Bulwark Takes: This Is A TOTAL DISASTER For Kristi Noem!

Release Date: June 5, 2025
Hosted by: Tim Miller and Sam Stein, The Bulwark

1. Introduction to the Controversial Case (00:00 - 02:00)

Tim Miller opens the episode by discussing a perplexing and alarming story that intertwines the harsh realities of the Trump-era immigration policies with the evident incompetence within the administration. The case in focus involves a fabricated assassination threat against President Trump, which has been manipulated for political gain.

Key Points:

• An undocumented immigrant in Wisconsin, Ramon Morales Reyes, was falsely accused of threatening to kill President Trump.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publicly condemned Reyes, highlighting his capture as a triumph of ICE operations.
• However, the true author of the threat was Dmytryk Scott, an individual facing robbery charges in Milwaukee County.

Notable Quote:

Tim Miller (00:45): "Kristi Noem went on to saying, thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars."

2. Unraveling the Fraudulent Threat (02:01 - 05:00)

Sam Stein delves deeper into the intricacies of the case, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the setup orchestrated by Scott to derail the legal proceedings against him.

Key Points:

• Dmytryk Scott, facing trial for alleged robbery, forged the assassination threat to silence witnesses, specifically targeting Reyes.
• The forged letter falsely identified Reyes as the perpetrator, including misleading details like self-deportation intentions to fabricate an illegal status.
• Kristi Noem and the DHS readily accepted and publicized the fraudulent threat without sufficient verification, showcasing a lapse in due diligence.

Notable Quote:

Sam Stein (02:10): "That's the story that she bought hook, line and sinker. Like the stupidest, stupidest setup."

3. Critique of Kristi Noem and DHS's Response (05:01 - 06:30)

The hosts criticize Kristi Noem's administration and the DHS for their rapid acceptance and promotion of the fraudulent narrative without reassessing the evidence once inconsistencies emerged.

Key Points:

• Reyes, despite being innocent of the threat, remains in custody, highlighting the systemic failure to correct misinformation.
• The DHS has not retracted or corrected the press release, even after recognizing the note as a forgery.
• This reluctance to amend official statements undermines public trust and perpetuates a misleading narrative.

Notable Quote:

Sam Stein (03:19): "It's just important to say it explicitly. The setup worked like the criminal conspiracy worked."

4. Broader Implications on Immigration Policies and Public Perception (06:31 - 07:50)

Tim Miller and Sam Stein explore the larger ramifications of this incident on immigration policies and the portrayal of immigrants in public discourse.

Key Points:

• The incident exemplifies how flimsy or fabricated threats are exploited to further anti-immigration agendas.
• Politicians, including figures like Marsha Blackburn, have echoed the sentiment, using the case to justify stringent immigration measures.
• The misuse of such cases for political gain contributes to the stigmatization of undocumented immigrants and fuels divisive rhetoric.

Notable Quote:

Tim Miller (07:37): "It's all designed to get press releases... They just want out there."

5. Systemic Failures and Calls for Accountability (07:51 - 08:27)

The discussion shifts towards the necessity for skepticism and verification of official statements, emphasizing the need for systemic accountability within agencies like DHS.

Key Points:

• The hosts urge listeners to remain vigilant and critical of official narratives, especially those that seem to align too neatly with political agendas.
• There’s a call for higher standards and accountability mechanisms to prevent the misuse of immigration enforcement for political posturing.
• The ongoing saga serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for abuse within government agencies when oversight is lax.

Notable Quote:

Sam Stein (07:51): "You need to be skeptical of it. Doesn't mean that they're not going to be right, but like you can't."

Conclusion

Tim Miller and Sam Stein provide a scathing critique of the Trump administration's handling of immigration enforcement, particularly highlighting the misuse of immigration policies for political gain. The fraudulent assassination threat against President Trump serves as a stark example of systemic failures and the dangers of unverified public statements. The hosts call for greater accountability and a more discerning public approach to official narratives, urging listeners to remain informed and critical of the information disseminated by government entities.

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