Bulwark Takes – “Don Lemon Responds to Being Arrested and Put On Trump’s Enemies List”
Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Tim Miller (The Bulwark)
Guest: Don Lemon
Location: Live at a New Orleans festival
Episode Overview
This episode features a candid, wide-ranging conversation between Bulwark’s Tim Miller and Don Lemon, former CNN anchor turned independent media personality. The discussion centers on Don Lemon’s recent arrest and inclusion on Donald Trump’s so-called “enemies list,” reflections on the current political climate, criticism of state-run media trends, war coverage, the fracturing of American institutions, and the future of independent and mainstream journalism. The episode weaves together serious political analysis, personal anecdotes, sharp critiques, and several moments of levity, with both speakers keeping the tone energetic, unfiltered, and often humorous.
Table of Contents
- Don Lemon’s Arrest and the “Enemies List”
- Reflections on Law Enforcement and Civil Liberties
- Trump’s Tactics and the “Process As Punishment”
- State of Federal Institutions and Whistleblowers
- Media Critique: War Coverage and State-Run Media
- Independent Media vs. Corporate Gatekeepers
- Democracy at Risk: Elections and Political Mobilization
- Democratic Coalition Fractures and Faith in Politics
- Personal Moments & Louisiana Pride
- Notable Quotes
Don Lemon’s Arrest and the “Enemies List” <span id="enemies-list"></span>
- Lemon recounts seeing his name listed among prominent figures like Tish James on Trump’s televised “enemies list”—surprised to see himself on the screen.
- “I was like, why am I up there?” (Don Lemon, 03:13)
- He clarifies he can only discuss details that are public but is candid about the process and its intent.
- Lemon describes the lack of communication from authorities:
- “My attorney sent them a letter saying... let him self-report... Never heard back from them.” (04:31)
Reflections on Law Enforcement and Civil Liberties <span id="law-enforcement"></span>
- Lemon and Miller swap stories of arrest, with Lemon describing his overnight experience (midnight to noon, ~12 hours), mostly in a holding room rather than a cell.
- Don distinguishes between the “jerks” who arrested him and the “career professionals” at Homeland Security who treated him kindly during processing (06:13).
- He emphasizes not painting federal employees with a broad brush:
- “There are career professionals who work for... Homeland Security... not the goons... robbing people of their due process rights.” (06:21)
Trump’s Tactics and the “Process As Punishment” <span id="process-punishment"></span>
- Lemon underscores that the “process is the punishment,” describing the regime’s strategy as embarrassment and financial harm rather than securing convictions.
- “They want to embarrass you... diminish your finances... credibility... It’s really maniacal.” (04:31)
- Miller notes the regime’s failures to actually jail their “enemies”:
- “They still haven’t jailed anybody, which is pretty tough for them... They’re struggling.” (10:03)
- Both agree that while mocking these efforts feels cathartic, the seriousness of the ongoing federal charges and resource waste cannot be ignored.
State of Federal Institutions and Whistleblowers <span id="federal-institutions"></span>
- Lemon highlights the “brain drain” and institutional erosion at agencies like DOJ and FBI, as career professionals either try to ride out the administration or quit in protest.
- “They are attacking very important systems and agencies and institutions in this country. So, yes, there’s a real consequence.” (11:12)
- Miller: “Everybody had to quit in Minneapolis... they tried to go after Renee Good's spouse... I got friends who are prosecutors... they're just trying to keep their head down.” (12:19)
- Discussion of the chilling effect on government officials and the distinction between career staff and political appointees post–January 6:
- “If you signed up for this after January 6th, you basically said, I don’t have a red line.” (Tim Miller, 43:24)
Media Critique: War Coverage and State-Run Media <span id="media-critique"></span>
- Miller and Lemon analyze the muted, often complicit tone of mainstream war coverage; both acknowledge CNN's capability abroad but lament old, toothless habits domestically.
- Lemon, on posturing pundits: “Why are you inviting these people on who are election deniers... bigots and misogynists? Why are you giving them an equal platform...?” (22:20)
- Both mock the administration’s push for state-run media, with Lemon noting: “They want state-run media. That’s what the administration wants.” (26:31)
- Specific concern over the reported targeting and raids on journalists and independent newsrooms.
Notable Segment
- How the Trump Admin frames war rhetoric and the media’s complicity
- [16:01] “He doesn’t realize that’s not how the media actually operates. ...But the fact that he thinks that it should be state run media, isn’t that...hypocritical?...That’s exactly what we’re supposed to be fighting against Iran. ...They don’t have a free press.” (Lemon)
Independent Media vs. Corporate Gatekeepers <span id="independent-media"></span>
- Lemon celebrates the creative and editorial freedom gained since leaving CNN:
- “That’s why we’re doing so well in independent [media]. Because we don’t have gatekeepers.” (28:01)
- He is grateful for his “blessing in disguise” exiting nightly cable news amid massive changes and loss of journalistic independence.
- “This is a blessing in disguise... If I were there right now, I would’ve been fired for cause.” (28:59)
- Both agree there’s little to no market for “highbrow right-wing news” (25:03), citing failed ventures like The Daily Caller.
Democracy at Risk: Elections and Political Mobilization <span id="democracy-risk"></span>
- Deep concern for the 2026 election, voter suppression, and the importance of turnout:
- Lemon: “You should start preparing for the election now... The win has to be so big that there is no question about it, because Donald Trump and the Republicans... are going to try to steal this election no matter what.” (48:00–49:10)
- Miller, usually a pessimist, expresses guarded optimism: “This one, I think it is going to be too big to steal.” (49:54)
- Both stress need for proactive voter education and ensuring voter records are correct.
Democratic Coalition Fractures and Faith in Politics <span id="dem-coalition"></span>
- Discussion of tensions within the Democratic coalition between progressives and centrist/national security wings (esp. over Gaza/Israel, Texas primaries).
- Lemon: “Democrats are going to have to get over the idea that there’s a perfect candidate or that they have to fall in love with the candidate. ...Politics is like public transportation; whichever gets you closest to your goal is what you want.” (47:37)
- He encourages personal agency and pressure on elected representatives:
- “You do have agency... You do have elected representatives who depend on you for their jobs.” (52:59)
- On faith, Lemon emphasizes that being Christian doesn’t mean imposing beliefs legislatively:
- “I have a faith, that I had such a strong belief, and that I am a Christian. But I also live in reality. ...There is a separation between church and state.” (59:41)
Personal Moments & Louisiana Pride <span id="personal-moments"></span>
- Lemon shares several local Louisiana and family stories, including his fondness for boiled crawfish (63:28) and noting his mother is still in Baton Rouge.
- Jokes about makeup and TV glamour; declares no nostalgia for CNN makeup teams.
- On resilience: “I’m not going to let them steal my joy. I grew up with faith, from a very faithful family.” (08:38)
- Several light-hearted asides about Trump, MAGA aesthetics, and southern food favorites.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On being arrested and publicly targeted:
- “The idea, the motivation, is to embarrass you... the process is the punishment.” (Don Lemon, 04:31)
On resisting the regime’s antics:
- “I’m not going to let them steal my joy. ...I grew up with faith, from a very faithful family… I can joke about it now, but these are very serious charges.” (Don Lemon, 08:38)
On Trump’s policies and war:
- “Every accusation is a confession. ...The bar is in hell for this administration.” (Don Lemon, 17:56)
On independent media and mainstream media's failures:
- “We’re doing so well in independent [media]... I blame even the people who are working inside of news organizations... because they allowed this to happen.” (Don Lemon, 28:01)
On Democratic coalition and falling in line:
- “Democrats are going to have to get over the idea that there’s a perfect candidate... Politics is like public transportation.” (Don Lemon, 47:37)
On faith and church/state separation:
- “I am a Christian. But I also live in reality... There is a separation between church and state... that is a very dangerous place to be in. And that's where we are politically right now.” (Don Lemon, 59:41)
Key Timestamps
- 01:00 – Opening/context for live event and Don Lemon’s recent history
- 03:13–05:10 – The “enemies list,” arrest, and the process “as punishment”
- 06:13–07:56 – Jail and the people “on the inside”
- 10:03 – Mocking the regime’s failures and resource waste
- 11:12–12:52 – Institutional damage, prosecutors quitting
- 16:01–22:57 – State-run media, war coverage, and Fox News criticism
- 28:01–29:06 – Reflections on leaving CNN and corporate gatekeepers
- 32:34 – CBS, CNN mergers, corporate media future
- 34:04–36:40 – War crimes, bombing of girls’ school, government cover-up
- 43:24 – Lack of whistleblowers in Trump administration
- 47:37 – Advice to Democrats on coalition and political reality
- 52:59–53:52 – Voter agency and engaging elected officials
- 59:41–61:15 – Lemon discusses his faith and the dangers of religious nationalism
- 62:25–63:44 – Louisiana rapid-fire favorites: food, musicians, personal stories
For those who haven’t listened: This episode is a rich and revealing snapshot of the American political/media moment, delivered with humor, insight, and lived experience by two figures uniquely positioned to comment on democracy under fire and the changing face of journalism.