Another week chock full of news. Let’s get right to it. GOP hardliners led by Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-1) succeeded in ousting Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker, an unprecedented event which shocked even the most jaded Washington insiders. A race to replace the Speaker has begun, despite House Members recessing until next week. The two names at the top of the list are House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (OH-4) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (LA-1). While the Navy League is not involved in this political infighting, we (along with the rest of the nation) have grave doubts about any form of funding deal being reached before the November deadline instituted by the last Continuing Resolution. After a brief reprieve, the threat of a government shutdown comes racing back into focus.
Former President Trump sat in a courtroom much of this week, listening as his business and personal activities came under fire from government litigators claiming that then businessman Trump had grossly inflated the value of his assets in order to gain favorable terms on loans. Before the week concluded, an ABC report claimed that former President Trump had shared classified information about America’s nuclear submarines with an Australian businessman, who himself then shared that information with numerous other people. This report relates to another trial that the former President faces in the coming months related to his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. And, taking a page from the former President’s book, President Biden stunned Democratic colleagues when he announced funding for a substantial length of border wall.
A Russian missile attack killed 52 Ukrainian civilians in the town of Hroza this week. The attack stoked fresh outrage amidst a war that has seen endless war crimes perpetrated at the hands of the Russian military which consistently targets civilian housing, infrastructure, and shelters. This attack also comes amidst concern that the U.S. Congress will be unable to secure additional aid to Ukraine with a House in turmoil and a GOP caucus which is increasingly opposed to supporting Ukraine’s war effort. Europe is attempting to shoulder the burden but America is the difference-maker and everyone knows it. If the U.S. loosens its support of Ukraine, the consequences will be significant.