
Wright Thompson: The Ghosts of Mississippi
16/01/2026 | 1h 8 mins.
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.

Sam Stein: Trump Is Trying to Instigate Unrest
15/01/2026 | 55 mins.
For some reason, the president thinks he is winning the news cycle by occupying a great American city and ordering his agents to violently confront U.S. citizens. But polling and anecdotal evidence suggests otherwise. At the same time, Dems have got to stop tying themselves up in knots over what language to use about ICE. Just keep the messaging fight focused on Trump, Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, and ICE. Plus, a strike on Iran is looking less likely, Jeff Bezos is a chicken and should sell The Post, the administration is pushing food rationing, our European allies are planning military exercises over the threat to Greenland, and what happened to the Epstein files? Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.show notes Lauren on the battle among Dems over the term, "Abolish ICE" The reporter who applied to be an ICE agent Sam's piece about the Dougs Tim and Sam debating the worst Cabinet members Send tips from on the ground in MN to [email protected] During Tovala's New Year Sale, you can get a FREE Tovala smart oven when you order meals 6+ times by heading to Tovala.com/BULWARK using my code BULWARK!

Mark Hertling: The Cowards of ICE
14/01/2026 | 56 mins.
To the people who have actually served in war zones—and been up close and personal in real do-or-die situations—the masked, heavily armed agents who are stalking our streets are thugs and cowards. And they would be nobodies without the badges and guns that have been gratuitously handed to them. Meanwhile, amid all the action around Venezuela, Russia's relentless attacks on Ukraine's power sources in the dead of winter is being overlooked by much of the American media. And Trump's fixation with Greenland has the Swedes talking about making nuclear weapons. Plus, airstrikes on Iran alone would miss the strategic mark, Trump still hasn't stopped eight-plus wars, and the Havana Syndrome is real.Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling joins Tim Miller.show notes Mark's piece on Iran Mark calling for ICE agents to remove their masks The most recent episode of Sarah's 'Illegal News' pod with Asha Rangappa Follow "Bulwark Takes" to get the latest "Command Post" from Mark Daniel Dale's fact check of Trump Send tips from on the ground in MN to [email protected] Get 50% off 1 month of Trade at drinktrade.com/BULWARK

Susan Glasser and Jacob Soboroff: A Dangerous Lame Duck
13/01/2026 | 1h 9 mins.
Trump's low approval ratings may be giving people the idea that he is weak and disempowered. But Trump backed into a corner could well be more unconstrained and more dangerous—and it could also fuel his imperialist ambitions toward Greenland, an island he has been obsessed with owning since his first term. Meanwhile, DHS always knew people would die because of their mass deportation efforts and it still wholly accepted the risk of its military-style operations. But the opposition on the street is building. Plus, a year after the LA fires, a look at the role of disinformation in the disaster, the slow recovery, and the lack of emergency planning by government officials.Jacob Soboroff and Susan Glasser join Tim Miller.show notes Tim on the new videos coming out of Minneapolis Jacob's book, "Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster" Susan's latest New Yorker column Friday's episode of The New Yorker's 'Political Scene' podcast Susan’s book with Peter Baker, “The Divider” The National Review piece on Greenland Susan referenced Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout. Get up to 30% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK #oneskinpod

Bill Kristol: This Is Accelerationist Authoritarianism
12/01/2026 | 59 mins.
Grandpa Trump looked like he was losing the pep in his step at the end of the year. But with him threatening the independence of the Fed, justifying the killing of an American in cold blood for teasing a federal agent, and toying with the idea of taking an ownership stake in oil companies, he's now dramatically ratcheting up his authoritarian tendencies. At the same time, he's losing sight of America First through his Venezuela distraction—and opening the door to challenges from MAGA true believers like Steve Bannon. Plus, Dems are playing a good hand in Alaska with Mary Peltola, Bill is a resist lib, and the heartwarming desire for freedom from the Iranian people.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.show notes Monday's "Morning Shots," including Mark Hertling's contribution Mary Peltola's Senate campaign launch



The Bulwark Podcast