Bulwark Takes

Trump is Remaking National Security to Enforce His Agenda (w/ Tom Joscelyn)
Tom Joscelyn and Bill Crystal dissect how the Trump administration is systematically politicizing and weaponizing national security agencies, from the Pentagon to the FBI, to enforce a specific ideological agenda against perceived domestic opposition.

The Case Is Weak—So Why Is Birthright Citizenship a Close Call? (w/ Elliot Williams) | Illegal News
A legal analyst breaks down why clear constitutional text on birthright citizenship faces a political challenge in the Supreme Court, alongside other contentious immigration policies and a 'Kafkaesque' Pentagon press access system.

Why Big Media Keeps Caving to Trump (w/ Don Lemon)
Don Lemon details his experience being targeted by the Trump administration, critiques corporate media's failure to challenge political narratives, and warns of the dangers of eroding democratic institutions and the separation of church and state.

Andrew Weissmann: Trump Built a Kingdom of Lies | Illegal News
Former prosecutor Andrew Weissmann introduces his new book, 'Liars Kingdom,' proposing legal frameworks to hold politicians accountable for factual lies, drawing lessons from international laws and the failures of American norms.

The Video That Blew Up ICE’s Story (w/ Andrew Weissmann) | The Illegal News
This episode exposes multiple instances where government agencies, particularly under the Trump administration, allegedly abused power, lied, and undermined the rule of law, from seizing election ballots to unlawfully sharing private tax data and retaliating against critics.

Democrats Are Winning. Don’t Blow It! (w/ Rick Wilson) | The Bulwark Podcast
Political strategists Rick Wilson and Tim Miller dissect the current political landscape, exposing GOP hypocrisy, Democratic strategic missteps, and the alarming erosion of free speech and public health under MAGA influence.

Sen. Mark Kelly: Trump’s DOJ Couldn’t Get a Single Grand Jury Vote
Senator Mark Kelly details the Trump Justice Department's failed attempt to indict him and five other Democratic lawmakers for a video on unlawful orders, highlighting the constitutional crisis and chilling effect on free speech.

Trump Is Treating Elections Like Crimes (w/ Elliot Williams) | Illegal News
This episode unpacks how Donald Trump's actions, from the Don Lemon arrest to the Kennedy Center's renaming, consistently challenge legal norms and institutional independence, often by exploiting 'kernels of truth' to undermine democratic processes.

Republicans Own What Happens Next (w/ Michael Steele) | The Bulwark Podcast
Michael Steele and Tim Miller dissect the current political landscape, arguing that the Republican Party's unwavering allegiance to Donald Trump has led to a cascade of government overreach, financial corruption, and a direct assault on constitutional liberties, making them fully accountable for the nation's chaotic state.

Bill Kristol: The Murder of Alex Pretti | The Bulwark Podcast
Hosts Tim Miller and Bill Kristol express profound outrage over the murder of Alex Prey by federal agents in Minneapolis, framing it as an act of state-sponsored lawlessness and a direct assault on fundamental American rights, enabled by political and corporate complicity.

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.
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