Warning! This article contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World

Bucky Barnes is running for office in the MCU, raising the question of how the erstwhile Winter Soldier could be a congressman in Thunderbolts*. Bucky Barnes’ MCU history is among the messiest, as his MCU debut as an American soldier fighting Nazis and Hydra was followed by a substantial stint as one of Hydra’s foremost assassins, making him responsible for some particularly high-profile killings, including Tony Stark’s parents. All of these assassinations were, however, carried out while brainwashed by Hydra before the Wakandans would help to break Bucky from his conditioning decades later.

Bucky would go on to play a key role in defending Earth from Thanos and his army in both the Battle of Wakanda and the Battle of Earth in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, respectively, going to great lengths to make amends for his lethal tenure as the Winter Soldier. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier also saw Bucky join Sam Wilson in combating the Flag Smashers and their terrorism while attending therapy to help him reconcile with his past actions. Now, a recent Bucky cameo has revealed what’s next on his agenda – and it’s pretty huge.

Captain America: Brave New World Reveals Bucky Running For Congress

Bucky Returns In A Small But Effective Cameo

Captain America: Brave New World follows on from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier with Sam Wilson now embracing his responsibility as the new Captain America and working as a foremost agent for the United States government. For the majority of Sam’s first solo movie, Bucky is nowhere to be seen until a moment of doubt following a near miss with Joaquin Torres’ practically summons Bucky to Cap’s side as he emerges to check up on his friend. As Sam expresses regret for not taking the super soldier serum, Bucky reassures him with some carefully crafted words of encouragement, stating:”You’re a human being. You do your best. Steve gave them something to believe in. You give them something to aspire to.”

Bucky Barnes was officially pardoned for his previous actions after contributing to the protection of Earth from Thanos.

This is where it is revealed that Bucky is in the process of running for office as Wilson wryly asks if Bucky’s script-writers were responsible for his heartfelt line. Bucky confirms this before bidding Sam farewell, as he could only stop by briefly before resuming his campaign trail. Bucky then disappears for the rest of the movie, ostensibly making headway in his run for office, as the next time he appears on the big screen will be after winning his election in Thunderbolts* in May.

Bucky Will Be A Congressman In His Next MCU Appearance In Thunderbolts*

Bucky Can Be Seen Attending A Hearing In Thunderbolts*

MCU audiences are already aware that Bucky’s campaign will be successful thanks to what has been revealed in the trailer for Thunderbolts*. Information surrounding the release of Thunderbolts* has also confirmed that Bucky will be a congressman when the movie releases in May. This turn of events has raised many eyebrows due to Bucky’s shady past and high-profile antics as the Winter Soldier, at one point acting as a lethal enforcer for Hydra as the organization infiltrated not just SHIELD but the government itself. Nevertheless, this proximity to an insidious enemy has not prevented Bucky from running

Why Bucky wishes to run for office is up for debate and will likely remain so until it is clarified in Thunderbolts*. One prominent interpretation is that this is the next step on Bucky’s road to redemption and one that sees him attempting to make a positive change through official means. It could be that Bucky wishes to further his reparations by showing he can affect change nonviolently, distancing himself further from the incredibly violent pawn he once was. Alternatively, Thunderbolts* may soon reveal that there is an ulterior motive for Bucky’s political moves.

Bucky Being A Congressman Could Be Important To The Thunderbolts* Story

Bucky Appears To Be Getting Closer To Valentina Allegra De Fontaine

The Thunderbolts* trailers have revealed that Valentina Allegra De Fontaine, now the director of the CIA, will play a prominent and possibly antagonistic role in Bucky’s flagship movie. Her condescending tone towards the titular team indicates that the latter might be the case, while another shot sees Bucky eyeing her as she rubs shoulders with seemingly powerful figures while surrounded by Avengers memorabilia. She is also seen interacting with Bucky during a hearing he attends while De Fontaine declares “The Avengers aren’t coming,” suggesting that Bucky’s term in office will have something to do with forming the Thunderbolts.

Additionally, Bucky will have closer access to government secrets, which may provide a significant boon to the Thunderbolts in their fight against the Void.

It could be that Bucky Barnes ran for office to get closer to Val, which his suspicious glances hint at. Given Val’s antagonistic approach to Wakanda in contrast to Bucky’s deep ties, Bucky’s attempts to get closer to Val could be at the behest of Wakanda. Additionally, Bucky will have closer access to government secrets, which may provide a significant boon to the Thunderbolts in their fight against the Void. Either way, it won’t be long before Bucky will return to the action he knows so well in Thunderbolts*, potentially relinquishing his office in the process.