Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – "Racist Republicans Want to DEPORT Zohran?!"

Release Date: June 26, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Sam Stein and Tim Miller delve into a contentious and alarming development within American politics: prominent Republican figures advocating for the deportation of Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate in New York. The discussion highlights the rise of overt racism and anti-immigrant sentiments among certain factions of the Republican Party and explores the broader implications for democracy and civil liberties.

1. The Controversial Calls for Deportation

Sam Stein opens the conversation by addressing recent tweets from Republican figures Annie Ogles and Nancy Mace, who have either suggested or directly called for the deportation of Zohran Mamdani.

• Sam Stein [01:11]: "We have two tweets that we're going to be talking about, one from Annie Ogles and one from Nancy Mace, both of which suggest, if not directly call for the deportation of... Zohran Mamdani."

Despite Mamdani being a naturalized U.S. citizen, these high-profile calls for his deportation signal a troubling shift towards extreme measures within the party.

2. The Response: Outrage and Condemnation

Tim Miller expresses strong condemnation of the Republican figures’ actions, emphasizing the real and damaging consequences of such rhetoric.

• Tim Miller [01:43]: "Fuck these people. Fuck you, Nancy Mace. Fuck you, Andy Ogles. You know what you're doing? This is real. It's a troll, but it's real and it's damaging."

Miller underscores the hypocrisy within the party, where racist and extreme actions go unchecked, fostering an environment where such behavior can flourish without repercussions.

3. Historical Context and Patterns of Extremism

The hosts draw parallels between current events and past instances where extreme rhetoric from fringe groups eventually influenced mainstream policy.

• Tim Miller [02:26]: "It's just like, oh, these are just some young trolley Republicans. It's like this is where these folks are going to go. And time and again their trolls have turned into reality. Like the Muslim ban was a troll at the start and then it became the policy of the government."

This comparison to the Muslim Ban illustrates how what begins as extremist trolling can evolve into actual governance, posing significant threats to minority communities.

4. The Misconception of "Just a Joke"

Sam Stein challenges the notion that such extremist remarks are merely political jokes, arguing that the underlying sentiment is deeply harmful regardless of intent.

• Sam Stein [04:24]: "You know, I don't think that makes it any less worse because if it is a joke, what it's saying is that Nancy Mason, Annie Gouls and young Republicans think that their people will get a real rise, a real laugh and hoot, if not become galvanized by overt racism and statism and this type of honestly horrific anti Muslim ism and it's just like a really nasty view of their own people."

This perspective emphasizes that even if intended humorously, the implications reinforce and normalize racist ideologies.

5. Strategic Polarization and Political Maneuvering

Tim Miller discusses how certain Republican strategies aim to entrench divisions and manipulate political narratives to their advantage.

• Tim Miller [05:24]: "This is strategic. They want what we're doing right now. They want people to defend Zoran because the Republicans are going to want to try to make Zorin the face of the party and they think he's not palatable."

He further critiques figures like Andy Ogles, labeling him as merely seeking personal attention rather than engaging in thoughtful political discourse.

6. The Real-World Impact: Case Studies and Personal Stories

Sam Stein highlights alarming individual cases that exemplify the consequences of the current deportation regime, illustrating the human cost of these political maneuvers.

• Sam Stein [07:14]: "Just perusing social media, someone passed me a story from Texas. It's from the Austin Chronicle. He says, 'I'm looking out the window on the plane,' Thomas told the Chronicle, and 'I'm hoping the plane crashes and I die.'"

This account underscores the dire psychological and physical impact on those targeted by such extremist policies.

7. The Importance of Engagement and Resistance

Both hosts advocate for active opposition against these extremist measures, stressing that complacency only allows such policies to gain traction and become normalized.

• Sam Stein [07:37]: "If you don't stand up to it at any particular moment when it's in front of your face, it will just keep happening."

They argue that silence or inaction emboldens the perpetrators, enabling a continuous erosion of civil rights and democratic principles.

8. Clarifying Zohran Mamdani’s Background

To provide context, Sam and Tim clarify Zohran Mamdani’s background, emphasizing his status as a naturalized citizen and current political figure.

• Sam Stein [09:02]: "Zoram Amdani was born in Uganda in 1991. He moved to New York with his family, and he's going to be the mayor. He moved to America at the age of seven in '98 and became a naturalized US citizen in 2018."

This clarification underscores the injustices involved in targeting a rightful citizen and elected official for deportation.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a strong condemnation of the Republican figures advocating for deportation, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance and resistance against such extremist policies. Sam Stein and Tim Miller call on listeners to remain engaged and proactive in defending democratic values and protecting vulnerable communities from discriminatory practices.

• Tim Miller [09:34]: "That was terrible math. 26 years. See you later. Bye."

Notable Quotes

1. Tim Miller [01:43]: "Fuck these people. Fuck you, Nancy Mace. Fuck you, Andy Ogles."
2. Tim Miller [02:26]: "Time and again their trolls have turned into reality. Like the Muslim ban was a troll at the start and then it became the policy of the government."
3. Sam Stein [04:24]: "It's just like a really nasty view of their own people."
4. Sam Stein [07:37]: "If you don't stand up to it at any particular moment when it's in front of your face, it will just keep happening."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Bulwark Takes serves as a critical examination of rising extremist rhetoric within the Republican Party and its potential to reshape American policy and society adversely. Through passionate discussion and compelling evidence, Sam Stein and Tim Miller urge listeners to recognize and combat these threats to uphold the nation's foundational values.