The Bulwark Podcast: "Neera Tanden: Absolute Power Corrupts"

Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Neera Tanden (President/CEO, Center for American Progress, former Biden Domestic Policy Advisor)
Date: March 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Tim Miller in conversation with Neera Tanden, focusing on the chaotic state of the Trump administration, the consequences of unchecked executive power, current economic challenges, the deepening war in the Middle East, and the looming 2026 Senate landscape. The discussion is notable for its sharp analysis of Trump-era dysfunction, war mismanagement, the culture of impunity, and the complicated dynamics inside both parties. With signature Bulwark candor and gallows humor, Miller and Tanden examine how "absolute power corrupts" in American politics today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Schadenfreude and Dysfunction in the Trump Administration

(01:54–12:51)

• Kristi Noem's Firing & the Culture of Fake Jobs

  • Celebration of the ouster of Kristi Noem and her close associate Corey Lewandowski from the Trump cabinet.
  • Trump assigns Noem to a made-up diplomatic post ("Shield of the Americas") as a face-saving maneuver.
  • Neera: "The crazier the title, the more made up it is." (03:00, D)

• Political Consequences and Republican Response

  • Trump’s resistance to firing officials rooted in his refusal to be constrained.
  • The unusual effect of political pressure causing action—even inside a regime that prizes loyalty over competence.
  • Tanden: "He believes no one should make him do anything... everyone has had carte blanche to be as incompetent or as horrifyingly cruel as possible." (04:14, D)

• Markwayne Mullin as Noem's Replacement

  • Mullin compared unfavorably to his predecessor; described as a sycophant with few credentials and inflammatory, even violent, rhetoric.
  • Mullin’s past attacks on Rand Paul highlighted as potential stumbling blocks for confirmation.
  • Miller reads Mullin’s past quote: “Rand Paul is a freaking snake. And I understand completely why his neighbor did what he did.” (09:19, C)

• Possibility for Rational Republican Replacement in the Senate

  • Oklahoma's governor could install a less extreme temporary senator, potentially shifting some dynamics.

• Subtext: The conversation underscores the degradation of government norms and the embrace of performative, unserious governance.

2. Cracks in the Republican Coalition & Senate Dynamics

(12:05–12:51; 43:38–61:05)

• Rand Paul’s Libertarian Concerns

  • Focus on libertarians’ worries about militarized federal agencies amidst abuses and lies from DHS.
  • Neera: "Unless you are a complete hypocrite, you should be very worried about a incredibly armed DHS that is shooting citizens on the streets of American cities." (12:05, D)
  • Senate confirmations could open the door for greater scrutiny of Trump officials and administration scandals.

• Senate Map Analysis

  • Eye on states like Montana, Nebraska, Alaska, Ohio, North Carolina, and Maine as key for Democrats to regain control.
  • Miller: “The Democrats cannot consider this to be a good midterm or a blue wave unless they also take the Senate. Taking the House is not sufficient.” (43:38, C)
  • Tanden highlights the importance of the Senate as a check on courts and nominees.

3. Economy: Self-Inflicted Wounds and Discontent

(15:34–24:46)

• Dramatic Job Losses

  • Recent labor report shows 92,000 jobs lost, along with downward revisions from previous months and concentrated losses in manufacturing, construction, transportation, and working-class sectors.
  • Tanden: "Donald Trump decided himself to create a tariff regime that just made everything a lot more expensive... that is why we’re having a manufacturing problem." (15:34, D)

• No Coherent Plan from the White House

  • Criticism of Trump’s lack of ideas in the State of the Union; administration focused on executive actions, not legislative solutions.
  • Miller: "It was self inflicted. 100%... And there’s no plan." (17:40, C)

• Tariffs and War Drag

  • Tariffs/backwards policies as a key driver for job losses.
  • War in the Middle East impacting oil prices, further worsening inflation (termed "warflation").

4. The Middle East War: Strategy-Free Chaos and Escalation

(24:46–41:17)

• Economic Fallout of War

  • Gas prices up 11%, oil up 20% since the start of the conflict.
  • Tanden on the paradox: “I was kind of predictable that when you started a war with Iran, it might have some pressure on gas prices.” (22:08, D)
  • Administration’s ham-handed response: easing sanctions on Russia to stabilize oil prices to the benefit of a US adversary.

• Lack of Planning and Sudden Escalation

  • War started without proper buildup, consultation with allies, or adequate preparation (e.g., strategic reserves).
  • Miller: “If it’s that critical that you go on the BB [Netanyahu] timetable here, then there are going to be these other externalities, like people stuck over in the Middle East, like gas prices going up. And it doesn’t feel like they gave a fuck about that.” (25:38, C)
  • Allies alienated, embassies unprepared, civilians left at risk.

• Regime Change and No Clear War Aim

  • Trump’s public pronouncement: “There will be no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender… bring Iran back, Iran will have a great future, make Iran great again, MEGA.” (28:00, C reads Trump post)
  • Guest reflects on the seven conflicting war objectives in as many days, lack of public support, and war crime allegations after U.S. forces bomb a school.

• War Crimes and the Cost of Absolute Power

  • School bombing likened to Abu Ghraib for its long-term impact on U.S. reputation.
  • Tanden: “In my lifetime, the height of support for a military engagement, a war is the days after the first bombings start going off. The fact that the President has never been able to make the case as to why we have to do this...” (27:16, D)
  • No accountability culture, whistleblowers purged, administration openly suppressing dissent.

5. The Corrosive Effects of "Absolute Power"

(37:13–43:38)

• No Guardrails, No Accountability

  • Republican institutions, the Supreme Court, and senior officials refusing to check presidential excess.
  • Neera: "Absolute power corrupts. Like, there have been no guardrails on this President because the Republican Party and the Supreme Court also made up of Republicans who refused to give him guardrails." (37:13, D)
  • Trump’s success in Venezuela emboldened riskier moves; anyone serving in his administration must accept complicity.

• Ghosts of Scandals Past: A System Without Whistleblowers

  • Previous administrations at least faced internal revolt, resignation, and public pushback.
  • Now: “They're still lying about it. Forget having whistleblowers or constraints or internal investigations. They fired all the JAGs. We don’t even have military lawyers anymore. Like, it’s fucking sick.” (40:18, C)

6. Senate Race Deep Dive: Texas, Maine, and the State of the Democratic Party

(43:38–60:09)

• Wave Signs and Expanding the Map

  • Open seats and surprising GOP retirements (like in Montana) are early signals of a rough cycle for Republicans.
  • Texas: A competitive Democratic primary concluded—discussing the merits of James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett. Talarico faces general election challenges, given past progressive social media posts.

• Working-Class Realignments

  • Tanden: “What is really terrible about this jobs report is that the jobs we're losing are jobs… disproportionately working class people are in manufacturing jobs, hospitality jobs, service jobs.” (19:47, D)
  • Suggestion that Democratic candidates need to focus more on cost of living, security, and local concerns to reach working-class voters.

• The Maine Senate Quandary

  • Animated debate over Democratic contenders Graham Platner vs. Janet Mills vs. Susan Collins.
  • Miller objects to left-wing purity attacks on Platner as a “Nazi”, stressing the need for perspective and unity against Collins.
  • Tanden: It’s “reasonable to say, hey, that stuff was not so great... but not say this person is a Nazi.” (55:03, D)
  • Stark irony in electoral coalitions: "The people who are supporting like at very high levels, Graham Platner are people who are making over $100,000 in Maine. She's doing better with working class people. He's doing better with the college educated people who think that he, that working class people like him." (56:23, D)
  • Frustration over lack of compelling, younger options from the DSCC.

7. Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On the manufactured chaos of the administration:

  • "This is the problem with having a war in like a weekend." (24:46, D)

• On the Senate races:

  • "The Democrats cannot consider this to be a good midterm or a blue wave unless they also take the Senate." (43:38, C)
  • "If you take the Senate, you're a check on the courts. He won't get radically crazy nominees through." (48:05, D)

• On the culture of impunity:

  • "There are no limits. Nobody is telling this guy no, no, no. But… And when nobody tells you no… you don't think you can make mistakes?" (38:24, D)

8. Timestamps for Important Segments

• Kristi Noem's Firing & Cabinet Dysfunction: 01:54–05:26
• Mark Wayne Mullen & Confirmation Drama: 06:04–12:51
• Economic Woes & Tariffs: 15:34–24:46
• Middle East War Disarray: 24:46–41:17
• Absolute Power, Lack of Accountability: 37:13–43:38
• 2026 Senate Map & State Races: 43:38–60:09
• Debate Over Maine Senate Race: 53:55–60:09
• Autopen “Scandal” & Endnotes: 61:05–64:13

Conclusion

This episode is a bracing tour of post-democratic, Trump-led government in crisis: cronyism, chaos, corruption, and the absence of institutional limits. Neera Tanden and Tim Miller drive home the urgent need for checks on power and underscore the stakes of the 2026 midterms—especially in the Senate. In a landscape of crisis and dark humor, the core message is clear: without accountability and functional norms, American democracy and global stability are perilously at risk.