On this Independence Day, your phone calls, tweets, and social media postings reacting to the new Gallup poll which shows national pride at a record low.
Former Defense Secretary James Mattis and former Tenth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Michael McConnell joined a panel discussion about citizenship and democracy at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer participated in a web discussion on a number of topics with Harvard Hillel. These topics included the recent landmark decision that LGBTQ individuals are protected by federal law from employment discrimination, how the coronavirus impacted the court's work, and the debate over continuing the broadcasting of live audio of oral arguments to the public after the pandemic.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas discussed a new biographical documentary which he said was produced because his legacy had been distorted over the past three decades. Justice Thomas was interviewed by DC Circuit Court Judge Gregory Katsas, one of his former law clerks from his first year on the Supreme Court. The Federalist Society hosted this event at its annual Florida Chapters conference.
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates spoke about American leadership in international affairs during a virtual event hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. While discussing his book, "Exercise of Power: American Failures, Successes, and a New Path Forward in the Post-Cold War World," Secretary Gates, who served under Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama, was critical of past nation building efforts saying, "you can't impose democracy." Secretary Gates also addressed what he called America's diminishing reputation abroad saying the country's leadership is "seen as incompetent," because of its inability to address issues such as the coronavirus, an economic downturn and racial disparities. The secretary also discussed China's growing influence, cyber threats facing the U.S., and the 2020 presidential election.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer participated in a web discussion on a number of topics with Harvard Hillel. These topics included the recent landmark decision that LGBTQ individuals are protected by federal law from employment discrimination, how the coronavirus impacted the court's work, and the debate over continuing the broadcasting of live audio of oral arguments to the public after the pandemic.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump participated in the "Salute to America" 4th of July celebration at the White House. While the president spoke of the great victories of the past, he got somewhat political, alluding to recent events in the country, saying "we are now in the process of defeating the radical left." President Trump also took a moment to address the press, saying they "label their opponents as racists, who condemn patriotic citizens, " and that when they make "these false charges, you not only slander me, you not only slander the American people, but you slander generations of people who gave their lives for America."
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas discussed a new biographical documentary which he said was produced because his legacy had been distorted over the past three decades. Justice Thomas was interviewed by DC Circuit Court Judge Gregory Katsas, one of his former law clerks from his first year on the Supreme Court. The Federalist Society hosted this event at its annual Florida Chapters conference.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified before the House Financial Services Committee about their respective agency's pandemic response and the outlook for economic recovery. They discussed the Payroll Protection Plan, economic racial disparities, and how a future stimulus package should be structured. While Secretary Mnuchin was confident the economy will "improve significantly" within the next few months, Chairman Powell was not as confident, saying "the path forward will also depend on the policy actions taken at all levels of government to provide relief and support the recovery for as long as possible."
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump participated in the "Salute to America" 4th of July celebration at the White House. While the president spoke of the great victories of the past, he got somewhat political, alluding to recent events in the country, saying "we are now in the process of defeating the radical left." President Trump also took a moment to address the press, saying they "label their opponents as racists, who condemn patriotic citizens, " and that when they make "these false charges, you not only slander me, you not only slander the American people, but you slander generations of people who gave their lives for America."
Defense One's Katie Bo Williams discussed reports that Russia was offering bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill U.S. and coalition military personnel in Afghanistan.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a virtual hearing to examine the U.S. and international response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Witnesses included global health experts along with former Health and Human Services and USAID officials, who served during the Obama administration. They provided recommendations for improving global pandemic preparedness and response measures. In addition, witnesses stressed the importance of the U.S. maintaining a relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) and called for increased funding and reforms at the WHO. Other topics addressed included COVID-19 vaccine development, global health infrastructure and the role of China in the coronavirus pandemic.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump participated in the "Salute to America" 4th of July celebration at the White House. While the president spoke of the great victories of the past, he got somewhat political, alluding to recent events in the country, saying "we are now in the process of defeating the radical left." President Trump also took a moment to address the press, saying they "label their opponents as racists, who condemn patriotic citizens, " and that when they make "these false charges, you not only slander me, you not only slander the American people, but you slander generations of people who gave their lives for America."