This week on Bulwark on Sunday, Bill Kristol talks to Just Security's Ryan Goodman to talk about Trump's war on the courts and the arrest of a judge in Wisconsin by the FBI.
A Democratic Congress can impeach Bondi (lack of honoring her oath to the Constitution) and the Senate could convict, particuliar after the Republicans get their asses kicked in the midterms. I expect to send my Republican Senator, Susan Collins, back to her potato farm!!
The dynamics here are playing out in the courts but the underlying thrust of the DOJ and other executive departments is to please Trump who, thanks to previous Supreme Court decisions, thinks he can not break the law and hence neither can any part of the government under his command. Thus the Trump cabinet officials don't think they need obey the courts because their boss says they don't have to and their public pronouncements are in a mini-Trump mode. Add to this Stephen Miller's clear intent on immigration to inflict "enforcement" with as much cruelty as possible and total disdain for courts or anyone else that disagrees with what he and his boss want.
William, thank you so much for having Ryan Goodman clarify the incident arrest of a Judge in Wisconsin by the FBI. Yes, as Ryan said, Bondi along with all Trump obedient high officials of their Cult Leader Trump, are absolutely in every ridiculous manner trying to demean Judges in our Judicial system whom they fear might, oh my gosh, not support their Cult leader!
Thank you, Ryan, for a fuller explanation. When I first heard the breaking story, it was shocking and outrageous. Now it's definitely shocking and outrageous.
Bill, you are an OG. But please, try to pretend you aren’t talking on the phone in bed, trying not to wake your wife up. Pretend you are on TV with other people listening.
I have been calling my representatives, for a month, about this very issue with no response. I’m so enraged that my representatives don’t give me the courtesy of an answer.
The arrest of a sitting judge is indeed an intimidation action, as well as a messaging action - but I believe not exactly in the way you think. It is obviously supposed to be a clear sign to judges that this is what can happen to you. Trump has form in this when you look back at his fraud case where he & his cronies attacked the judge's daughter, stirring up the MAGA base.
That brings me to the messaging part of the equation, which is 100% to the MAGA base. Trump has roughly 1600 loyal footsoldiers that he pardoned for their actions in his name on January 6th, and many of their family members. Add to that number the hardened cultists that didn't head to Washington for the rally, but worship the ground he floats above in their eyes. Most of those pardoned that have participated in interviews have stated that they'd do the same again, would do anything for Trump and many have even said they would die for him. I'd be worried what some of these people might do once the MAGA information bubble tars these judges making decisions against Trump as the bad guys. The hardcore of the MAGA cult has proven over and over that truth & facts play no part in their version of reality. I'm wondering how long until the Boogaloo chatter starts making the rounds again, like it did when Trump started his Liberate tweets during the pandemic.
These aren't normal times for you America, and I wouldn't be relying on normal times reactions to things, especially from the fetid swamp of conspiracists that make up the cultist Trump base. Most of his core followers wouldn't know that Trump can't pardon for state crimes, so in their minds one constraint against crime is removed. Seriously hope I'm wrong but there's been nothing from his cult to instill confidence in the last couple of months.
Thank you for this detailed discussion. As a Canadian (with American family and friends), much of what Canadians have been responding to are 45/47's attacks on Canada. But actually, I am more concerned about what is happening to Americans and people living in the US. What is happening in horrific, anti-democratic, and just plain inhumane. I do hope that there is some way that the US political system can stand up to this bully.
Thank you for this in depth analysis on the fight over deportations. But these cases represent just the first battle line over an ultimate denial desired by this administration of the rule of law. It's good to fight these cases, but IMO they are only the first of many we should expect in their effort to undo our constitutional law.
Thank you both. As a citizen, watching so much being thrown at us, it is greatly appreciated that this information is available. Main stream media is all about pomp and circumstance, dealing in argumentative “facts.” Listening to you discuss these issues helps immensely.
The DOJ is attempting to frighten our judicial system and U.S. citizenship by this horrible act. It makes me want to vomit on Kash Patel’s shoes. And given the chance, I would.
Pam Bondi is attempting to intimidate judges and she should be arrested, not the judge.
Very, very clear and interesting discussion, thank you both. Chilling and some of it extraordinary - I can’t begin to get my head around public opinion mattering in any way when it comes to the law; shows just how naive I am, I suppose.
A Democratic Congress can impeach Bondi (lack of honoring her oath to the Constitution) and the Senate could convict, particuliar after the Republicans get their asses kicked in the midterms. I expect to send my Republican Senator, Susan Collins, back to her potato farm!!
The dynamics here are playing out in the courts but the underlying thrust of the DOJ and other executive departments is to please Trump who, thanks to previous Supreme Court decisions, thinks he can not break the law and hence neither can any part of the government under his command. Thus the Trump cabinet officials don't think they need obey the courts because their boss says they don't have to and their public pronouncements are in a mini-Trump mode. Add to this Stephen Miller's clear intent on immigration to inflict "enforcement" with as much cruelty as possible and total disdain for courts or anyone else that disagrees with what he and his boss want.
William, thank you so much for having Ryan Goodman clarify the incident arrest of a Judge in Wisconsin by the FBI. Yes, as Ryan said, Bondi along with all Trump obedient high officials of their Cult Leader Trump, are absolutely in every ridiculous manner trying to demean Judges in our Judicial system whom they fear might, oh my gosh, not support their Cult leader!
Thank you, Ryan, for a fuller explanation. When I first heard the breaking story, it was shocking and outrageous. Now it's definitely shocking and outrageous.
Bill, you are an OG. But please, try to pretend you aren’t talking on the phone in bed, trying not to wake your wife up. Pretend you are on TV with other people listening.
I have been calling my representatives, for a month, about this very issue with no response. I’m so enraged that my representatives don’t give me the courtesy of an answer.
The arrest of a sitting judge is indeed an intimidation action, as well as a messaging action - but I believe not exactly in the way you think. It is obviously supposed to be a clear sign to judges that this is what can happen to you. Trump has form in this when you look back at his fraud case where he & his cronies attacked the judge's daughter, stirring up the MAGA base.
That brings me to the messaging part of the equation, which is 100% to the MAGA base. Trump has roughly 1600 loyal footsoldiers that he pardoned for their actions in his name on January 6th, and many of their family members. Add to that number the hardened cultists that didn't head to Washington for the rally, but worship the ground he floats above in their eyes. Most of those pardoned that have participated in interviews have stated that they'd do the same again, would do anything for Trump and many have even said they would die for him. I'd be worried what some of these people might do once the MAGA information bubble tars these judges making decisions against Trump as the bad guys. The hardcore of the MAGA cult has proven over and over that truth & facts play no part in their version of reality. I'm wondering how long until the Boogaloo chatter starts making the rounds again, like it did when Trump started his Liberate tweets during the pandemic.
These aren't normal times for you America, and I wouldn't be relying on normal times reactions to things, especially from the fetid swamp of conspiracists that make up the cultist Trump base. Most of his core followers wouldn't know that Trump can't pardon for state crimes, so in their minds one constraint against crime is removed. Seriously hope I'm wrong but there's been nothing from his cult to instill confidence in the last couple of months.
Thank you for this detailed discussion. As a Canadian (with American family and friends), much of what Canadians have been responding to are 45/47's attacks on Canada. But actually, I am more concerned about what is happening to Americans and people living in the US. What is happening in horrific, anti-democratic, and just plain inhumane. I do hope that there is some way that the US political system can stand up to this bully.
Thank you for this in depth analysis on the fight over deportations. But these cases represent just the first battle line over an ultimate denial desired by this administration of the rule of law. It's good to fight these cases, but IMO they are only the first of many we should expect in their effort to undo our constitutional law.
Thank you for this.
Thank you both. As a citizen, watching so much being thrown at us, it is greatly appreciated that this information is available. Main stream media is all about pomp and circumstance, dealing in argumentative “facts.” Listening to you discuss these issues helps immensely.
The DOJ is attempting to frighten our judicial system and U.S. citizenship by this horrible act. It makes me want to vomit on Kash Patel’s shoes. And given the chance, I would.
Pam Bondi is attempting to intimidate judges and she should be arrested, not the judge.
Very, very clear and interesting discussion, thank you both. Chilling and some of it extraordinary - I can’t begin to get my head around public opinion mattering in any way when it comes to the law; shows just how naive I am, I suppose.
What a great Sunday episode!
Thank you Bill and Ryan for an informative conversation about an important issue.
Love our Sunday’s Bill!
Great discussion. Thanks for doing this!
Brilliant interview of Ryan Goodman, on both your parts. Thank you.