The Bulwark Podcast Sam Stein: This Is the Country They Want
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Jul 3, 2025 
In a thought-provoking conversation, Sam Stein, Managing Editor of The Bulwark's Morning Shots, tackles the troubling state of American politics. He discusses the chilling shift towards an immigration police state, driven by the desire for political wins rather than human dignity. Stein critiques the administration's impact on migration and the economy, as well as the freeze on military aid to Ukraine. He also shares a personal reflection on his evolving views about Bill Kristol and the absurdity permeating today's political commentary.
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Calling Twitter Critics
- Sam Stein shared how he used to call people who insulted him on Twitter to humanize the interaction.
- Most people apologized or softened their stance once they realized they were talking to a real person.
Performative GOP Opposition
- Republican opposition to the bill's rule vote was mostly performative with eventual unanimous passage.
- The vote was more about scoring political points against Democrats than the bill's content.
Immigration Police State Funding
- The bill massively funds ICE, making it one of the largest policing budgets worldwide.
- Yet it provides no funding to immigration judges, only increasing deportations and detention centers.