Podcast Summary: The Bulwark Podcast

Episode: Adam Kinzinger: The People of Minneapolis Won

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Adam Kinzinger (former Congressman, Air Force/Air National Guard veteran, founder of Country First)

Overview

In this episode, Tim Miller welcomes back Adam Kinzinger for a wide-ranging discussion on current political controversies, the politicization of law enforcement and the military, recent events in Minneapolis, right-wing grifting and infighting, and the prospects for Democrats in the upcoming elections. The tone is candid, irreverent, and occasionally biting, reflecting Bulwark’s Never Trump, reality-focused perspective.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pam Bondi’s Meltdown & Congressional Testimony (02:27–13:43)

• Pam Bondi’s Appearance: Miller and Kinzinger dissect former Florida AG Pam Bondi's combative Congressional testimony, where she deflected questions on investigating Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirators and instead ranted about Trump.
• Lack of Accountability: Kinzinger points out Bondi’s defensiveness, suggesting her anger is rooted in her own awareness of unkept promises and compromised integrity.
  • “Her anger at herself, maybe at Trump, is projected outward. I think even MAGAs were sitting around going, this was a pretty bad presentation here.” (05:52, Kinzinger)
• Trump-Epstein Connections: The hosts highlight the hypocrisy of Bondi’s attacks, noting that Trump, not Biden, was entangled with Epstein and president when Epstein died.
• Skiff Violations: Kinzinger explains the sanctity of Congressional skiffs (secure rooms) and Bondi’s possible violation of protocols by weaponizing information against Congress members.
  • “For them to do that is just...disgusting. They probably violated skiff rules, to be honest.” (10:24, Kinzinger)
• Hiring January 6th Rioters: Miller criticizes Bondi for employing a Trump-pardoned January 6th insurrectionist at DOJ, while pointing out another Trump-pardoned rioter was convicted of child sex abuse.

2. Right-Wing Grifting: Dan Bongino & Fundraising as Radicalization (13:44–21:42)

• Dan Bongino’s Return: Miller mocks the appointment of ex-podcaster Bongino as former FBI #2, noting he was ineffective at investigating MAGA conspiracy targets.
  • “He got into the FBI and totally failed...All this bluster. Nobody's behind bars yet. Total loser.” (19:42, Miller)
• The Fundraising Grift: Kinzinger draws parallels between Bongino’s self-serving career and the broader right-wing ecosystem of rage fundraising, which radicalizes by constant overstimulation.
  • “All of politics on the right has become the operation of basically sucking every bit of wealth away from people that don't have wealth...They're con artists.” (18:37, Kinzinger)

3. Minneapolis “Victory”: Ending the ICE Surge (23:36–27:46)

• Public Pushback Succeeds: The Biden/Trump administration (context-dependent) ends aggressive immigration enforcement in Minneapolis after peaceful local resistance.
  • “The discipline that freedom loving Americans have shown in this, I think, has been incredible...I think we need to take a victory lap here.” (24:15, Kinzinger)
• Critique of Administration Tactics: Kinzinger highlights that the operation failed because it couldn't deliver the Fox News narrative the administration wanted.

4. The MAGA “Reply Guy” Meltdown & Public Trolls (27:10–29:39)

• Greg Bevino's Drunken Tweets: Miller and Kinzinger riff on a disgraced right-wing agitator reduced to trolling journalists on social media—framing it as symptomatic of personal and movement decline.
  • “You go through a point when you hit...professional walls...and you kind of go through dark moment. This is probably what he is going through.” (28:35, Kinzinger)

5. The Justice Department’s Political Prosecutions & National Guard Politicization (31:14–36:00)

• Failed Grand Jury Prosecutions: Recent failed indictments against retired military members who criticized Trump lead Kinzinger to reflect on grand jury processes and chilling effects on dissent.
  • “To reject an indictment is incredible...that should give us some faith in...our judicial branch.” (32:09, Kinzinger)
  • “I know...generals that are retired that... are not speaking out because of their fear of this...So that has done its job, sadly.” (33:23, Kinzinger)
• Country First Campaign: Kinzinger describes his new campaign to educate the public about the National Guard’s real purpose and to push back on political misuse for partisan stunts.

6. The El Paso Balloon Incident: Overreaction and Drones (36:00–39:50)

• El Paso Airport Shutdown: Miller and Kinzinger lampoon the incident where a party balloon—mistaken for a cartel drone—shuts down El Paso’s airport.
  • “The 10 day closure...indicative of what happens in this administration...this overreaction happened. People woke up, WTF?” (38:26, Kinzinger)
• Broader Point: Overreacting bureaucracies and disconnect between agencies are criticized as emblematic of poor leadership.

7. Ukraine Update & Western Resolve (40:28–42:44)

• Ukraine War Analysis: Kinzinger and Miller agree with prior Bulwark guest Ben Wittes—the war is in a long, industrial, attritional phase.
  • “This war is by no means over...I think it's possible that in five or 10 years, there is still this thing going on. Unfortunately, we have to come to grips with it and not get numb to it.” (41:45, Kinzinger)
• Senate Gridlock: Recurrent stalling on sanctions legislation is called out, especially Lindsey Graham’s posturing.

8. Democratic Opportunities in “Red” States (44:54–53:08)

• Texas Senate & House Races: The Texas Senate GOP primary’s chaos (Cornyn v Paxton v Hunt) might make the seat winnable for Democrats under the right circumstances.
  • “Paxton is the one that Democrats could potentially beat...if basically Paxton wins the primary, it has to be everything unleashed to beat him.” (47:02, Kinzinger)
• Down-ballot Focus: Houston astronaut Terry Virts and Bobby Polito cited as strong House candidates who can take advantage of a possible wave.
• Indiana & Midwest Prospects: Kinzinger shares optimism after visiting Indiana Democrats, noting their surprising energy and belief that the state is winnable in a possible blue-wave cycle.
  • “This is not the time to...pass a purity test. This is the time to defend our democracy by taking power away. Not just barely, but crushing the Republicans...” (51:43, Kinzinger)

9. Right-Wing Victimhood & Nick Fuentes Clip (53:50–58:27)

• Self-Parody on the Right: Miller plays a Nick Fuentes rant mocking the “butthurt” state of the far right, saying they used to be the trolls but now are the trolled.
  • “This is the party...We have created an entire generation of victim sissies. I mean, I've got to tell you, watching, you know, 50 year old white men who are complaining that they're being, you know, pushed out of society...” (55:49, Kinzinger)
• Advice for Democrats: Call out the right's culture of whining and victimhood—it is unattractive and will alienate swing voters.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bondi’s testimony:
  “[Even] MAGAs were sitting around going, this was a pretty bad presentation here.” (05:52, Adam Kinzinger)
• On right-wing grifters:
  “All of politics on the right has become the operation of basically sucking every bit of wealth away from people that don't have wealth...They're con artists.” (18:37, Adam Kinzinger)
• On Minneapolis ICE protests:
  “The discipline that freedom loving Americans have shown in this, I think has been incredible...I think we need to take a victory lap here.” (24:15, Adam Kinzinger)
• On the current right-wing mood:
  “We have created an entire generation of victim sissies... Stop being a fricking whiny victim. And my advice to Democrats is keep calling these people out as whiny victims because it drives them nuts and it makes them more victimy.” (55:49, Adam Kinzinger)
• On running better Dems in red states:
  “This is the time to defend our democracy by taking power away. Not just barely, but crushing the Republicans...” (51:43, Adam Kinzinger)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pam Bondi’s congressional meltdown: 02:27–13:43
• Dan Bongino and right-wing grifting: 13:44–21:42
• Minneapolis ICE policy reversal + local resistance: 23:36–27:46
• Greg Bevino social media meltdown: 27:10–29:39
• National Guard politicization & Country First campaign: 31:14–36:00
• El Paso “drone”/party balloon incident: 36:00–39:50
• Ukraine war update: 40:28–42:44
• Red-state Dem opportunities & Indiana trip: 44:54–53:08
• Nick Fuentes right-wing “butthurt” rant: 53:50–58:27

Tone & Language

• The conversation is sharp, irreverent, and laced with humor, sarcasm, and occasional swearing, capturing the unfiltered “reality-based” character of The Bulwark.
• Both hosts freely criticize both parties but reserve most scorn for GOP figures, right-wing grifters, and Trumpist enablers.

Summary Takeaway

This episode provides a bracing look at right-wing dysfunction, cynical fundraising, institutional decay, and reasons for hope in grassroots political resistance and Democratic opportunities in 2026. Kinzinger and Miller’s inside perspective and candor make for an energizing and informative conversation for anyone concerned about American democracy.