The Bulwark Podcast Bill Kristol: Escalating the Authoritarian Project
32 snips
Sep 8, 2025 
Bill Kristol, Editor at Large of The Bulwark and a seasoned political analyst, dives into the alarming concentration of power under Trump. He discusses the spectacle of unchecked military actions, including contentious operations and their moral implications. The podcast also touches on the relationship between business leaders and politics, noting a concerning lack of accountability. Kristol highlights the potential for resistance in Chicago as Democrats prepare to confront a looming government shutdown and critiques the troubling trends toward authoritarianism.
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Venezuelan Strike Lacks Legal Rationale
- The Venezuelan boat strike lacked clear facts and legal justification according to Kristol and Ryan Goodman's analysis.
- They stress the administration offered vague explanations and failed to brief Congress properly.
Military Process Was Sidestepped
- Kristol highlights Pentagon unease and the unusual exclusion of the Coast Guard and senior lawyers from the operation.
- He warns the narrower chain of command for lethal strikes increases risk of unlawful actions.
Administration Dismisses Legal Constraints
- Kristol calls the administration's dismissive responses to war-crime accusations alarming and precedent-setting.
- He cites Trump's pardons and Vice President remarks as evidence the administration downplays legal constraints.
