The Bulwark Podcast — LIVE from Minneapolis

Guest: Senator Tina Smith

Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Tim Miller

Episode Overview

In this lively, candid live episode from Minneapolis, Bulwark host Tim Miller sits down with Senator Tina Smith to discuss the political moment in Minnesota and the country at large. The conversation weaves together reflections on Minnesota’s unique sense of community, the fallout from aggressive federal immigration tactics, the political climate in the Senate, Republican leadership, and introspection on Democratic choices. Delivered with humor, honesty, and a Minnesota edge, the episode is both a political dispatch and a meditation on the values of liberal democracy in trying times.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Minnesota Mindset & Radical Empathy

[02:05–05:28]

• Minnesota’s harsh climate as a metaphor for social reliance and resilience.
• Smith claims Minnesota’s “radical empathy” and strong organizing culture are the “secret sauce” for its social cohesion, in sharp contrast to narratives from figures like J.D. Vance.
  • Quote: "What Minnesota has shown...is that, I mean, we've shown like this radical empathy for one another, and then we're like fucking good organizers. Those two things go together." (Sen. Smith, 03:42)
• Examples of neighborly support—shoveling driveways, delivering meals, or quietly protecting each other’s safety.
• Stories of mutual aid for immigrants (see Timestamps for story details).

2. Immigration Enforcement & Federal Cruelty

[05:51–10:41]

• Smith recounts harrowing constituent stories, such as:
  • A local restaurant owner, an asylum seeker, fearing ICE raids while neighbors protect him. (Story at 05:51–07:01)
• Viral images (e.g., child Liam Conejo Ramos) breaking out of progressive circles and affecting some Congressional Republicans.
• Smith and Miller agree recent immigration crackdowns aren’t about policy, but cruelty and political narratives.
  • Quote: "When you see...what they have done here, you can really only conclude that cruelty is the purpose. You know, meanness is the purpose." (Sen. Smith, 08:58)
• Minnesota as a “proving ground” for authoritarian policies — attacks not just on immigrants, but on journalists, political opponents, voting access, and social benefits.
  • Quote: "Minnesota is basically saying, like, leave us the fuck alone." (Sen. Smith, 10:34)
• The normalization of strong language reflects the seriousness of the moment.

3. DHS Shutdown & the Senate’s Role

[11:56–15:43]

• Current “partial DHS shutdown” is a sham; ICE already well-funded due to previous appropriations.
• Miller and Smith debate strategy: fight for harm mitigation versus refusing any deals.
  • Smith: “We’re not asking...I think that this agency needs to be ripped down to the studs.”
  • But short-term, she’s focused on pressing for basic legal compliance for federal officers and harm mitigation.
• Smith vows not to vote for more ICE funding, noting they already have a multi-year financial cushion.
  • Quote: “They already have…more money than the Marines, more money than Israel’s military.” (Miller, 14:44)
• The challenge for the future: “clawing that money back.”

4. War with Iran – Congressional Authority

[15:54–19:24]

• Recent military buildup vis-a-vis Iran; lack of Congressional consultation.
• Miller satirically notes the misuse of old AUMFs; constitutional crisis highlighted.
• Smith calls for “balls to the wall” Democratic opposition to unauthorized war.
  • Quote: “No, I'm not going to send your kids to the Middle East to die in a war that you have no reason to want to be in.” (Sen. Smith, 18:13)

5. Loser Republicans & Reflections on GOP Figures

[20:27–26:23]

• Pete Hegseth (Trump Defense Secretary) roasted for incompetence and performative bravado.
  • Quote: “What a loser, right? I mean, not only is he incompetent, not only can you just tell that the generals don't have any real respect for him…” (Sen. Smith, 21:12)
• Minnesota’s special culture somehow “produced” him—teasing banter about state pride.
• Mike Lee confronted for spreading disinformation; Smith shares how Republicans aren’t used to direct confrontation in the Senate.
  • “He usually is looking at his shoes.” (Sen. Smith, 23:54)
• J.D. Vance examined for his charm, opportunism, and hardline transformation; concern about his ideological steadiness and potential as a disciplined “authoritarian project leader.”
  • Miller: “He is able to explain…deeply offensive and pernicious points of view, but make it seem like it’s the common sense view.” (25:34)
  • Smith: "He's trying to own it. He's trying to lead it." (26:58)
• Smith refrains from calling Vance a "douchebag" outright, citing Senate decorum.

6. Katie Britt & Republican Responsibility

[27:05–30:17]

• Discussion of Britt’s public empathy for mistreated immigrants (like Liam Ramos) versus her powerful role enabling such abuses.
• Smith: Many Republicans plead helplessness, blaming “Crazy Uncle Albert” or the primary calendar for their inaction.
  • Quote: "That's what a lot of my Republican colleagues do...I'd like to do something about it, but I can't do it..." (Sen. Smith, 28:55)

7. Democratic Self-Reflection: Dean Phillips and Al Franken

[31:17–36:34]

• Miller challenges Smith: was Dean Phillips “right” about Biden? Smith agrees Biden shouldn’t have run again, but criticizes Phillips’ approach.
• On Al Franken, Smith reflects on the “almost impossible” calculus, noting Franken was a "really good senator," but events unfolded in a specific cultural and historic context (“if it had happened at any other time…it wouldn’t have ended the same way").
• Larger debate about Democratic standards—do they sometimes undermine the party by holding leaders to impossibly high bars, unlike the GOP?
  • Quote: “We do hold our leaders to a very...different standard. And yet I don't always think that the standard is the right standard.” (Sen. Smith, 35:09)

8. Mount Rushmore Rapid Fire (Fun Segment)

[37:55–41:44]

• Tina Smith’s “Loser Republican/MAGA Mount Rushmore”: Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., J.D. Vance, Stephen Miller.
• On Miller: “He is so ideological...Miller seems to me to be driven by ideology and a really cruel and heartless ideology.” (39:21)
• Minnesota’s real Mount Rushmore: Paul Wellstone, Prince, Bob Dylan, Judy Garland (after audience debate).
  • Paul Wellstone’s outsider status and radical approach cited as a needed model.

9. Leaving the Senate: Smith’s Reflection

[42:03–43:42]

• Smith on why she’s not seeking reelection:
  • “One of the important things about leadership is to do a really good job, do the best job that you can, and then open the door for the next leader...” (Sen. Smith, 42:31)
  • Not delusional that she’s the only one who can serve Minnesota.
  • She’s endorsed Peggy Flanagan as her successor.
• Miller and Smith agree that the authoritarian overreach has sparked political backlash, shaping 2026's landscape in Minnesota.

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Minnesota Toughness:
  “That is the secret of why we are so scary.” (Sen. Smith, 02:28)

• Community Story:
  "There are these three people who have anointed themselves to sit by the door of this restaurant to make sure that he is safe inside while he cooks food for people..." (Sen. Smith, 06:15)

• Sharpest Epithet:
  “Minnesota is basically saying, like, leave us the fuck alone.” (Sen. Smith, 10:34)

• On Republican Cruelty:
  “Cruelty is the purpose. You know, meanness is the purpose.” (Sen. Smith, 08:58)

• War Authority:
  "No, I'm not going to send your kids to the Middle east to die in a war that you have no reason to want to be in." (Sen. Smith, 18:13)

• On Departing the Senate:
  “I don’t suffer under the delusion that… I’m the only one who can do this job.” (Sen. Smith, 42:56)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Minnesota Mindset & Radical Empathy: 02:05–05:28
• Community Stories & ICE Enforcement: 05:51–10:41
• Senate Politics, Shutdown, and Funding: 11:56–15:43
• War Powers & Iran: 15:54–19:24
• Republican Figures Discussion: 20:27–26:23
• Katie Britt Republican Accountability: 27:05–30:17
• Democratic Reflection (Phillips/Franken): 31:17–36:34
• Mount Rushmore/Humor Segment: 37:55–41:44
• Smith’s Farewell & Looking Forward: 42:03–43:42

Tone & Style

The conversation is direct and unvarnished, often profane but always sincere. Both Miller and Smith employ Midwestern self-deprecation, humor, and candid critique—of others and their own party. The tone is at once urgent and personal, engaging the audience in high-stakes political critique but returning always to the ground realities of Minnesota life and the responsibilities of leadership.