June 21, 2026

Remembering Ken Nyboe, Father?s Day.

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June 20, 2026

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has become a metaphor for the Trump presidency, Trump claimed he would fix the reflecting pool for $1.8 million, When renovations were declared complete Trump claimed it was a triumph, But the cost was vastly over the budget, a no-bid contract had been awarded for the work, and the work immediately failed, 12 days after it was done, the epoxy from the bottom of the pool was peeling off, but the Interior Department claimed the White House didn?t know that the work had been contracted to a company that Trump originally said he had chosen, A former Olympic athlete, who stopped by the pool and put his hand in the water to feel the detached material, was arrested for destruction of government property, Trump had found someone to blame for his blunders, The reflecting pool is defying his narrative, as are Iran and Israel, Israel does not consider itself bound by the MOU signed by Trump, US Intelligence expects Netanyahu to continue striking Hezbollah, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again, J.C. Vance left for Switzerland for negotiations, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is refusing to go along with Trump?s narrative about her, showing how Trump?s power is crumbling, The National Guard is patrolling the area around the reflecting pool as Trump claims vandalism by additional people - although security cameras offer no proof of either vandalism or arrests. 

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June 19, 2026

The federal holiday honoring Juneteenth celebrates the announcement on June 19, 1865 letting Texans know that enslaved Americans were free, The federal government would see to it that going forward white people and Black people would be equal, While white legislators in the former Confederacy grudgingly ratified the 13th amendment abolishing enslavement, they also passed laws keeping freedpeople subservient to their white neighbors, Black codes restricted the rights of Black Americans, When Congress refused to readmit states with Black Codes in place, the 13th amendment was added to the Constitution, And in 1866 the 14th Amendment to the Constitution was passed, establishing that no state could discriminate against any of its citizens or take away any of their rights, The federal government encouraged Juneteenth celebrations, which began to spread to Black communities across the nation, While these celebrations declined during the Jim Crow years, after WWII, Black Americans brought the celebrations with them across the US, and in 2021 President Biden signed a measure to create a federal Juneteenth holiday, Pressure from those determined to preserve a government that protects the wealthy and white men today threatens the new nation that Juneteenth celebrated?one that would honor the equality of all Americans.

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June 18. 2026

Ukraine launched its biggest attack on Moscow since Russia's invasion, Russia struck one of Ukraine?s most important landmarks, Kyiv-Oechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage Area, Trump and J.D. Vance are trying hard to sell the MOU with Iran as a victory, but their claims are hollow and brittle, The parade for the New York Knicks, this year?s NBA Champions, was, by contrast, a powerful message that the momentum is with the people, Mayor Zohran Mamdani gave a triumphant speech, which combined the Knicks' victory with the political power of the people of New York, In Chicago a similar message was celebrated at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, The mood was jubilant as former presidents (but not the current one) filled the stage and performers sang, danced, and spoke, In her speech, Michelle Obama recognized the challenges of the moment but urged people to remember the power of choice, and "the steady work of change,?  She championed the power of the people, and urged people to come together, and to reignite optimism, and empathy, and ambition that is part of democracy and has powered the country?s greatest change. She said, "when we truly see each other, when we strive to bring out the best in ourselves and one another, oh, there is no limit to how high we can go."

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June 17, 2026

The details of the 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran are revealed, It has a lot of firm language, most of it seemingly granting Iran everything it wanted, The MOU commits the US and its ?allies? to stop military operations on all fronts, The US will terminate sanctions against Iran and lift the blockade of Iranian ports, Iran will use ?best efforts? to support safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Language suggesting Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon does not include a process to enforce the promise, The war against Iran has cost lives and treasure for the US, Iran, and other countries around the world, Iran is claiming victory, while the US has come away with nothing, Trump seems prepared to blame J. D. Vance if the MOU doesn't work out, MAGA supporters of the Iran War are furious about the "deal," Trump dines at Versailles, and, in an awkward historical twist, signs the MOU while there.

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June 16, 2026

Only 16% of Americans think the UFC Fight at the White House was appropriate, Kash Patel announces that the FBI had foiled a plot to attack the UFC fight, seemingly rushing to announce information that the Secret Service did not plan to leak, The Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are launching an investigation into Patel?s alleged misuses of FBI funds, A case against the Broadview Six, Chicago protestors charged with interfering with federal agents, has fallen apart, A similar charge is being leveled in Minnesota, claiming that 15 protesters conspired to impede or injure federal offers during the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, Details of Trump?s ?deal? with Iran are emerging, and it appears that sanctions will be waived to allow oil sales, although the administration is trying to explain this away, The White House has approved millions of dollars of taxpayer money to pay for Trump?s ballroom, and that seems to have been the intention from the start.

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June 14, 2026

On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army, The Battles of Lexington and Concord had made it clear that the British government endangered American liberties, Congress then named Virginia planter George Washington as its commander-in-chief, Defending the country without creating a military that could be used to repress the people was a challenge, The army was overlooked by Congress and funds were not available for food or supplies for the militiamen encamped at Valley Forge, PA, When France signed a treaty with the American states in February 1778, they lent money, material, and men to the cause of American independence, The Treaty of Paris formally ended the war in September 1783, and Congress disbanded the army, Washington stepped aside from military leadership, addressing Congress in December, Painter John Trumbull called his retirement one of the highest moral lessons ever given to the world.  

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June 13, 2026

The head of the Kennedy Center certified to the court that the Center and its board have complied with the order to remove Trump?s name from the building,  They have not removed the tarp installed over the Center's portico, The Kennedy Center spokesperson said that the board was evaluating legal options, UFC fighters held a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial in advance of the cage fight planned for the White House on Trump?s birthday, The fighters were given the US military?s highest ceremonial formation as they walked down the steps of the Memorial, Stunts were performed on the South Lawn of the White House, Trump posted multiple images of himself on social media, The UFC fighters will enter the ring from the Oval Office and the whole thing will be carried live - for a fee. 

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June 12, 2026

Today was the deadline for removing Trump?s name from the Kennedy Center, The DOJ asked for a stay, but Judge Christopher Cooper ruled against them, The Kennedy Center board then filed an emergency appeal, alleging that the board would strip all funding unless Trump?s name remains on the building, The Washington National Opera has filed a suit claiming they are owed $17 million of the money Trump says now belongs to the Kennedy Center, Trump has seized funds appropriated for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Federal agencies and the UFC are putting at least $60 million toward the White House cage fight scheduled for Trump?s 80th birthday, Trump brags about the gilding of the horse sculptures by the Lincoln Memorial, The sculptures and Trump's proposed arch echo Victor Orbán?s use of architecture and memorials as symbols, Before day's end, the appeals court denied the motion to stay the removal of Trump?s name from the Kennedy Center and the removal was underway overnight.

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June 11, 2026

Trump began the day threatening to strike Iran and to take Kharg Island, Trump has not gotten congressional approval for continuing action in Iran, Fox News hosts are urging Trump to increase US military involvement in Iran, claiming a decisive win will be swift, Trump compares Iran to Venezuela, The US appears to be controlling Venezuela?s oil exports, but there is no transparency around the arrangement and Democrats have sent a formal request for an audit, The mood at the White House is reported to be angry and Trump is pushing his demands for military funding, the passage of the SAVE America Act, and installation of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, Republicans joined Democrats to reject a measure to extend FISA, Then Trump pulled back, reversing the plan to strike Iran, and nominating Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence.

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June 10, 2026

Inflation in May hit its highest level since early 2023, Trump seems unconcerned - revising the story by suggesting that the hit to the economy was strategic, Trump is also rewriting the history of the war that he started in Iran, Reporters in the NY Times have brought Jeffrey Epstein back into the news, suggesting panic in the White House, JD Vance has pressed to have Tim Walz and Keith Ellison of Minnesota investigated for fraud, An Iranian drone downed a US helicopter, Tump has launched new airstrikes against Iran, Oil prices jumped with the news of the strikes, Trump is pressuring the Republicans to provide additional funding for the military and to pass the SAVE American bill.

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June 9, 2026

A Very Big Deal Indeed

Trump has officially nominated Todd Blanche to become attorney general of the United States, Blanche as formerly Trump?s personal attorney who led the defense team in the case of falsifying records and in the cases for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election and retaining classified documents, Blanche has flouted the law to do Trump?s bidding, The nomination challenges Republican senators to ignore rank and file Republicans, and to break the law, The DOJ has ignored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and Epstein survivors are being threatened by Trump supporters, This nomination encourages the DOJ to bless wide ranging corruption, from allowing foreign interests to invest in Trump family businesses in exchange for preferential treatment, allowing Middle East billionaires to buy access to the president, and to make billions in a crypto currency business that has generated losses for more than a million investors duped by the promise of investing in a Trump business, Reports reveal massive fraud by Hungary?s Viktor Orban before he lost his bid for re-election, Trump is attempting to prevent the kind of defections in his rank that Orban suffered by forcing Republican senators to vote for Blanche?s confirmation, The Blanche confirmation is a very big deal. 

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June 8, 2026

On June 8, 1789, James Madison of Virginia introduced a series of amendments to the US Constitution, Ten of his amendments would eventually be adopted and become the Bill of Rights, One of the amendments said that no national religion would be established and the full and equal rights of conscience would not be infringed, Madison cared deeply about keeping the government away from religion, believing that representative government was at stake, The reality of these concerns is playing out today, Defense Secretary Hegseth has removed about 180 faith traditions from the list recognized by the Department of Defense, 31 religions are still recognized, 22 of them are Christian denominations, Mormons were originally left off the list, but after an appeal by Sen Mike Lee of Utah to the president, it appears poised to be included, Madison and those who passed and ratified the Bill of Rights believed that to make people?s religion - their right of conscience - depend on the approval of the president would destroy self-government.

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June 7, 2026

Trump walked out on an interview with Meet the Press host Kristen Welker when she challenged his claim that the 2020 presidential election and recent primary in California were rigged, Trump accused the media of being dishonest - which is exactly what he is doing, Scott Pelley, formerly of 60 Minutes, described CBS news director Bari Weiss's demands that he make changes to reporting from the protests in Minneapolis to appease the administration, In his interview, Trump denied facts about the rising price of oil and fertilizer, A federal lawsuit was filed to stop the UFC fights being planned for the White House, which is clearly a money-making venture for the UFC and for Trump.

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June 6, 2026

Senate Republicans passed a measure providing additional funding to ICE and CBP, without any of the reforms Democrats had demanded, ICE and CBP will be funded through the end of Trump?s term no matter the outcome of the midterm elections, There has been no public accounting of how the funds for ICE and CBP are being spent, Democratic amendments caused an 18 hour debate that forced Republicans to vote against measures that are popular, making their stands clear, A whistleblower says that DOGE planned to make immigrants self deport by declaring 2.7 million of them dead, The number of deaths of immigrants in detention is rising, Sen Andy Kim of New Jersey is keeping attention on what is happening at Delaney Hall detention center, but ICE is impeding oversight, Secretary of Defense Hegseth was in France for the anniversary of D-Day, where he perverted the commemoration in a speech which advanced the ideas on which fascism was based, We remember Winston Churchill, who promised that those who care about freedom and self determination would never stop fighting the Nazis.

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June 5, 2026

In his June 5th, 1944 Fireside Chat, FDR let Americans know that Rome had fallen to Allied troops, He emphasized how troops from many nations had worked together to defeat the forces of fascism, And he warned that this was just the beginning of the path to victory, FDR knew, but did not tell his audience, that the Allies were on their way into France, That evening, General Dwight D Eisenhower?s order read that the eyes of the world were upon the Allies, and he assured the troops that they were on their way to victory,  Eisenhower?s confidence disguised his appreciation of the risks of the operation, Eisenhower had written a letter, to be sent if the invasion failed, In the letter he took full responsibility and praised the members of the military, But the letter was never delivered as on June 6, 1944, in the largest amphibious invasion in military history, the Allies had successfully stormed the beaches of Normandy, Thousands died or were wounded, but the operation established an essential foothold in France.

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June 4, 2026

The Trump administration?s promise to dismantle the liberal consensus got him elected, but the effects of his plans are starting to be widely felt, Tariffs are destroying foreign markets for US agricultural products, The war on Iran is sending the price of fuel and fertilizer soaring, Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins was grilled by the House Agriculture Committee, New World screwworm, a parasite that had been eradicated is back after the Trump administration cut funding for control and prevention, Oil reserves are at their lowest level in 22 years, Many of the known funders for Trump?s ballroom have received lucrative contracts from the federal government, Democrats are calling out the corruption in the administration which siphons taxpayer money into the pockets of the wealthy, At a Texas rally for James Talarico the democratic candidate for governor, the crowd shouted ?lock him up!"

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June 3. 2026

US Supreme Court allows Alabama to use a 2023 map that had been ruled as unconstitutional because it violates the Fourteenth Amendment and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, As Trump deteriorates mentallly and physically Republican lawmakers and the administration try to grab as much power as possible, Promises of an end to the war on Iran fizzle and the economy is slowing as oil prices increase and credit card delinquencies reach new highs, Russell Vought proposes that OMB should have control over research grants, Trump signs order stripping civil service workers of protected status, And Trump nominates William Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, one of the most important positions in the government, Pulte has no experience in intelligence and his nomination threatens the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Democrats and some Republicans are pushing back on Pulte's nomination, There has been pushback in the House where a resolution passed telling Trump to stop its strikes on Iran or get congressional approval and a measure that would aid Ukraine advanced, Trump did not react well.

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June 2, 2026

Administration officials have repeatedly tried to limit access to detention centers across the country, Detainees at the Delaney Hall detention center in New Jersey start a hunger strike to protest dangerous conditions and the lack of access to the legal system, New Jersey?s attorney general is suing the GEO Group which operates Delaney Hall, The destruction of the rule of law at Delaney Hall is part of the larger effort by the Trump administration to destroy it across the country, The newly appointed acting director of national intelligence, who has no relevant expertise, is willing to use the government to persecute Trump?s perceived enemies, Trump?s slush fund will be dropped but the DOJ is not dropping the plan to provide tax amnesty to the Trumps, Secretary of Homeland Security refuses to commit to abide by court rulings, Former Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino publicly embraces white nationalism, claiming that 100 million people in the US must be removed and going after government and elected officials.

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June 1, 2026

Trump is caught between demands to deliver on promises to keep Iran from developing nuclear capacity and to open the Strait of Hormuz as oil reserves continue to drop and oil prices in the US continue to rise, Return of Congress raises possibility that a war powers resolution will pass, As soon as details for a framework for ending the war in Iran are leaked to the media, Trump?s base complains and the negotiations fall apart, Trump is attacking Democrats and the judges who have been deciding against him in legal cases, Acts that were lined up to perform at Trump?s Freedom 250 celebration are cancelling, Iran says they are suspending negotiations with the US until Israel stops strikes on Lebanon, warning that they will close the Strait of Hormuz entirely, Trump posts wildly on social media, Trump professes to be bored with the negotiations with Iran,The Pentagon restricts access to its press office to all journalists. 

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May 31, 2026

Margaret Chase Smith was elected represent Maine as a Republican in the House after her husband, who held that seat, died in 1940, Smith served three terms in the House and then was elected to the Senate in 1948, Anti-New Deal Republicans were insisting that the US government was sliding toward communism, Senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy, claimed he had a list of communists working for the State Department, McCarthy?s charges were unproven, but fellow Republicans did not protest, except for Senator Smith, On June 1, 1950, Smith made an eloquent speech in the Senate that bluntly challenged McCarthy, and condemned the leaders in her party who were supporting him and were making wild accusations, She wanted to see President Harry Truman replaced in the next election, but not with a Republican regime without integrity,  Her speech presented a Declaration of Conscience to her party, She was largely ignored at the time, but four years later the Senate condemned McCarthy, Smith would be remembered for her courage, while McCarthy has gone down in history as a disgrace to the Senate and to the country. 

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May 30, 2026

The members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club were wealthy and influential, The Club took control of a Pennsylvania reservoir created by damming a river, and enjoyed it for sport, but it had no drainage system, Perched high above Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a factory town, members of the club gave little thought to the people living there, On May 31, 1889, the South Fork Dam failed in a torrential storm, 2,208 people died in the Johnstown Flood, the largest loss of civilian lives in the US to that time, The survivors who hoped to hold the members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club accountable were disappointed, The four lawsuits that were launched against the club failed. 

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May 29, 2026

The war in Iran and the rising cost of living are costing Trump support, While there is talk of an agreement with Iran, there are no signs that it is real, Public opinion is causing support to dwindle for Trump?s wish to be on the face of a new $250 bill, Trump lost in court on changing the name of the Kennedy Center and on closing the center for two years, Trump?s plans for a Freedom 250 celebration are fizzling, too, The Department of Justice has been temporarily stopped from creating or operating Trump?s $1.776 billion slush fund, Thirty-five federal judges have asked US District Judge Williams to reopen the legal case that the Trumps brought against the IRS, Trump and his loyalists are taking other actions, some of which have the potential to have wide repercussions. 

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May 28, 2026

Trump is treating the nation?s capital as his property, Trump is lashing out, filing suits against E. Jean Carroll and the Wall Street Journal, Grand juries as well as judges are losing faith in the Department of Justice, Trump appears to be focused on corrupt dealings that benefit him and his family, Thirty-five former federal judges have challenged the slush fund set up by Trump and his MAGA loyalists and the notion that they had reached a ?settlement agreement? with the Department of Justice, The judges wrote: ?? the parties? settlement was not, and never will be, legally justified.?

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May 27, 2026

Backed by Trump, scandal-ridden Ken Paxton wins Texas primary against John Cornyn, UFC arena is being built on the White House lawn as Trump dominates the People?s House just as he is dominating the Republican Party, In the 1850s, enslavers similarly dominated the Democratic Party and forced through the Kansas Nebraska Act, Those opposed to the spread of slavery created a new alignment, Trump and his supporters are using culture war issues to try to cement their power, James Talarico may have an advantage in his campaign for Senate, given the corruption of the Trump administration, Administration is trying to keep its actions secret, In 1854, voters put anti-Nebraska candidates in office and would create a new political party. By 1859 the Republican party found a champion in Abraham Lincoln. 

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May 26, 2026

Demonstrators at the Delaney Hall detention center in New Jersey, including Senatory Andy Kim, were pepper sprayed by federal agents, Detainees have called for help, describing conditions as overcrowded and unsafe, Detainees have not been afforded legal hearings and are being pressured to self deport, The detainees began a hunger strike and members of congress, as well as New Jersey?s governor, have visited the facility and confirmed the accounts of cruel and inhuman conditions, US Citizenship and Immigration Services have changed policies for obtaining permanent residency in the US, making it much more difficult to obtain a green card, The criminal charges against Kilmar Ábrego Garcia were dismissed, Alligator Alcatraz, the detention center in Florida that cost taxpayers $1 billion, appears to be shutting down, although neither Trump nor Gov Ron DeSantis will admit it. 

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May 26, 2026

Tulsi Gabbard steps down, possibly having been forced out of her position as Director of National Intelligence, Trump is under pressure to find a way out of Iran, The timeline for Congressional approval of the war has run out, Members of Congress were poised to pass a war powers resolution, but Mike Johnson sent representatives home to avoid that vote, Trump claims that an agreement with Iran is imminent, but details are scarce, Republicans have condemned the deal described by Al-Jazeera, Thomas Massie, who lost the primary for re-election to his House seat, is demanding that the DOJ release the Epstein files. 

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May 24, 2026

The people who care about the preservation of democracy and who have worked to expand its values truly represent America, On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration, we are launching 250 to 250, a series that honors them, It is a series of one-minute videos that emphasize the agency of everyday people to change the country, The videos celebrate community, democracy, innovation, mobility, civil rights, education, conservation, and creativity, Topics range from the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the building of the Erie Canal to the story of the AIDS quilt and the legacy of actress Rita Moreno, Narrators include former Senator Jon Tester, journalist Sylvia Salazar, and former secretary of transportation Pete Buttigieg; Now, as for the past 250 years, ?We Are America.?

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May 23, 2026

Trump?s proposed arch threatens to obscure the view of the Lincoln Memorial from Arlington National Cemetery, The arch will not frame the nation?s honored dead, but the home built by enslaved Americans and once owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, The US government bought Lee?s property in 1864, and by August began to bury the bodies of Civil War soldiers there, By the end of the Civil War more than 16,000 Civil War Soldiers were buried at Arlington National Cemetery, The first official Memorial Day ceremony took place at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1968, Then-congressman James Garfield, who had served in the War, spoke, Garfield spoke of the men buried at Arlington, They fought to save their Government ?or miserably perish."

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May 22, 2026

In a graduation speech at the University of Michigan in 1964, President Lyndon Johnson laid out his vision for ?the Great Society,? It was a forward looking vision of a country that used its post-World War II prosperity to look toward greater things, and to advance civil rights and end poverty, Congress would pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and the Food Stamp Act, Democrats were able to pass 84 new laws to put the Great Society into place, Congress took on voting rights, access to education, health insurance, and the rights of consumers, It enacted laws protecting the environment and supporting the arts, In his speech at the University of Michigan, Johnson charged the graduates to lead America toward a new age, reminding them that Americans have the power to shape the civilization that we want.

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May 21, 2026Congress has left for the Memorial Day holiday, It appears some Republican members of Congress have mutinied against Trump, Republican senators met in what is described as a hostile meeting with acting attorney general Todd Blanche, Republican senators are speaking out against Trump?s slush fund, Repubicans are also frustrated by Trump intervening in Republican primaries, Senate leadership decided not to try and pass funding for immigration agencies, and left Trump?s request for $1 billion for his ballroom out of the funding package, In the House, Republicans pulled a vote to stop the war on Iran, as they did not have the votes to defeat it, Republicans may be starting to crack.  

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May 20, 2026

Daniel Hodges aed Harry Dunn, who defended the Capitol on January 6, sue Trump to block the creation of his slush fund to pay off those convicted of crimes related to that attack, The lawsuit covers what actually happened on January 6, in detail, In the House, Rep Jamie Raskin has introduced an act to prohibit use of federal funds to pay off anyone claiming to have faced ?weaponization,? Trump is making it clear that making money and building monuments to himself are his priorities, Funding for the ballroom could not go into a budget reconciliation measure, so Trump is trying to replace the Senate parliamentarian, Republicans are taking note of Trump?s cratering approval ratings, Trump has backed Ken Paxton against John Cornyn in Texas, and successfully backed the challenger to Kentucky?s Thomas Massie, but shrinking margins suggest that his hold may be loosening.

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May 19, 2026

Department of Justice announces $1.776 billion ?Anti-Weaponization Fund," Administration continues to blame others for actions that they themselves are doing, The fund is not part of a legal settlement of Trump?s case against the IRS, which Trump has withdrawn, But Trump has reached an agreement with the DOJ, giving him full control of the fund, Trump loyalists are looking to compensate participants in the January 6 insurrection, The agreement was then amended to add a blanket promise to stop all IRS audits of Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization, Described as a "pardon on steroids,? it appears intended to stop the government from convicting Trump of tax evasion, Meanwhile, Trump held a press conference to talk about the White House ballroom.

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May 17, 2026

Trump administration organizes a taxpayer funded evangelical worship event in Washington DC, Administration seeks to use the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to promote its ideology, Trump loyalists have taken over planning for the nation?s birthday celebration from Congress, Trump?s Freedom 250 project showcases Trump more than the nation?s history, In a false reading of history, speakers at the event assured the crowd that the US was founded as a Christian nation, The founders were clear that government should be separate from religion, MAGA politics requires obedience rather than self-government, But questioning and debating is essential for advancing the nation?s core political values, A belief in the principles of democracy, and a commitment to America?s civic identity unifies the nation and is the story of America. 

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May 16, 2026

May 17th is the anniversary of the Brown v Board of Education decision declaring racial segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional, Three years later, President Eisenhower proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson wrestled the Act through Congress, But efforts to expand voter registration for Black Americans were stymied, even after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, On March 7. 1965 after the shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson, marchers set out from Selma AL to the state capital at Montgomery to draw attention to the struggle, they were stopped by the government. The march was started again, and this time 25,000 people completed their trip, The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed on August 6, 1965, Yet the basic rights protected by the Act were gutted on April 29, 2026 by the Supreme Court, Thousands, including 18 members of Congress, traveled to Selma and Montgomery today, to call for action to protect voting rights, Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told an audience that those trying to gerrymander their way into controlling Congress have awakened a sleeping giant, as people come together knowing what it means to the country to protect the vote.

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Xi Jinping appears to have gotten what he wanted from the meeting with Trump, Trump?s actions make it appear China and the US are peers. Xi signals he sees US as a declining power, Trump appears to miss the context of their meeting, Trump misses the point that America?s strength was always about its alliances, Trump posts about the WH ballroom, Hegseth reverses plan to send troops to Poland, Chairs of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees are angry about changing plans and the administration?s failure to involve them, Corruption in Trump family finances continuew unabated.

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Vance visits Maine and claims the Trump administration is combating endemic fraud in our public services. States that don't comply with federal rules will have funds cut. Admin will withhold $1.3 billion in Medicaid payments from California. Admin and Republicans blaming political opponents for their own fraud and corruption. Admin seems nervous after seeing Orban dumped. Trump?s administration labeled the most corrupt in history. Trump fired or demoted 20 inspectors-general, pocketed $4B from crypto, freed/pardoned cronies for money. Trump's sons and son-in-law are using their political connections to build private wealth. Trump uses his Birthday UFC White House fight to funnel more money to supporters. Trump visits China with delegation of billionaires. Trump's lawsuit with the IRS.

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Two weeks ago, SCOTUS gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These first two weeks have resulted in one-party rule in the South, depriving millions of Black voters from fair representation, as Republicans gerrymander without restraint. We've seen a One-party state South before. After the Civil War, reactionary white southerners use state laws, intimidation, harassment, and violence to prevent Black people from voting. By 1880, the South was solidly Democratic, which it would remain until the 1960s. Wilmington Coup.

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Trump?s behavior on social media gets even more unhinged; he continues to target his political opponents with late night posts which fabricate quotes and use AI. Trump calls news coverage of Iranian military victories "virtual TREASON." Trump leaves for China. No progress on opening Strait of Hormuz. Trump continues to use Iran's nuclear capacity as justification for the war, but his own intelligence agencies assessed Iran was not building a nuclear weapon. DOJ wants to settle $10B lawsuit from Trump. Epstein victim during hearing cites Bondi by name re obstruction. Experts- can?t change name of war, reset clock.

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In 2025, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump launched "Trump Mobile," a smartphone designed and built entirely in America. Costumers could pre-order the phone by putting down a $100 deposit for the $499 phone. Since, the product dropped its "American made" promise, the phone did not ship on schedule, and the terms have redefined the $100 deposits as a "conditional opportunity if Trump Mobile later elects, in its sole discretion, to offer the Device for sale.? The company wants to use T-Mobile's network which is subject to federal government regulations, a conflict of interest. Trump complains that the Supreme Court is not loyal to him over tariffs. Trump posts AI images about the Iran war and his political rivals. Tension between Trump and Netanyahu.

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Russia celebrates Victory Day, the anniversary of its victory over the Nazis. Putin co-opts the holiday to showboat the country's military and boost morale and support for the Ukraine War. Putin has not achieved any of his initial goals in the Ukraine War. Putin fearmongers against NATO. A big celebration in Hungary but for another reason. Péter Magyar takes the oath of office as prime minister after winning a landslide victory over Putin ally Viktor Orbán, ending Orbán campaign against "liberal democracy."

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The original Mothers? Day originated with Julia Ward Howe reacting in the 1870?s to the horror of modern war. Women needed to seize political power from the men who allowed this scale of carnage. Throughout the Civil War, women had played a significant role in the war effort, and they expected their agency and participatory enfranchisement to continue in the post-war years. 14th Amendment did not give women the right to vote. Women suffrage movements are formed in America in 1869. Julia Ward Howe wrote, ?Appeal to Womanhood Throughout the World,? and she organized international peace conferences.

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Trump & UFO stories. Meanwhile: Transportation Secretary misses months recording TV show, no bid contract for reflecting pool, real cost of war huge, FEMA only pays Republican states and ignores Democrat states, Trump ends air pollution restrictions, VA court overrides will of voters.

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Tennessee divides its majority-Black 9th Congressional District into three districts that extend into white suburbs, turning all its districts into Republican seats. The NAACP has sued Tennessee to block the redistricting. Other Republican dominated states are rushing to redraw their own districts after the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision. The CIA releases a report that contends the Trump administration is inflating its military successes and impact in Iran. The US says its exchange of fire with Iran in the Hormuz Strait does not violate the ceasefire. Tom Homan claims there are 20 million undocumented immigrants in the country, and the majority of Americans think the Trump administration is cracking down to hard on immigration. Trump continues to attack the Pope. Secretary Rubio visits the Vatican, and the Pope gives him a pen made out of the symbol of peace: olive wood.

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Government restricts satellite imagery from the press, to hide the extent of damage Iran did to our bases in war. More insider trading surrounds latest Trump announcement re war. Patel drinking and giving Ka$h Patel labeled bourbon bottles as swag.

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After Trump promised his White House Ballroom would be funded entirely by himself and "friends," Republicans are appropriating $1 billion in taxpayer money for the White House addition. This tactic reveals President Reagan's own bait and switch when his tax cuts did not provide the economic prosperity that he promised would have sustained social programs. 1/5 of people covered by ACA are dropping coverage as Republicans cancelled subsidies. 4.3 million people off SNAP. Project Freedom cancelled after a day. Republicans are allocating $72 billion for ICE and Customs and Border Protection. Tom Homan promises that many more deportations are coming. Trump backs down from Project Freedom.

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May 3, 2026

"86 47" graffiti in the Reflecting Pool sends Trump into a late night posting frenzy, many of them AI generated images. Trump pushes expensive "beautification" projects in D.C. to control his legacy. These projects include painting the reflecting pool blue and building The National Garden of American Heroes. Trump announces the launch of "Project Freedom, an effort to escort stranded merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump gets offended by critical comments from European leaders on the Iranian war and threatens to pull U.S. troops from Spain and Italy. Election Fearmongering.

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May 2, 2026

Running of the Kentucky Derby, American Horses: Traveller, Comanche, Beautiful Jim Key, Man o? War, Trigger, Sergeant Reckless, Mr. Ed, Black Jack, Khartoum, Secretariat.

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