Bulwark Takes – Episode Summary

Episode: Trump is Exploiting a Tragedy to Burn This Country Down
Date: November 28, 2025
Hosts: JVL and Sarah Longwell

Overview

This episode addresses the aftermath of a tragic shooting in Washington D.C., allegedly committed by an Afghan national and former U.S. military partner, and explores how Donald Trump is responding to and exploiting the event. Hosts JVL and Sarah Longwell examine the political and social implications of Trump's reaction—particularly his inflammatory rhetoric about immigration and "reverse migration"—and consider what this moment reveals about the direction of American politics and presidential leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Tragedy and Initial Reactions

• Event Details:
  • On the day before Thanksgiving, an Afghan asylum-seeker shot two National Guard members near the White House.
  • One victim, Sarah Beckstrom, died; the other was left in critical condition.
  • The shooter had previously cooperated with the U.S. military/CIA, was granted asylum under Trump, and had a family in Washington state (01:06–02:27).
• Hosts’ Reflections:
  • Both JVL and Sarah express sadness and confusion—what led someone from risking their life to help the U.S. to committing this act?
  • Sarah emphasizes the emotional weight, especially near the holidays.
  • JVL admits his own initial "bad thinking"—blaming the National Guard deployment—before recognizing that the shooter seemed intent on killing regardless of context (05:12–06:35).
    • Quote:

      "This seems like just a disturbed or evil or radicalized person and we don't know which it is...so, like, again, this is me telling on myself, like, my first blush, like, yeah, actually that may not be helpful, right?" — JVL (05:12)

2. Political Weaponization & Trump's Rhetoric

• Immediate Politicization:
  • The event quickly becomes a flashpoint in immigration debates.
  • Trump blames immigration and attacks reporters, sending a “screed” on social media (03:26–05:12).
• Escalation Warning:
  • Sarah warns that episodes like this are quickly absorbed into political fights, often with Trump as the catalyst for escalation.
  • Trump’s response is seen as "pouring gasoline on the fire" rather than calming the situation (07:09–08:45).
  • Quote:

    "In any other time, certainly in our lifetimes in America, the response of presidents to moments like this...is to try to tamp down everything...Not this president." — JVL (07:09)

3. Analysis of Trump’s Statements: “Reverse Migration” & Denaturalization

• Key Content from Trump's Posts:
  • Declares he would "permanently pause migration from all third world countries.”
  • Threatens to "denaturalize" and deport those who "undermine domestic tranquility” (08:45–11:21).
• Hosts’ Alarm:
  • Sarah highlights how dangerously broad and subjective “undermine domestic tranquility” is, pointing out it could be wielded against anyone—including critics, naturalized citizens, or even the families of dissenters.
  • Points out the move toward "reverse migration" is essentially advocating ethnic cleansing.
  • Quote:

    "He’s saying for people who are naturalized US citizens, if you undermine domestic tranquility...we can now use threat of denaturalization and deportation against them. This is beyond." — Sarah Longwell (09:18)

4. National Security, Policy Implications, and the Wall Street Journal Response

• National Security:
  • JVL cites the Wall Street Journal editorial warning that abandoning Afghan allies undermines future partnerships essential to US overseas operations (11:21–13:38).
  • If a single 'bad apple' dictates US policy, American credibility and interests abroad suffer.
• Firearms Context:
  • JVL briefly notes America's proliferation of guns as part of the broader context, but focuses on the larger implications for national security.

5. Broader Trends on the Right: Authoritarian Temptations

• Increasing Online Calls for Autocracy:
  • Sarah notes a spike in online rhetoric from the right demanding a “king” or more authoritarian measures (15:34).
  • She reminds listeners of the American ideal: “the whole point is that, yes, we're not like Afghanistan...he gets a trial. That is the whole point.” (16:36)
  • Quote:

    “There is a...the extent to which the online right seems to be desperate for a dictator and desperate for this kind of action. There will be people who egg Trump on relentlessly on this front.” — Sarah Longwell (15:34)

6. The Danger of Grief Weaponization

• Grief as a Political Weapon:
  • Trump’s playbook: use natural anger over tragedies to focus hate on out-groups, subverting foundational American values like pluralism and the rule of law (19:06).
  • Quote:

    “People have this anger. And Trump tries to direct that anger in the most anti-American way, right? ...This is a dangerous manipulation of people's justified anger at tragedy.” — Sarah Longwell (19:15)

7. Presidential Leadership in Times of Crisis: Trump vs. Bush

• Contrast in Crisis Response:
  • JVL compares Trump’s divisive approach to George W. Bush’s calming, inclusive response after 9/11 (20:36–22:24).
  • Calls Trump’s approach a risk to America’s social fabric.
  • Quote:

    "The job of the President is to hold us all together because that's when we're strong, is when we're together and when we're divided, that's when we're weak." — JVL (21:54)

Memorable Quotes by Timestamp

• JVL (05:12):
  “This seems like just a disturbed or evil or radicalized person and we don't know which it is...so, like, again, this is me telling on myself, like, my first blush, like, yeah, actually that may not be helpful, right?”

• JVL (07:09):
  "In any other time, certainly in our lifetimes in America, the response of presidents to moments like this...is to try to tamp down everything...Not this president."

• Sarah Longwell (09:18):
  “He’s saying for people who are naturalized US citizens, if you undermine domestic tranquility...we can now use threat of denaturalization and deportation against them. This is beyond.”

• Sarah Longwell (15:34):
  "There is a...the extent to which the online right seems to be desperate for a dictator and desperate for this kind of action. There will be people who egg Trump on relentlessly on this front."

• Sarah Longwell (19:15):
  "People have this anger. And Trump tries to direct that anger in the most anti-American way, right? ...This is a dangerous manipulation of people's justified anger at tragedy."

• JVL (21:54):
  "The job of the President is to hold us all together because that's when we're strong, is when we're together and when we're divided, that's when we're weak."

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:06–02:27: Outlining the D.C. tragedy
• 03:26–05:12: Initial political response and escalation risk
• 07:09–08:45: Presidential leadership comparison and Trump’s inflammatory post
• 08:45–11:21: Trump’s denaturalization threats and “reverse migration” rhetoric
• 11:21–13:38: National security implications & Wall Street Journal’s response
• 15:34–17:40: Right-wing authoritarian calls and American values
• 19:06–20:36: Weaponization of grief
• 20:36–22:24: Presidential leadership contrast: Trump vs. Bush

Closing Thoughts

The episode provides a pointed critique of how Donald Trump seizes on national tragedies to push extreme, divisive policies—contradicting core American ideals. JVL and Sarah underscore the danger of using grief and fear as political weapons and urge listeners to resist these manipulations, reaffirming the value of pluralism, rule of law, and thoughtful presidential leadership during crises.