Grandpa Trump looked like he was losing the pep in his step at the end of the year. But with him threatening the independence of the Fed, justifying the killing of an American in cold blood for teasing a federal agent, and toying with the idea of taking an ownership stake in oil companies, he's now dramatically ratcheting up his authoritarian tendencies. At the same time, he's losing sight of America First through his Venezuela distraction—and opening the door to challenges from MAGA true believers like Steve Bannon. Plus, Dems are playing a good hand in Alaska with Mary Peltola, Bill is a resist lib, and the heartwarming desire for freedom from the Iranian people.

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.

show notes

• Monday's "Morning Shots," including Mark Hertling's contribution
• Mary Peltola's Senate campaign launch

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says ICE descended on his city with hopes of rounding up undocumented Somalis. When agents couldn't find any, they started driving around terrorizing people. And now with the killing of Renee Good, they are clearly making the city less safe. But federal officials are also lying about Good's actions before the shooting and her character—and with their bold claims of absolute immunity for ICE agents. More broadly, the administration is trying to intimidate ordinary citizens from documenting the masked agents deployed around the country. Plus, Trump is acting like a conqueror from the Middle Ages when he claims a right to Venezuela's oil, Putin is trying to mask the weakness of Russia's economy, Europeans are back to being anxious over Greenland, and Iranians are taking to the streets again.

Anne Applebaum and Mayor Jacob Frey join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes

• Tim’s ‘Bulwark Take ‘on the new footage from Minneapolis
• Anne's latest pod episode about how federal agents are violating the rights of Americans
• Anne's latest piece on Venezuela
• Tim's interview with George Retes
• Tim's playlist
• Anne’s “book club” recommendations:
  • The Captive Mind
  • The Oppermanns
  • The Director
  • The Choice of Comrades
  • What We Can Know

Most law enforcement departments train officers not to stand in front of vehicles—or shoot at moving ones—but masked ICE agents in Minneapolis did just that after descending on Renee Good's Honda Pilot and spitting out conflicting instructions to her. Not only did the president of the United States lie about the condition of the officer who shot her, Vance and Noem disparaged the deceased 37-year-old mother of three. Meanwhile, Americans are not down with the idea of the US running Venezuela. And the manosphere podcast world, which helped Trump win the election, are now feeling disillusioned and embarrassed about his betrayal of his "peace president" promise—along with his handling of the Epstein files. Plus, a discourse on white people, a consideration of Epstein's influence with the rich and powerful, and a meaty exchange over Kamala courting the Liz Cheney wing while bypassing the left's demands on Gaza.

Ryan Grim joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

• Drop Site news
• Ryan's 2022 piece on progressive advocacy groups
• Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/BULWARK