The Daily Blast: Trump Push to Jail Foes Takes Darker Turn—and GOP Senators Are Rattled

The DSR Network

Chris Cotnoir

Government

4.5 • 1.9K Ratings

🗓️ 3 June 2026

⏱️ 21 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Donald Trump just named William Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing the outgoing Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte is best known for abusing his administration position to ransack the mortages of Trump’s enemies for fake pretexts to get them prosecuted and jailed. In today’s episode, University of Michigan law professor Leah Litman argues that the office of DNI could be put to even more nefarious and “terrifying” use. Indeed, GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggested it may produce a “weaponized” DNI, a striking admission of serious danger ahead. Senator Tom Cotton curtly refused to share his opinion of the choice. And other GOP Senators said Pulte is unqualified for the job. Given the DNI’s power, these objections reveal visible consternation. Indeed, MAGA figures fully expect Pulte to be turned loose on the left. Litman discusses what a “weaponized” national security state under Pulte could look like and ponders whether the rule of law will survive this presidency. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Some follow the noise.
0:03.3	Bloomberg follows the money.
0:05.4	Because behind every headline is a bottom line.
0:09.3	Whether it's the funds-fueling AI or crypto's trillion-dollar swings,
0:13.8	there's a money-side to every story.
0:16.5	And when you see the money-side, you understand what others miss.
0:22.3	Get the money-side of the story., you understand what others miss. Get the money side of the story.
0:25.3	Subscribe now at Bloomberg.com.
0:30.8	Changes in sexual performance are more common than most people realize,
0:33.0	and support doesn't need to feel awkward.
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0:40.5	Start by completing a short consultation reviewed by UK registered clinicians.
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0:46.1	with ongoing support whenever you need it.
0:47.6	You're not alone in this.
1:02.3	Visit Medexpress.co.c.uk slash podcast to learn more. This is the Daily Blast from the New Republic, produced and presented by the DSR Network.
1:08.2	I'm your host, Greg Sargent.
1:18.4	Thank you. DSR Network. I'm your host, Greg Sargent. By most indications, Donald Trump has dropped his demand for a corrupt $1.8 billion
1:24.4	slush fund to dole out to allies and insurrectionists. This came after Republicans
1:30.0	made it clear that they can't support something quite that openly corrupt. And yet, Trump has
1:36.2	responded to this with another extraordinary show of corruption. He just appointed William Pulte
1:42.2	as his acting director of national intelligence.
	...

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