Bulwark Takes

Trump Gives Rambling, Combative Speech at National Prayer Breakfast
Donald Trump's appearance at the National Prayer Breakfast revealed a deeply transactional relationship with his evangelical base, where political identity now supersedes faith, alongside his self-serving legal strategies and disregard for institutional norms.

Trump’s Blueprint for Breaking Elections (w/ Ian Bassin) | Mona Charen Show
Ian Bassin, founder of Protect Democracy, details how Trump's predictable playbook to subvert elections and undermine democratic institutions can be countered through strategic litigation, state-level reforms, and robust citizen engagement.

Federal Judge Threatens ICE With Contempt (w/ Elliot Williams) | Illegal News
A former DOJ attorney and CNN legal analyst breaks down how ICE and DHS are aggressively challenging established legal norms, from defying federal court orders to asserting unprecedented powers for home entry, sparking judicial outrage and a shift in public opinion.

Judge Says ICE Can’t Retaliate Against Protesters (w/ Asha Rangappa) | Illegal News
A federal court in Minnesota issued a preliminary injunction preventing ICE from using aggressive tactics against peaceful protesters, while the DOJ faces accusations of weaponization and undermining its own credibility.

Jack Smith Says He Had Trump Dead to Rights (w/ Asha Rangappa) | Illegal News
Legal experts dissect the Trump administration's controversial military actions in Venezuela, Jack Smith's definitive testimony on Trump's criminal intent, and the weaponization of the DOJ against perceived political enemies.

Trump Gave the White House a Tramp Stamp (w/ Susan Glasser & Jacob Soboroff) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode exposes how Donald Trump's unchecked power, enabled by a broad network of individuals and institutions, threatens democratic norms both domestically and internationally, exemplified by his pursuit of Greenland and the militarization of federal agencies.

Trump’s Open Oil Grab | Shield of the Republic
Hosts Eric Edelman and Elliot Cohen dissect the US military operation in Venezuela, framing it as a dangerous 'oil grab' by the Trump administration with severe, unpredictable international consequences and a blatant disregard for international law and congressional oversight.

Lawlessness Is Becoming Policy Under Trump (w/ Andrew Weissmann) | The Illegal News
Andrew Weissmann and Sarah Longwell dissect how the Trump administration's alleged disregard for legal standards, from ICE agent training to court order defiance, is normalizing lawlessness and eroding accountability.

January 6 Was a Dress Rehearsal For Trump, Not a Finale (w/ Tom Joscelyn)
Five years after January 6th, the guest, Tom Joscelyn, argues that the event was a dress rehearsal for a 'post-constitutional' movement, marked by a lack of accountability for Trump and a systematic effort to undermine democratic institutions.

Sen. Mark Warner: Trump Is Talking About Invading U.S. Allies
Senator Mark Warner critically assesses the US operation in Venezuela, highlighting its dangerous precedents for international law and US alliances, and expresses alarm over the administration's 'imperialist whim' extending to potential actions against allies like Greenland.

Andrew Weissmann: The Epstein Releases Are a DISASTER | The Illegal News
Andrew Weissmann details the Department of Justice's mishandling of the Epstein file releases, highlighting a lack of transparency and potential political motivations, alongside an analysis of the Supreme Court's stance on presidential power and the legality of foreign military actions.
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