The Bulwark Podcast David Frum: Leveraging Violence as a Tool of Power
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Sep 12, 2025 
David Frum, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of ten books, joins to discuss the weaponization of political violence in the U.S. He analyzes Trump's tactics to suppress dissent and the implications of political incompetence within the FBI. Frum dives into the geopolitical stakes in Poland amid Russian aggression and critiques the lack of coherent economic policies under Trump. He also warns about the normalization of violence in politics and the challenges posed by rising far-right sentiments as the 2028 elections approach.
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Trump's Poland Play And Europe Realignment
- Trump is actively playing politics inside allied countries to favor far-right leaders and reshape European alignments around pro-Trump, pro-Putin forces.
- David Frum argues this threatens traditional alliances by turning Europe into a network of farright parties rather than reliable U.S. partners.
NATO's Guarantee Depends On Credible U.S. Resolve
- NATO's credibility rests on belief the U.S. president would use nuclear force if a member were attacked, and that belief is evaporating under current leadership.
- Frum warns that if adversaries doubt U.S. resolve, NATO's guarantee becomes effectively meaningless.
Tariffs As An Independent Source Of Presidential Revenue
- Tariffs give President Trump an independent revenue stream that bypasses Congress and shifts constitutional balance over finance.
- Frum says this is unprecedented and central to Trump's power strategy because it funds administration aims without legislative approval.
