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Iran Experts: Fired. FBI Chief: Blacked Out. Good Luck, Y'all! (w/ Bill Kristol) | Bulwark Podcast

2026-04-20 News & Politics
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The Bulwark
The Bulwark
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Just hang tight: Trump is super close to a deal with an enemy that he handed all the leverage to. Absolutely do not read his steady supply of hollow threats as him begging Iran for a face-saving off-ramp. Meanwhile, back in reality, Iran too can see how desperate Trump is, the war is helping China feel emboldened, and some of our closest post-WWII allies think Beijing is more dependable than the U.S. under Trump. Plus, Hegseth has chosen an ideal time to pick a fight with the secretary of the Army, numerous officials at the FBI are alarmed by Kash's alleged re alarmed by Kash's alleged alcohol-induced absences, kudos to Ossoff for the way he talked about corruption and kleptocracy, and more Vance-splaining from the newbie Catholic Veep. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code THEBULWARK at https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #ridgepod Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/THEBULWARK Show Notes: Tim's livestream Monday at 8ET: https://www.youtube.com/@bulwarkmedia JVL on the "Trump Madman Theory' of the stock market: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebulwark/p/a-trump-madman-theory-of-the-stock-market?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web Lauren on the Dems preparing for a potential midterm-year SCOTUS vacancy: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebulwark/p/democrats-arent-buying-reports-of-justice-samuel-alito-staying-put-supreme-court-scotus-retirements-clarence-thomas?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web Tim's 2020 piece on Joe DiGenova: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebulwark/p/trump-lawyer-dhs-whistleblower-should-be-executed?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web The Poodle Room, Kash's alleged hangout in Vegas: https://www.travelandleisure.com/poodle-room-members-only-bar-in-fontainebleau-las-vegas-11740719 Become a Bulwark Youtube Plus Member here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Hp1KbGw4e02N7FpPXDgQ/join 00:00:00 Show Intro + 4/20 Banter 00:01:19 Virginia Redistricting Debate 00:04:27 Iran War Escalation Update 00:08:16 Ad Break: Ridge Wallet 00:09:48 Trump’s Iran Bluff Problem 00:12:07 Trump Kept Out of Key Decisions 00:13:40 Pentagon Infighting + Hegseth 00:16:11 Economic Fallout + Oil Pressure 00:20:35 Trump, Regime Change, and Blowback 00:23:27 Ad Break: BetterHelp 00:25:13 China, Allies, and Global Realignment 00:27:36 FBI Director Drinking Allegations 00:33:00 DOJ Intimidation and Election Cases 00:38:10 Section 702 and Spy Powers Fight 00:40:39 Supreme Court Retirement Stakes 00:46:20 Ossoff’s Anti-Corruption Message 00:49:57 Vance Lectures the Pope 00:53:14 Wrap up

Top Comments (10)

@scottpeters5959 2026-04-20

I've seen Vance struggle to order doughnuts, good luck with a peace treaty.

210 6 replies
@brendatomlinson 2026-04-20

“He’s terrible” sums up Vance succinctly and accurately.

177 6 replies
@jimbobdrg3247 2026-04-20

The worst Administration imaginable! So incompetent. 😢 Swamp is way too kind!

130 6 replies
@johnlauber670 2026-04-20

Smarmy is the appropriate word for JD.

128 8 replies
@MantisToboggan_210 2026-04-20

It seems as though Iran is holding all the cards. Sad how far and fast the U.S. has fallen under this leadership.

75 4 replies
@Joanne-z3f 2026-04-20

We have Patel as a drunk, Hegseth as a drunk and the dc attorney general drunk! Wow. How can you pick more incompetent people to run important positions in our government. Not to mention the dumbest president in our countries history.

66 6 replies
@desireemou2329 2026-04-20

In Canada 🇨🇦 we have our eyes open when looking at China. They’re problematic, but predictable. US is problematic, unpredictable, and threatens us and other of our allies.

58 6 replies
@shawnfahy2420 2026-04-20

JD Vance: 7 year Catholic proceeds to "Catholicsplain" to the Pope...

55 3 replies
@thrilliod147 2026-04-20

Love that Tim has faith in Chuck Schumer to hold up SCOTUS nominations. Please stop. He’ll cut a deal in the senate gym for backdoor aid to Bebe. Schumer has to go too

47 3 replies
@Indi-d7y 2026-04-20

It can't be 51. We can not include Fetterman in the voting given his recent alignment with the republicans. We will need to have 52.

35 2 replies

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