Bulwark Takes

Rand Paul Could Wreck Trump’s DHS Plan (w/ Neera Tanden) | The Bulwark Podcast

Neera Tanden and Tim Miller dissect the Trump administration's chaotic DHS appointment, the self-inflicted economic downturn, and the escalating, unplanned war in Iran, highlighting a systemic lack of accountability and strategic foresight.

BREAKING: Jobs Report Shows MAJOR Miss; Warning Signs for Economy

A new jobs report reveals significant losses and a slowing economy, exacerbated by the administration's Middle East war and trade policies, creating a 'handcuffed' Federal Reserve scenario with looming inflation and political fallout.

Did Stephen Miller Just Pull Off a Palace Coup? | Secret Podcast Preview

This episode unpacks the dramatic firing of Kristi Noem, a 'palace coup' theory involving Stephen Miller, and a critical analysis of the US's strategic missteps in the war with Iran, contrasting it with Iran's more sophisticated approach.

Oh God, ANOTHER Racist GOP Group Chat Leaked

Explore the bizarre internal feuds and leaked racist group chats plaguing the right-wing media landscape, from Tucker Carlson's nicotine empire to Candace Owens' outlandish conspiracy theories.

Trump Made an Insane Bet on a Risky War (w/ Derek Thompson) | The Bulwark Podcast

Derek Thompson and Tim Miller dissect the Trump administration's foreign policy and domestic governance, revealing a pattern of executive overreach, transactional decision-making, and the weaponization of obscure legal statutes.

BOMBSHELL: Trump Fires DHS Sec. Noem; Sen. Mullin Tapped as Replacement

Donald Trump publicly fired DHS Secretary Christy Gnome via social media while she was on stage, appointing Senator Mark Wayne Mullen as her replacement, a move driven by Gnome's self-promotional spending and perceived disloyalty.

Trump's Iran Gamble | Shield of the Republic

This episode critically analyzes the Trump administration's strategy and execution in the US-Iran conflict, highlighting the significant, often overlooked, role of Israel as a peer military partner and the potential for miscalculation on all sides.

The Party of “Freedom” Now Wants to Police Your Coffee Order

RFK Jr.'s challenge to Dunkin' Donuts over high sugar content ignites a 'culture war' debate, framed by hosts as an attack on New England identity and individual consumer freedom.

Trump Made a Mess in Iran—And Democrats are Blowing It (w/ Morris Katz) | The Bulwark Podcast

Morris Katz, a Democratic strategist, discusses the pragmatic political strategy behind Zoran's engagement with Donald Trump, critiques the Democratic party's muddled messaging on foreign policy, and analyzes the viability of left populism in diverse political landscapes.

LIVE REACTION: Hegseth Press Event, Iran War Updates (w/ Tom Nichols)

Tim Miller: “America First” Suddenly Doesn’t Know What to Say

Tim Miller argues that the Trump administration's actions in Iran expose a deep incoherence in its foreign policy and are causing a significant fracture within the 'America First' MAGA base.

Sen. Kaine Forces Vote on Iran War Powers Resolution

Senator Tim Kaine details his persistent, decade-long fight to compel Congress to vote on acts of war, specifically highlighting his current War Powers Resolution concerning Iran and the historical reluctance of legislators to take a definitive stance on military engagements.

Texas Votes: Crockett vs. Talarico! How MAGA Will Texas Go?

Texas primary results reveal a pragmatic Democratic electorate favoring electability and a fractured Republican base, setting the stage for a potentially competitive Senate race and highlighting the perils of 'accommodating' MAGA.

Thom Tillis Just WENT OFF on Kristi Noem!

Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Kennedy unexpectedly grilled Kristi Noem during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, sparking a heated debate among hosts about political accountability and the nature of Trump-era governance.

Mark Hertling and Ruben Gallego: A Rush to War | The Bulwark Podcast

Retired General Mark Hertling and Senator Ruben Gallego critically analyze the US and Israeli military actions against Iran, exposing a lack of clear objectives, inadequate planning, and the high human and financial costs of a rushed intervention.

TNL Live! Iran War Nukes MAGA

The Bulwark hosts dissect the chaotic and contradictory justifications for Trump's war in Iran, highlighting its political vulnerabilities and the administration's lack of a coherent strategy.

Tulsi Gabbard Believes in Nothing

The host meticulously details how Tulsi Gabbard abandoned her anti-war principles to endorse and serve in the Trump administration, despite his actions directly contradicting her past criticisms.

Did Israel Drag Us Into the Iran War?

The US administration's rationale for its large-scale military action against Iran is critiqued as incoherent and potentially influenced by Israel's independent actions, while a major conflict between the Pentagon and leading AI firm Anthropic highlights the urgent need for congressional regulation on AI's military and surveillance applications.

Tom Nichols: There Are 500 Ways This War Goes Wrong | Mona Charen Show

Tom Nichols and Mona Charen dissect the Trump administration's war strategy in Iran, concluding it's a high-stakes gamble lacking planning, allies, and a realistic path to success.

NEW POLLS: Trump’s Iran War is Deeply Unpopular

Early polling indicates broad public disapproval for Trump's military strikes against Iran, particularly among independents and even some of his base, challenging his 'America First' platform.

Hegseth’s Press Conference Felt Like an SNL Sketch (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast

The Bulwark hosts and guest Bill Kristol dissect the US-Iran conflict, highlighting the Trump administration's incoherent war objectives, chaotic communication, and the significant domestic political risks involved.

Trump Can’t Control His Own Base on Iran War

The hosts analyze the unexpected and widespread discomfort within the MAGA movement regarding a new war in Iran, revealing internal divisions and a potential political liability for Trump.

Kleptocrat-in-Chief (w/ Alexander Cooley & Daniel Nexon) | Mona Charen Show

Trump's foreign policy is primarily driven by a kleptocratic impulse for personal enrichment, fusing with far-right ideology to dismantle traditional diplomatic structures and anti-corruption measures.

Why Hasn’t Trump Addressed the Nation?

Despite initiating military action that resulted in American casualties, the Trump administration failed to formally address the nation, relying instead on edited social media videos and maintaining an unusual silence from key officials.