Trump has served up so many rationales for why he had to do this war, but helping Iran project even more power in the region was surely not one of the reasons. And yet, here we are. Iran is in control of a good chunk of the global energy supply, and other countries are going to have to beg to get through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the moment for Democrats to show what a real opposition is —especially when warmonger Lindsey Graham runs off to play at Disney World. Plus, Trump's coalition is mid-crackup, Hegseth's self-pity and insecurity is pathetic, and of course, Tim and Jon react to the news of Kristi Noem's bimbofied husband.

Jon Lovett joins Tim Miller.

show notes

• Jon's "Lovett or Leave It" pod
  
  
• The book Tim and Jon discussed, "People of the Lie"
  
  

Thousands of soldiers and Marines have arrived in the Middle East to potentially engage in combat on Iranian soil. Trump has done nothing to make the case for an invasion of Iran, even though he’s got plenty of time to wax rhapsodic about the patios and Corinthian columns on his ballroom project. The Republican congress may have abdicated its Constitutional obligations, but that doesn’t mean Democrats can’t raise hell: Cut your vacation short, demand a vote on the deployment of troops, and go on Fox and denounce Republicans for allowing one man to call the shots on this war—and also make a mess of our economy. Plus, the united opposition in the "No Kings" protests, the wisdom of Lincoln, and life lessons for poor Duke fans. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.

show notes

• Monday's "Morning Shots"
• Lincoln's letter about the Mexican-American war
• "Bulwark Takes" pod for breaking and developing news
• Tim's interview with Al Gore
• ProPublica on the nursing home owner with a Trump pardpon
• The Atlantic on how the AI boom wasn't built for this kind of crisis
• Tim's closing song today

• For 30% off your order, head to BloodFlow7.com/THEBULWARKand use code THEBULWARK.
• Stay ready for anything with the American Giant Classic Full Zip. Go to https://www.american-giant.com and get 20% off your first order with promo code BULWARK. Thanks to American Giant for sponsoring the show!

In addition to the global energy shock brought on by Trump's war, mortgage rates are surging, and labor costs and prices are rising. And Republicans don't seem to have a plan except to spend more, blame trans kids, and feed Trump's megalomania by allowing him to put his ugly signature on our currency. Plus, JD thinks Americans are stupid, the gap between Bibi's and Trump's objectives vis-à-vis Iran continues to widen, and where is Marco Rubio?

Michael Steele joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes

• "The Weeknight" on MS Now
• JVL's and Catherine's live show Friday on the state of the economy
• Find your local "No Kings" protest
• Tim's playlist