Crime is down in D.C., but Trump is using the pretext of an attempted carjacking of "Big Balls," the former 19-year-old DOGE employee, to take over the city's police department and deploy the National Guard. It's a threat to other blue cities, and an ominous sign ahead of 2026 and 2028. Meanwhile, the DOJ has appointed 'a special attorney' and empaneled grand juries to investigate Trump enemies Adam Schiff and Tish James. Plus, it's odd how JD never seems to defend Trump on Epstein, and Putin has already scored a psychological victory by the promise of being welcomed to the United States as an equal—rather than the war criminal he is.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Cathy's piece on the upcoming Alaska summit
Bill in "Morning Shots" on how Vance keeps drawing attention to the Epstein matter
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49:09
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49:09
Lis Smith: Dems Need to Burn Down the Party Establishment
There's a direct line between when the Democratic Party got nationalized and when it started getting wiped out in red states. Dems need to embrace heterodoxy in their candidates—running in New York City is not the same as running in Nebraska. And the party has to exorcise itself of people like Andrew Cuomo. Plus, the administration has upped the cruelty quotient by denying retirement benefits to longtime trans members of the Air Force, the FBI gets deployed to advance the Republicans redistricting, and avoiding the scam PACs preying on Democrats.
show notes
Tim's interview with Andry on Substack or YouTube
Lis's book, "Any Given Tuesday"
Stanford's Adam Bonica on Mothership Strategies
Cook Political Report's 2026 House rankings
Tim's playlist
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51:05
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51:05
Anne Applebaum: What USAID's Absence Looks Like on the Ground
The United States, through USAID, not only supplied a big chunk of the world's humanitarian aid, it also provided almost all of the logistical support for other aid organizations to deliver relief as well. Now in Sudan, where the state has disintegrated and millions of people are trying to flee anarchy and civil war, virtually no Western organization is there to provide food and shelter. And no American is working on trying to end the conflict. Plus, Tim Cook joins the CEO suck-up to Trump, a top, well-regarded FBI official who was trying to hold the line under Kash has been pushed out, and Putin may be trying to pause Ukraine's punishing air war on Russia—but he's not showing any sign that he wants peace.
Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Anne's piece on Sudan, “The Most Nihilistic Conflict on Earth”
Anne's wildflower garden
The NYT on the continuing purge at the FBI
Anne's "Autocracy, Inc.," out in paperback Aug. 25
"The Director," book recommendation from Anne
For a limited time only, get 60% off your first order PLUS free shipping when you head to Smalls.com/THEBULWARK
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50:42
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50:42
Zerlina Maxwell and Josh Barro: We Are in a Bad Place
Gerrymandering has always been partisan, but what's happening in Texas is straight-up racial politics. Republicans are targeting and trying to disenfranchise black voters while betting that Latino voters will stick with them. And because Trump hasn't had a lot of luck making the furor over Epstein and Ghislaine go away, JD is stepping in to host a totally 100% aboveboard damage control session at his house—with the top officials at the DOJ. Plus, the U.S. had almost zero job growth in May and June, the economy is slowing, and prices are ticking up.
Josh Barro and Zerlina Maxwell join Tim Miller.
show notes:
Tim, Sam, and Will Sommer on the MAGA girl meltdown
Zerlina's book, "The End of White Politics"
Go to https://zbiotics.com/THEBULWARK and use THEBULWARK at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.
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1:10:48
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1:10:48
Chuck Todd: Is the Economy the Biggest Political Threat to Trump?
Voters in the seven swing states that elected Trump in 2024 thought he'd make the economy better. His perceived strength on the economy is the cornerstone Jenga piece of the whole Trump Tower. And he keeps making the economy worse. Meanwhile, Democratic voters are highly engaged—but just not with the party, whose brand is struggling. Plus, Republicans are still trying to steal the House, and how a stronger, re-imagined local news media can help restore trust in national news.
Chuck Todd joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Chuck's Sunday Night with Chuck Todd on the Noosphere app
The Chuck Toddcast
"The Stranger," Chuck's book about Obama
Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy.
Bulwark+ members can get a totally ad-free version of the show delivered right to their favorite podcast player.
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