The Bulwark Podcast Susan Glasser and Jacob Soboroff: A Dangerous Lame Duck
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Jan 13, 2026 
Susan Glasser, a political analyst from The New Yorker, and Jacob Soboroff, a senior political reporter, dive deep into the dangers of a disempowered Trump. Glasser discusses his imperial ambitions, particularly his fascination with buying Greenland. Soboroff sheds light on the deadly consequences of militarized ICE operations, emphasizing public opposition's growing strength. They also touch on misinformation during disasters and the failures in emergency planning post-LA fires, revealing how politics intertwine with public safety.
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Trump Framed Greenland As A Real-Estate Play
- Susan recounts asking Trump about Greenland during a November 2021 Mar-a-Lago interview and his real-estate framing of acquisition.
- Trump described looking at maps and seeing Greenland as a missing piece to "own" like a development.
Acquiring Territory Requires Congress
- Legally, the president cannot unilaterally acquire new U.S. territory; Congress must authorize and appropriate the purchase.
- Glasser stresses this constraint is under-discussed despite Trump's rhetoric about Greenland.
Unraveling International Order Raises Risks
- Trump has withdrawn from many international organizations and treats international law as optional.
- This unraveling of institutions raises the risk of more anarchic, escalatory global conflict.
