The Bulwark Podcast Bill Kristol: No Kings
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Mar 30, 2026 
Bill Kristol, conservative analyst and founder of The Weekly Standard, reflects on recent No Kings rallies and their message against unchecked presidential power. They discuss troop movements toward Iran, congressional inaction on war powers, risks of escalation and economic fallout. Conversation also touches on surveillance worries and civic energy at protests.
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New Orleans Rally Felt Inclusive And Unexpected
- Tim Miller described New Orleans No Kings as inclusive with local activist booths, bands, and people in costumes, showing real-world complexity beyond online caricatures.
- He recounted being told he's someone's second-favorite podcaster while a man dressed as a superhero approached him.
Elected Official Boasted About AI Surveillance Of Protesters
- A Louisiana congressman tweeted about collecting biometric and identification data on No Kings protesters, signaling authoritarian surveillance instincts.
- Bill Kristol found the public bragging about AI-driven identification by officials alarming and indicative of the party's authoritarian drift.
Lincoln Warning About Unchecked Executive War Power
- Bill Kristol invoked Lincoln's critique of unilateral war powers to argue Congress must check presidential war-making.
- He quoted Lincoln warning that allowing the president to invade at will 'places our president where kings have always stood.'