The Bulwark Podcast — October 17, 2025

Episode: Peter Hamby: The Mini Dictator Wants What He Wants

Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Peter Hamby (Puck, The Powers That Be Daily, Good Luck America)

Overview

This episode, hosted by Tim Miller, features political analyst Peter Hamby for a wide-ranging conversation on current American politics. Topics include Trump-era legal maneuvers, possible war posturing toward Venezuela, the future of redistricting and the Voting Rights Act, upcoming 2025 governor’s races, Democratic Senate primaries, the New York mayoral race, and some lighter takes on music trends and cultural divides. The discussion keeps a sharp, insider tone, mixing reporting, candid analysis, and the pod’s signature irreverence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wardrobe Banter & Setting the Tone

• [01:00] - [02:07]
  The episode opens with playful banter about college football and what shirt Hamby should wear in Alabama, transitioning quickly (and humorously) to politics.
  Notable quote:

• Tim Miller: “Yeah. Fuck Bama. Yeah. Where's Smokey? Good luck. Don't get too drunk and get in a fight, though, since… that's more your speed.” (01:55)

2. John Bolton Indictment — Trump’s “Revenge Tour”

• [02:07] - [06:02]
  Tim and Peter dissect the grand jury indictment of John Bolton, emphasizing the political motivations behind it and drawing distinctions with previous, more questionable indictments (e.g., Tish James, James Comey).
  Important insights:

• The indictment is "more credible" than others but is still seen as political retribution.
• Trump’s administration is targeting opponents selectively, displaying “banana republic shit,” as Tim describes it.
  Notable quotes:
• Peter Hamby: “Right wing neocon, like war freak John Bolton seems like he might have broken the law here… But it’s very clear … this is part of Donald Trump’s revenge tour against his political opponents and critics.” (03:33)
• Tim Miller: “This feels like banana republic shit where one mini dictator comes in and sends the law after his opponents and the next mini dictator comes in and sends the law after their guys opponents.” (05:15)

3. US Special Ops & Venezuela — “Piecemeal Interventionism”

• [06:02] - [14:28]
  The conversation shifts to the U.S. military admitting to special operations near or in Venezuela, exploring both the humanitarian migration crisis and the political machinations behind rumblings of regime change.
  Key insights:

• Venezuela has the largest displaced population in the Western Hemisphere, much of it caused by failed leadership.
• Rubio’s influence in the administration is significant, potentially driving a hawkish stance.
• Trump’s foreign policy is erratic and personal, more about flexing than doctrine.
  Notable quotes:
• Peter Hamby: “This feels like a Reagan era thing, like a Tom Clancy novel…This is just Trump doing favors or listening to the last person he talked to. But, you know, he does like to flex, he does like to use the military where possible.” (09:11, 12:49)
• Tim Miller: “Are you on the record? You're a no on yeeting boats out of the Caribbean?” (14:28)
• Peter Hamby: “I think it’s pretty sick if the CIA does it clandestinely and kills some bad guys. But bragging about it breaking international law? No, I’m a no.” (14:36)

4. California Prop 50 — Redistricting Chess and “Stick It to Trump”

• [16:48] - [23:08]
  The focus moves to California’s Prop 50, a ballot initiative to redraw congressional districts in response to GOP gerrymanders elsewhere, spearheaded by Governor Gavin Newsom.
  Key points:

• Prop 50 would lock in a pro-Democratic map through 2030, likely gaining the party 5 House seats.
• Backlash from “good government liberals” who value California’s independent redistricting legacy.
• The campaign’s messaging is heavily anti-Trump, leveraging Obama, AOC, Warren, and Newsom.
  Notable quotes:
• Peter Hamby: “It’s basically just like this is an opportunity to send a message to Donald Trump.” (18:22)
• Peter Hamby: “…we’re in a new era, man. Like states are rewriting these rules constantly. Are we going to go back?” (21:26)

5. National Redistricting & Voting Rights Act Fears

• [23:08] - [30:43]
  Tim and Peter delve into the broader national ramifications of redistricting, the potential repeal of the Voting Rights Act, and the resulting threat to Democrats’ House prospects.
  Key takeaways:

• The VRA could be gutted, letting GOP states erase majority-minority districts.
• Nate Cohn’s analysis: Democrats would need to win the national popular vote by 4.5–5.5 points just to have a shot at a House majority.
  Memorable moment:
• Peter Hamby: “So the interesting thing as to whether this would affect this midterm is important. …They (the Supreme Court) hear arguments now…typically the Supreme Court announces their rulings in June. So…pretty hard to turn around dramatically new districts by next fall…” (27:28 – 28:39)

6. California Governor’s Race — Why No Excitement?

• [31:47] - [35:38]
  Discussion of California’s underwhelming gubernatorial field and why talented, compelling Democrats aren’t stepping up.
  Highlights:

• Kamala Harris is sitting out the race; Katie Porter falters in the spotlight (“maybe you could just pitch her as…someone really mean to go Sacramento, like, oh yeah…” – Hamby, 34:48).
• Alex Padilla appears as a possible serious contender, but generally “the field is pretty whack.”
• The state’s size, complexity, and “impossible to manage” politics make it an unattractive job.

7. DSCC Interfering in Senate Primaries

• [36:13] - [44:14]
  Dissection of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s active role in favoring certain candidates (Janet Mills in Maine, Haley Stevens in Michigan) and the backlash this generates.
  Key insights:

• The base resents establishment interference; sometimes, says Hamby, the committees have good reasons for caution given the risk posed by unvetted upstart candidates.
• “Welcome to the fucking big leagues, dude…” (Peter Hamby, 39:59) referring to oppo drops on Maine candidate Graham Platner.
• Tim and Peter debate whether DSCC’s involvement is effective or ham-fisted:
  • Tim Miller: “Why do you want Chuck Schumer unpopular Chuck Schumer’s fingerprints on this race?” (41:55)
  • Peter Hamby: “We shouldn’t assume that this guy who came out of nowhere is this perfect bulletproof candidate…” (42:41)

8. NYC Mayoral Race — “No Rules in Politics Anymore”

• [47:56] - [54:34]
  Breakdown of the NYC mayor’s debate, highlighting Zoran Mamdani’s rise and the lackluster field.
  Noteworthy segments:

• Playful take on debate moments, e.g., candidate parade attendance and marijuana shop confessions ([48:27]–[50:10])
• Josh Barro’s assessment: “Mamdani won the debate for the same reason he’s winning the campaign. …he's the only one that actually seems like he wants to be mayor.” (50:10)
• Peter Hamby: “It’s also that the field is fucking terrible. Like, it’s like the California gov race. Like, someone with talent and a message step in.” (51:21)

9. Virginia and New Jersey Governor Races — “Playing It Safe”

• [54:34] - [61:57]
  Look at the uninspiring but likely successful Spanberger (VA) and Sherrill (NJ) campaigns, plus the controversial J. Jones story (AG race in VA).
  Key points:

• Both candidates are running “prevent defense,” cautious not to rock the boat against extreme Republican opponents.
• J. Jones’ inflammatory texts likely end his career, raising ethical voting dilemmas for Democrats.
• Tim Miller: “Anyone that's wishing death upon children. I don't want to be a top law enforcement official. So I don't, I don't have to choose.” (64:14)

10. Government Shutdown — Apathy and Messaging Wars

• [65:22] - [69:59]
  The current shutdown is “the weirdest” yet, with neither party eager to resolve it.
  Insights:

• Democrats have unified and effective messaging, finally winning the online “message war.”
• Shutdown impact has been blunted by partial appropriations, dulling urgency.
• Peter Hamby: “Is this exposing that government shutdowns aren’t as big a deal as we’ve been told about for these many years?” (68:41)

11. Music & Pop Culture — Embracing Tangible Experience

• [70:04] - [76:45]
  In a lighter close, the two discuss Bad Bunny’s dominance (and right-wing scorn), indie band Geese, and Gen Z’s move back to live music and instruments.
  Notable quotes:

• Peter Hamby: “These fucking nerd losers… complaining about Bad Bunny, as if he's un American. Like, it is the dumbest shit in the world.” (70:37)
• Tim Miller: “If we can get Gen Z to care about guitars again and noise... more power to ’em.” (74:29)
• Peter Hamby: “...getting in a room with people, drinking, putting your phones down... understanding your humanity in the shared experience..." (75:46)

Memorable Moments & Standout Quotes

• Tim Miller on Trump’s use of the law:
  “This feels like banana republic shit…” (05:15)
• Peter Hamby on Venezuela:
  “This is just Trump doing favors or listening to the last person he talked to. But, you know, he does like to flex, he does like to use the military…” (12:49)
• On Prop 50’s anti-Trump focus:
  “It’s basically just like this is an opportunity to send a message to Donald Trump.” (18:22)
• On DSCC meddling:
  “Welcome to the fucking big leagues, dude. Like, you can't just... you have to win.” (39:59)
• Josh Barro (quoted by Tim Miller) on NYC mayor's race:
  “Mamdani won the debate for the same reason he’s winning the campaign. He’s the only candidate with a coherent vision…” (50:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] Banter/football opener
• [02:07] John Bolton indictment analysis
• [06:02] Venezuela crisis and possible U.S. intervention
• [16:48] California Prop 50 and redistricting fallout
• [23:08] Voting Rights Act & the national redistricting picture
• [31:47] California’s unexciting gubernatorial field
• [36:13] DSCC interference in Democratic Senate primaries
• [47:56] NYC mayoral debate and Zoran Mamdani’s rise
• [54:34] Virginia & New Jersey governor’s races, J. Jones controversy
• [65:22] Government shutdown "vibes"
• [70:04] Music/culture segment: Bad Bunny, Geese, and Gen Z

Tone & Language

• Conversational, irreverent, and candid – as if letting listeners in on the political "back room."
• Frequently uses humor and insider references; isn’t shy about irreverence or strong language.
• Maintains a skeptical, reality-based, “never Trump” perspective throughout.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a robust rundown of autumn 2025’s political minefield—a mixture of substantive, behind-the-scenes reporting and sharp, sometimes biting commentary on the state of electoral politics, governance, and even culture wars. If you want candid, unsentimental Democratic and anti-Trump analysis (with a side of music snobbery and football smack talk), it’s essential Bulwark fare.