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Christie knocks GOP rivals over ‘false choice’ on Ukraine on August 4, 2023 at 10:08 pm
Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie knocked his GOP rivals for presenting what he called a “false choice” over United States support in Ukraine.
During a trip to Ukraine, Christie called out former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who have all suggested that America scale back or cut off its aide to Kyiv to focus on domestic issues.
“We have people in the party like Trump and Ron DeSantis, Vivek, who are giving people a false choice, which is ‘Well, we can only do one thing; we can either improve things in the States or we can help Ukraine,” Christie said in an interview with The Washington Post.
“When you look at the amount of money we’ve sent to Ukraine as a percentage of the federal budget, anybody who can do the math knows that’s a ridiculous statement.”
Christie’s comments highlight the increasing divide among Republicans over the nation’s support for the war in Ukraine, both on the campaign trail and in Congress. Seventy Republicans voted in favor of an amendment last month that would have prohibited all future security assistance to Ukraine.
Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The trip makes Christie the second GOP presidential candidate to travel to the embattled country after former Vice President Mike Pence visited in June.
“It was an honor to meet with President @ZelenskyyUa in Ukraine and see firsthand the heroism Ukrainians have displayed in their fight against Russia,” Christie said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Christie also told The Washington Post he hoped Republican voters are thinking about which candidates can handle “the really complicated issues that the next next president will have to deal with….and who is going to be dealing with trying to keep themselves out of jail.”
Christie was referencing Trump and his ongoing series of legal battles, including his most recent indictment over his attempts to stay in power after losing the 2020 presidential election
Christie previously said he wants Ukraine to have “every weapon they need to be able to win,” in their fight against Russia. In an interview on NewsNation, Christie said he would increase U.S. commitment to Ukraine if he were to become the next president.
Trump, the frontrunner in the GOP race, has criticized the U.S.’ spending for Ukraine, arguing against the continued aid as Americans face financial challenges at home. Last week, the former president urged for a pause on all aid to Ukraine until federal agencies turn over “every scrap” of evidence connected to alleged “corrupt business dealings” from Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has shared similar sentiments, arguing there is not a “sufficient interest,” for the U.S. to “escalate” its involvement in the conflict. The White House hopeful walked back his controversial comments in March that characterized Russia’s war on Ukraine as a “territorial dispute.”
The U.S. has provided billions in support to Ukraine since its conflict with Russia began in February 2022.
A new poll from CNN found most Americans believe Congress should not authorize more funding for Ukraine. The poll found 55 percent of Americans said lawmakers should not authorize additional funding to support Ukraine, while 45 percent said they should.
The poll showed Republicans were more likely to oppose additional funding for Ukraine, with 71 percent saying Congress should not approve more funding, compared to 38 percent of Democrats and 55 percent of Independents.
Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie knocked his GOP rivals for presenting what he called a “false choice” over United States support in Ukraine. During a trip to Ukraine, Christie called out former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who have all suggested that America scale back or cut off its aide…
President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.
What Trump Is Saying
Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.
How Taxes Work Now
Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.
Questions From Experts
Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.
What Congress Must Do
The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.
What It Means Right Now
For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.
Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.
The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.
“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”
U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.
Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.
The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.
Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.
Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.
As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.
What Happened at the United Nations
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, defending Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. As he spoke, more than 100 delegates from over 50 countries stood up and left the chamber—a rare and significant diplomatic walkout. Outside the UN, thousands of protesters gathered to voice opposition to Netanyahu’s policies and call for accountability, including some who labeled him a war criminal. The protest included activists from Palestinian and Jewish groups, along with international allies.
Why Did Delegates and Protesters Walk Out?
The walkouts and protests were a response to Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread destruction and a significant humanitarian crisis. Many countries and individuals have accused Israel of excessive use of force, and some international prosecutors have suggested Netanyahu should face investigation by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, including claims that starvation was used as a weapon against civilians. At the same time, a record number of nations—over 150—recently recognized the State of Palestine, leaving the United States as the only permanent UN Security Council member not to join them.
International Reaction and Significance
The diplomatic walkouts and street protests demonstrate increasing global concern over the situation in Gaza and growing support for Palestinian statehood. Several world leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, showed visible solidarity with protesters. Petro called for international intervention and, controversially, for US troops not to follow orders he viewed as supporting ongoing conflict. The US later revoked Petro’s visa over his role in the protests, which he argued was evidence of a declining respect for international law.
Why Is This News Important?
The Gaza conflict is one of the world’s most contentious and closely-watched issues. It has drawn strong feelings and differing opinions from governments, activists, and ordinary people worldwide. The United Nations, as an international organization focused on peace and human rights, is a key arena for these debates. The events surrounding Netanyahu’s speech show that many nations and voices are urging new action—from recognition of Palestinian rights to calls for sanctions against Israel—while discussion and disagreement over the best path forward continue.
This episode at the UN highlights how international diplomacy, public protests, and official policy are all intersecting in real time as the search for solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains urgent and unresolved.
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