corporate entities that we work for to go soft to oh well I don't know if we should we got to be careful we don't need Trump mad at us."
"They arrested Rebeesa Ostk for signing an op-ed. I've arrested Dun Lemon for committing an act of journalism. Like this is as clear as day. Like this is this is government tyranny going after people for either their opinions or for the type of journalism they're doing."
"All the things that they said was happening then that never happened is happening now under a Republican president and you're silent."
"The endgame is the Insurrection Act. That's the endgame because the moment he can see a situation in which he feels justified in invoking it, it starts a domino effect of other things that will lead to martial law and the suspension of the 2026 elections."
"Donald Trump wants a couple of things. One, he wants to ram down our throats to the point where he forces us to believe the [ __ ] in his head that he lost, that he actually won the 2020 election."
"So you won't be a you know, you won't be able to get your services till I get my cash. So South Carolina, take note cuz that this is your senator."
"Donald Trump has distracted the government in such a way that it is doing everything but what it's supposed to do. And so FEMA isn't FEMAing, right?"
Q&A
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