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Appeals court rejects Peter Navarro’s push to overturn his conviction over January 6 subpoena
A federal appeals court in Washington, DC, on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump adviser Peter Navarro’s attempt to overturn his contempt of Congress felony conviction.
Holland & Knight Health Dose: July 21, 2026 | Insights
U.S. Congress races toward the August 2026 recess as lawmakers advance healthcare, FDA and CMS priorities, appropriations, transparency measures and reimbursement policy.
CBO investigating feasibility of using healthcare fraud savings to fund Trump’s war
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is looking into the effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ crackdown on waste and abuse in safety net healthcare programs, and whether the efforts could effectively generate tax revenue the government could then spend elsewhere.
Sigcho-Lopez, Macías Failed to Qualify for 4th District Congressional Race: Elections Board
If the board’s decision stands, Patty García will have a much smoother path to replacing U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, her former boss, in Congress.
AI political ads draw scrutiny in the Tennessee 6th Congressional District race
AI Political Ads in Tennessee's 6th Congressional race raise questions about a state AI Disclosure Law as Johnny Garrett and Van Hilleary use artificial intelligence in campaign videos.
Businesses worry about perception of Tucson mass shooting
The yellow police tape cordoning off East Congress Street Sunday didn’t come down until the better part of the day had passed.
Nancy Mace passes on Senate bid, cites ‘unfinished business’
The Lowcountry congresswoman had previously run in the GOP gubernatorial race before conceding and endorsing Alan Wilson.
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Taylor’s Maid-Rite
Read the release on Sen. Ernst's website HERE. Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Taylor's Maid-Rite of Marshall County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties. "Taylor's Maid-Rite has truly maid their mark as a cornerstone of Marshalltown's business community," said Chair Ernst. "For nearly a century, this shop has served generations of Iowans with a signature burger made fresh every day. This 'Maid in Iowa' success story has proven that consistency, quality, and genuine customer care are the recipe for lasting success." Founded in the heart of Marshalltown, Taylor's Maid-Rite has remained a family-owned business for nearly a century and is now entering its fourth generation of Taylor family ownership. Best known for its signature Maid-Rite sandwich, the restaurant also serves classic American diner favorites, including malts, pies, fries, and sodas. Throughout its history, Taylor's Maid-Rite has remained committed to fresh ingredients, personalized service, and strong community involvement. Stay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award. ###
'I'm in.' Darline Graham says she will run for a full term in Lindsey Graham's Senate seat
The entrance of Darline Graham into the Republican scramble to select a new Senate nominee further complicates an already rushed process following Lindsey Graham's death earlier this month.
THE WEEK OF JULY 20, 2026
- US caps student visa duration - Congress looks at tightening research security - AI leaders call for regulatory body
G.O.P. Boxed In on Iran War as Trump Sidelines Congress
Republicans now face a worst-case political scenario of being asked to fund an unpopular war over which they have exercised little oversight.
Sankey: SEC breakaway talk over college bill 'honest conversations'
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said he continues to have conversations with Congressional leaders about the Protect College Sports Act but stopped short of saying whether all their suggested changes need to be implemented for the conference to support it.
Federal Funding Should Support Communities, Not Political Agendas
Congressional investments should reach the communities they were intended to serve.
New Poll: 94% of Americans Say Congress Must Act on Health Care Costs, as Families USA Convenes Bipartisan Policy Symposium
Both House and Senate committees are marking up legislation on hospital price transparency, prescription drug and Medicare Advantage reform. WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new national poll shows that 94% of Americans believe it is important for the President and Congress to take action to lower health care costs. The poll was commissioned by Families USA, […]
Weight around the belly is a better predictor of heart health than BMI, research indicates
Individuals with overweight or obesity can have a higher risk of heart disease despite appearing to be healthy, new research presented at the International Congress on Obesity in Mexico City (15–17 July) ...
National Republicans put Rep. Greg Landsman on new 'target list'
The National Republican Congressional Committee has added Ohio's 1st District to its \
AMC ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS ($AMC) Releases Q2 2026 Earnings
AMC ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS ($AMC) posted quarterly earnings results for Q2 2026 on Monday, July 20th. The company reported earnings of $0.14 per share, beating estimates of -$0.06 by $0.20. The company also reported revenue of $1,596,700,000, beating estimates of $1,488,804,013 by $107,895,987.You can see Quiver Quantitative's $AMC stock page to track data on insider trading, hedge fund activity, congressional trading, and more.
Health care gives Democrats a potent issue for midterm elections in Iowa and beyond
In places like Iowa and rural America, health care cuts and lack of coverage are giving Democrats a potent issue to take votes from Republicans in their bid to retake control of Congress.
As Trump toys with disaster aid, Congress eyes FEMA change
New Jersey, snubbed for $84 million in aid after damaging cold, is among Democratic states turned away by a Republican president
Politics Unplugged (Full Episode) July 19, 2026
On this episode of Politics Unplugged, political editor Dennis Welch sits down with Joana Mendoza — a former Marine Corps drill instructor and Democratic candidate — who is challenging incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani in Arizona's Congressional District 6, discussing affordability, immigration, and ICE reform. Then, with Arizona's primary election just days away, Welch brings in Republican consultant Chip Scutari and Democrat Stacy Pearson to break down the most competitive races, including the GOP governor's primary between Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, the attorney general's race, and a crowded CD1 field. The panel also weighs in on what the early ballot returns and independent voter enthusiasm could signal heading into the general election this fall.
Tim Murphy, former U.S. congressman and state senator, dies at 73
Former U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, a Republican from Upper St. Clair, died Sunday. He was 73. Murphy died at his home from an apparent heart attack, according to ColdSpark, the political consultancy that worked on Murphy’s campaigns. A native of Cleveland, Murphy earned a doctorate in psychology from the University
‘Good Trouble Lives On’: ICE protestors rally at Liberty Square Park
Utahns joined in on a national movement called “Good Trouble Lives On” Saturday, honoring former Congressman John Lewis and his legacy of nonviolent civic action, education, and advocac…
AIPAC Has Spent a Record Amount on Michigan's Senate Primary, the Biggest Test of Its Influence Yet
SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (AP) — Senate candidate Haley Stevens talks often about manufacturing, taking on President Donald Trump and why she’s the Democrat best positioned to win Michigan. The congresswoman has far less to say about the pro-Israel group that has spent millions trying to get her elected.
Congress Must Stop Enabling Trump's Crypto Corruption
With the CLARITY Act, Washington is cashing in on the crypto industry. Americans will pay the price.
Bernie blowback: How Sanders’ primary endorsements have sparked a Democratic midterm war
Sen. Bernie Sanders had just announced his intent to unseat a sitting House Democrat — this time, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus from North Carolina — when Rep. Hakeem Jeffries decided it was time to confront Sanders himself.
'A force for Utah politics': Family, friends remember Merrill Cook at state Capitol
Many gathered at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday to celebrate the life of former congressman Merrill Cook.
Darline Graham’s career centered disability. Now she could help shape national policy
To former colleagues and the disability advocates who have worked with her, there is little doubt in Darline Graham’s capabilities.
Why so few scientists serve in Congress
Scientists in Congress are rare, and scientific advice alone can't fill the gap. See why science policy needs research-trained people serving in office.
Republican lawmaker Ralph Norman to join race to succeed Lindsey Graham in South Carolina
Congressman to run for seat despite Donald Trump backing Graham’s sister Darline, should she choose to run
What Does the Protect College Sports Act Mean to the Current Status and Virginia Tech?
Congress is poised to update the legal foundations of the NCAA and collegiate sports with the Cruz-Cantwell “Protect College Sports” Act. If and when it passes it means big changes.
Nearly half of Americans in poll say Supreme Court bases rulings on politics
A majority of Americans disapprove of the job the court is doing, a Washington Post-Ipsos survey finds. Still, it fares better than the president or Congress.
WATCH: Lawmakers reveal where they stand on congressional term limits after recent health scares
Ted Cruz says he authored a constitutional amendment to limit senators to two terms and House members to three as Congress debates term limits.
Inside the fight over Israel tearing Democrats on the Hill apart
When a Brooklyn coffee shop announced on social media it was banning Rep. Dan Goldman over his views on Israel, some of his Jewish colleagues in Congress wanted their Democratic leadership to weigh in.
Our Decade of Political Progress
I had covered the 2016 election as a blogger — and written about the candidates for Congress, including Montana’s Denise Juneau. But that election was Donald Trump’s first wave and not the historic moment we all expected. But the thing is, one thing always leads to another, and every loss builds a framework for the […]
Trump raises election concerns, drawing pushback from Kentucky lawmakers
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., and two Kentucky congressmen are pushing back on President Donald Trump’s speech Thursday night.
Ranking Member Markey, Senator Hirono Reject Trump’s SBA Policy Proposal that Harms Underserved Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Letter (PDF) (Washington, July 17) – Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) submitted a comment letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) opposing a proposed rule change by Trump’s SBA to the 8(a) Business Development Program that would harm underserved small business owners and entrepreneurs. The 8(a) Business Development Program was created by Congress more than 50 years ago to level the playing field for small business owners and entrepreneurs who have faced discrimination in starting and operating their businesses. The SBA’s proposed change ignores the existence of historic discrimination that minority and underserved small businesses have faced and continue to face. In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “SBA’s proposed rule ignores present-day barriers that entrepreneurs from minority and underserved communities face. Discrimination is not dead; minority entrepreneurs continue to face reduced access to contracting opportunities and capital, as well as racial threats and targeting, including unequal treatment, refusal by others to work with minority-owned firms, being called racial slurs, and bias in the workplace. These barriers lead to wide underutilization of, and less revenue for, minority-owned businesses compared to majority-owned businesses, as supported by decades of disparity studies. The proposed rule diminishes the history of systemic racial and ethnic discrimination in the United States by claiming that remedies for discrimination create discrimination in and of themselves.” The lawmakers continued, “The program has always been open to anyone who can prove they have experienced prejudice or cultural bias in education, employment, entrepreneurship, and other facets of our society. Nonetheless SBA has moved forward with the proposed rule. It lacks a reasoned basis, purporting that the federal government has discriminated against White Americans, but offering no substantive qualitative or quantitative data or research in support. If the examples provided in the proposed rule are the only basis for what constitutes discrimination to the agency, they are woefully insufficient. The final rule must provide strong evidence that there is discrimination against White individuals and show how the rule is narrowly tailored to address it. The record remains devoid of evidence of discrimination against White individuals on the basis of race.” Ranking Member Markey is fighting to protect federal programs that address historic discrimination against small business owners from minority and underserved communities, and for a small business agenda that ensures economic opportunity for all. In June, Ranking Member Markey released a statement condemning the SBA’s proposed changes to the 8(a) Business Development Program. Also in June, Ranking Markey released a new report highlighting Trump’s drastic reduction in federal contracting dollars awarded to American small businesses, including minority-owned small businesses. In February, Ranking Member Markey, alongside Senators Hirono and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), introduced the Strengthening Place-based Access, Resources, and Knowledge (SPARK) Act to spur entrepreneurship and increase access to capital and resources for underserved entrepreneurs nationwide. Ranking Member Markey previously held a field hearing in Roxbury, Massachusetts, to discuss how government and the private sector can come together to make entrepreneurship more accessible for underserved communities. Earlier in February, Ranking Member Markey secured funding with the Appropriations Committee for Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE Chapters, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers and provisions to rein in the Administration’s attempts to eliminate programs that support women, veterans, and underserved entrepreneurs. In January, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to oppose rule changes that would gut protections against discriminatory lending practices that harm small businesses. In December 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler expressing significant concerns with the SBA’s overly burdensome request and unclear guidance for extensive financial documentation over the holidays, as a part of their sweeping attempts to dismantle the 8(a) Business Development Program. In July and December 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent letters to the SBA Administrator demanding answers about the Trump administration’s efforts to limit economic opportunity for American entrepreneurs, including immigrants. In May 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to the SBA Administrator rejecting President Trump’s FY 2026 budget proposal and calling on SBA to immediately release funding for the entrepreneurial development programs, which include programs like the Women’s Business Centers and the Veteran’s Business Development Centers that support underserved small business owners. In April 2025, Ranking Member Markey introduced the New Start Act of 2025 to establish a five-year pilot program providing grants to support entrepreneurial development training for currently or formerly incarcerated individuals. In February 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent letters to the SBA Administrator and Government Accountability Office (GAO) condemning President Trump’s war on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies and asking how the SBA intends to implement Trump’s anti-DEIA executive orders. ###
Trump urges Darline Graham to run for full Senate term as funeral planned for her brother
President Donald Trump said Friday that Darline Graham, the sister of the late Lindsey Graham, has his support to run for a full term to replace her brother in the U.S. Senate.
How accurate are political betting apps? Florida professors weigh in
Prediction markets heavily favor Congressman Byron Donalds right now, with above a 90% chance to become the GOP nominee on some sites.
How accurate are political betting apps? Florida professors weigh in
Prediction markets heavily favor Congressman Byron Donalds right now, with above a 90% chance to become the GOP nominee on some sites.
Blanche meets with Epstein accusers after demand from Republican senator crucial to confirmation
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met Thursday with accusers of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein following the demand by a Republican senator whose support is crucial to advancing his nomination to lead the Justice Department.
Elevating citizen science: How IUCN Members are advancing a global conservation tool
This article shares reflections from an IUCN Member organisation about its efforts to elevate citizen and community science within the global conservation community. We demystify the IUCN motions process and show how it contributes to the IUCN Strategic Vision and Programme through the IUCN World Conservation Congress and its quadrennial cycle. Specifically, we outline the steps to organise support for Resolution 125 'Advancing citizen science to support and democratise conservation'.
Congress looks to rewrite college sports bill in high-stakes push to win SEC, Big Ten support before time runs out
CT Congressman Wants Legal Support For Patients Denied Health Coverage
The act would establish a grant program through the Department of Labor to help law schools set up consumer advocate programs where patients can receive no-cost legal assistance with their insurance claim appeal.
Trump uses address to the nation to once again raise doubts about past elections
Trump used the remarks to justify his push to pass a strict voter ID bill in Congress.
These California Republicans have one advantage in the race for Congress: Money
Republicans have more cash than Democrats in California swing races. Could that help them foil Democrats’ Prop. 50 plan of gaining five seats?
Senators bullish on chances for a July vote on college sports bill - Live Updates
But others familiar with the state of negotiations say the legislation doesn't yet have support.
Congress debates: Should daylight saving or standard time be year-round?
Legislation to make daylight saving time year-round passed the U.S. House this week and is now being considered by the Senate. It comes as many Americans disapprove of how the U.S. manages time.
House Subcommittee to Examine Prediction Market Protections
Congress examines consumer protections in unregulated sports prediction markets. House hearing addresses market integrity and regulatory gaps. Learn more.
Trump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequently
When major disasters strike, Americans are routinely waiting weeks — or even months — to receive presidential approval for aid. And if they live in a state that didn't support President Donald Trump, chances are greater that aid will be denied.
White House Faces Stiff Pushback on Subjecting Grants to Political Review
Academics, city leaders and congressional lawmakers number among the thousands to urge the Trump administration to reconsider a plan to assert more control over grants.
Former Marine running for Congress says Trump is the Antichrist and 'must be killed' in shocking video
William Upham, a Florida 5th District write-in candidate, posted a video on social media calling President Trump "the Antichrist" and saying he "must be killed."
Thune says he defers to McConnell and team on health updates
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said there have been absences from members of Congress for extended periods of time on both sides of the aisle when asked by NBC News' Ryan Nobles if there needs to be more transparency.
Biden will publish 'Promise Me, America' memoir after the November midterm elections
The timing of the book — two weeks after midterm elections in which Democrats seek to regain control of Congress — could raise concerns within Biden's party by putting him back into the spotlight.
Elissa Slotkin picks side in Democratic primary for her former seat in Congress
U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin endorsed a former Navy SEAL in the swing district Democratic primary for her former U.S. House seat in mid-Michigan.
WATCH: House lawmakers speak ahead of Kathy Ruemmler interview in Epstein probe
Kathryn Ruemmler, the former top lawyer at Goldman Sachs who was White House counsel to President Barack Obama, said Wednesday in testimony to Congress that it “was a mistake to deal with” Jeffrey Epstein but insisted she never witnessed criminal activities.
Pensacola Navy vet with ALS urges Congress to extend military kids' health coverage
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- ALS has stolen nearly everything from him. His ability to walk, to hug his kids, to speak out loud and kiss his wife.Navy veteran christopher
Chairman Griffith Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Health Hearing on Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Biomedical Innovation
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.
Chairman Griffith Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Health Markup of Three Bills Combatting Illicit Drug Threats
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.
Congressional earmarks: Merit and politics play a role in who gets funding
Rep. Nick LaLota said he'd withhold funding from a town over its ban on police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
ICE and the Senate react to the latest shootings: From the Politics Desk
Plus, the Supreme Court goes to CongressPlus, the Supreme Court goes to Congress
WATCH LIVE: Senate Democrats block $1 trillion annual defense bill in protest over Iran war
Poll: Small Business Only American Institution With Bipartisan Support
New Gallup survey shows that voters of all stripes mistrust banks, big business, tech companies, the media and Congress, but have enduring trust in Main Street.
Takeaways from Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh’s first congressional testimony
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh on Tuesday offered his most detailed account yet of the sweeping changes he’s ushering in at America’s central bank and the philosophy behind them.
Supreme Court justices explain increased use of shadow docket
Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan testified on Capitol Hill on Tuesday
House to vote Tuesday on bill to enact year-round Daylight Saving Time
The US House will vote Tuesday on a measure to enact year-round Daylight Saving Time across the country, springing Congress forward into an issue that has long stumped lawmakers and spurred impassioned pleas by parents, farmers and others with sharply divergent views.
After Lindsey Graham's death, sister joins long list of relatives who replaced late family members in Congress
From Julia Letlow to Adelita Grijalva, family succession in Congress has a long history that now includes Lindsey Graham's sister in the Senate.
Aging politicians face questions over health transparency after Graham's death
Graham’s death and the 84-year-old McConnell’s hospitalization come amid a reckoning about the nation’s aging leaders. Sen. John Cornyn says more health transparency may be needed.
Aging politicians face questions over health transparency after Graham's death
Graham’s death and the 84-year-old McConnell’s hospitalization come amid a reckoning about the nation’s aging leaders. Sen. John Cornyn says more health transparency may be needed.
NH Delegation Applauds VA Signing of Lease for New Cheshire County Outpatient Clinic to Expand Veterans’ Access to Health Care
Following advocacy from the New Hampshire Congressional delegation, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH), a senior member of the U.S.
UVA Center for Politics talks August primary, early voter turnout
With only a few weeks left until election day, early voting for Virginia’s August congressional primary has lagged behind numbers in the same races two years ago.
Trump reveals who he's eyeing to replace Lindsey Graham
Trump called Rep. Russell Fry "outstanding" and hinted the South Carolina congressman could win the Aug. 11 special election for the open seat.
The Latest: Supreme Court justices set to testify in rare appearance before Congress
The U.S. and Iran are once again on the verge of all-out war
Holland & Knight Health Dose: July 14, 2026 | Insights
Weekly healthcare policy briefing covering congressional action, FDA and CMS developments, 340B reform, Medicare updates, AI oversight and key regulatory changes.
RFK Jr. faces Hatch Act complaint after intervening in congressional races
A top Senate Democrat has requested an investigation into whether the health secretary broke a law that bars political appointees from trying to influence elections.
Graham’s Death Complicates G.O.P. Agenda in Congress
Senators returned to the Capitol mourning their colleague, who played pivotal roles on multiple issues confronting lawmakers.
Trump’s Cease-Fire Effectively Collapses as He Vows to Restart Blockade and Tolls
After several days of strikes, the president notified Congress that fighting had begun again and announced shipping fees that his administration previously deemed illegal.
Health Subcommittee Markup
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.
Lindsey Graham’s Death Creates Rare Political Scenario That’s Gripping DC
The thin majority that Republicans have in Congress is complicating things.
The Quintessential Trump-era Politician
In 2020, I wrote an article about collaboration and collaborators. The title was History Will Judge the Complicit, and it started with the story of two famous East Germans, Markus Wolf and Wolfgang Leonhard, who both landed in East Berlin just after the end of the war. Although they came from very similar backgrounds, the former stuck with the regime, eventually becoming its spy boss; the latter, horrified by the brutal reality of Soviet-style communism, escaped. By way of juxtaposition, I also wrote about Lyndsey Graham and Mitt Romney. These two men also made very different decisions when confronted by Donald Trump’s assault on the ideals that they had both grown up believing: A glance at their biographies would not have led many to predict what happened next. On paper, Graham would have seemed, in 2016, like the man with deeper ties to the military, to the rule of law, and to an old-fashioned idea of American patriotism and American responsibility in the world. Romney, by contrast, with his shifts between the center and the right, with his multiple careers in business and politics, would have seemed less deeply attached to those same old-fashioned patriotic ideals. Most of us register soldiers as loyal patriots, and management consultants as self-interested. We assume people from small towns in South Carolina are more likely to resist political pressure than people who have lived in many places. Intuitively, we think that loyalty to a particular place implies loyalty to a set of values. But in this case the clichés were wrong. It was Graham who made excuses for Trump’s abuse of power. It was Graham—a JAG Corps lawyer—who downplayed the evidence that the president had attempted to manipulate foreign courts and blackmail a foreign leader into launching a phony investigation into a political rival. It was Graham who abandoned his own stated support for bipartisanship and instead pushed for a hyperpartisan Senate Judiciary Committee investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden’s son. It was Graham who played golf with Trump, who made excuses for him on television, who supported the president even as he slowly destroyed the American alliances—with Europeans, with the Kurds—that Graham had defended all his life. By contrast, it was Romney who, in February, became the only Republican senator to break ranks with his colleagues, voting to impeach the president. “Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office,” he said, is “perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine.” In the wake of Graham’s unexpected death on Saturday, I wrote about him again. He was, in many ways, the quintessential politician of Trump’s Washington, a man who shifted 180 degrees. Graham had been a fervent American patriot, proud reserve officer and military lawyer; he became one of the most important defenders of a president who believes soldiers are “suckers and losers” and shows no respect for law of any kind. As his politics changed, his language grew coarser and his behavior grew worse: He urged Israel to “level the place” in Gaza, and insulted the Danish prime minister in Munich, prompting a colleague, Senator Elissa Slotkin, to issue an apology. Here’s an excerpt from the article, which you can read in The Atlantic (gift link here) Like his close friend John McCain, Graham believed that America should stand at the center of a broad democratic alliance. The few times I met him were in that context, at the Munich Security Conference or at other European-American gatherings, which he once attended with great regularity. He also took seriously the practice of American democracy at home. In a 2014 conversation with The Atlantic, he described himself as a pragmatic politician who eschewed populist slogans. “I know Washington is broken, but what’s broken about it is everybody yelling and nobody trying to fix it,” he said. “I’m trying.” When Donald Trump first appeared in U.S. politics, Graham recognized him immediately for what he was: the spokesman for an alien ideology, one radically different from the idealistic patriotism that Graham had practiced and preached since childhood. Trump privately mocked the military that Graham loved as nothing but “suckers and losers.” He put falsehoods, cynicism, and personal greed at the center of his politics, while expressing disdain for transparency, accountability, and democracy itself. In 2015, Graham described Trump as a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” who should “go to hell.” Also as a “nutjob.” When Trump won, Graham understood, as did so many others, that he would have to make some important choices. For a while, he went silent. In the spring of 2016, I saw him at one of those conferences in Europe. He seemed too depressed to speak. But then, like many other Republicans—and, more important, like many other people who have lived under political occupation or experienced radical regime change—he made the decision to abandon his previous ideals, to bury the patriotism that was once so important to him, and to become, instead, a loud, opportunistic collaborator. As I wrote in 2020, it’s very hard to look in to anyone’s heart and to understand their motivations from the outside. But it does seem that Graham had a deep need to be relevant, to be in the game, to be a player, at any cost. And that, rather than any particular achievement, is what he will be remembered for. Continuing to monitor conflicts of interest, ostentatious emoluments, outright corruption and policy changes that will facilitate outright corruption. (Read my original article, Kleptocracy Inc and check out the SNF Agora Institute chart) June 27 Trump diverted funds from more than 900 projects nationwide—including safety upgrades at national parks—to finance beautification projects around Washington, including $700,000 used to fix a White House walkway. June 28 After a years-long Department of Justice investigation into Abbott Laboratories over its management of a baby formula facility where potentially deadly bacteria turned up enough evidence to criminally charge the firm, top department officials instead opted for a financial penalty—illustrating the department’s move away from strict corporate enforcement under the Trump administration. June 29 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stacked the Defense Policy Board—which is charged with providing independent national security recommendations to the Office of the Secretary of Defense—with Trump allies, including tech billionaire Marc Andreessen, who has invested in defense contractors like OpenAI and SpaceX, after purging the panel last year. Trump purchased between $1 million and $5 million worth of stock in Axon—which makes about 90% of US tasers—two weeks before ICE solicited bids for a $220 million taser contract. The White House unveiled limited-edition US passports for America’s 250th birthday, featuring a portrait of Trump overlaid on the Declaration of Independence. June 30 Trump made around $1.2 billion from his various crypto companies last year, including more than $500 million from World Liberty Financial and $600 million from sales of his meme coin. Trump is considering issuing 250 pardons to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. These are expected to be largely doled out through the Office of the Pardon Attorney’s informal network of intermediaries. White-collar defense attorneys say they can typically win pardons for clients for $2 million. Last year, Trump administration officials awarded a no-bid contract worth up to $500 million to Clark Construction for the White House ballroom—negotiations in which the president was directly involved. July 1 The Amazon MGM Studios documentary about Melania Trump earned the First Lady more than $10 million. Trump made hundreds of individual stock purchases worth as much as $12.8 million the day before his announcement pausing “Liberation Day” tariffs for 90 days sent the S&P 500 soaring nearly 10%—one of the largest single-day gains ever. Mar-a-Lago and Trump National Doral saw record surges in revenue during Trump’s first year in office, earning $77.5 million and $121.9 million respectively, compared to average annual revenues of $25 million and $75 million during Trump’s first term. Entities across the Persian Gulf paid more than $300 million to Trump’s businesses last year, including $263 million from the sale of half his stake in World Liberty Financial to a firm backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a top UAE royal and brother of the country’s president. Kash Patel failed to properly disclose his stock purchase of a Department of Justice contractor, MicroStrategy, worth up to $250,000 last year, despite laws requiring disclosure within 45 days of the trade. July 2 Trump has been directing administration officials to steer more government contracts—so far worth more than $2.4 billion—to Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin aerospace firm, after Amazon gave $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, donated to the White House ballroom project, and reached a $40 million deal to license a Melania Trump documentary. Alongside the billions he made from cryptocurrency last year, Trump earned millions of dollars from real estate licensing fees, including $21 million from organizations in the UAE and $9.2 million in Saudi Arabia, along with smaller sums from merchandise sales, including $4.7 million from Trump Watches and $35,920 from 45 Guitar, a guitar brand endorsed by the president. House Democrats accused consultants tied to the Trump administration of financial fraud, alleging they gave prospective donors to America250—the bipartisan committee created by Congress to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial—the banking and routing numbers for Freedom 250, the White House’s fund for events like the UFC cage fight. Democrats also allege that Freedom 250’s CEO traveled to the World Economic Forum in Davos to solicit donations from foreign government officials and business leaders. The Trump administration’s proposed rollback of gun regulations would lift the prohibition on mailing handguns to individuals, a significant win for GrabAGun—the direct-to-consumer firearm retailer on whose board Donald Trump Jr. sits and in which he holds a 1.1% ownership stake. GrabAGun currently must rely on a middleman to transfer firearms to customers. Trump’s financial disclosure revealed that he made more than 21,000 securities trades during his first year back in office, growing his investment account to at least $858 million across stakes in around 1,600 companies, compared to the 13 total trades Joe Biden made during his entire presidency. July 4 Nearly 1 million people who bought the president’s meme coin—Trump Coin—collectively lost $3.8 billion on the token, while he walked away with $636 million. July 6 Shares of Dell closed up 4.4% after Trump recommended people buy the firm’s computers during a speech announcing the launch of Trump investment accounts for children, boosting the more than $1 million worth of shares the president owns in the company. July 9 Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh named crypto investor and Trump ally Marc Andreessen to a task force aimed at modernizing the Federal Reserve, including rethinking its approach to inflation—a key factor keeping interest rates elevated. Palm Beach International Airport has officially changed its name to Trump International Airport—a move that will require Florida to pay royalties to the president’s family for licensing his name. I was there a few months ago, during a trip to Barcelona. The sculptures were a revelation, I’d never seen so many together before. Each one has its own personality. Enjoy the good weather, if you are lucky enough to have it. History Will Judge the Complicit The Quintessential Politician Autocracy Inc Open Letters, from Anne Applebaum is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
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