“When I use a word... it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.”
— Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass
06.03.2026 19:15
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“When I use a word... it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.”
— Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass
We’ve got some big news: @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social is releasing her first book and you can pre-order it now!
“How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time” is the playbook for consigning MAGA-style politics to the ash heap of history where it belongs.
Order now before it drops on Sept. 8.
Maybe this is just me, but I kind of think massive military operations, in which we're demanding unconditional surrender as the outcome, probably should be authorized by Congress.
Democrats should reintroduce War Powers Resolution ASAP in Congress. Could at least force Republicans to explain why they're not open to putting any limitations at all on a megalomaniacal war leader.
"But Congress has left the war entirely up to Trump. Who knows in which direction Trump’s narcissism and megalomania will push him? For now, what we do know is that one man has taken us to war. We know his party has voted to give him a blank check to continue it."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
"The Republican party defeated legislation limiting President Trump’s unchecked ability to conduct the war in Iran. And the GOP has chosen not to advance alternative legislation that might have imposed any limitations...The GOP has given Trump a blank check."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Oops. I guess Speaker Mike Johnson's reassurance yesterday that it's not a war, only a "limited operation," is no longer operative.
"The takeaway from these numbers is that the new war in Iran is very unpopular...Worst-ever-support-for-war-when-it-started unpopular. With just 38% of Americans in favor, support for bombing Iran is lower than retrospective support for the war in Iraq was in 2014."
open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
Excellent piece by @saletan.bsky.social on all the false claims of an "imminent threat" from Iran.
"The U.S. didn’t launch this war because we had to. We launched it because we could...Trump all but admitted the truth to Jonathan Karl: 'We have become spoiled.'"
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Rep. Moulton on Iran: "You've got to tell us why. You owe that to Congress, to the American people, and most of all, to the troops about to lose their lives."
Meet the new Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin:
Much of Gen Z may be innately digital, they’re not innately AI-trained. Their complex relationship with AI is the result of trying to hedge against a technological revolution just as they’re kickstarting their careers and adult lives.
"It's a slam dunk political message, and whatever the opposite of coaching Michael Jordan is, is what it feels like watching Chuck Schumer, where it's like an open layup and he is just missing and missing."
Morris Katz and Tim Miller discuss Democrats' messaging around the Iran war.
"Yesterday I said that on a scale of 10, I rate this war a 15. Let’s be honest: I rate myself a 15. If only Melania felt the same way." @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social channels the mind of Trump, and @eggerdc.bsky.social on everything the war isn't, in today's Morning Shots:
"Americans don’t like what DHS has been up to, full stop. Democrats should aim a lot higher than just getting a scalp from Noem."
But, you know, a good start.
Thank you Bulwark community!
You raised over $96,000 for Second Harvest Heartland in less than 24 hours!
Along with the $60,000 raised at our shows, these funds will help provide 474,021 meals to the Minneapolis community,
"The president is claiming there is a 'virtually unlimited supply' of U.S. munitions. But he is simultaneously summoning the CEOs of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to the White House to discuss emergency production increases."
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas):
“The utter corruption uncovered over the past few weeks is astounding. If Democrats take back the House majority next year, there will be much to review about her time in office. People have to be held accountable.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-puts...
“It’s like those casinos I used to own. We made the most money off the people who thought they were on a hot streak and kept on betting. Eventually they lost it all. I learned that you gotta leave the table before you lose your money. So I’m cashing out.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-trump...
Reading Trump’s Mind:
“But to win the war you’ve also got to end the war. And it’s getting to be time to end this, to pull the plug. Because it could all go south. Lots of warning signs out there. And the whole thing could get out of control.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-trump...
“With “war” transforming into the Republicans’ Lord Voldemort on Capitol Hill — otherwise known in “Harry Potter” lore as “He Who Must Not Be Named” — those who accidentally used the word quickly contorted themselves to get out of it.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/u...
This morning’s newsletter, in which I bring you the ruminations of Donald Trump’s mind.
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-trump...
“Kristi Noem has been feeling the heat. After one year running point for Donald Trump’s mass-deportation regime—Noem suddenly seemed to realize that Republicans might be looking for a scapegoat for their immigration failures, and that she was a strong candidate.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/knives-out...
The megalomania is scary.
I’ve thought Trump’s sense of political self-preservation would lead him to find a way to declare victory and get out. But a headstrong megalomaniac thinking it’s fine to toss matches around in the Middle East? This will not end well for the U.S.
Who got us into "a situation like this?"
"The reforms they’re seeking—badges and body cameras, that they lose their masks, that they be investigated for misconduct—are utterly reasonable...Americans don’t like what DHS has been up to. Democrats should aim a lot higher than just getting a scalp from Noem." open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Hegseth today: We don't actually have any clear purpose or guideposts or objectives in mind, the metrics are shifting...but "we are just getting started."
Yikes.
With Trump randomly tossing out different and competing war aims; Rubio saying Israel caused the attack; Hegseth insisting we're totally achieving our clear goals--but we need more forces and metrics are shifting; and Vance heading for the tall grass...very bad to have these guys in charge of a war!
Old Hegseth: We aren’t fighting one of those open-ended wars without clear limits, goals, and objectives.
New Hegseth: “Metrics are shifting, dust is settling, and more forces are arriving.”
In other words: Never mind.
Hegseth: “More forces are arriving” in an expanding and “accelerating” war.
Shouldn’t Congress have a say?
Trump administration: Just shut up and appropriate more money.
