Bulwark Takes Watch Scott Bessent Debase Himself Defending Trump’s Greenland Threats
Jan 20, 2026
Will Saletan dissects an awkward interview featuring Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who struggles to justify Trump's provocative Greenland threats. He critiques claims that U.S. control of Greenland prevents entanglement in wars, and mocks the idea that tariffs are a national emergency. Saletan also takes apart the notion that America must provide a security umbrella over Europe and challenges Bessent's meritless arguments regarding Danish abuses. The segment culminates in a call for a more responsible global stance against such outrageous assertions.
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Preemptive Aggression Dressed As Prevention
- Will Saletan shows Scott Bessent twisting to justify Trump's Greenland threats as absurd and dangerous.
- He frames the administration's logic as starting a conflict to avoid being "dragged into" one later.
The Emergency That Justifies Everything
- Bessent describes the "national emergency" as avoiding a future national emergency, collapsing cause and effect.
- Saletan points out this stretches emergency powers into a blank check for tariffs or force.
Asymmetric Information As A Smokescreen
- Bessent claims the administration has "asymmetric information" about threats to Greenland and refuses to share it.
- Saletan highlights that Denmark and congressional intelligence would almost certainly know more, implying fabrication.