Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – BREAKING: Don Lemon Arrested, Kevin Warsh Trump's Fed Chair Pick
Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Sam Stein, Sarah Longwell, Katherine Rampell

Overview

This episode of Bulwark Takes addresses two explosive breaking news developments:

1. The arrest of former CNN host and independent journalist Don Lemon at a Minnesota church protest, raising intense concerns about First Amendment rights under the Trump administration.
2. Donald Trump's announcement of Kevin Warsh as his nominee for the Federal Reserve Chair, with analysis of Warsh’s record, political implications, and what it means for Fed independence.

The hosts react in real time, offering journalistic and legal context, personal impressions, and sharp critique, particularly regarding the threats facing journalists and the press under the current administration.

Don Lemon’s Arrest and First Amendment Concerns

Breaking News Context [01:29]

• Sam Stein breaks the news: Don Lemon, ex-CNN journalist and substacker, was arrested in connection with a protest at St. Paul church in Minnesota. Lemon was covering the demonstration regarding ICE activities.
• Officials claim Lemon was inciting the protest, while Lemon’s defenders argue he was acting in a journalistic capacity.
• The discussion zeroes in on threats to the First Amendment and journalistic freedoms, particularly under a resurgent Trump administration.

Reaction & Chilling Effect [03:02]

• Sarah Longwell:

  “This has started, right? Like, we are in an accelerated point in history where Donald Trump is ratcheting up rather than ratcheting back, their attempts to go after people who are critical of them using law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and every single one of us should lose our shit about this.” [03:40]

• The group emphasizes solidarity with Lemon, even if they disagree with the tactics of the protest.
• They characterize the arrest as a red line being crossed in American democracy.

Administration’s Role & Hypocrisy [04:46]

• The arrest was directed by Attorney General Pam Bondi (“At my direction”).
• Sam Stein points out the hypocrisy of Trump’s First Amendment supporters:

  “The people who supported Trump back in 2024 because they thought he would be a paragon of free speech and First Amendment values... were full of [it].” [05:38]

• The hosts underscore the Orwellian double standard when it comes to civil liberties.

Lemon at the Church – What Actually Happened [06:50]

• Audio clips feature the church pastor and Lemon interacting—Lemon appears respectful, documenting protest and church perspectives.
• Sam Stein acknowledges the protest was “stupid” and disruptive, and sympathizes with the pastor. Yet:

  “I cannot agree with the idea that you arrest Don Lemon for what he did, which is he was chronicling it as a journalist. And there is a right in the Constitution that grants him the ability to do that... Where does it end?” [08:13]

Broader Crackdown on Journalists [09:09]

• Katherine Rampell:

  “Don Lemon is probably the most famous person who has come into the crosshairs as a journalist in Minneapolis, but he’s definitely not the only journalist... There have been a lot of attacks on press coverage, First Amendment freedoms throughout all of this.” [09:09]

• Multiple journalists have been arrested, threatened, or roughed up covering recent events in Minnesota.

Double Standards Applied to 'Citizen Journalists' [11:29]

• Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell reference Nick Shirley, a MAGA-supporting independent journalist, to highlight the dangers of partisan application of free speech protections.

  “I support his right to do it. And I’d be pissed if the government said, no, we’re going to arrest you for it. That would be fucking bullshit.” [12:23]

• Discussion on what qualifies as a journalist in the age of citizen journalism, private property, trespass, and possible gray legal areas [12:44–14:30].

Press Freedom Is for Everyone [16:19]

• Katherine Rampell:

  “Freedom of speech is available to everyone, regardless of whether, you know, you have the fedora with the little feather and the thing that says press in it.” [16:19]

• Distinction between Lemon’s established journalistic credentials and those acting in less clear faith.

Slippery Slope Warnings [18:12]

• The Trump DOJ may produce purported evidence that Lemon “coordinated” with protesters—a tactic that could be used against any journalist or activist.
• Katherine Rampell recalls controversial, unsympathetic protest figures:

  “You’re normalizing the bad behavior.” [20:59]

International Comparisons & State Power [23:18]

• Katherine Rampell contrasts US rhetoric about Iran with US crackdowns:

  “...We have cracked down on First Amendment rights by protesters, dissidents, journalists, and for some reason, we are not holding ourselves to the same standard as we are holding other authoritarian regimes.” [23:18]

Don Lemon’s Official Statement [24:11]

• Stein reads Lemon’s team’s statement:

  “…Taken into custody by federal agents… Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done... the First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.” [24:11]

• The group reiterates Lemon’s arrest is a red line for US democracy.

Emotional Appeal to Defend Press Freedom [25:03]

• Sarah Longwell:

  “You are at an important inflection point right now of making it clear that this is not okay, that they are. You are a red line, and you should be a red line... Stand with Don in this. And it is not okay what this administration is doing... They are trying to scare us.” [25:03]

  “The only way that they win is if we do go quiet and let them and, like, let that fear dominate us, and we shouldn’t.” [26:23]

Law Enforcement Perspectives & Institutional Discontent [27:01]

• Longwell previews upcoming focus groups with Minneapolis cops, finding “despondency” among law enforcement and career DOJ prosecutors refusing to participate in the Lemon suit [28:03].
• Even inside federal law enforcement and ICE, there is anxiety over the administration’s actions.

BREAKING: Kevin Warsh Nominated as Trump’s Fed Chair Pick

Trump’s Announcement & "Central Casting" [30:20]

• Trump announced Kevin Warsh as his Fed nominee, with characteristic flourish (“central casting and he will never let you down”).
• Katherine Rampell:

  “Warsh is very wealthy, not because he was an investment banker… He married into the Estee Lauder fortune… His father-in-law is Ron Lauder, who is also a big Trump mega donor.” [31:09]

Why Is the Fed Chair So Important? [32:14]

• The Federal Reserve’s independence is crucial to economic health and stability.
• Katherine Rampell:

  “The Federal Reserve is politically independent. It is supposed to be politically independent anyway… You actually need it because if politicians are in charge of the money supply, their incentives are never to… do tough things…” [32:46]

• Trump hates current chair Jerome Powell and has tried to force him out.

Warsh’s Record & Political Leanings [37:02]

• Warsh was the youngest-ever Fed governor and has a reputation as an inflation hawk, especially during the Great Recession, when he opposed major stimulus measures.
• Katherine Rampell notes Warsh’s ideological shifts seem to track the party in power:

  “He was… raising hue and cry about the coming inflation… and then, miraculously, around 2017… he suddenly became more dovish... Now Trump is back in office and suddenly he doesn’t care about inflation.” [39:08]

• The hosts compare this behavior to congressional Republicans who only care about deficits under Democrats.

Senate Confirmation Prospects [41:09]

• Warsh may face a bumpy confirmation because of ongoing DOJ actions against Jerome Powell.
• Katherine Rampell:

  “…He has connections. You know, I think normally in a normal environment, he would be a, probably a very easy confirmation if this Powell investigation were not a live issue. Now should he be someone that Republicans… let skate? I don’t know. Probably not.” [43:49]

Fed Dynamics & Warsh’s Possible Leadership [46:07]

• The Fed Chair is a “consensus builder”; the chair’s vote is only one among many on the Federal Open Market Committee.
• Dissents are more common now, partly as officials try to assert independence or curry favor with presidential preferences.

The Future of Powell [49:12]

• Powell’s term as chair ends soon, but he could remain as a governor until 2028.
  • Unprecedented for a former chair to stay on in a lower role, but not impossible, especially if Powell feels he is defending institutional independence.
• Katherine Rampell:

  “…If he thinks it would be good for protecting its independence, he might be persuaded to stay. And if he thinks it would be important for his own criminal liability, I think he might stay.” [49:22]

Final Reflections

• The episode ends with Sam Stein vowing to keep covering both threats to journalism and the politicization of the Fed:

  “I will note...that Powell has done...extraordinary steps in recent weeks, which would give some credence the idea that he might actually be thinking about staying...” [52:21]

• Katherine Rampell stresses Powell’s motivations:

  “I don’t think Powell wants to become a hero of the resistance...But I think he does care about his reputation and the reputation of the Fed and the Fed as...a functional institution and that being part of his legacy.” [53:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sarah Longwell: “...We are in an accelerated point in history where Donald Trump is ratcheting up...their attempts to go after people who are critical of them using law enforcement...” [03:40]
• Sam Stein: “The protest of the church was stupid. Like, it's stupid. It was disruptive. It didn't accomplish anything...And yet I cannot agree with the idea that you arrest Don Lemon for what he did, which is he was chronicling it as a journalist.” [07:46]
• Katherine Rampell: “Freedom of speech is available to everyone, regardless of whether, you know, you have the fedora with the little feather and the thing that says press in it.” [16:19]
• Sam Stein: “I support [Nick Shirley’s] right to [cover protests]. And I’d be pissed if the government said, no, we’re going to arrest you for it. That would be fucking bullshit.” [12:23]
• Sarah Longwell: “Stand with Don in this. And it is not okay what this administration is doing. And they are trying to scare us...we shouldn’t.” [25:30]
• Katherine Rampell: “The Fed Chair doesn’t get to set the rates himself… The job of the chair is to foster consensus.” [46:07]

Timestamps – Key Segments

• [01:29] Don Lemon Arrest News Break
• [03:02] Immediate Reaction & First Amendment Alarm
• [04:46] Pam Bondi’s Directive & Hypocrisy Discussion
• [06:50] Church Pastor/Don Lemon Protest Audio
• [09:09] Wider Crackdown on Journalists
• [12:44] Citizen Journalism & Legality Questions
• [16:19] Freedom of Press is for Everyone
• [18:12] Slippery Slope and 'Good Victims'
• [23:18] Comparison to Authoritarian Regimes
• [24:11] Reading Don Lemon’s Statement
• [25:03] Emotional Rallying Cry for Press Freedom
• [27:01] Minneapolis Police Focus Groups & DOJ Professionals’ Pushback
• [30:20] Trump Nominates Kevin Warsh – The Fed Chair Segment Begins
• [32:46] Why Fed Independence is Essential
• [37:02] Analysis of Warsh’s Economic Record
• [41:09] Will Warsh’s Nomination Succeed in the Senate?
• [46:07] How the Fed Decides Rates: Role of Chair
• [49:12] What’s Next for Jerome Powell?
• [53:12] Powell’s Motivation—protecting the Fed’s legacy

Tone & Style

• Urgent, blunt, and direct: The hosts do not mince words regarding the gravity of the threats facing journalists and checks on executive power.
• Analytical and informative: The economic segment is rich in expert breakdowns and background, aiming to demystify the Fed’s inner workings for listeners.
• Conversational and often personal: The hosts reference their own experiences and feelings as journalists and analysts, making the show accessible and engaging.

For listeners/parsers new to these evolving stories, this episode provides not just breaking news but crucial political, legal, and economic context, presented with equal measures of passion and expertise.