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Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Tag: Donald Trump
April 4, 2025
Economy

Trump Urges Interest Rate Cut, But Fed Chair Powell Remains Hesitant.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President J. Donald Trump is pushing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to reduce interest rates. Trump argued it is an opportune time for such action following his recent announcement of reciprocal tariffs.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, and various international trading partners.

📍 Where & When: The remarks were made by Trump on Truth Social after his tariff announcement.

💬 Key Quote: Trump stated, “This would be a PERFECT time for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to cut Interest Rates,” while Powell commented, “We are well positioned to wait for greater clarity before considering any adjustments to our policy stance.”

⚠️ Impact: The tariff announcement led to declines in the Dow Jones and S&P 500. The tariffs have prompted some countries to reconsider their trade policies, with some indicating potential retaliation or negotiation.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is pressing the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates on the heels of his imposition of a 10 percent blanket global import duty and additional reciprocal tariffs on countries with pre-existing trade barriers against American exports. In a Friday post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the Federal Reserve Bank and its chairman, Jerome Powell, for what he sees as habitual delays in reducing interest rates, suggesting now is the perfect moment for the U.S. central bank to take action.

“This would be a PERFECT time for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to cut Interest Rates,” Trump wrote. “He is always ‘late,’ but he could now change his image, and quickly. Energy prices are down, Interest Rates are down, Inflation is down, even Eggs are down 69%, and Jobs are UP, all within two months – A BIG WIN for America.”

President Trump then reiterated the call for a rate cut, adding: “CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!”

The Federal Reserve has been hesitant in recent months to reduce interest rates after enacting the first rate cut since 2020 this past September. In the central bank’s view, the robust labor market and rising wages under President Trump make further rate cuts difficult, as reduced interest rates could generate renewed inflationary pressure. Responding to Trump’s call for lower rates on Friday, Powell told reporters in Virginia that the central bank will continue its cautious approach.

“Our obligation is to keep longer-term inflation expectations well anchored and to make certain that a one-time increase in the price level does not become an ongoing inflation problem,” Powell said. “We are well positioned to wait for greater clarity before considering any adjustments to our policy stance. It is too soon to say what will be the appropriate path for monetary policy.”

The Federal Reserve Chairman argued that the new tariffs may potentially generate short-term inflation in the U.S. economy, though he added that the possibility of long-term inflationary effects is less likely. Notably, tariffs can have a dual effect of creating short-term and relatively minor inflationary pressure while, in the long term, having a deflationary impact. The infamous Smoot-Hawley tariffs enacted in 1930 had a significant deflationary effect. This fed into the pre-existing deflationary cycle created by the Great Depression.

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April 4, 2025
Politics
The Resistance

Obama Calls on Americans to Sacrifice in Opposing Trump Policies.

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❓What Happened: Former President Barack Obama addressed the necessity of potential sacrifices to oppose the policies of President Donald J. Trump.

👥 Who’s Involved: Barack Obama and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, on Thursday night.

💬 Key Quote: “You may actually have to do something and possibly sacrifice a little bit.” — Barack Obama.

⚠️ Impact: Obama criticized the Trump administration for challenging the post-World War II global order and urged active resistance against Trump’s policies, especially from law firms and universities.

IN FULL:

During a speech Thursday at Hamilton College, former President Barack Obama said it is no longer enough for those on the political left to call themselves progressives or say they are for social justice, emphasizing that action and sacrifices may be needed to resist the policies of President Donald J. Trump. Speaking to the college’s students, the Democrat former president also argued that universities and law firms must become more active in partisan political action against the Trump administration.

“It has been easy during most of our lifetimes to say you are a progressive, or say you are for social justice, or say you are for free speech, and not have to pay a price for it,” Obama said. “And now we’re in one of those moments when… it’s not enough just to say you’re for something. You may actually have to do something and possibly sacrifice a little bit.”

Demanding that universities, law firms, and other typically non-political organizations become more active in partisan resistance to Trump, former President Obama argued: “It’s unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me or a whole bunch of my predecessors.”

The Democrat went on to defend the post-World War II global order, which has aligned itself against American interests in recent decades. “All of you have grown up in an international order that was created by America after World War II. … This is an important moment because, in the last two months, the U.S. government has been trying to destroy that order,” he said, repeating the Democrat trope that Trump is a threat to democracy: “Democracy is pretty recent in its vintage. An international order where you cooperate instead of fight is new. It’s fragile.”

Obama’s comments come in response to actions by President Trump to sanction law firms that have engaged in partisan lawfare action against conservative officials, candidates, and members of his administration—including himself.

Additionally, the Trump administration is moving to deport foreign nationals in the U.S. on student visas if they engage in pro-Hamas activities.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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April 4, 2025
Economy

228,000 Jobs Added in March as Trump’s Economy Surges.

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❓What Happened: Employers in the U.S. increased their payroll by 228,000 in March.

👥 Who’s Involved: The U.S. Department of Labor, economists, and private sector businesses.

📍 Where & When: United States, March.

💬 Key Quote: “Great job numbers, far better than expected. It’s already working. Hang tough, we can’t lose!!!” — President Donald J. Trump.

⚠️ Impact: The labor market’s unexpected strength suggests continued economic stability, alongside increased workforce participation and rising wages.

IN FULL:

According to a report released by the Department of Labor (DoL) on Friday, in March, U.S. employers expanded their workforce by 228,000. The jobs numbers far exceeded economists’s forecasts, with most only anticipating a gain of 140,000 new jobs for the month.

“Great job numbers, far better than expected. It’s already working,” President Donald J. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social responding to the jobs report. He added: “Hang tough, we can’t lose!!!”

While the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.2 percent, this increase was expected due to labor force expansions and increased demand for workers. Notably, the private sector demonstrated significant hiring momentum, with 209,000 positions added, far surpassing the forecast of 115,000 jobs. This robust performance offsets concerns over consumer sentiment and indicates resilient economic conditions.

The workforce participation rate has continued its expansion, rising from 62.4 percent to 62.5 percent. The average workweek also extended, reflecting stronger labor demand. Average hourly earnings grew by 0.3 percent from February and rose 3.8 percent compared to the previous year, indicating healthy wage growth.

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April 3, 2025
William Upton
Economy
Politics
World

Mike Pence Hates Trump’s Tariffs. Which Means Trump Is Right.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is pushing the GOP to reembrace unpopular globalist economic policies, is criticizing President Donald J. Trump’s imposition of extensive global tariffs, claiming they represent the largest peacetime tax increase in U.S. history.

👥 Who’s Involved: Mike Pence, Donald Trump, and America First conservatives, including Trump’s trade advisor Peter Navarro.

📍 Where & When: Pence posted criticism to X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday evening following President Trump’s “Liberation Day” event.

💬 Key Quote: “The Trump Tariff Tax is the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history,” claims Pence.

⚠️ Impact: Critics like Pence claim the tariffs could cost American families over $3,500 per year, destroy jobs, and weaken conservative political standing. Additionally, the Pence-led Advancing American Freedom PAC contends the tariffs will counteract the benefits of previous tax cuts.

IN FULL:

Former Vice President Mike Pence publicly criticized President J. Donald Trump’s imposition of a 10 percent blanket global tariff and additional targeted tariffs in response to pre-existing foreign trade barriers, claiming the new import duties will result in significant economic burdens for American families. Additionally, in a Wednesday night post on X (formerly Twitter), Pence asserted the tariffs represent the most substantial peacetime tax increase in U.S. history.

“The Trump Tariff Tax is the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history,” Pence claimed, adding: “These Tariffs are nearly 10x the size of those imposed during the Trump-Pence Administration and will cost American families over $3,500 per year.” Attached to Pence’s X post was a screenshot of anti-Trump tariff talking points pushed by his Advancing American Freedom PAC.

Advancing American Freedom PAC’s claim that the tariffs will cost American families over $3,500 per year is based on a Goldman Sachs estimate, which pegs the total tariff revenue at around $300 billion annually. However, Pence and his Advancing American Freedom PAC appear to assume that American families will bear the bulk of the tax burden imposed by the tariffs—a fairly unlikely scenario—and not foreign companies attempting to maintain their market share in the United States.

Meanwhile, Pence’s assertion that Trump’s tariffs are “the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history” is on equally shaky ground. While tariffs are technically taxes, they are not entirely borne by Americans, with at least part of the import duty paid by foreign companies. Additionally, Advancing American Freedom PAC states that Trump’s tariffs are the highest imposed since the 1800s, claiming the imposed rate is higher than the Smoot-Hawley tariffs from the Great Depression.

The first claim is dubious at best, though the assertion that the Trump tariff rate is higher than those imposed under Smoot-Hawley is patently false. Pence and Advancing American Freedom PAC are playing fast and loose with what they consider the average tariff rate to make the claim. The Smoot-Hawley tariffs imposed a 59.1 percent rate on dutiable goods, though around 63 percent of foreign imports were not considered dutiable under the law. This places the average tariff rate under Smoot-Hawley at just under 20 percent.

President Trump’s tariffs include a blanket 10 percent tariff on all imports with additional target tariffs on specific countries with pre-existing trade barriers against American exports. Estimates regarding the average rate range from around 15 percent to 20 percent, though the lower side of the range appears more likely.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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April 3, 2025
William Upton
Politics
The Resistance

Far-Left Demonstration Forces White House to Reschedule Saturday’s Spring Garden Tours.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Trump White House is rescheduling Spring Garden Tours for Saturday, April 5, in response to a planned far-left protest against President Donald J. Trump.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump White House, The Office of the First Lady, Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign, the Indivisible movement, and dozens of other Democrat-aligned far-left advocacy groups.

📍 Where & When: The White House, Washington, D.C., other demonstrations are planned in cities around the country.

💬 Key Quote:  “This decision has been made out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of all within proximity to public demonstrations planned near the White House on Saturday, April 5, 2025,” the White House said, advising that the Saturday tours will be rescheduled to Sunday.

⚠️ Impact: The rescheduling of the garden tours could impact thousands of tourists who had tickets for tours scheduled on Saturday. Meanwhile, the mass demonstration is notable as it will be the first large-scale protest against Trump since he returned to the White House.

IN FULL:

The Trump White House announced they are rescheduling Spring Garden Tours for April 5 “out of an abundance of caution” in anticipation of planned far-left demonstrations against President Donald J. Trump’s America First policy agenda in Washington, D.C., and other cities across the United States on Saturday. Some of the most influential Democrat-aligned nonprofit advocacy groups are organizing the mass protest and claim that they received 250,000 RSVPs by the end of March.

Among the groups behind the planned demonstrations is the Human Rights Campaign, a radical nonprofit advocacy group that pushes extremist pro-transgender policies. Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortionist and a significant funder of Democrat election campaigns, is also part of the coalition organizing the protests. Additional organizers include Declaration for American Democracy—which backs Democratic Party legislative and lawfare efforts to undermine election integrity laws—and the anti-Trump Indivisible movement, which encouraged government employees to actively resist President Trump’s agenda during his first term in office.

“The White House is working closely with the United States Secret Service and National Park Service to safely accommodate all ticket holders for the 2025 Spring Garden Tours, which will continue to be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, with the following adjustment,” the Office of the First Lady stated. “All previously allocated tickets for Saturday, April 5, will be honored on Sunday, April 6, between 10:00 AM and 2:30 PM (regardless of the original Saturday time slot printed on the ticket).”

According to the White House, those who hold tickets for tours scheduled for Sunday, April 6, “should plan to continue to adhere to the time slot noted on their ticket(s).”

The planned demonstrations are notable as they will be the first large-scale action orchestrated by Democratic Party-aligned activist groups since Trump’s landslide 2024 presidential election victory. Some political observers have speculated that Trump’s aggressive pace in implementing his America First agenda caught many of his political opponents off guard and contributed to their political demoralization.

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April 3, 2025
Economy
News

Support Swells for Trump’s America First Trade Strategy.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced a new set of tariffs aimed at reversing globalization’s impact on the U.S. industrial sector, introducing a universal 10 percent tariff and higher tariffs on countries with their own punishing tariff and non-tariff barriers against the U.S.

👥 Who’s Involved: The policy has garnered bipartisan support, including backing from Democrat Rep. Jared Golden and numerous industry leaders.

📍 Where & When: The announcement was made in the United States following Trump’s recent speech on economic policy.

💬 Key Quote: Rep. Jared Golden praised the tariff plan as “a good start to erasing our unsustainable trade deficits.”

⚠️ Impact: The tariffs are expected to boost American manufacturing, protect jobs, and correct trade imbalances.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump’s move to protect American businesses and workers from unfair trade has received widespread approval from various sectors, reflecting a significant shift in policy-making. Democratic Representative Jared Golden expressed his support, hailing the President’s tariff agenda as a necessary move to address economic challenges posed by globalization. Golden said President Trump’s tariffs align with proposals in the BUILT USA Act, underscoring the urgency of tackling trade imbalances and protecting American jobs.

The policy has also resonated with industry leaders. Zach Mottl, Chairman of the Coalition for a Prosperous America, said the Trump tariffs are “a game-changing shift that prioritizes American manufacturing, protects working-class jobs, and safeguards our economic security from adversaries like China.”

Philip K. Bell, President of the Steel Manufacturers Association, said Trump’s tariffs “have already started creating American jobs and bolstering the domestic steel industry.” He cited recent investments, including Hyundai Steel’s new plant in Louisiana, as evidence of the policy’s potential.

Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, said America’s “hardworking men and women have seen unfair trade cut the ground from beneath their feet for decades,” calling Trump’s tariffs a “necessary step.”

Analysts indicate that correcting trade disparities and strengthening domestic production could redefine America’s role in the global market. Supporters argue that the tariffs will ultimately lead to fairer trade deals and bolster the American workforce.

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April 3, 2025
Economy
UK
World

UK Mulls Retaliation Against Trump Tariffs.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The United Kingdom is considering retaliatory tariffs after the United States, under President Donald J.  Trump, imposed a 10 percent levy on British goods—half the 20 percent levy on European Union goods.

👥 Who’s Involved: Britain’s Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, British Members of Parliament (MPs), and President Trump.

📍 Where & When: The tariffs are set to start this weekend, impacting goods entering the U.S. from the United Kingdom.

💬 Key Quote: “America is a friend; America is our principal ally,” Jonathan Reynolds stated, emphasizing the importance of the British-American relationship despite the tariff issue.

⚠️ Impact: The tariffs could complicate trade talks between Britain and the U.S., which were made possible by Brexit.

IN FULL:

The United Kingdom is weighing retaliatory tariffs following President Donald J. Trump’s announcement that the U.S. will impose a 10 percent trade levy on British imports. The Labour government’s Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, informed Members of Parliament (MPs) that they may soon have to consider responsive tariff measures if a trade agreement with the U.S. is not secured.

British government ministers plan to unveil a list of potential products targeted for retaliatory action in the coming days. However, despite the potential that retaliatory tariffs could further escalate trade tensions, Reynolds insists that the United States remains a vital ally to the United Kingdom.

Notably, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is dismissing the notion of an immediate trade conflict with the U.S. Instead, he highlighted the necessity of careful strategy to avoid harming the chances of reaching a trade deal with the American government. Starmer emphasized that Britain will “have to act and lead differently” in what he called a “new economic era.”

“It is the beginning of a new era; we need to understand that, just as we have for defense and security, we have to understand the changing world when it comes to trade and the economy,” the British Prime Minister said while speaking at a local campaign event, stating that a response to President Trump’s tariff policy is “not just a short term tactical exercise.”

President Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will impose a blanket 10 percent tariff on all foreign imports, while a number of countries will be hit with additional import duties in response to pre-existing measures imposed against American exports. European Union members face higher tariff rates at 20 percent, with even steeper rates directed at China, Cambodia, and other countries.

Image by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street.

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April 3, 2025
Media
News

Amazon Enters TikTok Acquisition Fray as Sale Deadline Nears.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The U.S. set an April 5 deadline for TikTok to sell or face a ban, with Amazon entering the bidding.

👥 Who’s Involved: Amazon, the Trump administration, ByteDance (TikTok’s Chinese parent company), AppLovin, Oracle, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: The situation is unfolding in the U.S., with a key deadline on April 5.

💬 Key Quote: President Trump mentioned there are multiple potential buyers and expressed a desire to keep TikTok operational.

⚠️ Impact: The ban on TikTok could proceed if no sale is agreed upon and approved by both the Trump administration and China.

IN FULL:

A number of Big Tech giants are intensifying their efforts to acquire the social media app TikTok as the deadline for its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest itself from the company or face its banning in the United States looms. While Oracle has long been considered the most likely serious buyer to acquire TikTok, the multinational software company may now face significant competition, with Amazon showing interest in purchasing the app. President Donald J. Trump has mandated that TikTok must be sold to a non-Chinese company by April 5, or the app will be banned from being downloaded in the United States due to national security concerns.

It is believed that Amazon has submitted a formal letter to President Trump declaring intent to enter the acquisition race. However, while Oracle and Amazon stand out as having the requisite capital to make significant bids to acquire TikTok, several other potential buyers could still make a last-minute push for ownership.

Notably, mobile tech firm AppLovin has placed a bid to acquire TikTok. Meanwhile, Kevin O’Leary—a Canadian businessman and host of the popular Shark Tank reality show—joined with real estate developer and Project Liberty founder Frank McCourt to make a purchase offer this past January.

President Trump recently stated that he would prefer TikTok to remain available to U.S. users, suggesting he hopes one of the potential buyers will be able to reach a deal with ByteDance to acquire the app. Additionally, Trump indicated that he may extend the timeframe for TikTok’s sale if negotiations need more time.

Image by Steve Jurvetson.

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April 3, 2025
Economy
World

Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell Join Democrats to Legislate Against Trump’s Tariffs.

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❓What Happened: The Senate approved a resolution to oppose President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports, with the legislation aimed at repealing the emergency declaration permitting these trade levies.

👥 Who’s Involved: Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined with Senate Democrats to support the resolution, which is sponsored by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA).

📍 Where & When: The Senate passed the measure on Wednesday following President Trump’s “Liberation Day” event at the White House Rose Garden, where he announced that substantial import duties would be imposed on foreign nations with high tariffs on U.S. exports.

💬 Key Quote: Senator Rand Paul stated, “Taxation without representation is tyranny,” characterizing tariffs as a form of taxation and arguing the Constitution forbids one person from enacting taxes.

⚠️ Impact: The resolution likely won’t advance in the GOP-controlled House.

IN FULL:

In a Senate session on Wednesday, a resolution challenging President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs on imports from Canada was advanced to the House of Representatives, with Senators approving the bill in a 51-48 vote. Introduced by Hillary Clinton’s former running mate, Senator Tim Kaine, the measure seeks to revoke the emergency declaration that sanctioned these tariffs by citing the influx of fentanyl across the border. This vote saw four Republican defections, with Sens. Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski joining the Democrat minority to pass the measure.

The resolution’s passage is arguably a symbolic win for Senate Democrats who have worked to derail President Trump’s America First trade agenda. However, while Democrats in the Senate were able to peel off just enough Republican votes to pass the anti-tariff resolution, it is unlikely to advance in the House, where Republican leaders will likely move to kill it before it can move to the floor for a vote.

“[W]e are here before the Senate because one person in our country wishes to raise taxes,” Sen. Paul argued in support of the Democratic resolution on the Senate floor late last night. “Well, this is contrary to everything our country was founded upon. One person is not allowed to raise taxes. The Constitution forbids it.”

“This is a tax, plain and simple,” he reiterated, adding: “Taxation without representation is tyranny.”

While tariffs can technically be categorized as a form of taxation, the import duties are not borne by American consumers for the most part. Instead, foreign companies impacted by tariffs will often absorb a significant portion of the import duty to preserve their market position—essentially opting to take a short-term revenue loss to ensure they maintain their consumer base for the long term.

It is also highly questionable to suggest that there is a lack of “representation” when an elected President with a mandate from the American people raises tariffs.

The Senate’s passage of the anti-tariff resolution came just hours after President Trump announced a 10 percent blanket tariff on all foreign imports and imposed additional, more targeted trade levies on a number of countries that have high tariffs on U.S. goods.

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April 3, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Politics

REPORT: Trump Axes NatSec Staff Who Failed Laura Loomer’s Loyalty Checks.

PULSE POINTS:

❓ What Happened: Several members of President Donald J. Trump’s National Security Council (NSC) were fired on Thursday following a visit from independent investigative reporter Laura Loomer highlighting neocon infiltrators on the team.

👥 Who’s Involved: Laura Loomer pressed the administration to act, while a U.S. official and a source familiar confirmed the firings, with up to 10 NSC staffers, including senior directors, reportedly axed.

📍 Where & When: The firings hit Washington, D.C., on April 3, 2025, one day after Loomer’s Oval Office visit on April 2, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: A U.S. official said Loomer was “furious that ‘neocons’ had slipped through the vetting process,” calling the firings a “bloodbath.”

⚠️ Impact: The shakeup signals Trump’s intent to root out establishment hawks.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump’s National Security Council was rocked by a string of firings on Thursday, just 24 hours after conservative firebrand Laura Loomer visited the Oval Office. Sources say Loomer handed Trump “research and evidence” targeting “neocons” on the Council—holdovers from the Bush-era foreign policy establishment. By the next day, multiple NSC members, possibly as many as 10, including senior directors, were out the door.

A U.S. official said that Loomer was livid about “neocons slipping through” the administration’s vetting process, and while it’s not yet confirmed her visit directly sparked the purge, the timing indicates a possible connection. The source called it an “anti-neocon move,” while the official warned of an ongoing “bloodbath.” still unfolding.

The firings also follow “Signalgate,” which saw National Security Advisor Mike Waltz accidentally loop an anti-Trump journalist into a group chat about strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. However, no connection between the firings and this misstep has been established.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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