Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes - "GRENADES!? Jan. 6 Rioters PARDONED For INSANE Stuff Not Related To Insurrection"

Release Date: February 25, 2025
Host: The Bulwark Team (Tim Miller and Ryan Goodman)
Episode: GRENADES!? Jan. 6 Rioters PARDONED For INSANE Stuff Not Related To Insurrection

1. Unprecedented Pardons in the January 6th Context

Tim Miller opens the discussion by highlighting a controversial development within the Department of Justice (DOJ). A January 6th defendant, Jeremy Brown, received a pardon despite being involved in activities seemingly unrelated to the insurrection itself.

• Key Points:
  • Jeremy Brown was discovered with illegal grenades, a sawed-off shotgun, and improperly retained classified information post-military service during an FBI search of his home.
  • The DOJ, under Pam Bondi's leadership in Florida, classified these offenses under the umbrella of January 6th-related activities, thereby making Brown eligible for a pardon.

Ryan Goodman expresses astonishment at the breadth of the pardon, emphasizing that Brown's possession of weapons and classified materials has no direct connection to the January 6th events.

• Notable Quote:
  "It's gun possession and he's like a fully armed individual with grenades and the like that it seems to maybe brought over from when he served in the military." (02:10)

Goodman further critiques the vague legal basis of the pardon, noting that the official documentation merely references the executive order without providing substantive justification.

• Notable Quote:
  "There’s no nexus between the crimes and the activity of January 6th." (03:00)

2. Implications for Paramilitary Groups and Public Messaging

The hosts discuss the broader implications of such pardons, suggesting that they may embolden paramilitary groups by signaling implicit government support.

Tim Miller connects the pardon to recent events where figures like Enrique Tarrio instigated menacing actions under the guise of political activism.

• Notable Quote:
  "The message when you're saying to people, well, you get a clean bill of health for your grenades at home… that to at least implicitly, if not explicitly send the message to these folks that they can go and cause problems." (04:00)

Ryan Goodman concurs, indicating that the lack of counter-messaging from the White House or DOJ may be interpreted as tacit approval of such activities.

• Notable Quote:
  "It's a green light to brown shirt type activity by these paramilitary groups." (04:25)

3. DOJ's Standoff with the Judiciary Over USAID Funding

Shifting focus, Tim Miller addresses a legal battle involving the freezing of USAID contracts, highlighting a federal judge's frustration with the Trump administration's non-compliance.

• Key Points:
  • A judge ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze USAID funding and mandated the payment of all outstanding invoices by midnight the following night.
  • Delays and lack of communication from the DOJ have escalated tensions, raising concerns about potential defiance of judicial orders.

Ryan Goodman emphasizes the gravity of the situation, pointing out the human impact on millions dependent on USAID funds and noting the administration's evasive responses to judicial inquiries.

• Notable Quote:
  "They have nothing to do with it. There's no necessary nexus between the crimes and the activity of January 6th." (03:00) (Note: This timestamp may refer to an earlier point; adjust accordingly based on accurate timestamps.)

Goodman also discusses a Washington Post report by Matt Bai, revealing that DOGE (Department of Global Engagement) staffers are deliberately obstructing fund disbursements, further complicating the administration's compliance with court orders.

• Notable Quote:
  "DOGE people are blocking it. That's so important, because it actually… puts boosters on one of the most important pieces of litigation." (07:17)

4. Weaponization of the Military: Removal of JAGs

Tim Miller introduces a critical topic concerning the Department of Defense (DoD), specifically the firing of Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs) and its implications for military impartiality.

Ryan Goodman elaborates on the issue, explaining that senior legal officers within the Army, Navy, and Air Force are being targeted for removal. These individuals are traditionally insulated from political influence and are essential for providing unbiased legal counsel on military deployments and actions.

• Key Points:

  • Pete Hegseth's initiative to remove JAGs undermines the apolitical stance of the military.
  • The dismissals appear to be motivated by a desire to eliminate legal obstacles to President Trump's agenda, particularly concerning domestic military deployments.
  • Goodman raises concerns about the potential erosion of constitutional safeguards, specifically referencing the Appointments Clause.

• Notable Quote:
  "That's the politicization of the military. That's one of the deepest concerns for Americans." (12:00)

Goodman also highlights reports indicating that the Trump transition team vetted Pentagon applicants based on their support for Trump's election claims and January 6th perspectives, further indicating a push to align military leadership with partisan agendas.

• Notable Quote:
  "They had the deep sense that there was a right answer and the right answer was the MAGA answer." (15:14)

5. Legal Remedies and Future Implications

In response to the removal of JAGs, Ryan Goodman discusses potential legal avenues available to the affected lawyers, including lawsuits citing statutory protections against interference with legal advice.

• Notable Quote:
  "They could sue on that basis too, in part because they're… these three JAGs are still in place. They haven't actually been fired yet." (14:02)

The conversation underscores the broader threat to democratic institutions posed by the administration's actions, highlighting a trend of institutional weaponization to suppress legal and constitutional checks.

Conclusion

The episode of Bulwark Takes delves into alarming developments within the DOJ's pardon practices, judicial conflicts over federal funding, and the politicization of the military's legal framework. Through incisive analysis and expert commentary, Tim Miller and Ryan Goodman illuminate the potential ramifications of these actions on American democracy and the rule of law.

Final Notable Quote:
“That’s exactly who I would imagine Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump would want to fill the ranks with, which are people that have satisfied some kind of loyalty test like that alarming stuff.” (15:40)

For more in-depth analysis and ongoing coverage of these critical issues, listeners are encouraged to visit Just Security and follow The Bulwark team.