Bulwark Takes Podcast Summary
Episode: More Than THIRTY Republicans Are Leaving Congress
Date: February 7, 2026
Hosts: Andrew Egger (Morning Shots newsletter) and Joe Perdicone (Press Pass, congressional correspondent)
Episode Overview
This episode tackles the growing wave of Republican retirements and departures from Congress, highlighting the striking pattern of more than 30 GOP members leaving in the aftermath of the 2024 elections. Andrew Egger and Joe Perdicone dive into why so many Republicans—including stalwarts from staunchly red districts—are choosing to step down, pivot to other offices, or abandon politics altogether. The core discussion centers on the roles of minority status, Trump’s iron grip, and shifting internal GOP dynamics driving this exodus.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Surge of GOP Departures
- Overview:
- Context:
- The trend of mass retirements often hits the party expecting to lose the House following a presidential election.
- Historical comparison: 39 Republicans retired during the Democratic wave of 2018 (02:25).
2. Why Are They Leaving?
- Immediate causes:
- Deeper anxieties:
- Frustration at being in the majority “but they don't really get to do anything that they want.” Trump—via Speaker Mike Johnson—dictates House actions, sidelining personal and local priorities (03:25-04:07).
- "You have a very thin majority. So they're not having fun right now, and they know it's only going to get worse..."—Joe (03:56).
3. Trumpian Dynamics & Vengeance
- Trump’s continued vengeance campaigns against “disloyal” members, such as targeting Thomas Massie for a primary (04:07):
- "He can just wake up one day and hate somebody again."—Joe (04:41)
- Notably, some Freedom Caucus members—supposedly aligned with Trump’s agenda—are among those quitting or seeking other offices, finding themselves sidelined and powerless (04:41-05:58).
- “Trump demands absolute loyalty. And so now they just fold every time...” (05:13).
4. Identity Crisis Among the Freedom Caucus & Populist Right
- Irony: Trump's “populist” revolution leaves hardliners disillusioned; they’re forced to compromise or become irrelevant.
- Freedom Caucus stalwarts expected to be policy drivers in Trump’s second term, but instead face frustration as Trump dictates priorities (05:13-06:39).
- Many seek governorships, Senate seats, or state positions to regain agency over policy.
- "Their policies should be implemented right now. ... But instead Trump just says, like, shut up, do what I say..."—Joe (06:27).
5. GOP Members’ Coping Mechanisms & Divisions
-
Three “types” of post-Trump conservatives: (08:51)
- Idealists (Chip Roy): Wanted to legislate; now disillusioned and leaving politics.
- Media Hounds: Those who crave the limelight and adapt to whatever’s popular (even if they’d once been “Bush Republicans”). (e.g., Tim Burchett)
- Holdouts (Thomas Massie): Ideological diehards determined to stick out Trump’s takeover, regardless of consequences.
-
Marjorie Taylor Greene:
- Now outside Congress, publicly denouncing MAGA as a “lie” and attacking Trump for abandoning populist priorities.
- “It was a big lie for the people… There's no like populist agenda right now. It's just a bunch of billionaire pleasing stuff.”—Andrew 08:26, 08:34
- Greene is presented as “the anomaly”—completely disenchanted and outspoken compared to other retiring members (08:51).
6. Cultural Observations on Political Careers
- Andrew Egger laments the “life on TV” that attracts many Representatives, dismissing it as “the worst thing you could be doing” because notoriety comes only when you embarrass yourself (10:32).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On why so many retire:
"There's a lot of people who just don't want to stick around, because it's not fun when you go from having power in the majority to being powerless in the minority."
— Joe Perdicone, 02:56 -
Trump and the House:
"Trump is steering Congress more so than any president has really in history. And so Mike Johnson does everything that Trump says..."
— Joe Perdicone, 03:25 -
Exodus Irony:
"A lot of these retirees are members of the Freedom Caucus. These are guys who should be, you know, this is their time, right? Trump, second term, like the comeback. ... But they don't get to do anything..."
— Joe Perdicone, 05:13 -
On Marjorie Taylor Greene:
“It was a big lie for the people... There's no like populist agenda right now. It's just a bunch of billionaire pleasing stuff. I mean, really hot stuff from Marjorie.”
— Andrew Egger, 08:34 -
On media-pleaser Republicans sticking around:
"In another life, they would just be the old Bush establishment Republicans if it meant they got to be on TV the most."
— Joe Perdicone, 09:50 -
Egger’s TV Commentary:
"I hate being on TV. TV sucks. TVs like the worst thing you could be doing at any given time. Nobody pays attention unless you say something embarrassing and then suddenly you're the flavor of the day. Couldn't be me."
— Andrew Egger, 10:32
Important Timestamps
- [01:15] — Overview of rising GOP retirements, starting with Mark Amodei
- [02:25] — Historical context: previous GOP exoduses during House flips
- [04:07] — Trump’s vengeance primaries (Massie, Letlow, and others)
- [05:13] — Why even the Freedom Caucus is leaving: trump’s total control
- [06:27] — Trump’s “shut up, do what I say” demands on conservative policy
- [08:26-08:34] — Marjorie Taylor Greene’s condemnation of the MAGA movement
- [08:51] — Typology of post-Trump GOP conservatives
- [10:32] — Egger riffs on the downsides of TV and politics
- [11:15] — Closing: noting ongoing retirements, teasing future coverage
Tone & Style
The conversation is brisk, candid, and tinged with dry (sometimes dark) humor. Both hosts blend pointed political analysis with contemporary GOP gossip, never straying from the reality of Congress as both a workplace and a performance stage. The tone is part-insider, part-disillusioned observer, mirroring much of the Bulwark brand.
Summary prepared for listeners who missed the episode, capturing all key insights, divisions, and memorable moments on the state of Republican retirements in the Trump-dominated 2026 Congress.