Pressure on Putin
The United States is turning up the pressure on Russia both economically and militarily. U.S. President Donald Trump announced both planned economic tariffs on Russia and an increased supply of weapons for Ukraine in an effort to turn back the military offensive led by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Department of Education Resumes Closure
The U.S. Supreme Court has lifted a lower court’s injunction that had temporarily blocked the Trump administration from dramatically scaling back the U.S. Department of Education. The decision allows the administration to move forward with its plan to reduce the footprint of the agency—a plan that contains both elimination of programs and personnel as well as reorganization of certain programs to other federal agencies.
Church Endorsements
Birthday Bill Signing
America’s 249th birthday—July 4, 2025—was celebrated with fireworks, BBQs, and the signing of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” After months of negotiating and drafting, the U.S. House and U.S. Senate finally approved joint language just in time for the bill to be signed into law on Independence day. The bill-turned-law makes significant changes to U.S. tax law, as well as spending programs.
Peace Pact
After 30 years of fighting between dozens of factions, and hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of people dead, there is a new peace deal in place between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Fearfully and Wonderfully
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, upheld a Tennessee law that bans puberty blockers and hormones from being administered to minors for the purpose of transitioning to the opposite sex. Twenty-seven states have similar laws on the books, and the Supreme Court’s ruling mostly ensures those laws will remain in effect.
Constitutional Limitations
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 to limit the use of universal or nationwide injunctions by lower courts, reinforcing that such courts may only issue rulings for the parties directly involved in a case. This decision underscores the constitutional boundaries of judicial authority, reminding Christians that while human power is limited by design, God’s authority is limitless and eternal.
NATO Summit
World leaders gathered in The Hague for the NATO Summit this week. The annual meeting focuses on security, and occurred this week as numerous conflicts rage, including between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Iran, and now—in at least a limited fashion—the U.S. and Iran. Leaders from the allied nations are discussing varied viewpoints on whether and how to intervene in each situation, as well as how much of their respective budgets to dedicate to both domestic security and collective world security.
Trade Pact
The United States and China have a deal. While details and implementation specifics remain incomplete, both countries confirm an agreement to allow the U.S. more access to rare earth minerals in exchange for an easing of tariffs on imports from China.
Bunker Busters
U.S. bombers attacked three key Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend in an attempt to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities. B-2 stealth bombers based in Missouri were used for the heaviest bombing, including the deployment of 14 “bunker-buster” bombs used to penetrate the underground Iranian facilities at Fordo and Natanz.
When Heroes Fall: Processing the Michael Tait Allegations
The sexual misconduct allegations against Michael Tait have exposed a deeper crisis within the Christian music industry—one where image has too often been protected at the expense of integrity and accountability. This piece calls for the dismantling of toxic systems that enable abuse through silence, urging the Church and its leaders to choose truth, justice, and the protection of the vulnerable over reputation management.
Political Violence in Minnesota
Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, are dead, and Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, are injured after a gunman went on an overnight shooting spree with apparent plans to target dozens of elected officials. Authorities say the suspect, who was later taken into custody near his home, had a target list of more than 40 Democrat lawmakers and attempted to harm at least two additional officials at their homes on the night of the attack.
Parade and Protests
The U.S. Army celebrated its 250th anniversary this week with a parade of troops, military equipment, and music in the streets of Washington, DC. It was among the first of what will be many events commemorating 250 years since many of the foundational moments in American history—including the adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The celebratory event was met by protests in many American cities but went off without major incident in DC.
All Out War
Israel and Iran are at war. The two countries have long been enemies and there has for some time now been sustained hostilities, proxy skirmishes, and recently direct engagement between them. This week marked a significant escalation, however, with Israel embarking on a multi-day and ongoing campaign to cripple Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. The result has been the destruction of multiple sites related to Iran’s nuclear enrichment and development, as well as the death of multiple Iranian military leadership.
Revoked
The U.S. State Department is “aggressively revok[ing] visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” according to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The move comes amid increasing economic tension—including an ongoing tariff escalation—between the U.S. and China, and also as world observers warn about the possibility of a Chinese takeover of Taiwan.
Return Facilitated
The man at the center of multiple high-profile legal challenges is back in the United States and facing charges of human smuggling. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported from Maryland to his native El Salvador in March, a move that sparked numerous legal challenges and ultimately a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court ordering the administration to “facilitate” Garcia’s return to the U.S. Garcia remains in federal custody and awaits prosecution.
Elusive Peace
There are yet again new rounds of negotiations to end the fighting in two major wars. First, Israel has reportedly signaled agreement with a U.S.-led framework that includes a ceasefire, hostage exchanges, and increased aid into Gaza. Hamas wants changes to the framework but has reportedly indicated an openness to continued negotiations.
Happy, Happy, Happy
Phil Robertson, best known for his starring role in the long running TV show Duck Dynastythat documented his family’s life, business, and adventures, has died at the age of 79. Robertson had been suffering from a cancer-like blood disorder and is survived by his wife, Kay Robertson, and numerous children and grandchildren.
Murder in DC
Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC are dead after a gunman targeted them at the conclusion of an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC. The victims are Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a young couple who planned to soon be engaged. Lischinshy was an Israel citizen and Milgrim an American. The gunman was taken into custody while saying, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”
A Rare Death
As we honor those who have given their lives in service this Memorial Day week, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the magnitude of the sacrifice the Heavenly Father has made for us.