The Bulwark Podcast Tom Nichols: Secrets and Lies
17 snips
Jul 18, 2025 
Tom Nichols, Professor Emeritus at the Naval War College and a notable Atlantic staff writer, dives into the controversial ties between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. He discusses the implications of Trump's behavior amid ongoing legal challenges, including the recent firing of a prosecutor linked to Epstein's cases. Nichols also raises concerns about the intersection of nuclear security and AI decision-making, highlighting global geopolitical tensions and the uncertainties surrounding presidential capabilities in crisis situations.
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Trump's Epstein Panic Signals Guilt
- Trump's panicked reaction to the WSJ story on Epstein suggests guilt rather than innocence.
- The bizarre birthday card and Trump's denial fuel suspicion instead of quelling it.
Comey's Daughter Firing Sparks Suspicions
- Firing Maurene Comey, a sex crimes prosecutor linked to Epstein, during the DOJ investigation raises suspicions.
- This move contradicts any claim of transparency and fuels conspiracy theories about protecting powerful allies.
Policing Intel Staff Backfires
- Using polygraphs and AI to root out dissent among intelligence staff is abusive and counterproductive.
- Such surveillance reflects a third-world regime style and erodes trust within key agencies.
