Bulwark Takes: Breaking Episode Summary
Episode: "Breaking: Trump Vindictively Revokes Hunter Biden’s Secret Service Protection"
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Host: Tim Miller, The Bulwark
1. Introduction to the Breaking News
In the latest episode of Bulwark Takes, host Tim Miller addresses a significant and controversial development in American politics: former President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden and his sister, Ashley Biden. Released on March 18, 2025, this episode delves deep into the implications, motivations, and potential fallout of this move, dissecting both the immediate and long-term consequences for the Biden family and the broader political landscape.
2. Tim Miller Presents the Breaking News
Tim Miller opens the discussion by characterizing Trump's action as quintessential baiting. He asserts that Trump's move is not only retaliatory but also strategically designed to provoke and polarize.
“We kicked out the South African diplomat recently. So he's on the South African kick. Anyway, Hunter Biden's in South Africa at the end.”
[00:00]
3. Analysis of Trump's Action
Miller critiques the decision to remove Secret Service protection from Hunter and Ashley Biden as both "petty" and "dangerous." He underscores the unnecessary risk this poses to the Biden children, highlighting the inconsiderate nature of targeting family members who have not committed any wrongdoing.
“Cutting off Secret Service protection for the Biden kids is petty, it's stupid, it's dangerous, it's totally unnecessary.”
[00:02]
4. Character Assessment of Trump
Delving into Trump's personality, Miller describes him as a "malignant narcissist" lacking empathy. He reflects on Trump’s past experiences, including his time in office and a near-death experience, suggesting that these should have fostered a sense of responsibility rather than vindictiveness.
“This is the move of just a malignant narcissist who does not care about a single person but himself and cannot be made to have even the slightest amount of empathy.”
[00:05]
5. Implications for the Biden Family
Miller predicts that Trump's revocation of protection will be something the Trump family will "really come to regret" over time. He contrasts this with the Biden administration's approach, noting that despite Trump's actions during his presidency, the Biden White House never considered removing Secret Service protections for Trump's family.
“I think over the long term, it's going to be something that the Trump family really comes to regret.”
[00:03]
6. Broader Political Context
Connecting the incident to the larger political environment, Miller suggests that Trump's actions are a distraction from more pressing national issues, particularly the unstable economy. He views this revocation as a tactic to divert attention and fuel partisan tensions.
“This is something to put in the water, to distract from the fact that the economy is teetering on the brink right now.”
[00:08]
7. Commentary on Hunter Biden
While Miller expresses strong disapproval of Hunter Biden's behavior—citing issues like manipulating his father's political career and engaging in unethical activities—he firmly separates his criticism of Hunter from his stance on the Secret Service protections. He acknowledges Hunter's personal struggles and recovery but maintains that threats against him are unacceptable.
“I don't have any particular sympathy for him, but the threats against him are obviously real, and he obviously deserves protection.”
[00:15]
8. Concerns About Threats and Protection
Miller voices serious concerns about the safety of Hunter and Ashley Biden following the removal of their Secret Service details. He warns of potential escalations, including the possibility of actual threats being carried out due to the increased vulnerability of the Biden children.
“Imagine what, what if someone actually tries to do something about this? I don't even want to say the words...”
[00:20]
9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In wrapping up, Miller reiterates his condemnation of Trump's actions, emphasizing that such moves lack political merit and instead reflect personal vendettas. He underscores the importance of upholding security measures for political families, regardless of partisan differences.
“These are bad people. We've seen it on. I've been discussing on the immigration front, and now we're seeing it here... to target the kids like this... nothing bad happens. God willing, nothing bad happens.”
[00:25]
Miller concludes by assuring listeners that Bulwark will continue to monitor the situation, reinforcing the network's commitment to providing insightful and critical analysis of unfolding political events.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
“Cutting off Secret Service protection for the Biden kids is petty, it's stupid, it's dangerous, it's totally unnecessary.”
[00:02] -
“This is the move of just a malignant narcissist who does not care about a single person but himself and cannot be made to have even the slightest amount of empathy.”
[00:05] -
“I think over the long term, it's going to be something that the Trump family really comes to regret.”
[00:03] -
“I don't have any particular sympathy for him, but the threats against him are obviously real, and he obviously deserves protection.”
[00:15] -
“Imagine what, what if someone actually tries to do something about this? I don't even want to say the words...”
[00:20] -
“God willing, nothing bad happens.”
[00:25]
This episode of Bulwark Takes offers a critical examination of Donald Trump's recent actions against the Biden family, blending sharp political analysis with an exploration of the personal ramifications for those involved. Tim Miller's passionate discourse provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the potential dangers and underlying motives behind such politically charged decisions.
