Horowitz: House Republicans should force a vote on troops on the ground in Ukraine



The real story in America now is not that a 21-year-old National Guardsman leaked details of Biden’s illegal war in Ukraine, but the actual implications of the content of that leak: that we have boots on the ground in Ukraine without a declaration of war from Congress.

In response to the story of the alleged intel leak from National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, Speaker Kevin McCarthy demanded that the White House get to the bottom of the security breach.

\u201cThe Biden administration has failed to secure classified information.\n\nThrough our committees, Congress will get answers as to why they were asleep at the switch.\u201d
— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1681488578

But why is there no concern about the revelation that there are boots on the ground in Ukraine? Why is there no concern 14 months later as to what we have gotten ourselves into and to what end? Why are we fighting for Russian-majority areas like Crimea and Donetsk? Why is it worth risking nuclear war on behalf of corrupt Ukrainian officials who make the Nigerian princes look like Mother Teresa? Moreover, with allegations that the U.S. blew up the Nord Stream pipeline – with no other plausible explanation – why is Congress not concerned that Biden has commenced WWIII, destroyed our economy with meaningless sanctions, and flushed U.S. talent and treasure on an escapade that will make our 20 years in Afghanistan look prudent in comparison? These are the questions that should be the subject of congressional investigation.

Moreover, it’s quite evident that Israel, which has close cultural ties with Ukraine, has been cautious about going all in with the “Slava Ukraini” agenda. In fact, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made it clear he had tried to broker a negotiation with Putin to end the war. While people will quibble over the exact nature of the deal and who did or did not sabotage it, what is clear is that the U.S. never placed positive energy behind striking a deal and was always antagonistic toward such a proposal.

Last year, Israel National News reported that several weeks after the commencement of the war, Bennett urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s demands.

"If I were in your place, I would think about the lives of my people, and take the offer," Bennett told Zelenskyy in the phone call, according to the Ukrainian official. According to him, Zelenskyy's response to Bennett was short: "I heard you."

So why would our government fight so hard to block Russia’s initial demands, and why invest so much for areas that were already gone without a feasible plan to defend them until the end of times against their next-door neighbor?

Even if our government didn’t blow up the pipeline, the amount of money and arms it has sunk into this war is more than most of our direct kinetic actions cost throughout history. So with revelations that we have boots on the ground, why is there no demand from McCarthy that Biden secure a formal declaration of war against Russia before continuing this conflict? If this is really a fight that is worthy of hundreds of billions of dollars, depleting our already dwindling weapons supply, higher prices for consumers, and yes, actual American soldiers on the ground, how is it defensible to continue this without a declaration of war?

Our Founders were very deliberate in leaving the power to initiate a war in the hands of the legislature, not one executive. They believed it would be the number-one opportunity for administrative abuse. "Nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting anything by it," John Jay wrote inFederalist No. 4. "Absolute monarchs will often make war when their nations are to get nothing by it, but for purposes and objects merely personal, such as thirst for military glory, revenge for personal affronts, ambition, or private compacts to aggrandize or support their particular families or partisans." Such factors could motivate the executive "to engage in wars not sanctified by justice or the voice and interests of his people."

It is therefore very clear that our Founders, based on the reality of warfare defined in their time, believed that any initiation of offensive action taken against another nation must be approved by Congress. As James Madison said, there must be “rigid adherence to the simple, the received, and the fundamental doctrine of the [C]onstitution, that the power to declare war, including the power of judging of the causes of war, is fully and exclusively vested in the legislature; that the executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not cause for declaring war …”

George Washington, in a 1793 letter to the governor of South Carolina regarding conflict with the Creek Indians, made it clear that the question to initiate any major offensive war was out of the hands of the president: "The [C]onstitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure."

On the other hand, any decisions about the execution of the war thereafter or to immediately repel an invasion were placed squarely in the hands of the president. This arrangement was born out of the Article I Section 8 enumerated congressional power to declare war on the one hand, but the president’s role as commander in chief of the armed forces on the other.

This is also why Madison had the convention members alter the original draft of the Constitution, which gave Congress the power to “make war,” to a more limited language of “declare” war, making it clear that all operations beyond the initial declaration would not be subject to the chaotic whims of 100 people. However, the all-important decision to initiate such an action was left in the hands of Congress. And even if one wants to defend surgical strikes in today’s world as a necessary tool for national defense, how can one defend over a year of involvement in Ukraine without congressional input? I guess it’s under the same rationale as a president utilizing unilateral emergency pandemic powers for three years without ever getting approval from Congress.

Ironically, the only warfare for which Biden would not need congressional input is the use of the military against the cartels at our border because that is purely defensive. But of course, that is the one theater in which we will not use our military because, in the view of the elites destroying the social compact, our military exists for every other country but our own.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is contemplating an effort to expand how it monitors social media sites and chat rooms in response to the leak. Like a thief caught at night, they lash out against the homeowner aka the American people so that we are the ones considered criminals and not their officials for selling out our country to Ukraine. Of course, they will get away with it, because, alas, we have a uniparty.

'The American people will not tolerate this injustice': Republicans lambaste Trump indictment as weaponization of the justice system



Republicans are decrying the indictment of former President Donald Trump as the weaponization of the justice system — the former president and current 2024 presidential candidate was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of seeking to meddle in the 2024 presidential contest.

"Alvin Bragg has irreparably damaged our country in an attempt to interfere in our Presidential election. As he routinely frees violent criminals to terrorize the public, he weaponized our sacred system of justice against President Donald Trump. The American people will not tolerate this injustice, and the House of Representatives will hold Alvin Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power to account," McCarthy declared.

\u201cAlvin Bragg has irreparably damaged our country in an attempt to interfere in our Presidential election.\n\nAs he routinely frees violent criminals to terrorize the public, he weaponized our sacred system of justice against President Donald Trump.\n\nThe American people will not\u2026\u201d
— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1680216715

"The sham New York indictment of President Donald Trump is one of the clearest examples of extremist Democrats weaponizing government to attack their political opponents. Outrageous," tweeted House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.).

GOP Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio referred to the indictment as "political persecution masquerading as law" as well as "a grave miscarriage of justice" and declared that "Bragg's decision to indict him is blatant election interference and a direct assault on the tens of millions of Americans who support" Trump.

"The Democrat Party’s hatred for Donald Trump knows no bounds. The 'substance' of this political persecution is utter garbage. This is completely unprecedented and is a catastrophic escalation in the weaponization of the justice system," GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas tweeted.

"We all know that the RINOs are secretly happy about the indictment, but the fascist left won't stop with Trump," Donald Trump Jr. tweeted. "They're power-hungry & will do anything to crush their political opponents. If we're ever going to save our country, the entire GOP needs to finally figure that out."

"This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history," former President Trump himself said in a statement on Thursday.

Trump announced last year that he is running for president again.

"This evening we contacted Mr. Trump's attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan D.A.'s Office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal," a spokesperson noted in a statement posted on the Manhattan DA Twitter account. "Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected."

\u201chttps://t.co/3mGeW1QmJf\u201d
— Alvin Bragg (@Alvin Bragg) 1680218142

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Former NBA player says he'd like to become a member of Congress



Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom said during a Thursday appearance on Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria," that he would eventually like to become a member of Congress.

"I actually do," Freedom replied when Bartiromo asked him if he had interest in making a run for public office. She then asked him if he would like to serve as a member of Congress: "I would actually," Freedom replied, adding, "when the time is right."

When asked if he is currently making plans to run for public office, Freedom responded in the affirmative, but when asked if he is fundraising, Freedom said he has not begun yet.

Enes Kanter Freedom considers run for public office: 'When the time is right' youtu.be

Freedom, who regularly speaks out against human rights abuses around the globe, has been an outspoken critic of China and of the NBA for its extensive business connections to China and its refusal to condemn China for human rights violations.

Earlier this month, he attended President Joe Biden's State of the Union address as a guest of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

\u201c.@EnesFreedom loves the USA. He understands freedom. And he is willing to sacrifice his job in order to stand up against the Chinese Communist Party.\n \nI was proud to have him as one of my guests for State of the Union.\u201d
— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1675896603

Freedom, 30, was born in Switzerland but raised in Turkey — in 2021, he was sworn in as an American citizen and added "Freedom" to his name.

"I am proud to be an American. Greatest nation in the world. The Land of the free, and home of the brave," he tweeted when sharing a video of his swearing in ceremony.

NBA star LeBron James recently broke the NBA record for most career points scored, but Freedom has accused him of bowing to China.

The Spectator reported that Freedom said James "knows that the shoes that he has been wearing are made by slave kids. So I do not respect any of the Nike athletes out there who are talking about social justice."

\u201cPeople get mad when I speak the truth because I\u2019m the only athlete who actually speaks the truth.\nI don\u2019t care about your endorsement deals or your dirty money.\n\nYou can NOT buy me #CCP!\n\nDon\u2019t expect me to respect you or your game when your shoes are literally made by SLAVE KIDS\u201d
— Enes FREEDOM (@Enes FREEDOM) 1675869415

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CNN reporter spills the beans, reveals air sirens only blared when Biden visited Kyiv: 'Life is relatively normal here'



The media claimed President Joe Biden demonstrated strength when he visited Kyiv on Monday, meeting with Ukrainian leaders as air sirens could be heard in the Ukrainian capital city.

But according to a CNN war correspondent on the ground in Kyiv, there were no sightings of missiles and the air sirens were not heard until Biden was in Kyiv.

What did media claim?

Media outlets made an inextricable connection between Biden's visit and air sirens:

  • The New York Times: "Biden Visits Embattled Ukraine as Air-Raid Siren Sounds"
  • The Independent: "Biden defies safety warnings and air raid sirens for moment of history in Kyiv"
  • NBC News: "Watch: Air raid sirens sound repeatedly as Biden and Zelenskyy walk through Kyiv"
  • Newsweek: "Joe Biden Arrives in Kyiv for Surprise Trip as Air Raid Sirens Blare"
  • The Boston Herald: "Biden Visits Embattled Ukraine as Air-Raid Siren Sounds"
  • Vice: "Joe Biden Made a Surprise Visit to Ukraine as Air Raid Sirens Blared"

But what did a CNN reporter say?

Alex Marquardt, a senior national security correspondent at CNN, took the wind out of the media's sails on Monday when he revealed the coincidental nature of those air raid sirens.

"The fact is life is relatively normal here in the capital these days. The fighting, of course, taking place hundreds of miles from here in the east and in the south," Marquardt said.

"I've been here for the past five days. I have not heard any explosions. I have not heard any air sirens until about half an hour ago, right when President Biden was in the center of Kyiv," he added.

\u201cCNN's Alex Marquardt: "I've been here for the past five days. I have not heard any explosions. I have not heard any air sirens, until about half an hour ago, right when President Biden was in the center of Kyiv."\u201d
— Kevin Tober (@Kevin Tober) 1676930979

The air sirens, then, may have, according to the New York Times, made for a "dramatic moment that underscored the investment the United States has made in Ukraine’s independence" — but according to those on the ground, Biden was never actually in any danger.

That hasn't stopped Democrats, however, like former Sen. Claire McCaskill, from using the moment to bash former President Donald Trump. McCaskill said on MSNBC that Biden's visit demonstrated his "courage," while she rebuked Trump for being "afraid" to go to Afghanistan.

Reuters confirmed that, despite the air sirens, "there were no reports of Russian missile or air strikes."

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'I've always believed ... that the truth matters' This Democrat just announced a Senate bid



Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California announced on Thursday that he is running for U.S. Senate.

Schiff, who has served in the House for more than two decades, had previously said that he would seriously consider a Senate bid if Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) retires and that he was seriously considering a Senate run. According to CNN, Feinstein has filed reelection paperwork with the Federal Election Commission but has not announced whether she will run again in 2024 — the senator will turn 90 years old later this year.

"I've always believed that what's right matters, that the truth matters, and that decency matters," Schiff said in a campaign video. "Today's Republican Party is gutting the middle class, threatening our democracy," Schiff claimed. "We have to stop them. That's why I'm running for the U.S. Senate."

\u201cOur democracy is at great risk. Because GOP leaders care more about power than anything else.\n\nAnd because our economy isn\u2019t working for millions of hard working Americans.\n\nWe\u2019re in the fight of our lives\u2014a fight I\u2019m ready to lead as California\u2019s next U.S. Senator.\u201d
— Adam Schiff (@Adam Schiff) 1674745625

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) rejected the appointments of Schiff and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) to sit on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a panel on which the two Democrats had previously served and which Schiff had previously chaired.

\u201cI have rejected the appointments of Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell for the House Intelligence Committee.\n\nI am committed to returning the @HouseIntel Committee to one of genuine honesty and credibility that regains the trust of the American people.\u201d
— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1674607627

"I knew today would be a great day to launch my campaign for Senate. For a lot of reasons. Including this one: Happy birthday, Kevin McCarthy. I'm running to be your next U.S. Senator!" Schiff tweeted on Thursday.

\u201cI knew today would be a great day to launch my campaign for Senate. \n\nFor a lot of reasons. Including this one:\n\nHappy birthday, Kevin McCarthy. \n\nI\u2019m running to be your next U.S. Senator!\u201d
— Adam Schiff (@Adam Schiff) 1674763296

Mike Pompeo, who served as CIA director and then as secretary of state during Donald Trump's presidential tenure, claimed during an appearance on Fox News Channel's "Outnumbered" that he knows Schiff has leaked classified information. Pompeo, who has indicated that he is mulling the possibility of a presidential bid, said that when information was supplied to Schiff and his staff, it showed up in places it should not have "with alarming regularity."

"Let's be clear: Adam Schiff should be nowhere near the Intelligence Committee," Pompeo tweeted.

"Let’s be clear: I don’t back down from bullies," Schiff responded.

\u201cLet\u2019s be clear: I don\u2019t back down from bullies.\n\nAnd your comments about Jamal Khashoggi \u2014 an American resident and journalist butchered by the Saudi government \u2014 were shameful and do dishonor to your former office.\u201d
— Adam Schiff (@Adam Schiff) 1674762260

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