The Trump administration is preparing to deploy a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East along with more warships. But that development was not Hegseth’s highest priority at his Pentagon briefing. His first order of business was attacking the media—even before mentioning the six fallen service members who were killed in a plane crash supporting the war in Iran. And while the administration may have finally narrowed down its reasons for launching the war alongside Israel, it hasn’t discussed the risks of the operation, or why it doesn’t seem to have an issue with Putin helping Iran in the fight. Plus, JD is skeptical about the war but won’t tell Trump to his face, oil prices are soaring while Russia cashes in, and don’t forget that the Department of Homeland Security is still down shut down while our country is at war.

Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes

• Tom on 'victory disease' in The Atlantic
• French news channel with a split screen of bombs and Trump dancing
• Tim's playlist
• Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Event

We’re raining hellfire down on Iran and American soldiers have died, but that doesn’t stop Trump from hitting the links, doing a little dancing, or holding a revenge rally. His main preoccupation is his daily PR battle over the war—which currently involves arguing that higher gas prices are a good thing. And his ever dutiful backup chorus in Congress is happy to explain how “freedom isn’t free.” Meanwhile, the immigration system has been so undone that we now have a shortage of seasonal workers. Plus, the absurd shoe-related loyalty test at the White House, a major Trump donor is trying to buy a Senate seat in Oklahoma, at least one white Afrikaner refugee has seen enough and wants to go home, Sam and Tim have new Cabinet member rankings, and some justice for JVL and Bill after Wednesday's pod.

Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.

show notes

• JVL’s “Triad” on Iran from Wednesday and Thursday
• Bill on the "epic failure" of the Iran war in "Morning Shots"
• Adrian and Jared on Markwayne Mullin
• Sam's and Catherine's 'Bulwark Take' on higher gas prices
• Tim's and Sam's year-end ranking of Cabinet members
• "Odd Lots" podcast
• Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
• Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.
• For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK

One of the biggest America First fans tells Tim that he thought Trump 2.0 would be different because like-minded, high-level personnel—including the vice president and top DOD staff—were supposed to stop Trump from doing stupid wars like the strategic catastrophe unfolding in and around Iran. And Trump’s mass deportation was supposed to crack down on the labor practices of big business and Big Ag, but POTUS instead is sticking with the Chamber of Commerce status quo. Saagar now regrets his vote for Trump. Plus, the difference between MAGA and America First, a different take on Epstein, Venezuela red-pilled Trump, and the U.S. may be facing a major shortage of munitions because of the latest shock and awe campaign.

Saagar Enjeti joins Tim Miller.

show notes

• Tim's livestream Wednesday at 8:30pm ET on YouTube or Substack
• Saagar's show, "Breaking Points"
• Carville's 2009 book, "40 More Years: How the Democrats Will Rule The Next Generation"
• Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.