Ta-Nehisi Coates: This Is Armed Identity Politics

Trump has decidedly built a white supremacist army within the government. And this was always the risk when the Department of Homeland Security was created after 9-11. Influential people warned at the time that our norms would not protect us against someone who was determined to violate them using DHS. At the same time, white people are putting themselves on the line in a way that is reminiscent of the abolitionists. Plus, some often overlooked elements of the Civil Rights Movement, Jared Kushner’s offensive and absurd vision for a “New Gaza,” and the destruction of a jewel of journalism that was CBS.Snag the hoodie that will bring you comfort for life, the American Giant Classic Full Zip. Go to https://www.american-giant.com and get 20% off your first order with promo code BULWARK. Thanks to American Giant for sponsoring the show! show notes Ta-Nehisi's most recent piece in Vanity Fair The CBS interview with Ta-Nehisi referenced in the show Tickets for the live show in Minnesota go on sale Friday

The mass deportation operation was supposed to be about the manly men pulling out all the stops in defense of Western civilization, which they claim is being brought down by brown and black immigrants. But it is the multi-racial, multi-faith people of Minneapolis who are fighting—at the risk of their own lives—for the cause of community, neighborhoodism, and social cohesion. And that is not the same social cohesion of JD Vance, who thinks white people need to live next door to other white people. Meanwhile, MAGA’s dreams that Trump had flipped Hispanic voters sure doesn’t seem to be the case in the Rio Grande Valley, where people are feeling disrespected by ICE and not free to be themselves. Plus, the current state of Second Amendment politics, and some much-needed ridicule of Stephen Miller.The Atlantic's Adam Serwer and Texas-15 congressional candidate Bobby Pulido join Tim Miller.show notes Adam's piece in The Atlantic Adam’s book, “The Cruelty Is the Point”  Bobby's campaign web site Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.

The deployment of dangerous, untrained, and violent federal agents on the streets of Minneapolis met its match in a massive, organized, nonviolent resistance that truly showed what democracy looks like. And though the ostensible immigration enforcement operation is not over, the administration thought the tough guys would easily prevail. But Gov. Walz says the real strength was with the ordinary and decent Minnesotans who stood their ground to continue protesting and documenting the agents’ behavior. Plus, was it the neocons or the white nationalists that most shaped Tucker’s views? And how much does JD owe his career to Tucker? The New Yorker's Jason Zengerle and Gov. Tim Walz join Tim Miller.show notes: Jason's new book, "Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind" Tim's 'Take' with reporter Ben Terris about Trump's health claims To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THEBULWARK and use code THEBULWARK for both the code AND PASSWORD.

The Trump administration’s version of the Stasi murdered Alex Pretti in cold blood because he was exercising his First Amendment right to peacefully assemble and his Second Amendment right to carry a licensed firearm. But in MAGA land, those rights only apply to the people on their side, not all Americans. The few Republicans who are starting to feel queasy about menacing agents running around our cities should also recognize that they are complicit in the killings of Pretti and Renee Good because they funded them. As for the Dems, they should be considering maximalist demands—like ending the occupation of the Twin Cities—since the serial liars in the administration are acting like they’re above the law. Plus, Tim Cook and the other CEOs who helped fund the golden ballroom or showed up to the “Melania” screening Saturday night are also complicit.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.show notes Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news and weekend coverage Monday's "Morning Shots" For a limited time, save up to $300 on the Tovala smart oven when you order meals 6+ times, by visiting Tovala.com/BULWARK and using code BULWARK.

Trump is taking billion dollar bribes for his ‘Board of Peace,’ where he can pretend he’ll be the head of a new world order in partnership with Putin. He’s also looking for his next foreign policy adventure since he didn’t get any mileage with Greenland or Iran. And he’s acting like socialist-fascist Juan Perón—taking stakes in U.S. companies while continuing to sic the American gestapo on the Twin Cities. Meanwhile, a handful of House Dems took a bad vote to fund DHS. Plus, the latest in the annals of unlikeable JD, Gavin’s trolling of MAGA has served him well, Trump is no friend to the domestic auto industry, CEOs are so short-sighted, and Kash Patel is a total clown.Mike Murphy joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.show notes Andrew's reporting on DHS's lies in Minnesota Tim's 'Take' on JD's press conference in Minneapolis More on Mike's polling on the potential CA wealth tax measure "Hacks on Tap" podcast Jonathan Chait on the problems with Newsom's record The NYT on Kash Patel Tim's playlist

Donald Trump is so enamored with Vladimir Putin he doesn't even know the Russian leader is regularly making fun of him in ways that can’t easily be translated. Trump is also running the White House like it's the Kremlin, with backdoor deals, quick enrichment schemes, nefarious activities, and cronies calling the shots—while people in official positions, like Marco, are just fig leaves. It’s the exact kind of political world where Putin flourishes. And his operation against the United States continues apace. Plus, the backstory on the proposed Venezuela-Ukraine swap, Trump's TACO on Greenland, Canada and Europe have had enough of the U.S. and buying American, Western allies don’t trust Vance’s dependence on tech bros, and hello: Ozempic is a Danish drug.The one and only Fiona Hill joins Tim Miller.show notes Fiona's memoir, " There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century" Fiona's book, "Mr. Putin: The Operative in the Kremlin" David Frum's interview with Fiona

In his rambling mess of a speech at Davos, Trump confused Iceland and Greenland, and demonstrated that he doesn't understand how NATO works. The infamous draft-dodger also seemed to call Truman and Eisenhower "stupid" for not just taking Greenland after WWII. Nevertheless, his threat to somehow get the island is undermining our international rules-based order. Plus, the secret, imperfect alliance in Congress that is blocking anti-trans legislation, the growing Dem opposition to the DHS funding bill, and the need to fight the trust deficit in the country —and the anger-tainment that is driving it.Delaware's Rep. Sarah McBride joins Tim Miller.show notes Sam's, JVL's and Andrew's reaction to the Davos speech McBride's column in Delaware's News Journal Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/BULWARK

The Republican Party may be deeply unpopular, but the Democratic Party is even more so. The Dems' brand is weak despite the success of the off-year elections in 2025. To have a shot at winning back the Senate in the midterms, and the White House in 2028, the most successful Dems will be the ones who run against the status quo of their own party. In the meantime, Dems should be aggressively holding Republicans responsible for the tariffs, the threat against Greenland, and the terrorizing of Minnesotans— because they're not stopping the administration. Plus, cowardly CEOs, how to use A.I. as a political issue, and Trump & co's efforts to silence Americans. Veteran strategist David Plouffe joins Tim Miller.show notes Plouffe's NYT piece Tim's interview with Ryan Grim, the recent lefty guest Tim referenced Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code THEBULWARK at https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad

The president's demented rant that the United States has to take Greenland because the Nobel committee has not awarded him his much coveted peace prize is farcical and embarrassing—we are in 25th Amendment territory. At the same time, Trump's alternate claim that conquering the island is about being tough on Russia is so phony since he's busy trying to help give Ukraine to Putin. Meanwhile, ICE agents' constant videotaping of members of the public may be tied to their use of facial recognition software. Plus, in this particularly horrible period of news, we are remembering the hope and optimism that pushed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to fight for a better America.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.show notes Tim's interview with "Minnesota Angry Man," Chris Ostroushko  The holiday-themed Bulwark Pod with Wright Thompson  Monday's "Morning Shots" Go to Dupe.com today and find similar products for less. It’s 100% free to use. Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with Dupe.com today.

Official Mississippi doesn't really want to talk about the murder of Emmett Till—or teach about the murder of Emmett Till. Almost 71 years later, the intentional attempt to erase the crime lives on. On this MLK Day weekend, Wright joins Tim to discuss the role of history and black history in our public consciousness. Meanwhile, Trump and MAGA are busy trying to rewrite the history of modern-day political violence, including the thuggery of ICE agents. Plus, a ranking of the best SEC college towns, a tribute to Bob Weir, the impact of tariffs on farmers—as well as this year's Mardi Gras— and even the White House is starting to get concerned about the optics of Trump's deportation operation. ESPN's Wright Thompson joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.show notes Wright's book, "The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi"  JVL on Trump stashing America's money in Qatar  Wright's documentary he did with Mickey Hart, "Rhythm Masters"  Marc Caputo on White House concerns about the optics of deportation  Tim's playlist Text BULWARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK.