Trump Highlights Manufacturing Agenda in Pennsylvania as Midterm Elections Approach 
US Mobilizes Aid After Powerful Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela 
Peru Election Dispute Deepens as Roberto Sanchez Rejects Runoff Results 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Russia Signals Frustration Over Unfulfilled U.S. Commitments After Alaska Summit 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
U.S. Reviewing Potential F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey Amid S-400 Dispute 
NATO Chief Tries to Ease Trump Alliance Dispute 
US Seeks Gulf Support for Iran Peace Deal Amid Regional Tensions 
Trump Orders DOJ Investigation Into Exxon, Chevron Over High Gas Prices 
Pelosi Discloses Major Intel and Uber Call Option Purchases Worth Up to $6 Million 
White House Seeks $1.4 Billion to Combat Growing Ebola Outbreak 
Young Brazilian Voters Shift Right Ahead of 2026 Election 
DOJ Opens Investigation Into NYC Coffee Shop Over Anti-Goldman Social Media Post 
ICC Judges Sue Trump Administration Over Sanctions, Calling Measures Unlawful 
Andy Burnham Emerges as Favorite After Keir Starmer Resigns 
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.
