Bulwark Takes: Tim Miller on Economic Warning Signs and the Justice Department's Troubling Appointment

Release Date: July 3, 2025

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, host Tim Miller delves into pressing economic concerns and unsettling developments within the Justice Department. Drawing from his recent appearance on MSNBC, Tim provides a comprehensive analysis of job market trends, trade policies, and the politicization of the Justice Department, highlighting the implications for American democracy.

1. Economic Warning Signs

a. Declining Job Market Trends

Tim opens the discussion by addressing the concerning job market data. Contrary to the optimistic forecasts by economists, the private sector experienced a contraction in June 2025, with 33,000 jobs lost. This figure disappointingly surpassed the anticipated loss of 100,000 jobs predicted by conventional wisdom. Additionally, revising May's job growth figure down to 29,000 exacerbated concerns, bringing the combined loss over the past two months to 4,000 jobs.

"If you look over the last two months combined, now we're at 4,000 jobs lost. So you really are seeing a trend there."
— Tim Miller [00:00]

Tim emphasizes that while the stock market has shown resilience, these job losses present a real warning sign for the tangible economy, especially affecting those actively seeking employment.

b. Impact of Trade Policies

The conversation shifts to the ramifications of ongoing trade tensions, particularly the implementation of a 20% tariff on Vietnamese goods, positioning Vietnam as the sixth-largest trading partner. Tim critiques the narrative that former President Trump's trade policies stabilized the economy, arguing instead that the high tariffs and resulting market uncertainty contribute to economic instability.

"A random 20% tax increase on stuff you get from Vietnam, all that starts to add up... it's not good."
— Tim Miller [00:00]

He further discusses the Weaponization of Government through trade policies, highlighting how such measures have bred uncertainty and negatively impacted consumer prices.

c. Tax Cuts and National Debt

Addressing tax policies, Tim points out the confusion surrounding Trump's tax cuts, clarifying that extensions merely maintain the status quo rather than providing new financial relief to taxpayers. He underscores the broader economic implications, including the ballooning national debt and sustained high-interest rates affecting mortgages, car loans, and student debt.

"There's a ballooning of the national debt, which is going to keep interest rates high, which affects everybody."
— Tim Miller [04:37]

He warns that high-interest rates could stifle job creation, particularly in sectors like green energy and construction, and cites opposition from trade unions labeling the economic bill as a "job killer."

2. Political Developments and the Justice Department

a. January 6th Aftermath and GOP Response

Tim critically examines the Republican Party's evolving stance on the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Initially condemning the events, the narrative shifted as Trump and his allies sought to whitewash the incident, portraying the attackers as martyrs and heroes. This culminated in Trump’s controversial pardoning of over 1,500 defendants, undermining accountability.

b. Appointment of Jared L. Wise to the Justice Department

A focal point of the episode is the appointment of Jared L. Wise, a former FBI agent charged with felonies and misdemeanors for his role in encouraging the Capitol mob to target police officers, to an advisory position within the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group.

"Former agent Jared L. Wise is serving as a counselor to Ed Martin, the director of the so-called Weaponization Working Group."
— Tim Miller [08:07]

Tim expresses alarm over Wise's role, highlighting the paradox of appointing a convicted individual to a position aimed at seeking retribution against political adversaries. He notes the broader trend of appointing individuals with extremist views and histories, undermining the integrity of governmental institutions.

"This is a person that's been unabashed about that. There's some that are more, how shall we say, more casual about it... They have been, you know, advanced horribly extreme views on a variety of issues."
— Tim Miller [08:07]

3. Implications for American Democracy and Institutional Integrity

a. Erosion of Trust and Institutional Decay

Tim discusses the long-term consequences of these developments, emphasizing that the weaponization of government institutions poses a significant threat to democratic norms. The appointment of individuals like Wise, combined with the departure of career professionals from agencies like USAID, creates a void of expertise and integrity, making institutional restoration a formidable challenge.

"The degree of outrageousness of the behavior of this particular individual, you know, is alarming."
— Tim Miller [08:07]

b. Challenges in Rebuilding Institutions

Highlighting the metaphor of Humpty Dumpty, Tim reflects on the daunting task of reconstructing weakened institutions. He points out that the departure of experienced personnel and the influx of ideologically driven appointees will necessitate a generational effort to restore effective governance and public trust.

"It's going to be a long time before we can put Humpty Dumpty back together again."
— Tim Miller [13:15]

4. Conclusion and Future Outlook

Tim concludes by reiterating the severity of the current economic and political climate. He underscores the importance of addressing these issues to safeguard the nation's economic stability and democratic institutions. Looking ahead, Tim promises to engage with esteemed economists to further assess the state of affairs, signaling ongoing coverage of these critical topics.

"There are some real warning signs. So stick around. We discuss, we get into this a little bit more... we'll be talking to you soon."
— Tim Miller [06:18]

Key Takeaways:

• Economic Indicators: The private sector is experiencing job losses contrary to optimistic forecasts, signaling potential economic instability.

• Trade Policies: High tariffs, particularly on Vietnamese goods, are contributing to market uncertainty and consumer price inflation.

• Tax Policy Confusion: Extensions of tax cuts are maintaining the status quo rather than providing new relief, with broader implications for national debt and interest rates.

• Justice Department Concerns: The appointment of Jared L. Wise reflects a troubling trend of politicizing governmental institutions, undermining democracy.

• Institutional Restoration: Rebuilding trust and functionality within institutions will require significant effort and time, especially given the departure of experienced personnel.

This episode of Bulwark Takes offers a critical lens on the intersecting issues of economic policy and political maneuvering, urging listeners to remain vigilant and informed about the foundational challenges facing American society.