Bulwark Takes: Is This the End!? What Kash Patel’s Confirmation Means for America

Released on February 20, 2025, "Bulwark Takes" delves deep into the ramifications of Kash Patel's narrow confirmation as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Hosts Tim Miller and Sam Stein engage in a candid and urgent discussion about the potential transformations within American institutions, the politicization of the FBI, and the broader implications for national security and governance.

1. Confirmation Vote: A Narrow Passage

The episode opens with Tim Miller announcing the Senate vote results: a razor-thin 51-49 decision confirming Kash Patel as the new FBI Director.

Tim Miller [00:00]: "The vote is in, 51 in favor and 49 against confirming Kash Patel as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

Sam expresses immediate disbelief and concern over the outcome.

Sam Stein [00:13]: "The position. You're kidding."

2. Sorrow and Anger: Emotional Reactions to Patel's Appointment

The hosts delve into their mixed emotions—sorrow and anger—regarding Patel's confirmation. Tim shares a message from a former FBI official, highlighting the dismay within the agency.

Tim Miller [00:47]: "I received a text from a former FBI official as I was coming up here. Right. This is so depressing. The guy who blamed January 6th on the FBI is going to lead the agency."

Sam underscores the potential threat to institutional integrity, drawing parallels to criticism leveled at figures like RFK Jr. and the broader intent to undermine established institutions.

Sam Stein [01:05]: "Didn't RFK Jr. Blame, you know, the CDC or the administration for like starting Covid. He thought it was a government thing and now he's going to lead it. It's like, you know, these people want to tear down the institutions."

3. Implications for the FBI: A Bureau Under Threat

The discussion intensifies as Tim and Sam dissect the possible changes within the FBI under Patel's leadership. Tim voices concerns about the agency's focus shifting away from domestic terrorism to more politically motivated targets.

Tim Miller [02:13]: "At minimum, I think a gutting of anyone that is trying or looking into domestic terror threats, non-brown version. And you know, there's going to be at minimum sidelining if not firings of really credible law enforcement officials who like, whose job is to keep us safe."

Sam warns of a future where the FBI could engage in selective prosecutions, reminiscent of J. Edgar Hoover's era, prioritizing political objectives over national security.

Sam Stein [03:02]: "They will purge the FBI of anyone that they don't believe is loyal to Donald Trump. And what you'll have is a bureau that basically, in the most benign sense, a bureau that basically follows or pursues his specific objectives... in the most alarming version of this, you have a completely guardrail free FBI that is launching actual political investigations under phony pretexts and on Democrats."

4. Senate Dynamics: The Role of Key Senators

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing Republican senators like Dave McCormick and John Curtis, who played pivotal roles in Patel's confirmation. Tim expresses profound frustration with McCormick's vote, questioning his commitment to Republican principles.

Tim Miller [06:02]: "It's Davos Dave McCormick... It's like, why though? Really? Why? If Dave McCormick is going to be the fucking tie-breaking vote to, or the 51st vote to, to make Cash Patel the director of the FBI, then what is the difference between him and Doug Mastriano? None. None."

Sam echoes these sentiments, highlighting the superficial differences between these senators and more extreme figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Sam Stein [08:13]: "John Curtis... was supposed to be Mitt Romney 2.0... The guy's not up for six years either."

Both hosts lament the lack of decisive opposition from moderate Republicans, fearing a future where political loyalty overshadows ethical governance.

5. Comparing Political Figures: The Rise of Extremism

Tim draws a parallel between the current political climate and past extremist movements, suggesting that the confirmation marks a descent into a more volatile and conspiratorial era.

Tim Miller [07:20]: "They might as well just put on the fucking hat and like, you know, start saying retard again and doing whatever is possible that makes MAGA people happy and start doing conspiracies called Zelensky names."

Sam adds that while the superficial antics of these politicians degrade public discourse, the real threat lies in their substantive actions—or lack thereof.

Sam Stein [10:03]: "The real substantive stuff... the actual distinctions are not that profound and certainly not in the way that the intellectual insider Republican crowd was pitching it."

6. Future Implications: A Darkening Horizon

As the episode nears its conclusion, Tim and Sam forecast the potential long-term impacts of Patel's leadership on upcoming elections and national policies. Tim predicts that similar dynamics will influence the Georgia Senate race, potentially leading to the election of candidates who further entrench these troubling trends.

Tim Miller [09:28]: "There'll be a Georgia Senate race this year, and the same people that pushed McCormick will push Brian Kemp. And it's just like, give Marjorie Taylor Greene the fucking senator."

Sam reflects on the pre-clearance fears they had regarding potential confirmations, ranking Cash Patel as the most alarming despite initial concerns about other nominees.

Sam Stein [11:05]: "I still think RFK is gonna. I still more fearful of him than all the others. But Cash is up there for sure."

7. Conclusion: A Call to Awareness

The episode wraps with a stern warning about the path America is on, emphasizing the need for vigilance and resistance against the erosion of institutional integrity.

Tim Miller [10:39]: "Buckle up, everybody. Because this is a dark. Not in a good way. Because this is a dark spirit we're turning into."

Key Takeaways

• Narrow Confirmation: Kash Patel's 51-49 Senate vote signifies a precarious start to his tenure as FBI Director.

• Institutional Threats: Concerns revolve around the potential politicization and depoliticization of the FBI, risking the agency's impartiality and effectiveness.

• Senate Dynamics: Republican senators Dave McCormick and John Curtis face heavy criticism for their roles in Patel's confirmation, highlighting deeper issues within the party.

• Rise of Extremism: The discussion underscores fears of a shift towards more extreme and conspiratorial political figures, drawing unsettling parallels to past eras.

• Future Implications: The confirmation is seen as a harbinger for future elections and policy directions, with significant implications for American democracy and governance.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Miller [00:15]: "That's going to be Cash Patel's job. The guy that wrote that children's book about QAnon and Donald Trump being a king."

• Sam Stein [03:02]: "They will purge the FBI of anyone that they don't believe is loyal to Donald Trump."

• Tim Miller [07:40]: "This would be the moment for him to just be like, okay, I've got leverage. Maybe Thom Tillis. Fuck you, too."

• Sam Stein [10:03]: "The real substantive stuff... the actual distinctions are not that profound."

Conclusion:

"Bulwark Takes" offers a sobering analysis of Kash Patel's confirmation and its potential to reshape the FBI and American politics. Tim Miller and Sam Stein articulate a deep-seated concern for the future of U.S. institutions, urging listeners to remain informed and engaged in the face of these pivotal changes.