Trump Is Losing His Grip—And He Knows It (w/ JVL & Carol Leonnig) | Bulwark Podcast
Post-Election Analysis: Trump's Enduring Power and the Structural Crisis of the DOJ
Understand why near-term election victories mask dangerously weakened democratic institutions, specifically detailing the catastrophic staff drain at the Department of Justice and Trump's predicted extreme reaction to political resistance.
Short Summary
- Republican performance suffered dramatic reversals with Hispanic voters in key off-year races, suggesting a significant voter trend shift.
- Despite setbacks, Donald Trump retains historic levels of control over the GOP and may lash out as lame-duck talk increases.
- Investigative reporting reveals deep institutional damage at the DOJ, including mass departures and the deliberate delay of investigations into the 2020 election attempt.
This discussion analyzes Tuesday’s election results, focusing on the sharp swing among Hispanic voters in targeted areas. Guests Tim Miller, JVL, and Carol Leonnig examine Donald Trump’s ability to retain power despite electoral losses and discuss Leonnig’s new book detailing the systemic decay within the Justice Department under both administrations. Prepare for predictions on Trump’s next retaliatory moves and an assessment of whether the DOJ can ever truly recover its historical norms.
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Top Comments (10)
I think the weaker Trump becomes, the more crazy behavior we’re gonna see - like a trapped and wounded animal.
Who’d have guessed that brutalizing huge swathes of society would cause a pushback.
Gosh....if someone could have told them that Trump is a racist. Oh that's right EVERYONE told them!!
Take NOTHING for granted. "We" must all vote in '26.
Merrick Garland's failure has had such profound consequences for our nation.
I will never forgive Biden for not jettisoning Garland when it turned out Garland would in effect do nothing
I don't understand why any Latino votes for Trump. His contempt for them couldn't be more overt.
Thank you to those DOJ attorneys who've maintained their integrity and who have bravely decided to stick out working there so that the entire DOJ doesn't go to pot, and they can be the eyes and ears of what's truly going on there. It must be horrible working in that cesspool and holding your head up high.
What I never understood about the whole ‘not wanting the DOJ to look political’ thing is that deciding not to prosecute someone just because they’re involved in politics is extremely political. That’s about as political as it gets.
I don't want Trump to be quiet. I want voters to see the bullshxt. The more off the chain he shows us he is, the easier our job is to show people what the problem is.
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Top Comments (10)
I think the weaker Trump becomes, the more crazy behavior we’re gonna see - like a trapped and wounded animal.
Who’d have guessed that brutalizing huge swathes of society would cause a pushback.
Gosh....if someone could have told them that Trump is a racist. Oh that's right EVERYONE told them!!
Take NOTHING for granted. "We" must all vote in '26.
Merrick Garland's failure has had such profound consequences for our nation.
I will never forgive Biden for not jettisoning Garland when it turned out Garland would in effect do nothing
I don't understand why any Latino votes for Trump. His contempt for them couldn't be more overt.
Thank you to those DOJ attorneys who've maintained their integrity and who have bravely decided to stick out working there so that the entire DOJ doesn't go to pot, and they can be the eyes and ears of what's truly going on there. It must be horrible working in that cesspool and holding your head up high.
What I never understood about the whole ‘not wanting the DOJ to look political’ thing is that deciding not to prosecute someone just because they’re involved in politics is extremely political. That’s about as political as it gets.
I don't want Trump to be quiet. I want voters to see the bullshxt. The more off the chain he shows us he is, the easier our job is to show people what the problem is.