Bulwark Takes: Episode 1 Summary

Title: Congressman on MN Shooter’s Hit List Speaks Out
Host: Sam Stein, Managing Editor at The Bulwark
Guest: Congressman Greg Landsman of Ohio
Release Date: June 17, 2025

Introduction to the Incident

In the premiere episode of Bulwark Takes, host Sam Stein engages in a profound conversation with Congressman Greg Landsman of Ohio regarding the harrowing events that unfolded in Minnesota over the weekend. The discussion centers around the assassination of a lawmaker and her husband, as well as the targeting of multiple other legislators.

Discovery of the Threat

[01:51] Greg Landsman:
“Law enforcement reached out Sunday morning and let us know and then, you know, asked us to take, you know, some additional precautions around security and which we did.”

Congressman Landsman details how law enforcement authorities informed him on Sunday morning that he was on the shooter’s hit list. Following this notification, heightened security measures were promptly implemented in collaboration with local law enforcement.

Personal Impact and Emotional Response

[04:42] Sam Stein:
“He had been on the list before you went public saying, 'I'm on the list.' So you knew for a period of time that you were on the list, and then you had to watch as people, members of Congress...”

[04:43] Greg Landsman:
“It had been 10 hours more than that. And once they found them, immediate relief. But there was a, there was a, there was a period of time on Sunday night when I sort of started pacing around the house thinking, you know, is this guy here?”

Congressman Landsman shares the intense personal anxiety and fear experienced during the period between being notified of the threat and the apprehension of the suspect. He recounts pacing his home, grappling with the terrifying possibility that the shooter could have been closer than anticipated.

Understanding the Motive and Partisan Reactions

[05:03] Sam Stein:
“Why did they give... Have you had any explanation for why your name is on the list?”

[05:14] Greg Landsman:
“I mean, I'm outspoken on a couple, you know, a couple of big controversial issues. You know, I'm a Jewish member of Congress, you know, who's very outspoken about Israel in this war.”

Landsman speculates on possible reasons for being targeted, highlighting his outspoken positions on controversial issues, particularly his advocacy for Israel amidst ongoing conflicts. He emphasizes the need to discern that the threat stems from extremism rather than traditional partisan divides.

Broader Context of Political Extremism

[08:38] Greg Landsman:
“I really want people to appreciate, like, they don't have to make this partisan. This doesn't have to be anything other than a very unwell person who was radicalized somewhere, probably online...”

[10:12] Greg Landsman:
“I don't know. I think part of it is just the way the, you know, social media works and, you know, the instant gratification you get from, you know, put something, something like that online.”

Discussing the wider issue of political extremism, Landsman attributes such violent acts to radicalization influenced by online platforms and social media dynamics. He criticizes the immediate partisan framing of the incident and calls for recognizing the underlying mental health and radicalization issues.

Proposed Solutions and Call for Bipartisan Action

[11:26] Greg Landsman:
“I think that there has to be a real reckoning with these social media companies in terms of what's allowed and what's not allowed...”

[13:03] Sam Stein:
“One of the things that's sort of a secondary outcome of this is that... people who are smart and motivated and idealistic even may be like, why would I want to get involved in public service...”

Congressman Landsman advocates for several measures to address the root causes of such extremism:

• Enhanced Security Infrastructure: Creation of a centralized “war room” where data from various law enforcement agencies is consolidated to facilitate quicker and more informed responses.
• Regulation of Social Media: Stricter oversight of online platforms to curb the spread of radicalizing content and improve cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
• Bipartisan Collaboration: Encouraging elected officials to transcend partisan lines, emphasizing shared humanity, and fostering a political environment where disagreements do not escalate to violence.

Encouragement for Public Service

[13:29] Greg Landsman:
“I, I understand, but the country needs good people. This is public service. This is serving your country... So, you know, but is something that can produce a lot of good.”

In response to concerns about the safety and viability of public service careers, Landsman underscores the critical need for dedicated individuals in politics. He highlights his own contributions, such as advocating for quality preschool programs and the Social Security Fairness Act, to illustrate the tangible positive impacts effective public service can achieve.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with Sam Stein acknowledging the personal and political challenges faced by Congressman Landsman. He expresses gratitude for the Congressman’s courage in sharing his experience and emphasizes the importance of addressing both the immediate threats to lawmakers and the broader societal issues that enable such extremism.

[15:06] Greg Landsman:
“As you know. Because I don't want. He never left Minnesota. It's just we didn't...”

Congressman Landsman reiterates his commitment to understanding and mitigating threats while maintaining hope for a more secure and cooperative political landscape.

Overall, this episode of Bulwark Takes offers an in-depth and poignant exploration of the personal and systemic challenges posed by political extremism. Through Congressman Landsman’s firsthand experiences and thoughtful analysis, listeners gain valuable insights into the urgent need for bipartisan efforts and comprehensive strategies to safeguard democratic institutions and promote societal healing.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Landsman [01:51]: “I think a part of that is saying this is extremism. It's not Democrat or Republican. It's, it's just unwell.”
• Greg Landsman [08:38]: “They don't have to make this partisan. This doesn't have to be anything other than a very unwell person who was radicalized somewhere, probably online.”
• Greg Landsman [13:29]: “This is public service. This ... can produce a lot of good.”