Politician Challengers
The roster of elected officials, candidates, and former officials who meet the Bonhoeffer Criteria — politicians who are willing to publicly name what is wrong and who refuse to be silenced.
This page is the politician-specific subset of the broader Dietrich Bonhoeffers list. It exists because politicians sit at the leverage point. A captured Congress and a captured executive are how the system stays captured. Politicians who pass the criteria are the ones with both the platform and the legal authority to actually move things.
What "Challenger" Means Here
A challenger is not defined by party. It is not defined by being in the opposition. It is defined by the willingness to publicly say, in plain language, that:
- The US government is being controlled by interests other than the American people
- US intelligence services have caused harm to American citizens — including, in some cases, deaths on American soil
- Foreign intelligence services operate on US soil and influence US politicians
- Many fellow politicians are compromised — by donors, blackmail, foreign interests, intelligence services, or party machinery — and serve those interests rather than their constituents
A politician who knows these things and will not say them does not qualify. A politician who says them once and then goes quiet does not qualify. The criterion is sustained, public, on-the-record speech under pressure.
Inclusion Standard
Every name added must be evaluated against the Bonhoeffer Criteria. Past words count, but recent and ongoing behavior counts more. Politicians who pass the test today and fold tomorrow get removed.
The List
- Ginny Robinson — @ImGinnyRobinson
- Dan Bilzerian — @ElectBilzerian
- Sam Parker — @BasedSamParker
- Mike Adams — @HealthRanger
- Candace Owens — @RealCandaceO
- Tucker Carlson — @TuckerCarlson
- Joe Kent — @JoeKent16JAN19
- Jackson Hinkle — @jacksonhinklle
- Jake Shields — @jakeshieldsajj
- Stew Peters — @realstewpeters
- Ryan Dawson — @RyLiberty
- Elijah Schaffer — @ElijahSchaffer
- Lucas Gage — @LucasGageX
- Glenn Greenwald — @ggreenwald
- Michael Tracey — @mtracey
- Darryl Cooper — @martyrmade
- Ryan Matta — @Ryanmatta
- Sword Truth — @SwordTruth
- Phantom Pain — @phantompain1984
- Irlandarra — @martinez_j7902
- Alicia Lapp — @LappForCAGov
- Ana Kasparian — @AnaKasparian
- Zach Lahn — @ZachLahn
- Robby Starbuck — @robbystarbuck
- Nathan McCormack — semi-anonymous X account, reportedly removed
Yes, you're likely referring to Jamaal Bowman (often misspelled as "Jemal Bulman") and Cori Bush (often misspelled as "Corey Bush"). Both former progressive Democratic U.S. Representatives (and members of "The Squad") left Congress on January 3, 2025, at the end of the 118th Congress.
en.wikipedia.org
Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) lost his June 2024 Democratic primary to George Latimer and served from 2021–2025.
en.wikipedia.org
Cori Bush (MO-1) lost her August 2024 Democratic primary to Wesley Bell and served from 2021–2025.
en.wikipedia.org
They delivered emotional farewell speeches in December 2024 before their terms ended.
cbsaustin.com
As of May 2026, they are private citizens. They now co-host a YouTube/political show called Bowman and Bush on Zeteo, where they discuss Congress, special interests (including AIPAC), and progressive politics.
politico.com +1
Cori Bush announced in October 2025 that she is running again for her old Missouri seat in the 2026 election.
politico.com
No one named "Jemal Bulman" or "Corey Bush" ever served in Congress—these appear to be common misspellings of the two former lawmakers. Let me know if you want more details on their primaries, current activities, or anything else!
Squad member and early ceasefire proponent.
abcnews.com
Andy Levin (D-MI, 2022): Lost a redistricting-forced primary to Haley Stevens. AIPAC/UDP spent millions against him (a Jewish Democrat critical of some Israeli policies). He was the only incumbent they ousted that cycle.
politico.com
Closely related but not direct AIPAC/UDP incumbent ousters:Marie Newman (D-IL, 2022): A sitting progressive incumbent defeated in her primary. Pro-Israel groups (primarily the Democratic Majority for Israel / DMFI, a separate but ideologically aligned PAC) spent heavily against her over her Israel stance. Some reporting groups AIPAC and DMFI efforts together as part of the same broader push.
theintercept.com
Donna Edwards (D-MD, 2022): Former congresswoman (not a sitting incumbent) running a comeback bid for an open seat. UDP spent ~$6 million to help defeat her in favor of Glenn Ivey.
aljazeera.com