Bulwark Takes: Episode Summary – "The Crisis They Wanted"

Release Date: June 9, 2025
Host/Author: The Bulwark
Description:
Bulwark Takes brings you bite-sized takes on the news of the day from the entire Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol, and more.

Overview

In the episode titled "The Crisis They Wanted," hosts JVL and Bill Kristol delve into what they describe as one of the most perilous weeks in American history. The discussion centers around President Donald Trump's escalating use of military force within the United States, the strategic deployment of the National Guard, mass deportation policies, and the alarming consolidation of presidential power. The conversation also touches upon the fallout of Trump's public feud with Elon Musk and the broader implications for American democracy.

National Guard Deployment and Presidential Powers

The episode opens with JVL raising concerns about the President's recent actions, questioning whether the situation is being overstated. He highlights the deployment of tanks in the nation's capital and the National Guard in California, challenging the Governor's wishes.

JVL (01:30): "We have a president who is shipping tanks into the nation's capital while taking over the National Guard in California against the wishes of the state's governor and deploying it against the wishes of the state's governor..."

Bill Kristol concurs, expressing horror at the memorandum that authorizes the Secretary of Defense to deploy National Guard troops more flexibly than before.

Bill Kristol (02:30): "The presidential memorandum... authorizes the secretary of Defense to deploy at least 2,000 of the National Guard under his command... It's totally open-ended. He could do as many more as he wants and as many active duty as he wants."

Kristol emphasizes the unprecedented nature of this authority, noting that the memorandum does not specify any particular location, thereby granting the President discretion to deploy troops anywhere in the country in response to disturbances.

Language and the Insurrection Act

JVL discusses the strategic use of language by the administration, drawing parallels to how immigration was framed as an "invasion" to justify invoking the Alien Enemies Act. He suggests that labeling domestic issues as "insurrections" signals an intention to invoke the Insurrection Act.

JVL (05:07): "The extent to which he is purposely describing all of these things happening in America as insurrections... pretty clear telegraph that he is trying to socialize the idea of invoking the Insurrection Act."

Kristol agrees, highlighting that the administration is laying the groundwork for potentially bypassing legal limitations by preparing for court challenges.

Bill Kristol (05:43): "He's laying the groundwork for some court says, 'Well, you can't do this. You don't have the authorities.' Okay, well, I'm gonna have to invoke the Insurrection Act."

Mass Deportation Policies

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the administration's mass deportation efforts. JVL expresses shock and dismay at the cruelty and impracticality of mass deportations, questioning the sustainability of such policies.

JVL (06:12): "The mass deportation thing, I was appalled by it. It's kind of horrifying on eight different levels."

Kristol points out the expanded scope of deportable individuals following the removal of temporary protected status for Venezuelans, exacerbating the situation.

Bill Kristol (11:14): "He removed the temporary protected status for 350,000 Venezuelans, and they suddenly became undocumented. So the mass of people who could be mass deported was larger than before."

The hosts discuss the likelihood of these deportations being targeted primarily in Democratic strongholds, minimizing backlash and economic repercussions in Republican-led areas.

Shift in Republican Attitudes

JVL raises concerns about the transformation within the Republican Party, suggesting that former moderates and skeptics have been replaced by staunch supporters who are less likely to question Trump's authoritarian tendencies.

JVL (12:35): "Do you get that sense too that there is not a lot of hand wringing in like non-Trump Republican circles about... What are the economic ramifications going to be from this?"

Kristol laments the lack of internal opposition within the party, noting the influence of figures like Pete Hegseth and the purging of general staff that traditionally acted as checks against presidential overreach.

Bill Kristol (15:50): "The combination of Hexeth, Christine Ohm, Cash Patel... they're encouraging him. That's unlike anything we've had in American history."

Elon Musk vs. Trump Dynamics

The feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump is highlighted as a pivotal moment showcasing Trump's ability to consolidate power swiftly. JVL anticipates that this conflict signals Trump's growing dominance and potential for increased authoritarianism.

JVL (17:40): "Elon Musk went and after 24 hours of hostilities... Trump did the opposite. This is like a big red flashing light to me that the guy is amassing incredible amounts of power."

Kristol reflects on his initial analysis, confirming that Trump's maneuvering in this episode strengthens his position significantly.

Bill Kristol (20:09): "Trump's made pretty clear... this is going to strengthen Trump... he's the guy in charge."

Public Protests and Impact

The discussion shifts to public protests against the administration's actions. Both hosts express skepticism about the efficacy of these movements, emphasizing the disorganization and lack of strategic planning compared to historical movements like the Civil Rights Movement.

JVL (24:28): "Successful protest movements historically are highly organized and highly unified... But on the other hand... it's their right to protest."

Kristol acknowledges the attempts at peaceful and strategic protests but remains pessimistic about their ability to counteract the administration's actions effectively.

Bill Kristol (26:33): "Even some lefties in the Democratic, they've been trying to organize and actually tried to insist on peaceful protests... but it's so, it's very dangerous."

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, both hosts underscore the gravity of the current political climate. They warn of an ongoing descent into authoritarianism, driven by a significant portion of the American populace supporting Trump's agenda. The conversation culminates in a call to action, urging listeners to remain vigilant and proactive in resisting the normalization of these dangerous policies.

JVL (38:17): "This is one of the more dangerous weeks in American history... buckle up."

Bill Kristol echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the urgent need to alert the public and reinforce democratic principles.

Bill Kristol (38:15): "This is the most depressing hit. We need to get through this together somehow."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• JVL (01:30): "We have a president who is shipping tanks into the nation's capital while taking over the National Guard in California against the wishes of the state's governor..."

• Bill Kristol (02:30): "The presidential memorandum... authorizes the secretary of Defense to deploy at least 2,000 of the National Guard under his command... It's totally open-ended."

• JVL (05:07): "The extent to which he is purposely describing all of these things happening in America as insurrections... pretty clear telegraph..."

• JVL (06:12): "The mass deportation thing, I was appalled by it. It's kind of horrifying on eight different levels."

• JVL (12:35): "Do you get that sense too that there is not a lot of hand wringing...?"

• JVL (17:40): "This is like a big red flashing light to me that the guy is amassing incredible amounts of power."

• JVL (24:28): "Successful protest movements historically are highly organized and highly unified... But on the other hand..."

• Bill Kristol (26:33): "Even some lefties in the Democratic, they've been trying to organize and actually tried to insist on peaceful protests..."

• JVL (38:17): "This is one of the more dangerous weeks in American history... buckle up."

• Bill Kristol (38:15): "This is the most depressing hit. We need to get through this together somehow."

Final Thoughts

"The Crisis They Wanted" presents a stark analysis of the current administration's trajectory towards authoritarianism, underscored by strategic policy maneuvers and a fractured Republican opposition. JVL and Bill Kristol offer a cautionary perspective, urging listeners to recognize and resist the normalization of extreme measures that threaten the foundational principles of American democracy.

Note: The summary intentionally omits advertisements and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.