Bulwark Takes Bulwark on Sunday: Trump is Forcing the Military to Break the Law (w/ Rep. Jim Himes)
Sep 21, 2025
Rep. Jim Himes, a senior Democratic member of the House and ranking member on the Intelligence Committee, discusses pressing national security issues. He highlights Trump's illegal boat strikes and the Pentagon’s censorship of the press, drawing alarming parallels to authoritarianism. Himes explains the challenges of oversight in a climate of fear among Republicans, and outlines how a Democratic House could re-establish accountability despite existing political controls. It's a compelling dive into the current state of military actions and press freedom.
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District's Centrist Continuity Over Decades
- Jim Himes recounts his district's historical representation shifting from liberal Republicans to a centrist Democrat.
- He uses this to argue his district's ideology hasn't dramatically changed despite party labels.
Intelligence Community Under Political Pressure
- Jim Himes warns the intelligence community is being told to fall in line or risk their jobs, undermining independent analysis.
- This politicization damages the IC's role to provide impartial information to leaders and Congress.
Caribbean Boat Strikes Are Illegal
- Jim Himes states DoD killing alleged drug runners in the Caribbean is illegal and equates to murder without legal basis.
- He finds it astonishing that chain-of-command personnel accept executing such orders without legal clarity.