Todd Blanche’s CNN Interview Could Come Back to Bite Him

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is out following revelations about his relationship with a suspected Chinese spy, and the fallout could reach all the way to Donald Trump’s White House. Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger examine the national security warnings Trump reportedly ignored, the growing pressure on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and why this scandal could be just getting started. Plus, Trump appears to sideline JD Vance over Iran, his Justice Department escalates its threats against Democrats, and a stunning Senate victory in Mississippi redraws the political map.Get $20 off your first subscription order at https://cometeer.com/bulwarktakes or use code BULWARKTAKES. (Offer does not apply to one-time purchases.)

Trump says his immigration crackdown went too far, but the horrors continue. Tim Miller shares two disturbing stories: a seven-year-old girl locked in an ICE detention center despite her family entering the country legally, and a beloved nurse and professor who was shipped across the country and whose lawyers can’t even confirm her whereabouts. Tim examines the cruelty, the financial incentives behind mass detention, and why Democrats must keep the pressure on the administration.Get fresh, chef-crafted meals delivered right to your door with Tempo! For a limited time, get 60% OFF your first box at https://www.tempomeals.com/BULWARKTAKES. Rules and restrictions may apply.

The White House is threatening criminal charges against Democrats for investigating the Trump administration. But does it have any legal basis? Catherine Rampell and former Obama DOJ official Elliot Williams to explain why the threat is largely empty, how the Constitution protects congressional oversight, and what happens when Democrats take control of the House. They also discuss the legal and political risks of the coming investigations, how the Trump administration could use DOJ investigations and lawsuits to slow Democrats down, and why incoming Oversight Chair Robert Garcia’s talk of political pettiness could undermine the very accountability Democrats are promising to deliver.Get fresh, chef-crafted meals delivered right to your door with Tempo! For a limited time, get 60% OFF your first box at https://www.tempomeals.com/BULWARKTAKES. Rules and restrictions may apply.

Sam Stein and Will Sommer return for a special Wednesday edition of MAGA Mondays, and the stories are somehow even more embarrassing than usual. A neo-Nazi leader accidentally livestreams himself performing a sex act, Mark Levin has a very public meltdown over his AOL account, and a lawsuit exposes fresh allegations of foreign money and luxury gifts flowing through Trumpworld. Plus, James Fishback is hit with a $4 million judgment, Vivek Ramaswamy disappears from Twitter, and the MAGA media circus prepares to crown its Citizen Journalist of the Year.Get fresh, chef-crafted meals delivered right to your door with Tempo! For a limited time, get 60% OFF your first box at https://www.tempomeals.com/BULWARKTAKES. Rules and restrictions may apply.

Sarah Longwell sits down with Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey to talk about the election, the working-class voters turning away from Trump, and why Democrats can’t afford to waste this moment. After helping rally musicians and artists to speak out against Trump, Casey says the fight is far from over. He wants Democrats to investigate Trump’s corruption, hold his administration accountable, get money out of politics, and deliver on the economic promises that brought voters back. He also has a warning for Democrats: if they fail to follow through, he’ll be just as loud calling them out as he has been fighting MAGA.Make eating well easier with Tempo! Get fresh, chef-crafted, dietitian-approved meals delivered to your door, with over 20 recipes to choose from each week. Each meal is ready in just two minutes, so you can enjoy a delicious, nutritious lunch or dinner without the prep. For a limited time, get 60% off your first box at https://www.tempomeals.com/BULWARKTAKES.

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅ : https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored A high school math teacher just pulled off one of the most remarkable upsets of the midterms. Tim Miller talks with Minnesota Congressman-elect Jake Johnson, who ran a campaign staffed largely by his former students and flipped a district Republicans won by 17 points just two years ago. Johnson recounts the nail-biting election night, explains how his working-class upbringing shaped his politics, and lays out his plans to take on Trump’s tariffs, ICE, and Washington corruption.Video of the Jake Johnson victory party courtesy Brian Arola at MinnPost: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2127181301231774

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅ : https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored Michael Weiss and Marc Polymeropoulos examine the explosive allegations that a Chinese intelligence operative used a honey trap to get close to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, potentially exposing some of America’s most sensitive AI technology. Marc explains how honey traps work, how foreign intelligence services use sex and blackmail to recruit targets, and why this alleged operation could have serious national security consequences. But the biggest questions may be about the Trump administration: U.S. intelligence reportedly uncovered the relationship, Marco Rubio allegedly warned the White House, and Trump still appears unwilling to take the threat seriously.Plus, why the scandal raises fresh questions about Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and the administration’s willingness to confront foreign espionage. And a look at some of the most notorious honey trap operations in intelligence history.

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅ : https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored Pete Hegseth is facing impeachment, and his response is to blame the media, attack Congress, and hide behind American troops. Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) dissect Hegseth’s combative Pentagon press conference, his defense of controversial military operations, and his refusal to take responsibility for civilian casualties and questionable orders. They also examine how Hegseth has turned the job of Secretary of Defense into a partisan political operation, why he has failed to grow into the role, and what an impeachment fight could mean for the Pentagon.

Sam Stein and Tim Miller went live to watch Trump unravel at an impromptu press conference, where he dodges questions about a Chinese spy allegedly tied to Nvidia’s CEO, walks back any suggestion of easing his immigration crackdown, and lashes out at reporters who press him on Putin and Pete Hegseth. Plus, Trump tries to recruit UFC boss Dana White as his press secretary and gets shot down in spectacularly awkward fashion.Give the gift of quality this holiday season with Quince. Shop premium cashmere, Italian leather, fine jewelry, and more at prices 50–80% less than similar brands. Cashmere sweaters start at just $60, with free shipping and 365-day returns. Download the Quince app for exclusive offers or visit https://www.quince.com/bulwarktakes. When asked where you heard about Quince, select The Bulwark Takes to support the show.

Will Saletan breaks down Donald Trump’s response to the Republican Party’s midterm wipeout, as the president scrambles to blame everyone but himself. Trump claims the Alaska election should be overturned, insists he would have won if he were on the ballot, and throws Republican candidates under the bus after previously endorsing them. He turns on Greg Abbott, attacks Fox News for reporting unfavorable polls, and blames Senate Republicans. After a historic defeat, Trump is pointing the finger at everyone but himself.Give the gift of quality this holiday season with Quince. Shop premium cashmere, Italian leather, fine jewelry, and more at prices 50–80% less than similar brands. Cashmere sweaters start at just $60, with free shipping and 365-day returns. Download the Quince app for exclusive offers or visit https://www.quince.com/bulwarktakes. When asked where you heard about Quince, select The Bulwark Takes to support the show.