Bulwark Takes Could This Bonkers Idea Actually Corner Trump?
10 snips
Aug 18, 2025 
Jonathan V. Last, author of the Triad Newsletter, proposes an audacious idea: deploying blue state National Guard troops to D.C. as a rallying counter to perceived authoritarian threats. He and Tim dive into ambitious strategies for Democratic governors, evaluating potential conflicts and the risks of such a move. They discuss political dynamics amidst Trump's influence and the necessity for innovative tactics in response to his style. The conversation probes how to secure political stability while grappling with the challenges of today’s political landscape.
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Send Blue Guards To Force A Showdown
- JVL proposes blue-state governors could send National Guard units to D.C. to monitor federal abuses and clarify chain-of-command questions.
- The idea is provocative and mainly intended to force legal and political confrontation over federal overreach.
Test Provocations To Clarify Rules
- Tim and JVL acknowledge practicality issues like chain-of-command and federal pushback before attempting provocative moves.
- Test confrontational tactics selectively to force legal clarity rather than relying solely on hope or passivity.
Court Fight Would Define Authority Limits
- A legal showdown over state National Guard deployments would rapidly clarify presidential authority limits.
- Watching courts adjudicate such a case would reveal how far federal power can extend over state forces.