The Bulwark Podcast: Tom Nichols – "Remember the Split Screen"

Release Date: June 13, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Bulwark Podcast, host Tim Miller welcomes Tom Nichols, Professor Emeritus of the Naval War College and staff writer at The Atlantic, to dissect a series of alarming political and security developments in the United States. The conversation delves deep into recent incidents involving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the militarization of local law enforcement, and international tensions heightened by Israel's actions against Iran.

1. The Incident at the Federal Building in Los Angeles

The episode kicks off with a discussion about a disturbing event where DHS security forces forcibly removed and handcuffed Democratic Senator Alex Padilla during a press conference held by Republican Governor Kristi Noem.

• Tom Nichols expresses profound concern:

  "This is something I keep trying to get across to people about the protests in LA. You don't control those clips... it's a disgrace all around." (02:56)

• Tim Miller adds context, highlighting the unusual nature of a senator being physically subdued:

  "They get him out in the hallway, they push him onto the ground, they handcuff him... it's far outside the bounds of what we've seen at these kind of press conferences before." (05:02)

2. DHS and the Rise of Authoritarian Tactics

The conversation shifts to a broader critique of the DHS, arguing that the agency has become overly militarized and operates with authoritarian tendencies reminiscent of Eastern European regimes.

• Nichols critiques DHS leadership:

  "Hegseth... is way in over her head, way in, out of her league. She has never run anything of consequential size." (06:39)

• He further elaborates on the internal dynamics:

  "With training that probably isn't the best, with a bunch of guys being brought in from various other agencies... you're going to have these kind of mini militias inside of these organizations." (07:49)

3. Militarization of Local Law Enforcement and Its Implications

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles and the implications for local governance and civil liberties.

• Miller questions the necessity and legitimacy:

  "We currently still have federal military on the streets of Los Angeles for no legitimate reason." (16:29)

• Nichols connects this to broader political strategies:

  "This is getting scripted out exactly the way he thought it would and people are playing into it... the modern Republican Party... it's become about power, just the raw exercise of power." (15:29)

4. The Trump Administration's Approach to National Security

The hosts analyze the Trump administration's handling of national security, highlighting perceived incompetencies and a focus on image over substance.

• Miller criticizes the administration's lack of preparedness:

  "Do you feel confident that the people at the top of our program are prepared for this kind of stuff? Because I really don't." (36:04)

• Nichols laments the erosion of professional military conduct:

  "Instead of having competent, reasonable people taking care of my country... you’ve got the President... a weekend Fox News host level of seriousness." (36:20)

5. International Relations: Israel's Attack on Iran

Shifting to international affairs, the podcast covers Israel's aggressive military actions against Iran, drawing parallels to cinematic depictions of strategic violence.

• Nichols compares the attack to a scene from The Godfather:

  "That's what Netanyahu basically saying, that's it. I'm going to settle all accounts here. I'm going to take out the Iranians." (28:15)

• He raises concerns about the nature of the attack:

  "This looks like a lot more like a preventive war... it's like knocking the struts out of the government everywhere." (34:39)

6. The Role of Media and Public Perception

The hosts discuss how media narratives and public images are manipulated to serve political agendas, often overshadowing substantive policy discussions.

• Miller reflects on Trump's use of imagery:

  "It's a war for public opinion. It's a war of images. The medium is the message." (49:10)

• Nichols critiques the lack of coherent governmental responses:

  "Instead of getting adult, competent, grown-up answers out of this administration... how do you explain my cockpit?" (38:35)

7. The Military's Response and Internal Culture

The episode delves into the military's internal culture and its response to the current administration's policies, emphasizing the challenges faced by military leaders in maintaining professionalism.

• Nichols highlights the reluctance of military officials to speak out:

  "It's not part of the military culture to, to say, hey, we got to deploy to LA. Who's pissed? Who doesn't want to do this?" (52:20)

• He underscores the importance of unit cohesion and responsibility:

  "The lives of these men and women under you are your responsibility... you are responsible for the life and death of people who are following you." (52:23)

8. Conclusion: The Decline of American Influence and Respect

Wrapping up, the hosts express concern over America's declining global influence and the internal chaos undermining national security and democratic institutions.

• Nichols states:

  "The world is basically now operating as if the United States doesn't exist... we are increasingly being taken out of these calculations because we have an administration... that thinks everything is about domestic politics." (40:00)

• Miller echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the dissonance between domestic turmoil and international responsibilities:

  "The unseriousness of that and the perniciousness of what's happening in LA split screened with what is happening in Tehran is pretty disheartening and depressing." (40:00)

Notable Quotes

• Tom Nichols (02:56):

  "It's a disgrace all around."

• Tim Miller (05:02):

  "It's far outside the bounds of what we've seen at these kind of press conferences before."

• Tom Nichols (06:39):

  "She has never run anything of consequential size."

• Tim Miller (16:29):

  "We currently still have federal military on the streets of Los Angeles for no legitimate reason."

• Tom Nichols (15:29):

  "It's become about power, just the raw exercise of power."

• Tim Miller (36:04):

  "Do you feel confident that the people at the top of our program are prepared for this kind of stuff? Because I really don't."

• Tom Nichols (28:15):

  "I'm going to settle all family business."

• Tim Miller (49:10):

  "It's a war for public opinion. It's a war of images. The medium is the message."

• Tom Nichols (52:23):

  "You are responsible for the life and death of people who are following you."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Bulwark Podcast offers a critical examination of the intersection between domestic politics, national security, and international relations. Tom Nichols provides insightful analysis on the troubling developments within DHS, the militarization of local authorities, and the broader implications for American democracy and global standing. The conversation underscores the urgent need for accountable leadership and the preservation of democratic norms amidst escalating internal and external challenges.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from the transcript have been excluded to maintain focus on the substantive discussions.