Pod Save America First They Came for John Bolton
79 snips
Aug 26, 2025 
James Surowiecki, a seasoned economic writer for The Atlantic and Fast Company, shares insights on the Trump administration's economic strategies. He discusses the administration's acquisition of Intel stock, raising eyebrows about corporate governance. The conversation dives into political tactics, including the FBI’s raid on John Bolton and broader implications for democracy. The hosts examine alarming military deployments in urban areas and the complexities of immigration enforcement, shedding light on authoritarianism and public resilience in challenging times.
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Raids As Political Signals
- The Bolton raid reads as a political warning targeting critics rather than purely law enforcement action.
- Trump leverages DOJ/FBI personnel placement to blur legal independence and chill dissent.
Intelligence Purges Erode Expertise
- Firing intelligence officials for contradicting Trump's narrative undermines honest analysis.
- That discourages experts from working in defense or reporting unwelcome findings.
Performance Over Procedure
- The administration uses spectacle and social-media content to brand law enforcement actions and rally supporters.
- That aesthetic mirrors historical propaganda techniques and normalizes authoritarian optics.
