Bulwark Takes

Will Saletan, a journalist specializing in policy and national-security issues, joins Sam Stein to unravel Trump’s controversial pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez. They dissect how Trump's rationale crumbled under scrutiny, particularly the lack of evidence and vetting. Saletan highlights the damaging implications for U.S. credibility in drug enforcement and the chilling effects on witness safety. This discussion reveals a troubling pattern of Trump favoring corrupt leadership, raising alarms for future policy.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a public-health expert and former CDC official, joins to discuss the FDA's controversial 'vaccine-death' email. He critiques the email for lacking transparency and fostering panic. Daskalakis highlights concerns over the CDC's rewritten autism webpage, arguing it misrepresents vaccine safety. He also addresses the impact of changing ACIP dynamics and warns about misinformation regarding the hepatitis B birth dose. Throughout, he advocates for trusting local health authorities over political figures.

Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling joins Ben Parker to dissect the Pentagon's denials around a controversial kill order at sea. Hertling asserts that targeting incapacitated survivors would violate military law. They question the administration's claims of terrorist identities and the legal basis for the strike. The duo explores the pressures faced by senior officers and the ambiguous chain of command. They call for a thorough investigation into the moral leadership and decision-making behind these orders.

A university essay on psychology ignites a culture-war firestorm, escalating all the way to the governor's office. The hosts unravel the controversy surrounding a student’s reaction paper and the zero grade it received, debating the fairness of academic standards. They examine how right-wing media and activist groups amplified the situation, showcasing the absurdity of turning small campus incidents into national issues. The discussion highlights the bizarre ways education and politics intertwine in today's society.

Leah Litman, a University of Michigan law professor and expert on constitutional law, joins to dissect the court's ruling against Alina Habba's appointment. They explore the implications of Trump's strategy to position loyal allies in key legal roles. Litman highlights the operational chaos arising from uncertain authority and contrasts the legitimacy of Habba's and Halligan's cases. The discussion also touches on the potential Supreme Court challenges and how these appointments could backfire politically for Trump.

Will Saletan, a sharp political analyst and commentator, joins Andrew Egger to dissect Trump's controversial pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, a former Honduras president convicted of drug trafficking. They delve into the strange timing and messaging behind the pardon announcement. The duo explores Trump's pattern of defending foreign leaders entangled in legal issues, shedding light on his distrust of U.S. courts. Saletan also discusses the possible political motivations behind aligning an endorsement with the pardon, revealing deeper implications.

In this discussion, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a Senior Fellow specializing in immigration policy, sheds light on Trump's aggressive anti-immigrant stance. He reveals the surge in ICE enforcement and the troubling reality of who gets detained—many with no serious convictions. The conversation dives into the human costs of mass deportation and the devastating impact on communities. Aaron also touches on recent terminations of Temporary Protected Status, the rollback of asylum programs, and the misleading narratives around immigrant crime rates. A thought-provoking exploration of immigration's complexities!

Tim Miller takes aim at Scott Jennings' pro-Trump shift, critiquing his arguments on conservatism. He disputes Jennings’ claims about America’s global stance and highlights how Trump endangers Western alliances. Miller dives into Trump’s relationships with authoritarian regimes and defends traditional values against autocracy. He argues that figures like Bush, McCain, and Romney stand in stark contrast to Trump's approach. In a lively exchange, Miller addresses personal attacks and dissects the performance aspect of Jennings’ media persona.

Tim Miller dives deep into James Carville's provocative take on the Democratic Party's focus on economic issues. He highlights Carville's argument for a clear, unapologetic economic platform to combat the ‘performative woke politics.’ The discussion explores the potential of 'economic rage' as a rallying point, addressing where Democrats have fallen short in recent campaigns. Tim emphasizes the importance of balancing cultural issues with practical affordability policies, suggesting that this economic approach could unify the Democratic coalition.

Sam Stein chats with Will Sommer, a reporter known for his work on online influence operations and author of the False Flag newsletter. They dive into the chaos sparked by X/Twitter's new geolocation feature, unveiling that many MAGA accounts hailed from countries like Bangladesh and Serbia. This revelation fuels discussions on the toxicity of political discourse and the authenticity of right-wing factions. Sommer highlights how global culture wars transcend borders and critiques X's chaotic algorithm, calling for better transparency in foreign engagement.