Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes Episode Title: Secret Air Force One Deal? Is The DOD HIDING SOMETHING From Congress?! Release Date: June 11, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Tim Miller and Sam Stein delve into allegations that the Department of Defense (DOD) may be withholding crucial information from Congress concerning sensitive military contracts and budget allocations. The discussion centers around a controversial contract related to the reconfiguration of Air Force One and a mysterious $1 billion addition to the Defense Production Act (DPA) funding within the latest defense bill.

1. Alleged Secrecy Surrounding Air Force One Contract

Tim Miller initiates the conversation by addressing recent stories suggesting that the DOD is keeping certain military dealings hidden from Congress. A focal point is the reconfiguration of Air Force One, allegedly tied to a "Project 2025," which is said to continue initiatives from Elon Musk.

• Senate Hearing Clip Analysis:
  The hosts reference a Senate hearing where Senator Jack Reed questions Pete Hegseth about a contract to reconfigure Air Force One. The response given by Hegseth is notably evasive:

  [03:00] Richard Karn (as Hegseth): "That cannot be revealed in this setting."

  [03:14] Richard Karn: "You will have that number, Senator. It just can't be talked about."

Sam Stein critiques this interaction, highlighting the lack of transparency and expressing concern over potential governmental overreach:

[04:30] Sam Stein: "The lack of even remote desire to participate in some sort of congressional back and forth or even bipartisan exchange... they are entitled to... secrecy on every front as if the appropriators of Congress are immaterial to them."

2. Implications of Secrecy and Potential Power Consolidation

The discussion shifts to the broader implications of such secrecy. Stein and Miller express concerns that these actions may be indicative of a move towards centralized, authoritarian control within the military apparatus.

• Consolidation of Power:
  Miller elaborates on his concerns:

  [09:03] Tim Miller: "They are doing everything in their power to consolidate power and control within the power ministries... They can take Sharia law theocrat planes and make it Air Force One... They can send troops into California at $100 million... and use a billion dollars for whatever their ends are."

• Potential Embarrassment and Mismanagement:
  The hosts also consider that the secrecy might stem from embarrassment over possible mismanagement or overinflated costs related to the Air Force One project.

  [05:08] Tim Miller: "Maybe they'll give us some, they'll, they'll give Congress some figure in private and it will leak out. But I'm sure they don't want to have Pete Hegseth on camera being like, yeah, actually it's going to be $800 billion."

3. Mysterious $1 Billion Addition to the Defense Production Act Funding

Transitioning to another critical issue, the podcast discusses an exclusive report from Semaphore highlighting a $1 billion addition to the DPA within the latest defense bill.

• Republican Senators’ Confusion:
  The addition has baffled Republican members of the Banking Committee, who are unsure of its intended use:

  [06:54] Sam Stein: "The Billion dollars is actually to retrofit the plane. But yeah, put it. Let's say that's not the case. Let's say they just want a slush fund. That's, you know, that's a lot of money for a slush fund."

  [07:51] Sam Stein: "They want to make sure that they have budget to do various things and they don't give a fuck what the Senate thinks anymore."

• Calls for Transparency:
  Miller advocates for immediate accountability:

  [07:51] Sam Stein: "Strip it out. Strip it out. You have agency like, what the fuck, man?"

4. DHS Overspending and Potential Budgetary Misconduct

The conversation broadens to include ongoing issues with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allegedly overspending beyond appropriated funds, particularly in immigration enforcement.

• Overspending Concerns:
  Miller cites past interactions with Jim Comey, who indicated that DHS is not adhering to typical spending protocols:

  [11:18] Tim Miller: "DHS is spending now out of DHS and they just don't care... they're doing it to send these... you know, they're doing it with the immigration enforcement."

• Disregard for Democratic Processes:
  The hosts criticize DHS's dismissive attitude towards Congress:

  [12:50] Sam Stein: "They just don't care. You know, they're doing it to send these... they're doing it with the immigration enforcement. That's where most of this stuff is going to."

5. Implications for the Midterm Elections

The episode concludes with a discussion on how these issues may influence the upcoming midterm elections, emphasizing the importance of congressional oversight and transparency.

• Midterm Impact:
  Stein and Miller agree that these transparency issues will be pivotal in the midterms, potentially swaying voter sentiment:

  [12:57] Tim Miller: "This is why the midterms will matter... these are among the things that will matter in the midterms."

  [13:08] Sam Stein: "But like, they have to appropriate it... it hasn't passed yet, but let's say it does, and then they continue to spend beyond their means."

Conclusion

In this episode, Bulwark Takes brings to light significant concerns regarding the Department of Defense's transparency with Congress, especially concerning high-stakes contracts like the reconfiguration of Air Force One and substantial budgetary additions to defense-related acts. Hosts Tim Miller and Sam Stein urge for greater accountability and foresee these issues playing a critical role in the forthcoming midterm elections, underscoring the necessity for vigilant congressional oversight to prevent potential overreach and maintain democratic integrity.

Notable Quotes:

• "[09:03] Tim Miller: 'They are doing everything in their power to consolidate power and control within the power ministries...'"

• "[07:51] Sam Stein: 'They want to make sure that they have budget to do various things and they don't give a fuck what the Senate thinks anymore.'"

• "[12:50] Sam Stein: 'They just don't care... they're doing it with the immigration enforcement.'"

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, promotional content, and non-substantive sections of the transcript to focus solely on the critical discussions and analyses presented during the episode.