Bulwark Takes: "Revenge Madman Kash Patel Confirmed As FBI Director"
Release Date: February 20, 2025

In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, hosted by Will from The Bulwark, the discussion centers around the alarming confirmation of Kash Patel as the new FBI Director. The episode delves deep into the implications this appointment has for the state of American democracy, highlighting a systematic erosion of democratic safeguards by the Trump administration. Through detailed analysis and impactful quotes from key figures, Will paints a concerning picture of the current political landscape.

1. J.D. Vance's Critique of European Democracies

The episode opens with Will referencing a recent trip by J.D. Vance, the Vice President, to Germany, where Vance criticized European democracies.

• Vance's Speech in Germany [00:16]:

  "For years, we've been told that everything we fund and support is in the name of our shared democratic values. Everything from our Ukraine policy to digital censorship is billed as a defense of democracy. But when we see European courts canceling elections and senior officials threatening to cancel others, we ought to ask whether we're holding ourselves to an appropriately high standard."

Will counters Vance's assertions, arguing that Vance's statements distort the realities of European democracies. He emphasizes the hypocrisy in Vance's stance, pointing out that Vance himself was appointed to his position by advocating for overturning election results, a clear threat to democratic norms.

2. Undermining Democratic Guardrails: The Vice President

Will transitions to discuss the pivotal role of Vice President Mike Pence in upholding democratic integrity during the 2020 election.

• Mike Pence's Refusal [02:45]:

  "Despite what the former president and his allies have said for now, more than two and a half years and continue to insist to this very hour, the Georgia election was not stolen."
  (03:20)

Pence firmly rejected President Trump's attempts to overturn the election results, reaffirming the legitimacy of the electoral process. In contrast, J.D. Vance, who succeeded Pence as Vice President, openly supported Trump's unfounded claims of election fraud.

• J.D. Vance on Election Certification [04:35]:

  "If I had been vice president, I would have told the states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and so many others that we needed to have multiple slates of electors."
  (04:35)

Vance's stance clearly aligns with Trump's agenda to challenge and potentially invalidate legitimate election outcomes, marking a significant shift from Pence's unwavering support for democratic processes.

3. The Attorney General: From Bill Barr to Pam Bondi

The conversation shifts to the role of the Attorney General, highlighting the transition from Bill Barr to Pam Bondi.

• Bill Barr's Opposition [06:39]:

  "I made it clear I did not agree with the idea of saying the election was stolen and putting out this stuff, which I told the was bullshit."
  (06:39)

Barr resisted Trump's pressure to endorse claims of widespread voter fraud, ultimately leading to his departure. Enter Pam Bondi, who staunchly supports Trump's narrative of a rigged election.

• Pam Bondi on Election Integrity [07:58]:

  "We do have evidence of cheating, and I'll talk about that in a minute... votes don't count by these fake ballots that are coming in late."
  (07:58)

Despite lacking substantive evidence, Bondi perpetuates the myth of election fraud, positioning herself as a willing enforcer of Trump's unfounded allegations.

• Bondi's Confirmation Hearing [09:16]:

  "President Biden is the President of the United States... President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in 2024."
  (09:16)

Bondi refuses to acknowledge Trump's loss in the 2020 election, further entrenching the narrative of electoral fraud within the highest levels of government.

4. The FBI Director: From Chris Wray to Kash Patel

The final pillar of democratic safeguards discussed is the position of the FBI Director.

• Chris Wray's Stance [10:43]:

  "We are not aware of any widespread evidence of voter fraud, much less that would have affected the outcome in the presidential election."
  (10:43)

Wray transparently communicated the FBI's findings, which found no substantial evidence of voter fraud in 2020. However, with Trump's 2024 victory, Wray is replaced by Kash Patel.

• Kash Patel's Affirmation [12:05]:

  "Donald Trump has every right to tell the world that he won the 2020 election... Because they were [rigged]."
  (12:05)

Patel enthusiastically endorses Trump's baseless claims of election rigging, signaling a complete overhaul of the FBI's stance on election integrity.

• Patel's Confirmation Hearing [13:10]:

  "Joe Biden is the... Was the President of the United States."
  (13:10)

Despite clear evidence to the contrary, Patel refuses to acknowledge Biden's legitimate presidency, aligning entirely with Trump's agenda to delegitimize electoral outcomes.

5. Implications for American Democracy

Will synthesizes the implications of these appointments, warning of a future where democracy is undermined from within:

• Will's Conclusion [13:31]:

  "That's how easy it is to end democracy in America. You just need to find the right people."
  (13:31)

With the Vice President, Attorney General, and FBI Director all endorsing Trump's false claims of election fraud, the foundational safeguards of American democracy are perilously weakened. This alignment of key officials paves the way for attempts to overturn future elections, threatening the very essence of democratic governance.

6. Future Threats and Democratic Erosion

Will projects potential future scenarios, highlighting the ease with which democracy can be dismantled when critical positions are held by individuals willing to violate democratic principles.

• Potential Mandate Over Electoral Votes: With J.D. Vance presiding over electoral votes, and supportive AG and FBI Director in place, Trump—or potentially Vance himself—could effectively manipulate election outcomes.

Will underscores the fragility of democratic institutions, emphasizing that the deliberate placement of compliant officials is a direct threat to the continuity and integrity of American democracy.

Conclusion

This episode of Bulwark Takes serves as a stark warning about the current trajectory of American politics. By systematically replacing key officials with individuals who support unfounded claims of election fraud, the Trump administration is positioning itself to dismantle essential democratic safeguards. Will’s in-depth analysis and incorporation of direct quotes provide a clear and urgent narrative on the potential erosion of democracy in the United States.