South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Jack Lang Resigns as Head of Arab World Institute Amid Epstein Controversy 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
US Pushes Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Before Summer Amid Escalating Attacks 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
An investigation continues into former President Donald Trump’s attempts to stay in power that led to the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. According to retired Col. Alex Vindman, Trump’s attempt to stage a coup following his 2020 election defeat was partly what led Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine.
In an interview with Salon, Vindman, who was the key whistleblower in Trump’s first impeachment trial, said that Trump’s attempted coup was what empowered Putin to order an invasion into Ukraine. Vindman shared his thoughts on seeing the insurrection unfold at the Capitol, where a pro-Trump mob tried to derail Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. Five people were killed, and dozens were injured from the violence.
Vindman explained that Trump and the Republican Party are partly to blame for Putin’s invasion of Ukraine due to the coup attempt. Noting that Putin could have launched an invasion at any time, Vindman said that the Russian dictator was already building up his military forces weeks after the January 6 riots, and much like Trump, Putin has managed to exploit any sign of vulnerability, especially in a very divided country like the US.
“Republicans were cheering on this vile tyrant as he attempts to destroy a peaceful country on his border, a democracy, and now they’re going to own that decision,” said Vindman.
“There is blood on the Republican Party’s hands. They were partially responsible for what is happening in Ukraine. Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump were basically as popular on Russian TV as they are here in this country. They’re constantly being played there. What is the impression given? The United States is divided, and there’s an opportunity there. So these folks own it,” said Vindman.
Trump and many other Republicans that support him have openly praised Putin while blasting Biden and NATO leadership. Trump has since doubled down on his praise of the Russian dictator to this day.
Trump ally Chris Christie recently blasted the former president for declaring that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was “a stroke of genius” when the contrary is true for Russian forces. Christie questioned how Trump could call someone like Putin “very savvy” and a “genius” for attempting to invade Ukraine while uniting the world against him.
