The Trump Rally Publication: Make America Great Again by info-pmgfirst

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THE 45TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

On November 8, 2016, America elected charismatic businessman Donald Trump as its 45th President. His fire-brand style, no-nonsense approach resounded with a public that had become increasingly frustrated with the American political machine. During his historic campaign he promised to “Make America Great Again” by bringing jobs back to America, securing our borders, strengthening our military and caring for our veterans, and most of all unifying all Americans. He stands firmly in his belief that the U.S. is the greatest nation in the world and that when its people work toward a common goal, they will restore America’s standing as a beacon of freedom, strength, and prosperity.

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Professional Media Group, LLC 1201 South Highland Avenue, Suite 7 | Clearwater, FL 33756 Tel: 727-584-5511 | Fax: 727-441-8888 | info@pmgfirst.com President Robert Keliher Chief Operating Officer/Editor in Chief Kelly Morrison Editor Jocelyn Beach Graphic Designer Stacy Kovatch Vice President of Sales and Operations Anthony Moldovan Contributing Writers Jim Lamb Alan Gottlieb Pastor Ben Graham Kenneth Ludwig Raymond Frey

Lon A. Fricano Mitchell Krugel Dave Nichols Janis Mako

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Copyright 2020/2021 Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited. The opinions expressed within this publication do not necessarily represent the view of the Publisher. Professional Media Group, LLC assumes no responsibility for the advertisements, or any representations made therein. Professional Media Group, LLC is unable to accept and hereby expressly disclaim, any liability for the consequences of inaccuracies or omissions in such information, whether occurring during the publication of such information for publication nor otherwise.

Disclaimer: The Trump Rally Publication is published by Professional Media Group, LLC with its registered offices located in Clearwater, Florida. Copyright 2020/2021. Neither the Office of the US President, the White House or any other government or military bodies have approved, endorsed or authorized this product or promotion, serve or activity.

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

any years ago, I witnessed a Donald Trump interview on television. I was so moved I recall writing a letter asking him to run for President of the United States. What I witnessed was a no-nonsense businessman speaking political

truth. I seriously doubt he even read the letter. No single person has ever captivated American minds and hearts and dominated the political stage more than Donald J. Trump. Defying polls and media projections, Donald Trump’s business savvy and plain-speaking manner has fared him well in his rise to political greatness. In his victory speech President Trump said, “I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be the President for all Americans.” Referring to his blue-collar hard working class supporters, he said, “As I have said from the beginning, ours was not a campaign, but rather an incredible and great movement made up of millions of hard working men and women who love their country and want a better, brighter future for themselves and for their families.” Thank you for purchasing The Trump Rally Publication. On behalf of my managing staff, contributing writers, designers and production team, we are grateful to produce this keep sake quality publication honoring our Forty- Fifth President of The United States, Donald J. Trump. Let’s make America Great Again and Keep it Great! Best Regards-

Bob Keliher Publisher

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INSIDE

THE TRUMP RALLY PUBLICATION 10

Illinois State Rifle Association Welcome Letter

8............ Donald J. Trump 12 STAND WITHStates PRESIDENT TRUMP! United President 11..You are the Trump Nation! ........ Michael R Pence Vice President of the United States 32 Second Amendment Foundation 13.......... Ryan D McCarthy Welcome Letterof the Army Secretary 14.......... James E McPherson 34 The First Thing You Should Know Under Secretary of the Army About the Second Amendment 16.......... General James C McConville Chief Timeless, of Staff of the 56 Innovative, andArmy Eccentric Firearms 18.......... Richard D Clarke 72 Donald Trump Jr’s Great Rustic Escapes Command Commander, US Special Operations 20.......... John M Murray 76

The Threefold Cord Faith, Family, Freedom

Women for Trump A 2020 Crusade

84 TRUMPNOMICS President Donald J. Trump Is Putting American Workers First as We Restore Our Economy to Greatness 90

PG 12 PG 32

Pg. 10

Winning the Trade War The Falling Deficit

PG 90

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PG 80

INSIDE

THE TRUMP RALLY PUBLICATION 100

The Trump Brand A Bestseller

112

Freedom is not Free

114

Commander in Chief in the 21st Century

126

The Best is Yet to Come

128

President Donald J. Trump Awarding America’s Best the Medal of Honor

140

A First Responder’s Letter

142

President Trump Standing Behind the Badge

154

Do Americans Like When Trump Says Fake News?

158

Keep America Growing

164

We the People Can Build the Wall

171

A 'Divisive' Speech? Only If You Don't Believe in America

173

Risk and Needs Assessment in Prison Reform The First Step Act

180

Vice President Mike Pence Cruising for Charity on a Harley-Davidson

182

A Biker for Trump Mondo Porras, the Godfather of Choppers

190

Doug Stenberg Veteran, Biker, and Champion for Trump

194

Welcome to the Club

203

Advertising Index

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PG 114

Pg. 10 PG 142

PG180 80 PG

“

DEDICATION

”

to education, safety training and support of

ILLINOIS FIREARM OWNERS

or the past 117 years, the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) has been promoting and protecting the ideals that made this country great.

In June of 1903, the ISRA was formed with the purpose of training civilians in preparation for being the core of the nation’s defense. When WWII emerged, ISRA members answered the call and served our great nation in all theaters of the war including at Bataan and Corregidor. Today, our challenges take shape in not only foreign forms, but they are also domestically carved from liberal adversaries whose objective is to disarm the civilians of Illinois and to prevent us from shooting, hunting, collecting, or even owning a firearm. The ISRA is hard at work advocating for Gun Owners every time the Legislature is in session. We spend a great deal of time and money carrying your opinions and defending your rights before our State Congress.

President Donald Trump has served the United States of America for the past four years aligning with our same ideals and goals: an unchanged mission for the continual protection of Gun Owners, upholding our rights of the Second Amendment, and forging a constitutional future for our children. We are still in the forefront fighting for freedom. If you believe in personal freedom and want your children to have a fighting chance to taste it, you should join the Illinois State Rifle Association. We would like to have you as a member. Sincerely,

Richard A. Pearson Executive Director Illinois State Rifle Association www.ISRA.org

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STAND WITH

PRESIDENT

TRUMP! YOU ARE THE TRUMP NATION!

n June 16th, 2015 real estate mogul Donald Trump descended from the escalator in Trump Tower and embarked on a mission to care for the Forgotten Men and Women of America with just four simple words:

Make America Great Again. Since then, this slogan is what has driven Donald Trump to win not only the Republican primary, but the presidency in the biggest political upset in modern American history. Democrats have made it clear that they are the party of high taxes, high crime, and RADICAL SOCIALISM. It’s up to YOU to send a message that America will NEVER be a socialist country. President Trump needs you on his team to ensure victory and help us Keep America Great. President Trump’s Promises Kept, his accomplishments are as follows.

ECONOMY AND JOBS Under President Trump’s leadership, Congress passed historic tax cuts and relief for hard-working Americans. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

• Is the first major tax reform signed in 30 years. • Provided tax relief for 82% of middle-class families. • Doubled the Child Tax Credit proving an additional $1,000 per child in tax relief for working parents. • Nearly doubled the standard deduction, a change that simplified the tax filing process for millions of Americans. • Cut taxes for small business by 20%, providing $415 billion in tax relief for small business owners.

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• Alleviated the tax burden on over 500 companies who used those savings to fund bonuses, wage increases for 4.8 million workers. • Spurred new investments into the American economy, after it was passed businesses invested $482 billion into new American projects. • Repealed Obamacare’s burdensome individual mandate. • Made US companies competitive on the world stage, lowering the corporate tax rate from one of the highest in the industrialized world (35%) to 21%.

US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth has soared under President Trump, topping 3% in 4 quarters under his administration.

• 2018 annual GDP growth was 2.9%. • In the first quarter of 2019 GDP growth was 3.1%.

President Trump is unleashing economic growth and jobs. Since his election, the Trump administration’s pro-growth policies have generated 6 million new jobs, the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point in 50 years, and wages have grown at more than 3% for 10 months in a row.

• The manufacturing industry created nearly half a million new jobs. • 625,000 new construction jobs have been created since President Trump took office. • Hispanic, Asian and African American unemployment rates have all reached record lows under President Trump. • There are more than a million more job openings than unemployed persons in the US. g

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President Trump signed an executive order that expanded federally funded apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training, to provide an alternative for those looking to gain in demand skills that lack the resources to attend four-year universities.

• The executive order set in motion a new process that makes it easier for businesses to create and scale apprenticeship programs, providing many more Americans access to an affordable education that leads to a well-paying job. • The Workforce Development Advisory Council established by President Trump’s executive order has already created on-the-job training opportunities for 6.5 million Americans.

The Trump administration prioritized the economic empowerment of women at home and across the globe.

• The Trump Administration launched the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, the first-ever whole-of-government approach focused on advancing women’s full and free participation in the global economy and allocated $50 million for the fund.

TRADE & FOREIGN POLICY Promoting Fair and Equal Trade, President Trump has kept his promise to crack down on trade cheaters and to promote fairer and equal trade for all Americans. In his first year in office, President Trump took action to protect America’s critical steel and aluminum industries, which were harmed by unfair trade practices and global excess capacity.

• After an investigation, the Trump Administration found that global dumping of steel and aluminum had critically weakened the United States capacity to produce steel and aluminum in times with national security implications. • The President exercised his authority to impose a 25 percent global tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent global tariff on aluminum imports in order to protect our national security. • The tariffs on steel and aluminum will reduce imports to levels needed for domestic industries to achieve long-term viability. • In turn, the strengthening of our domestic steel and aluminum industries reduces our reliance on foreign producers. • As a result, these industries will be able to re-open closed mills, sustain a skilled workforce, and maintain or increase production.

government, particularly the military, and towards the people of Cuba. With the completion of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, the Trump Administration successfully fulfilled President Trump’s promise to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The Trump Administration made enforcement of US trade laws a top priority and has continually exercised its ability to block harmful trade practices and exchanges.

The Trump Administration successfully litigated World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes targeting unfair trade practices and protected our right to enact fair trade laws.

• One of President Trump’s first actions was to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, advancing his agenda to protect American workers.

The President kept his promise to roll back the Obama Administration’s bad deal on Cuba that benefited the Cuban regime at the expense of the Cuban people.

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•T his was a 58 percent increase in investigations over 2016.

In January 2017, the President announced new safeguard tariffs on imported large residential washing machines and solar cells.

• The Treasury Department and State Department placed sanction on Cuba to channel economic activity away from the Cuban

•T o defend US national security interests, President Trump blocked a foreign company from acquiring a US business for only the fourth time in history. •S ince President Trump was sworn into office, the Department of Commerce has initiated 79 antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) investigations. •T he US Trade Representative (USTR) self-initiated a Section 301 investigation into whether Chinese policies, acts, and practices related to technology transfer, licensing, and intellectual property are unreasonable or discriminatory. This is the first use of Section 301 since 2001. •T he Administration blocked the state backed Chinese phone company Huawei from operating in the US.

The President’s Administration conducted 82 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations in 2017.

Upon entering office, the Trump Administration began renegotiations of trade agreements that contribute to the US trade deficit and harmed American workers.

•T he USMCA is a modern trade agreement that opens new markets for US farmers and manufacturers, will encourage increased manufacturing in the US, and allow workers and small businesses to flourish.

• I n February 2018, USTR won a WTO compliance challenge against China’s unfair antidumping and countervailing duties on US poultry exports, and China announced the termination of those duties. • I n November 2017, the United States won a WTO dispute regarding Indonesia’s unfair import licensing regime restricting US agricultural exports. • I n October 2017, a WTO compliance panel found that US tuna labeling rules designed to inform consumers about safe fishing practices were consistent with WTO standards. • I n September 2017, the WTO rejected allegations by the European Union that Boeing was receiving prohibited subsidies. • I n June 2017, a WTO compliance panel rejected almost all claims by the European Union that alleged US subsidies to Boeing were causing serious prejudice to Airbus, instead finding that 28 of 29 challenged programs were consistent with WTO rules.

• China imposes contractual restrictions on the licensing of intellectual property and foreign technology into their country but does not put the same restrictions on contracts between two Chinese enterprises.

The investigation concluded that China directs and unfairly facilitates investments and acquisitions to generate large-scale technology transfers from US companies to Chinese entities.

• A Chinese government-backed fund helped Apex Technologies Co., a Chinese investment consortium, acquire a US computer-printer maker which had previously sued Apex over patent infringement.

The investigation concluded that China conducts and supports cyber intrusions into US companies to access their sensitive commercial information, such as trade secrets.

• In 2014, the US charged five Chinese military hackers for cyber-espionage committed against US corporations and a labor organization for commercial advantage. • An interagency analysis estimated that China’s unfair acts, policies, and practices caused tens of billions in dollars in damages to the United States each year.

In response to China’s rampant trade cheating, the Trump Administration has placed 25 percent tariffs on approximately $250 billion worth of products that are supported by China’s unfair industrial policies. Restoring America’s Foreign Policy, President Trump has gone around the globe working to restorebolster our allies and restore America’s prominence in global diplomacy.

CRACKING DOWN ON CHINA FOR ITS TRADE CHEATING

President Trump went on a historic 12-day tour through Asia, including visits to five countries and attended three regional summits to promote America’s interests.

The President directed his Administration to consider a range of actions to respond to China’s acts, policies, and practices involving the unfair and harmful acquisition of US technology.

In August, the Trump Administration launched an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into Chinese acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation.

• This was the first Section 301 investigation since 2013. • The US Trade Representative (USTR) confronted China’s discriminatory technology licensing practices through a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute proceeding. • USTR led an extensive investigation based on a thorough analysis of evidence and comments received from academics, think tanks, law firms, trade associations, and American companies and workers.

The investigation concluded that China forces US companies seeking to license technologies to Chinese entities to do so on nonmarket-based terms.

• South Korea and Japan pledged to build closer defense collaboration with the United States, and the President underscored the commitment of the United States to providing advanced military equipment. • Cooperation was boosted between the Quad countries (the United States, Japan, India and Australia) on the sidelines of ASEAN in Manila. • President Trump reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to promote prosperity and security in the region by modernizing America’s development finance institutions and increasing their coordination with Japanese counterparts.

President Trump traveled to the Middle East and Europe to solidify relations with our allies in both regions and to push for greater commitments and cooperation.

• President Trump visited Mecca, Jerusalem, and Rome, three of the world’s holiest places. • In Saudi Arabia, President Trump pushed for a coalition of nations to confront Iran and attended the opening of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. g

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• President Trump persuaded allies to develop national plans to boost defense spending up to two percent of GDP by 2024, and for NATO to formally join the coalition to defeat ISIS at the 2017 NATO Leaders’ meeting.

President Trump visited Poland and a meeting of the G-20, where he pushed for closer cooperation and American First policies.

• This action gives Congress the opportunity to consider appropriate legislative solutions, as required by our Constitution.

• With G20 partners and the World Bank, the US championed the establishment of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (WeFi), which could leverage more than $1 billion in financing to support women entrepreneurs.

The Trump Administration rescinded the unlawful Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) program.

President Trump followed through on his promise and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and directed the relocation of the US Embassy. After announcing the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, President Trump quickly and efficiently opened the Embassy in Israel at a low cost to taxpayers.

The Department of Homeland Security launched the office of Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE).

• The State Department announced the new US Embassy in Israel would move to Jerusalem. • The Trump Administration withdrew from UNESCO to show it would not stand for the anti-Israel bias of the organization. • In December 2018, the United States officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. • On May 14, 2018, the United States officially opened our Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel, 70 years to the day that President Truman recognized Israel as an independent country, making the United States the first nation to do so. • In 2019, the Trump Administration recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel becoming the first country to officially do so.

Under President Trump, the United States has worked tirelessly to combat extremism and stick up for religious minorities.

• During his first international trip, President Trump pushed for a coalition of nations to confront Iran and attended the opening of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. It was created to empower Muslim-majority countries in fighting radicalization. • President Trump directed the State Department to send aid through USAID directly to Christians and other minorities facing genocide in the Middle East.

IMMIGRATION Protecting the American people and our homeland, President Trump has enforced immigration laws to protect American communities and American jobs. Upon entering office, President Trump called on Congress to fully fund a wall along the Southern border, to close legal loopholes that enable illegal immigration, to end chain migration, and to eliminate the visa lottery program. President Trump pulled the United States out of negotiations for a “Global Compact on Migration,” a plan for global governance of immigration and a refugee policy that may have compromised US sovereignty.

Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Homeland Security took action to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in an orderly fashion, following the assessment of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that DACA lacks legal authorization.

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President Trump declared a national emergency allowing him to access specialized powers to enforce security on the border.

From President Trump’s inauguration through FY 2019 to date, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made 269,419 arrests of illegal aliens. In his first days in office, President Trump signed an executive order disqualifying sanctuary city from receiving federal grants. President Trump signed three Executive Orders aimed at cracking down on international criminal organizations. In June 2017, The Trump Administration announced the creation of the new National Public Safety Partnership, a cooperative initiative with cities to reduce violent crime. The President released his immigration reform proposal which calls for the transition to a merit-based immigration plan. Following pressure by the Trump Administration, Mexico has agreed to deploy 6,000 national guard troops throughout the country and on its Southern border to stop the immigration crisis, dismantle humansmuggling networks, and work more closely with the US to share information about migrants.

ENFORCING US BORDER SECURITY President Trump protects American communities and restores law and order at the border so Americans can feel safe in their communities. The Trump Administration has secured funding for approximately 445 miles of the total 722 miles of border wall requested. President Trump ordered the hiring of 10,000 new ICE agents and 5,000 additional border patrol agents. The Department of Justice announced more than $98 million in grant funding to hire 802 additional full-time law enforcement officers.

• President Trump signed an Executive Order to restore state and local law enforcement’s access to surplus Defense Department equipment through the 1033 program, including safety equipment.

President Trump signed a memorandum deploying National Guard troops to the Southwest border.

The Trump Administration has prioritized targeting gang members including members of MS-13.

• In September 2017, the DOJ worked with Central American partners to arrest and charge about 4,000 MS-13 members. • The Department of Homeland Security arrested 796 MS-13 gang members and associates in FY 2017, an 83 percent increase from the previous year. • In FY 2018, DHS arrested more than 10,000 gang members including more than 2,000 members of MS-13. • US Border Patrol and the Office of Field Operations have seized a combined nearly 3 million pounds of drugs since 2017.

NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE Protecting America and our Allies by Rebuilding the Military, President Trump is rebuilding our military, defeating terrorist organizations, and confronting rogue nations to protect America and our allies. Upon taking office, President Trump directed the rebuilding of the United States military.

The Trump Administration has worked to partner with local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws.

• In FY 2017, ICE conducted 226,119 removals. The proportion of removals resulting from ICE arrests increased from 65,332, or 27 percent of total removals in FY 2016 to 81,603, or 36 percent of total removals, in FY 2017. • In FY 2018, ICE conducted 256,085 removals, an increase of 13% over FY 2017, with 57% of the removals in FY 2018 being convicted criminals.

•A s of May 2019, 80 counties in 21 states are participating in the 287(g) programs, which gives state and local law enforcement entities delegated authority by ICE to enforce immigration in their jurisdiction. The Trump Administration has made removals of illegal immigrants a priority.

• While in office, President Trump has worked with Congress to increase defense spending, reverse the defense sequester, expand our military capacity, and modernize its capabilities. • The President has empowered the Secretary of Defense and our military commanders to make decisions, seize the initiative, and win – without micromanagement from Washington.

The Trump Administration has worked to rebuild the US Military and provided the Defense Department nearly 1.5 Trillion dollars in the past two NDAAs.

• In 2018, the Trump Administration signed a $700 billion NDAA to rebuild our military in 2018, the largest amount in history which gave the military a 2.4% pay raise, the biggest since 2010. • In 2017, President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2018 which increased the size of the American Armed Forces for the first time in seven years and authorized nearly $700 billion annually for US defense expenditures. g

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President Trump is modernizing the United States military to meet the security needs of the 21st century.

• President Trump announced the creation of the United States Space Force as a new branch of the military. • President Trump revived the National Space Council to develop and implement a new national space policy and strategy. • President Trump elevated the US Cyber Command into a major warfighting command, to advance US efforts in cyberspace.

President Trump announced a new strategy for Afghanistan to protect the American people based on stability and security so terrorists cannot use the country as a base to threaten US interests.

• The new strategy put pressure on the Taliban and set conditions for a peaceful settlement between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban. • The President warned Pakistan that no partnership can survive a country’s tolerance for militants and terrorists, and they must act. • The partnership with India is vital, and they make important contributions to Afghanistan’s safety, security, and development.

President Trump is putting maximum pressure on North Korea to denuclearize.

• In June 2019, President Trump became the first sitting US President to enter North Korea,as he held a historic meeting with Kim Jong Un at the DMZ. • President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met on

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June 12, 2018, in Singapore where the two leaders discussed steps towards denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. • Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other representatives of the United States government traveled to Pyongyang, North Korea on May 9th to prepare for the President’s upcoming meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. During Secretary Pompeo’s visit, the North Korean leadership released three American detainees. President Trump appreciates leader Kim Jong Un’s action to release these American citizens, and views this as a positive gesture of goodwill. The three Americans appear to be in good condition and were all able to walk on the plane without assistance. All Americans look forward to welcoming them home and to seeing them reunited with their loved ones. • The Treasury Department has implemented an array of sanctions on North Korean individuals and entities as part of the Maximum Pressure Campaign. • Under President Trump’s leadership, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed new sanctions on North Korea for their continued aggressive behavior.

President Trump is confronting Iran’s aggression.

• The Trump Administration withdrew from Obama’s flawed Iranian nuclear deal which neither ended Iran’s nuclear ambitions nor curbed its destabilizing activities. • President Trump in consultation with his national security team has approved a new strategy for Iran.

• Not certifying they are in full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known as the Iran Deal. • Focusing on neutralizing the Government of Iran’s destabilizing influence and constraining its aggression, particularly its support for terrorism and militants. • Revitalizing our traditional alliances and regional partnerships as bulwarks against Iranian subversion and restore a more stable balance of power in the region. • Deny the Iranian regime – and especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – funding for its malign activities and oppose IRGC activities that extort the wealth of the Iranian people. • Counter threats to the United States and our allies from ballistic missiles and other asymmetric weapons. • Rally the international community to condemn the IRGC’s gross violations of human rights and its unjust detention of American citizens and other foreigners on specious charges. • Deny the Iranian regime all paths to a nuclear weapon. • The Trump administration has instituted an array of sanctions against Iran for its destabilizing activities and actions.

President Trump has cracked down on Chemical Weapons users.

• President Trump ordered missile strikes against a Syrian airbase after the Assad regime used it to launch chemical weapons attacks against civilians. • President Trump prevented further chemical weapons attacks by announcing detection of their preparation and warning Syria that they would be struck again if the attacks were carried out. • President Trump placed sanctions on North Korea for its use of chemical weapons in the assassination of Kim Jong Un’s stepbrother. • President Trump placed sanctions on Russia for its use of chemical weapons in connection to attempted assassination of a former KGB spy in Britain.

President Trump is supporting Democracy in Venezuela and cracking down on the Maduro regime.

• President Trump has imposed numerous sanctions on the Maduro dictatorship in Venezuela, targeting the regime itself, individuals, and entities supporting Maduro’s dictatorship. • The new financial sanctions prohibit dealings in new Venezuelan debt and its corrupt oil company. The regime will no longer be able finance its debt using US banks. • The Trump Administration has publicly supported Juan Guaido, the Democratic elected leader of the Venezuelan General Assembly, and has led the world in backing Guaido. • The Trump Administration has approved more than $250 million in regional aid to address the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

NEW ACTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA President Donald J. Trump announced additional measures to punish those who seek to undermine American democracy and security. The Trump Administration has directly confronted Russia for its threatening behavior to the US and our allies.

The Trump Administration has bolstered allies in the region.

•T he Trump Administration has provided the sale of lethal weapons to Ukraine. •T he Trump Administration has enhanced its support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces to help Ukraine improve its ability to defend itself. •T he Trump Administration has provided more than a billion dollars to the European Defense initiative. • The Trump Administration has pressured NATO allies to meet their spending commitments and by the year 2019, NATO allies will have increased their spending by nearly $100 billion since 2016.

The Trump Administration has pursued an aggressive stance against Russia for its destabilizing activities.

•T he Trump Administration has applied numerous sanctions against Russia for its malicious cyber activities, its destabilizing activities in Ukraine and its chemical weapons use. •T he Administration has opposed Vladimir Putin’s largest geoeconomic project, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. •T he Administration has imposed diplomatic penalties on Russia including the expulsion of more than 50 Russian intelligence officials and the closing of two Russian consulates.

REGULATION Rolling Back Job Killing Regulations, President Trump is rolling back wasteful and costly regulations that have stood in the way of hardworking Americans. President Trump signed an Executive Order, mandating that two regulations must be eliminated for every regulation created to reduce compliance costs.

• The Administration eliminated 22 regulations for every new regulatory action. • The Administration issued 67 deregulatory actions while only imposing three new regulatory actions. • In FY 2017, the Administration saved $8.1 billion in lifetime net regulatory cost savings, equivalent to $570 million per year.

Throughout 2017, President Trump has made good on his promise to cut red tape, and in doing so has reenergized the United States’ agricultural, energy, and infrastructure sectors by freeing them from oppressive and stifling regulations. President Trump has signed 15 Congressional Review Act resolutions into law, more than any other president, ending burdensome Obamaera rules and regulations.

• According to a study by NERA Economic Consulting, implementing the Obama Administration’s plan under the Paris Climate Agreement could have cost the United States economy nearly $3 trillion and 6.5 million industrial sector jobs by 2040.

President Trump signed 15 Congressional Review Act resolutions into law that is estimated to save American taxpayers $3.7 billion. According to a study by NERA Economic Consulting, if we implemented the Obama Administration’s plan under the Paris Climate Agreement, it could have cost the US economy more than $3 trillion g

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annually and 6.5 million industrial sector jobs by 2040.

enforcement to protect American communities.

President Trump signed an Executive Order that reduced the time it took to approve infrastructure projects from 10 years to two years.

The Department of Justice announced more than $98 million in

President Trump has rolled back President Obama’s job killing power plan and ended the previous administration’s war on coal.

UNPRECEDENTED REGULATORY ROLLBACK

• To date, 860 regulatory actions have been withdrawn or removed from active status.

• The WSJ said President Trump is “rolling back more regulations than any President in history.”

RECORD-SETTING NUMBER OF CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT (CRA) BILLS SIGNED

• President Trump has signed a record-breaking 15 CRA bills to roll back regulations. • Since the CRA became law in 1996, only one had ever been signed (George W Bush in 2001). • Along with Executive Orders, these bills will reduce regulatory costs by $18 billion annually.

LAW AND JUSTICE Working with Local Law Enforcement, President Donald J. Trump and the Department of Justice are working with local law

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grant funding through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services COPS Hiring Program to allow 802 additional full-time law enforcement officers. President Trump signed Executive Order 13809 to restore state and local law enforcement’s access to surplus equipment from the Defense Department, such as armored vehicles. The Department of Justice announced the creation of the new National Public Safety Partnership, a cooperative initiative with cities to reduce violent crimes. The Trump Administration expanded Project Safe Neighborhoods to encourage US Attorneys to work with communities to develop customized crime reduction strategies. The Department of Justice returned to their longstanding charging policy for federal prosecutors, trusting them once again to charge the most serious, readily provable offense. Prosecutors were directed by the Department of Justice to focus on taking illegal guns off our streets.

•C riminals charged with unlawful possession of a firearm has increased 23 percent.

PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF ALL AMERICANS President Trump’s Department of Justice has supported students whose free speech rights have been under attack on university campuses.

criminal organization, known as the Rendon-Reyes Trafficking Organization, on federal charges arising from their scheme to force young women and girls from Mexico and Latin America into prostitution.

The Department of Justice secured a guilty plea for the first case prosecuted under the Hate Crimes Prevention Act involving a victim targeted because of gender identity.

RESHAPING THE AMERICAN COURTS

CONFRONTING ORGANIZED CRIME

President Trump signed three Executive Orders – 13773, 13774, and 13776 – aimed at cracking down on international criminal organizations, including drug cartels and gangs, and preventing violence against law enforcement officers. The Department of Justice designated MS-13 as a priority for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, to allow federal law enforcement to utilize an expanded toolkit in its efforts to dismantle the organization.

• The United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have charged more than 4,000 MS-13 and 18th Street gang members in the United States and Central America, including the alleged leader of MS-13’s “East Coast Program.” • In August 2018, more than 20 individuals associated with MS13 were arrested in California on federal and state charges in connection with gang activities.

The Department of Justice convicted eight members of an international

• President Trump appointed conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. • President Trump has appointed more than 50 circuit or appeals court judges. • President Trump has appointed more than 80 district court judges.

ADDRESSING SCHOOL VIOLENCE

• President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act and the “Fix NICS Act.” • The Trump Administration has allocated $2 billion for school safety.

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY President Trump has tightened rules for federal employees both past and present to ensure his administration works for the American people.

• The president signed an executive order that placed a fiveyear ban on lobbying and a lifetime ban on lobbying for foreign countries for federal employees. g

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• President Trump called for a comprehensive plan to reorganize the executive branch. • President Trump began a comprehensive overhaul of digitally delivered government services. • President Trump called for a “full audit of the Pentagon.” The Department of Defense (DOD) responded to the president’s call to action and began its full financial statement audit.

To ensure the Government serves the needs of all Americans, President Trump has established a comprehensive plan to reorganize the executive branch and his administration has begun to implement this plan.

INFRASTRUCTURE

• The program will use outcome-driven planning efforts and capital improvements to rebuild and modernize rural infrastructure. • Strong rural infrastructure enhances regional connectivity, grows small business, and increases employment opportunity for those living in rural communities.

The Trump Administration allocated $50 billion to empower rural America to address the infrastructure needs of their communities.

• 80 percent of the Rural Infrastructure Program funds will go directly to the governor of each state as determined by a formula. • 20 percent of the Rural Infrastructure Program funds will be provided to selected states that apply for Rural Performance Grants.

Power and electric projects to provide rural areas with reliable, affordable power. Water resources projects to better manage flood risk and improve rural water supplies and waterways.

EDUCATION President Trump’s proposed budgets have made school choice a priority. • The President’s FY 2018 Budget Request included $1 billion in funding to Furthering Options of Children to Unlock Success Grants for public school choice and $250 million to promote private school choice through the Education Innovation and Research Program. • In his FY 2019 budget President Trump proposed a $5 billion federal tax credit on donations that fund scholarships to private and vocational schools, apprenticeships programs and other educational opportunities. The Trump Administration successfully implemented Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to empower states with the flexibility they need to educate their students.

• 35 states and the District of Columbia have had their ESSA plans approved and the Department of Education is reviewing the plans for the remaining states. • The Department of Education is urging states to embrace the opportunity provided by ESSA to end top-down mandates from Washington, DC.

President Trump’s plan provides states the flexibility they need to address the unique needs of each community.

The Trump Administration implemented the year-round distribution of Pell grants, instead of limiting these grants to the spring and fall semesters.

• The federal funding provided by the president’s plan will not be awarded in pre-packaged, asset-specific amounts, as is often the case with federal programs, giving states the freedom to spend the money where it is needed most. • Instead, funds provided under the president’s proposal will go directly to the governor’s office of the state receiving funds allowing governors to make investments based on the individual infrastructure needs of their communities.

Transportation projects which will rebuild roads, bridges, railways, and other vital infrastructure. Broadband deployment projects which will improve access for rural communities. Water and waste projects to help ensure rural families have access to clean water.

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• Low-income students will now have access to these funds over summer and winter breaks, so they can earn their degrees faster with fewer loans.

The Trump Administration reformed the student loan servicing process to improve customer experience and lower costs. The Trump Administration has reformed The Free Application for Federal Student Aid to make the program more accessible to students. The Trump Administration brought in financial experts to modernize the way FSA offers and services student loans. The Department of Education provided $359.8 million in federal assistance to 20 states and the US Virgin Islands to assist with the cost of educating students displaced by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, Maria, or the 2017 California wildfires. g

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LAND AND AGRICULTURE On June 6, 2019, President Trump signed the disaster relief bill that provided $19 billion in assistance to states and territories hit by flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters, including farmers hit by a delayed planting season.

• The EPA is reviewing a rule that if rescinded would relax costly fuel standards and save $340 billion in regulatory costs.

President Trump announced his intent to withdraw the US from the unfair Paris Climate Agreement.

President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill which legalized the Production of industrial Hemp.

In May 2017, the Trump administration created a Superfund task force designed to streamline the Superfund cleanup program.

The Department of Agriculture issued guidance that would give more flexibility to state operations of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

EPA has re-launched launched the Smart Sectors Program to partner with the private sector to achieve better environmental outcomes.

• The new program maximized flexibility and holds states more accountable for the delivery of food benefits.

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT The Department of the Interior proposed its largest oil and gas lease of over 78 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico.

•P resident Trump signed an Executive Order to expand offshore oil and gas drilling and open more leases to develop offshore drilling. • President Trump and his administration acted aggressively to increase exports of energy resources to the global market. • This allowed financing for coal and fossil energy projects. • The Department of Energy announced the approval of the Lake Charles Liquefied Natural Gas terminal. •A merican LNG export opportunities increased under the Trump administration.

•T he Superfund task force has designated 10 sites for “immediate, intense action.”

RELAUNCHING THE SMART SECTORS PROGRAM

The lead for each sector serves as the ombudsmen within the respective agency across program offices, conducts educational site tours, analyzes data, and advises options for environmental improvement, and develops reports that profile the impact of each sector. It also works to streamline EPA practices and operations.

EXPANDING AMERICAN ENERGY

• Signed legislation to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to domestic energy production. • Approved the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, with 42,000 jobs and $2 billion in earnings. • Repealed the Clean Power Plan, a regulation estimated to increase energy costs by billions. • Kept campaign promise to get America out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

President Trump has approved the infrastructure and provided the resources needed to unleash oil and gas production in the US.

HEALTHCARE

• The administration approved the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, supporting an estimated total of 42,000 jobs and $2 billion in wages. •T he administration announced the approval of the New Burgos Pipeline, a cross-border project that will export US gasoline to Mexico. • The Trump administration reversed President Obama’s moratorium on new leases for oil and gas development on federal lands.

President Trump rescinded President Obama’s costly Clean Power Plan and instead has proposed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule.

• According to NERA Economic Consulting, the CPP would have increased electricity rates by as much as 14 percent, costing American households up to $79 billion. • The Affordable Clean Energy Rule will reduce greenhouse gasses, empower states, promote energy independence, and facilitate economic growth and job creation.

President Trump has worked to improve access to affordable quality health care.

• The Department of Agriculture provided more than $1 billion in FY 2017 to be used to improve access to health care services for 2.5 million people in rural communities. • The Trump administration expanded access to Association Health Plans (AHPs) allowing small business to pool risk across states. • The Trump Administration allows for Short-Term Limited Duration plans to be extended up to 12 months.

As part of the landmark Tax Cuts and Jobs Act President Trump repealed the individual mandate, which forced people to buy expensive insurance and taxed those who could not afford it.

• The mandate disproportionately hurt the poor: 80% of those affected made less than $50,000.

In addition to the Clean Power Plan, the Trump administration has rescinded many costly Obama-Era regulations.

President Trump signed a six-year extension of CHIP to fund healthcare for 9 million.

President Trump has mobilized his entire administration to address drug addiction and opioid abuse by declaring the opioid crisis a nationwide public health emergency. g

• The EPA has rescinded President Obama’s methane emissions rule that would cost American energy developers an estimated $530 million annually.

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Since his election, the Trump administration’s pro-growth policies have generated 6 million new jobs, the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point in 50 years, and wages have grown at more than 3% for 10 months in a row. The TRUMP RALLY Publication

• President Trump created a bipartisan opioid commission that issued 56 recommendations to help defeat the opioid crisis. • In October 2017, President Trump directed The Department of Health and Human Services to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency, allowing grant money to be used to combat abuse. • President Trump signed the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT Act) that would give customs agents $9 million for screening tools on the border. • In FY 2017, HHS invested nearly $900 million in opioidspecific funding. •P resident Trump successfully pressured China to close dangerous loopholes that allowed Chines fentanyl manufacturers to legally ship the compound worldwide, much of which ended up in the US.

Under President Trump, The FDA has approved the largest number of generic drugs in history.

•G enerics increase competition in the marketplace and lower the cost of prescription drugs for all Americans. • I n December 2018, year-end drug prices fell for the first time in nearly 50 years.

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SOCIAL PROGRAMS President Trump and his Administration are fighting back against drug addiction and opioid abuse. President Trump declared a Nationwide Public Health Emergency to address the opioid crisis.

• The President’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) found evidence that suggests that drug overdoses involving opioids were underreported by as much as 24 percent. • The Administration provided nearly $500 million to states to prevent and treat opioid abuse. Another $500 million was requested in the 2018 FY Budget.

In April, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) laid out a comprehensive five-point strategy to combat the opioid abuse crisis. The Department of Justice announced that fentanyl substances are a drug class under the Controlled Substances Act. This meant anyone who possesses, imports, distributes, or manufactures illicit fentanylrelated substances would be subject to criminal prosecution like other controlled substances.

• Anyone who possesses, imports, distributes, or manufactures any illicit fentanyl-related substance will be subject to criminal prosecution like other controlled substances. g

•T he DOJ announced its first-ever indictments against two Chinese nationals and their North American-based associates for distributing large quantities of fentanyl and other opiate substances.

In an opioid fraud crackdown, the DOJ charged more than 400 people, including doctors and medical facilities, for prescribing unnecessary opioids, fueling the drug crisis. In 2017, the Administration provided nearly $500 million to States to prevent and treat opioid abuse. The President’s FY 2018 Budget requests another $500 million. On National Drug Take Back Day, the Drug Enforcement Administration collected a record-breaking 912,305 pounds – 456 tons – of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs at more than 5,300 collection sites.

•T his was a record-breaking day, with collections from more than 5,300 sites.

PROTECTING LIFE

• President Trump de-funded a UN agency for colluding with China’s brutal program of forced abortion and sterilization.

President Trump worked with the Congress to sign a bill overturning an Obama midnight regulation that prohibited States from defunding abortion service providers.

• The Trump Administration published guidance which promises to enforce the Obamacare requirement that taxpayer dollars should not support abortion coverage in exchange plans.

Reinstated the Mexico City Policy to ban any US foreign aid to organizations that perform abortions. Signed a Congressional Review Act bill to allow states to restrict Planned Parenthood Funding.

VETERANS President Trump is making sure the government fulfills its

President Trump recognizes the precious gift of life and protects the sanctity of life at all stages.

commitment to our country’s Veterans.

In his first week in office, President Trump reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy that prevented $9 billion in foreign aid from being used to fund the abortion industry.

Whistleblower Protection Act to allow senior officials in the

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President Trump signed the Veterans Accountability and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fire failing employees and establish safeguards to protect whistleblowers. g

ugh 2018,

•T hrough 2018, more than 4,300 Veterans Affairs employees were removed, demoted, or suspended because of the Veterans Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act.

In 2018, the VA announced three initiatives to expand access to healthcare for veterans using telehealth technology:

In August 2017, after passing Congress unanimously, President Trump signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act.

•T his streamlined the lengthy process that veterans undergo when appealing disability benefits claims with the Veterans Affairs.

In August 2017, the President signed the Harry W Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, an important step in providing our nation’s heroes the support they have earned.

•T his funded the post-9/11 GI Bill, which provided educational benefits to veterans, service members, and their family members, including tuition, fees, books, housing, and additional costs.

• “Anywhere to Anywhere Veterans Affairs Health Care” allows Veterans Affairs providers to use telehealth technology to serve veterans no matter where the provider or veteran is located. • VA Video Connect allows veterans and providers to connect by video across the country. • The Veteran Appointment Request (VAR) application allows veterans to schedule appointments at Veterans Affairs facilities on digital devices.

In April 2019, the VA Announced a major expansion of its telehealth offerings to provide veterans living in rural or remote areas with the best possible care.

• The VA Telehealth initiative will involve partnerships with private sector companies including Walmart, T-Mobile, and Phillips.

The President signed the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 to authorize $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program (VCP).

While serving in office, President Trump has continuously delivered for the American people to put America First both at home and abroad.

The president has appointed conservative justices to our federal courts, provided the largest tax cuts for working-class families in American history, has ISIS on the run, and is committed to a safe and secure nation.

•P resident Trump signed a bill to allow the VA to fire incompetent employees. •P resident Trump signed legislation to fully fund the popular VA Choice Program.

In August 2017, The President signed the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 which authorized $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program (VCP). In November 2017, the Trump Administration created a new White House VA Hotline, staffed by veterans and family members, who will provide our nation’s Veterans with a direct, dedicated contact line to answer their needs and concerns.

•S ince May 2019, the White House VA Hotline has surpassed 250,00 calls.

In April 2017, the VA launched its online “Access and Quality Tool” which provides veterans with data to help them make informed decisions about their health care. In June 2018, President Trump signed The VA MISSION Act, which works to integrate the VA healthcare system and modernize it for the 21st century while providing Veterans with more choices in their healthcare options, whether from VA doctors or the community.

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Learn of the many accomplishments of President Trump that often go unreported by the Fake News Media as he continues to Make America Great Again.

SHARING THE FACTS M

y name is Alan Gottlieb. I’m the founder and executive vice president of the Second Amendment Foundation, a national organization specializing in education and litigation to inform the public and protect the fundamental right to keep and bear arms. Today, I want to share some FACTS about the upcoming 2020 election, without doubt the most important election of our lifetime. Before he was elected, and after he took office, Donald Trump promised to protect the Second Amendment, and while he’s been president, he frequently refers to this Bill of Rights cornerstone in public remarks to very appreciative audiences. He’s the only serving president I can remember who makes a habit of reminding citizens like you and me that our right to own a gun is safe with him. Since taking office, President Trump has nominated more than 200 highly-qualified conservative judges to fill federal court vacancies across the country, fulfilling his pledge to voters – and especially America’s 100 million gun owners – to install experienced jurists who understand that the Second Amendment protects and preserves an individual right. That’s a fact. By contrast, former Vice President Joe Biden has historically supported increasingly restrictive gun control policies. He boasts of helping pass gun control legislation while serving on Capitol Hill. He brags about “beating the gun lobby.” What he’s actually saying is that he considers a third of the population as second-class citizens and potential criminals because we choose to exercise a fundamental right guaranteed by our Constitution.

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He declared former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke, an emotional gun control extremist who vowed to confiscate legally-owned firearms from American citizens, would be his point man on gun issues in a Biden administration. Every gun owner with whom I’ve spoken about Biden’s threat was alarmed at such an outrageous statement. That’s a fact. We all remember Biden’s remarks during a 2013 interview when he advised a young woman to “buy a shotgun” and fire it in the air to frighten burglars. Discharging a firearm in a residential area just to scare someone is a criminal offense in every jurisdiction in the country. That’s a fact. Instead of offering irresponsible and dangerous legal advice to American citizens, Donald Trump has placed two highly qualified justices—Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh—on the Supreme Court. I’ve met Donald Trump and shook his hand. We both have ideas about where the country is headed, but we share something more important than dreams and aspirations; something that transcends politics. We both have adult sons and we love them. I know his sons are avid gun owners. No good father is going to trample the rights his sons hold dear. That’s a fact.

Sincerely,

Alan M. Gottlieb Second Amendment Foundation www.SAF.org

The First Thing You Should Know About the

Second A

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Amendment T

he first thing you need to know about the Second Amendment is that without it there would be no Constitution and without a Constitution, there is no United States. It’s that simple. Everything else is garnish. That’s why President Donald J. Trump has made his stance on the Second Amendment direct and unequivocal:

“The Second Amendment to our Constitution is clear. The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon. Period.” Does everyone agree with that? No. The question is, “Why?” The answer is simple: Power. Don’t think so? Let’s see what three 20th-Century Tyrants, two Fascists and a Communist said: Adolf Hitler: “History shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by so doing. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that the supply of arms to the underdogs is a sine qua non for the overthrow of any sovereignty.” Benito Mussolini: “On the morrow of each conflict I gave the categorical order to confiscate the largest possible number of weapons of every sort and kind. This confiscation, which continues with the utmost energy, has given satisfactory results.” Mao Tse Tung: “All political power comes from the barrel of a gun. The communist party must command all the guns, that way, no guns can ever be used to command the party.” The three quotes above clarify the genuine threat gun-owners face; the three quotes below add depth and breadth to the conversation:

“The Second Amendment to our Constitution is clear. The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon. Period.”

– Donald Trump “When the history of the 20th Century is finally written, one of its key features will be the wanton slaughter of more than 170 million people, not in war, but by their own government. The governments that led in this slaughter are the former USSR (65 million) and the Peoples Republic of China (35-40 million). The point to remember is that these governments were the idols of America's leftists. Part of reason for these and other tyrannical successes was because the people were first disarmed.” – Walter E. Williams, Author, Economist, Emeritus Trustee at Grove City College and the Reason Foundation. “Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Mao, Idi Amin, Castro, Pol Pot, all these monsters began by confiscating private arms, then literally soaking the earth with the blood of tens and tens of millions of their people... There can be no free speech, no freedom of the press, no freedom to protest, no freedom to worship your god, no freedom to speak your mind, no freedom from fear, no freedom for your children and for theirs, for anybody, anywhere, without the Second Amendment freedom to fight for it.” – Charlton Heston, Actor, Civil Rights Activist, President of the NRA from 1998-2003. g

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“Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest.” – Mahatma Gandhi, anti-colonial nationalist who used nonviolent resistance to help gain India's independence from Britain. Back to the point… The Second Amendment is not about hunting. It’s about the rights of individual citizens as well as the body politic. Here’s how Thomas Jefferson put it in a letter to James Madison in 1787: “What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms.” To show Jefferson was consistent in his thinking later in life, after serving as governor of Virginia, minster to France, secretary of state, vice president, and president and here’s what he wrote in a letter two years before he died:

Doesn’t sound like he’s talking about hunting, does it? Which raises the question: How did America become so muddled on an issue specifically and deliberately written into the Bill of Rights to gain support for the ratification of the United States Constitution? Perhaps some context can help clarify the matter. After winning its independence from England, America crafted the Articles of Confederation, which were adopted on November 15, 1777, and went into effect March 1, 1781. It did not take long to find out that a loose confederation built on thirteen individual foundations was like constructing a house on shifting sands. The country needed something more substantial and stable, but there was a problem: Some feared a strong federal government as much as they had feared King George and his Redcoats. What to do?

“The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.” America’s third president also made it clear when and where he thought it appropriate to carry a firearm: “Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.”

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On May 25, 1787 America’s thirteen states sent representatives to Philadelphia with the stated purpose of trying to fix the Articles of Confederation. Eventually some delegates concluded that one degree or another, that they were better off starting from scratch than trying to fix the un-fixable. Heading this ambitious task was James Madison of Virginia, Father of the Constitution, who would go on to become the fourth President of the United States. g

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The first public copy of the newly minted document was printed September 19. Copies were submitted on September 28 to the individual states for review. To drum up support, Madison and two others combined forces to promote ratification. They were Alexander Hamilton, a delegate for the Constitutional Convention from New York who later became the first United States Secretary of the Treasury, and John Jay, the nation’s first Chief Justice. On October 27, Madison, Hamilton, and Jay released Federalist No. 1 – published anonymously under the name Publius. It was to be the first of what would become 85 pro-ratification essays. It’s worth noting that the word “arms” appears more than two dozen times in what was ultimately referred to as “The Federalist Papers.” Here is an example from Federalist No. 46, written by Madison: “Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of. Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.” Hamilton had this to say in Federalist, No. 29: “If circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little if at

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all inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their rights and those of their fellow citizens.” It should be noted that the word “hunt” does not appear in the Federalist Papers, and in Federalist 2, Jay puts the right to bear arms in the context of the recent Revolution and not a hunting trip: “Who, by their joint counsels, arms, and efforts, fighting side by side throughout a long and bloody war, have nobly established general liberty and independence. Despite the efforts of their writing campaign, reaction to the Constitution was mixed, dividing the nation into two main camps: Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the former – generally from the merchant and plantation-owning class and were in favor of the Constitution with its strong federal government while the latter (primarily farmers and tradesmen) were against such centralized power and authority. At no point during discussion or debate did one side or the other take a position proposing gun control, registration, and/or confiscation. Both sides were for freedom; both sides were for the right to bear arms. Patrick Henry of Virginia, who was coined for saying he “Give me liberty or give me death!" was an ardent and outspoken AntiFederalist who publicly opposed the new Constitution. His intent was clear: “Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force.” g

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Henry wasn’t alone. Many forget that those who opposed the Constitution were articulate in their own right and compiled what came to be known as “The Anti-Federalist Papers”– a collection of writings and speeches with this provocatively titled introduction: “A Dangerous Plan of Benefit Only to The Aristocratick Combination.” Here’s but one statement contained therein: “What then may we expect if the new constitution be adopted as it now stands? The great will struggle for power, honor and wealth; the poor become a prey to avarice, insolence and oppression. And while some are studying to supplant their neighbors, and others striving to keep their stations, one villain will wink at the oppression of another, the people be fleeced, and the public business neglected. From despotism and tyranny good Lord deliver us.” Sounds like something that could have been posted on a blog yesterday, doesn’t it? Motives of the Anti-Federalists varied: Some felt delegates to the Constitutional Convention overstepped their authority by proposing a replacement to the Articles of Confederation; others felt the new

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(and some said “illegal”) Constitution was crafted by wealthy special interests groups; some thought the document concentrated too much power in a federal government at the cost of the individual states. In an attempt to quell the concerns of the opposition, more than two hundred amendments were debated and proposed at the various state ratifying conventions. As expected, the right to bear arms was a key topic all around. As a side note, Pennsylvania debated more than a dozen possible amendments. Why mention this? Because the Keystone State’s own version of the second amendment does not contain the phrase: “A wellregulated Militia.” More about that later. Here’s what Samuel Adams said during the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention in 1788: “The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” Adams was a statesman and political philosopher as well as Founding Father. He was also second cousin to John Adams, second president of the United States and the only president elected to the nation’s highest office as a member of Federalist Party. g

During the first session of Congress the initial proposal for a bill of rights was brought to the floor of the House of Representatives on June 8, 1789. Here’s the passage relating to the right to bear arms: “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; a well armed and well regulated militia being the best security of a free country: but no person religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person.” (Some refer to the words “no person religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person” as the “conscientious objector clause.” That phrase was later removed). A select committee reviewed Madison’s submission and returned a reworded version to the House: “A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, being the best security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; but no person religiously scrupulous shall be compelled to bear arms.” g

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“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; a well armed and well regulated militia being the best security of a free country: but no person religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person.”

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The House debated and modified the wording. Here’s the result:

friend against friend, neighbor against neighbor. Here’s an example:

“A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, being the best security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; but no one religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person.”

James Madison’s fellow Virginian George Mason refused to sign the Constitution without a Bill of Rights. Future president James Monroe (also from Virginia) was an Anti-Federalist and chose to run against fellow Founding Father Madison for Congress, the only time two future presidents went head-to-head over a congressional seat. The Father of the Constitution vs. one of its leading opponents. The Federalist vs. the Anti-Federalist. One believing the nation could not survive without the Constitution; the other believing that same document granted too much power to the Federal government and, at the same time, failed to guarantee fundamental rights to individual citizens. It was a political heavy-weight fight if there ever was one.

The next day, August 25, the Senate received the amendment from the House, added a comma before “shall not be infringed” and replaced the semicolon that followed with comma: “A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, being the best security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed, but no one religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person.”

The outcome would define America’s future. Here is the final wording as it appears in the US Constitution: “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” It may be tedious to read, compare; re-read, contrast, then re-read again the various versions, but think of it this way: The tedium is worthwhile and profitable in that it shows how serious those involved took their responsibility in an attempt to be deliberate and precise as they executed their task. Such intricate craftsmanship is a rebuke to 21st Century tongue-wagers who make casual quips mocking a generation that shed blood and lost family in creating a nation where glib critical remarks can be freely made without significant consequence. The Bill of Rights in general and the Second Amendment neither was nor is a laughing matter. The issue at the time and even now can pit

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In his book Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, The Bill of Rights, and The Election that Saved a Nation, author Chris DeRose put that decisive and divisive congressional race into historical perspective: “Madison had been elected to the First Congress by only 336 votes. It was in that Congress that the Bill of Rights was passed, cementing the people’s confidence in the new federal government. And the Constitution was saved. All because of one election.” Think about the narrowness of that vote count 336 next time you clean your rifle. More than 200 amendments had been proposed at the various state ratifying conventions. The list was whittled down to the twelve that went before Congress. Those dozen were chosen to quell the concerns of the opposition without alienating supporters. g

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Of the twelve amendments proposed, ten were ratified as additions to the Constitution on December 15, 1791, later becoming known as the Bill of Rights. By the way, the original Second Amendment had nothing to do with guns; it had to do with pay raises: “No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.” In the kind of twist that trivia buffs treasure, those twenty-four words finally made their way into the Constitution in 1992 as the 27th Amendment – 202 years, seven months, and 10 days after originally proposed. One additional note: Here is the original not ratified First Amendment: “After the first enumeration required by the first article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.” What would have been the consequences if that amendment had passed? The House of Representatives would now have more than 6,000 members instead of the current 435. Imagine what that would be like. The Bill of Rights went into effect in 1791. You’d think that settled the issue of gun rights once and for all. Nope. Not even close. Let take just one quote from Thomas Jefferson as the line in the sand: “Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.” g

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To see how Jefferson’s comment holds up, let’s place it on one side of the scale, then shovel a slew of statements on the other side and see how things balance out: President Barack Obama: “I don't believe people should to be able to own guns.” Source: John Lott Jr. in his 2013 book At the Brink, based in conversation the two had at the University of Chicago Law School in the 1990s. Rosie O'Donnell: “I don't care if you want to hunt, I don't care if you think it’s your right. I say, sorry, you are not allowed to own a gun, and if you do own a gun I think you should go to prison.” Source: Jason Mattera writing in Human Events March 19, 2012. Sen. Dianne Feinstein: “If I could have gotten 51 votes for an outright ban, picking up every one of them, ‘Mr. and Mrs. America, turn ’em all in,’ I would have done it.” Source: 1995 episode of 60 Minutes, reportedly referring to assault-style weapons.

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Then-Sen. Joseph R. Biden: “The House better understand the power of an idea whose time has come. It still will be an uphill fight in the House, but I think the wave is moving.” Source: New York Times article headlined “Senate Approves Ban on Manufacture of Military-Style Weapons” by Clifford Krauss, published Nov. 18, 1993. Deborah Prothrow-Stith: “I hate guns and cannot imagine why anybody would want to own one. If I had my way, guns for sport would be registered, and all other guns would be banned.” Source: National Review, April 2, 2018. Deborah Prothrow-Stith is Dean and Professor at Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Prothrow-Stith has every right to her opinion. After all, there is a First Amendment, but as comedian, actor, writer, and producer, Dave Chappelle once said, “The ‘First’ Amendment is first for a reason. Second Amendment is just in case the first one doesn't work out.”

Perhaps no phrase in the Second Amendment is more debated than its opening salvo: “A well-regulated Militia…” It pokes Second Amendment opponents in the eye, sizzles their brains, and shifts their vocal chords into high gear. What is the militia? Let’s jump in the way-back machine and gather up some opinions: “The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws.” – John Adams, America’s Second President. “For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.” – Thomas Jefferson, America’s Third President. “A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country.” – James Madison, America’s Fourth President. “What, sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane

of liberty. Now, it must be evident, that, under this provision, together with their other powers, Congress could take such measures with respect to a militia, as to make a standing army necessary. Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins. This was actually done by Great Britain at the commencement of the late revolution. They used every means in their power to prevent the establishment of an effective militia…” – Elbridge Gerry, Ninth Governor of Massachusetts and Fifth Vice President of the United States. And here is the punch-line… short, sweet, and right on target: “I ask you sir, who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people.” – George Mason, delegate to the US Constitutional Convention of 1787, one of three who refused to sign the Constitution. Does everyone agree with those assessments? Of course not. Here are some other thoughts. “I'm tired of hearing about this 'well-regulated militia' that is so necessary for American freedom.” – Jay Parini, American Writer and Academic. g

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“There is more hooey spread about the Second Amendment. It says quite clearly that guns are for those who form part of a wellregulated militia, i.e., the armed forces including the National Guard. The reasons for keeping them away from everyone else get clearer by the day.”– Molly Ivins, Newspaper Columnist, Author, Political Commentator, and Humorist.

The question to ask yourself about the wording “well regulated militia” is this: Do you defer to the Founding Fathers and others who supported the Revolution against the British or do you accept the assessment of contemporary humorists, academics, analysts, and Oscar winners? Let’s move on.

“If the guy out in the woods with the Michigan Militia is a real estate negotiator, instead of some crackpot, and has a normal life, that's unnerving. You don't want to think it's as normal as the guy next door, hedging his lawn. It's easier to demonize or separate them off from ‘us’.” – Michael Moore, Academy-Award Winning Filmmaker and Best-Selling Author. “The Second Amendment is, of course, very much part of the American fabric. But the intent of the founders was that the amendment protected the rights of citizens to bear arms in a militia for their collective self-defense.” – Peter Bergen, American Journalist, Author, and Producer who serves as a CNN Colt's Manufacturing Company National Security Analyst.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet. If you could pick just one word to describe him, you might chose “Individualist.” In 1836 Emerson penned what has come to be known as the “Concord Hymn,” written for the 1837 dedication of a monument that commemorated the Battle of Concord that took place on Wednesday, April 19, 1775, about 20 miles northwest of Boston. It was second in a series of clashes that day and resulted in victory for the colonists. The poem opens this way: “By the rude bridge that arched the flood, their flag to April’s breeze unfurled, here once the embattled farmers stood, and fired the shot heard round the world.” g

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What was the goal that day when 700 British Army regulars took up their arms? To capture and destroy military supplies reportedly stored by at Concord. Speaking of military supplies, let’s dispel a notion so drenched in current conversation that the casual observer can hardly tell warp from woof: The AR in AR-15 does not stand for “assault rifle.” It stands for ArmaLite, an American small arms engineering company founded in the mid-1950s in California. The AR-15 “Boogeyman” of the anti-gun movement is not an assault rifle. It’s a civilian (and legal) version of the M-16. It was designed as a lightweight, gas-powered, selective-fire rifle for the United States Military. It did not make the cut. (For comparison purposes, the AR-15 is heavier, with a shorter range, and a slower rate of fire than the M-16.)

“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are safe.” Luke 11:21 That weapon helps makes the infantry strong and fully armed, a biblical principle that can be found in Luke 11:21 which says “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are safe”. Seems like great advice.

Here’s some background: In 1959, ArmaLite sold its rights to Colt's Manufacturing Company, which eventually modified the design and submitted to the military as the M-16, which was first shipped to troops in Vietnam in 1964. Five years later, the M16A1s replaced M14s as the US military's standard issue rifle. The current standard bearer is the M4, a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2, which is now the primary infantry weapon in combat units.

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Don’t like the Bible? No problem. How about Clint Eastwood? “I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it.” Don’t like the guy who starred in Fistful of Dollars, Dirty Harry, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Pale Rider, Unforgiven, and Gran Torino? g

What about the voice of Darth Vader, Mufasa, and CNN – James Earl Jones? “The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose.” Maybe you prefer the literary type. If so, read the following warning from William S. Burroughs, Beat Generation author of eighteen novels and novellas, six collections of short stories and four collections of essays. “After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it.”– William S. Burroughs. As Rahm Emanuel who once said – “You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.” For those who’ve forgotten, Emanuel served as White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama. Let’s add another name to the pro-Second Amendment side, one unexpected and perhaps forgotten – she was an investigative journalist, anti-lynching crusader, civil rights leader, and one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Her name: Ida B. Wells. Here’s what she said: “A Winchester rifle should have a place of honor in every black home, and it should be used for that protection which the law refuses to give.” In an article for National Review, David Harsanyi, author of First Freedom: A Ride through America’s Enduring History with the Gun, argues that no American right (not speech, press, or religion) has a longer and more defined history than the right to self-defense. Harsanyi also wrote that: “The animating ideas of the Second Amendment – both as personal and communal protection are predicated on natural rights and English common law. And while nearly every intellectual, political, and military leader of the Founding generation stressed the importance of the right to bear arms as a means of preserving liberty, some of its most vociferous champions were against slavery.” Alan Dershowitz, scholar of constitutional law, had this to say: “Foolish liberals who are trying to read the Second Amendment out of the constitution by claiming it’s not an individual right or that it’s too much of a safety hazard don’t see the danger of the big picture. They're courting disaster by encouraging others to use this same means to eliminate portions of the Constitution they don't like.” There’s another, even more practical point, that has to do with common sense. It was made by President Ronald Reagan: “We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” 54

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To put it another way, the vast majority of gun owners are lawabiding citizens who don’t get in trouble with law enforcement, according to Gary Kleck, criminologist and the David J. Bordua Professor Emeritus of Criminology at Florida State University. “Probably fewer than two percent of handguns and well under one percent of all guns will ever be involved in a violent crime. Thus, the problem of criminal gun violence is concentrated within a very small subset of gun owners, indicating that gun control aimed at the general population faces a serious needle-in-the-haystack problem,” Kleck said. Economist, political commentator, and gun rights advocate John R. Lott, Jr., concurs. Lott is the author of More Guns Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws, now in its third edition. “Our most conservative estimates show that by adopting shall-issue laws (concealed carry laws), states reduced murders by 8.5 percent, rapes by five percent, aggravated assaults by seven percent and robbery by three percent... While support for strict gun-control laws usually has been strongest in large cities, where crime rates are highest, that's precisely where right-to-carry laws have produced the largest drops in violent crimes.” It doesn’t take much digging to find scholars, lawyers, writers, and actors, who agree with the Founding Fathers about the Second Amendment. Let’s wrap things up with the opening words of “A Few More Rednecks” by Charlie Daniels on his album “Freedom and Justice for All.”

“Now they’re tryin’ to take my guns away And that would be just fine If you take ’em away from the criminals first I’d gladly give you mine” That won’t happen anytime soon. Why? Because President Donald J. Trump said so: “Gun and magazine bans are a total failure... Opponents of gun rights try to come up with scary sounding phrases like ‘assault weapons,’ ‘military-style weapons’ and ‘high capacity magazines’ to confuse people. What they’re really talking about are popular semiautomatic rifles and standard magazines that are owned by tens of millions of Americans. Law-abiding people should be allowed to own the firearm of their choice. The government has no business dictating what types of firearms good, honest people are allowed to own.” – President Donald J. Trump Jim Lamb is a retired journalist who went to college on the GI Bill. He served in the United States Navy and was stationed in Vietnam where he kept a loaded M-16 at his workspace.

“Our most conservative estimates show that by adopting shall-issue laws (concealed carry laws), states reduced murders by 8.5 percent, rapes by five percent, aggravated assaults by seven percent and robbery by three percent...”

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e, Timeless c Firearms BY JIM LAMB Alongside a two-lane country road, east of Philadelphia as the crow flies, stands a modest-sized rough-hewn stone structure where the birth of firearms in America took place. The small gun shop was built in 1719. It belonged to Martin Meylin, a Mennonite gunsmith from Zurich. A historic marker on the side of the building reads: “Birthplace of the Pennsylvania Rifle. Martin Meylin 1670-1749 gunsmith of Switzerland settled here in the Pequea Valley in 1710 and made in this gun shop the earliest known Pennsylvania or so-called Kentucky rifle. He was the first of a group of Lancaster County rifle makers who prior to 1745 originated and gave to America that historic and colorful firearm.”

the buck, in terms of the relative weight of ammo vs. the number of shots available. No less a folk hero than Daniel Boone – pioneer, explorer, frontiersman – owned a Pennsylvania Long Rifle. Boone’s success with the firearm in Kentucky ultimately re-branded the weapon and helped make it a legend as the Kentucky Rifle.

The last line on the plaque says “Presented by the Willow Street Woman’s Club.”

So accurate that it was used by snipers, the Kentucky Rifle was nicknamed “The Widow Maker” for its ability to take down highvalue targets such as British officers. One such example: British General Simon Fraser, shot by a frontiersman named Timothy Murphy on October 7, 1777. John Danielski, author of the popular Pennywhistle series, called General Fraser “a well-liked and capable leader,” adding that a victory by Fraser at that time “might well have delayed the decisive American victory at Saratoga.”

In his book The Kentucky Rifle, published in 1924, Captain John GW Dillin called the weapon “A rifle which changed the whole course of world history; made possible the settlement of a continent; and ultimately freed our country of foreign domination.”

Murphy was a sharpshooter with Gen Daniel Morgan’s Corps of Riflemen during the American Revolutionary War. His weapon: The Kentucky Rifle, a legendary firearm that eventually worked its way into popular culture. Here are just a few examples:

Here’s how Dillin described this game-changer of a gun:

James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel The Last of the Mohicans featured the character Hawkeye, who is nicknamed La Longue Carabine, which means “Long Rifle.” (Oscar-winner Daniel DayLewis played the role in Michael Mann’s 1992 film adaptation).

“Light in weight; graceful in line; economical in consumption of powder and lead; fatally precise; distinctly American; it sprang into immediate popularity; and for a hundred years was a model often slightly varied but never radically changed.” How did it come about?

The movie Kentucky Rifle (1955) centers on a wagon train in which one of the wagons carries 100 long rifles and their safe passage is in doubt because of Comanche Indians.

The New World’s expansive territory, thick forests, and challenging terrain forced craftsmen to adapt, resulting in guns with longer barrels for accuracy and a smaller bore that provided more bang for

In his Oscar-winning Revenant performance (2015) Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Hugh Glass who owns a Bucks County long rifle which is stolen by his nemesis John Fitzgerald. Two rifles g

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were made especially for the movie by Ron Luckenbill owner of Recreating History in Pennsylvania who recreates muzzleloaders of the 17th century through the mid-18th century.

a gunman, lawman, lawyer, and politician in the later years of the Wild West. In addition, Teddy Roosevelt used a Colt revolver in the Spanish–American War, and General George Patton sported an ivory-handled Colt during World War II.

The historic and influential long rifle born in Pennsylvania inaugurated a long line of weapons that, to one degree or another, became threads in the nation’s cultural fabric. Here’s a small sampling:

WINCHESTER 1873: Dubbed “The Gun that Won the West,” the Winchester 1873 was a lever-action workhorse made in three configurations: 24-inch barrel rifle, 20-inch barrel carbine, and “musket,” the latter of which was produced for the military. Originally chambered for .44-40 cartridges, later models used .38-40 and .32-20, which became popular cartridges for handguns, meaning a cowboy could carry one type of ammunition for two distinct weapons. In 1950, Jimmy Stewart starred in a movie titled Winchester ’73. A pivotal point in the plot is a shooting contest in which the winner gets a special-edition ’73. Winchester produced “The Gun that Won the West” for nearly a half-century for a total of three-quarters of a million rifles. Model ’73s represented the first successful high-capacity repeating rifle that was treasured by ranchers, lawmen, and outlaws. COLT SAA: The Colt Single Action Army is known as Model P, “The Peacemaker,” and M1873. Some also called it the “Thumb-Buster.” Why? Because the hammer had to be cocked by the shooter's thumb each time the weapon was to be fired. Production began in 1873. The SAA became available in standard barrel lengths of 4.75 inch, 5.5 inch, as well as the original 7.5-inch Cavalry standard. Shorter barreled revolvers (4.75 inch) were sometimes called “Civilian” or “Gunfighter” models. Those with a sub-4-inch barrels, were unofficially dubbed “Sheriff's Models”, “Banker's Specials,” or “Storekeepers.” Lawmen and outlaws used the Colt, including Lincoln County Sheriff Pat Garrett, “Wild Bill” Hickock, lawman Wyatt Earp, Texas Ranger Tom Hickman, and Elfego Baca,

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SHARPS 1874 LONG RANGE RIFLE: For gun lovers, the star of the movie Quigley Down Under (1990) was not Tom Selleck, but rather a Sharps rifle owned by Matthew Quigley, an American cowboy who can shoot accurately at extraordinary distances thanks to a custom, single-shot, 1874 Sharps Rifle, with a 34-inch barrel. Beginning in 1848, Christian Sharps was responsible for a series of large-bore single-shot rifles that were respected and known for their long-range accuracy. By 1874, Sharps were available in a variety of calibers. Their reputation helped them get picked by a number of armies, particularly since Sharps managed to be one of the few firearms to successfully transition to metallic cartridges. Production ceased in 1881. Despite that, the appearance of Sharps rifles in many Western movies helped make it an icon of the American Old West. That high visibility prompted a number of rifle companies to offer reproductions. M1911: This singleaction, short recoiloperated, semiautomatic, magazine-fed pistol became one of the most successful small arms of the 20th Century. It was created by famed designer John Moses Browning as the result of the military’s search for a pistol to replace the variety of revolvers then in service. Bids were narrowed down to six candidates, with Colt having submitted Browning's design. In one of the tests, the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) was fired more than 6,000 times. When it got hot, the ACP was dipped in water and cooled off. It continued to work. After

that and other successful trials, the pistol was formally adopted by the Army on March 29, 1911, eventually gaining the official designation M1911. It served as the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1986 and was widely used in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. BERETTA M9: How do you replace an icon? That’s the challenge military officials faced when it was time to find a substitute for the M1911, the procurement of which numbered nearly 3 million in military contracts during its service life. In the end, the candidate that won the coveted contract in 1985 was the Beretta M9: a short recoil, semi-automatic, single-action/double-action pistol. The handgun was easy-to-use, safe, accurate, and adaptable for either left-handers or right-handers. It earned the moniker “World Defender,” having succeeded in tough and demanding conditions, from the sweltering deserts of Iraq to the brutal cold of the mountains in Afghanistan; all the while maintaining its reputation for durability, reliability, and dependability. DARDICK REVOLVER: Not every gun that breaks new ground succeeds. The odd-looking revolver developed by Russian-born American inventor David Dardick in 1949 was just such a creation. Its design was controversial and unconventional; plus, the gun’s special feeding mechanism required customized .38 caliber bullets called “Trounds,” a combination of the word triangle and round, which were stored in a magazine within the pistol’s grip. The barrel of the Dardick pistol could be changed to accommodate .22-caliber Trounds. Dardick and his ground-breaking approach to designing a handgun might be compared to Preston Tucker and his unorthodox Tucker sedan developed to take on Detroit’s “Big Three”: Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. While neither Dardick nor Tucker were welcomed into the mainstream of their chosen industries, each remains a reminder that innovation is a double-edged sword with victory on one side and defeat on the other.

SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903: Officially adopted as a United States military rifle on June 19, 1903, the Springfield Model 1903 saw service in World War I. Most notably, it was the weapon used by Alvin C York of Pall Mall, Tennessee, one of the most-decorated American soldiers of what some called “the war to end all wars.” He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, killing at least 25 enemy soldiers and capturing 132. York’s heroics were portrayed in the movie Sergeant York (1941). The starring role was played by actor Gary Cooper, who went on to win the Academy Award for the performance. The fiveround, magazine-fed, bolt-action service repeating rifle remained in service as a standard issue infantry rifle during World War II when it was used as a sniper rifle. It also saw action in Korea and Vietnam. It’s still popular as a civilian firearm, collector's piece, and competitive shooting rifle. GLOCK 17: Engineer Gaston Glock had experience in advanced synthetic polymers, not guns, when his namesake company developed the first commercially successful line of pistols with a polymer frame. In 1982, the Austrian Army assembled a team of experts with backgrounds in military, police, and civilian sport-shooting. Their goal was to set parameters for a new combat pistol. That opportunity launched Glock into developing a prototype handgun with proven mechanisms and multiple desirable traits from other successful designs. Then, he added his “secret sauce”: synthetic materials coupled with state-of-the art manufacturing technologies. The handgun submitted for test trials was based on the company’s 17th patent. In 1982, the Glock 17 was declared the winner and an g

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initial order of 25,000 guns was made. Meanwhile, other countries were paying attention: Norway and Sweden worked together to do test trials from 1983–1985. By 1988, both countries had accepted the Glock 17. The pistol subsequently became a standard-issue NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization) sidearm. Within four years, 350,000 Glocks had been sold in more than 45 countries, including the United States. The popular handgun continues to be upgraded and modified, capturing more clients along the way.

40X, a short-action bolt-action carbine, the XP-100 launched with a 10.75-inch barrel set into a nylon stock with a center-mounted grip. (All but the R model were single-shot designs). Advertised as “the world’s hottest handgun,” at least one magazine writer touted it as the handgun that thinks it’s a rifle; another called it “the ugliest handgun to ever appear on the planet.” Still, even haters must admit that a 30-year production run is an impressive achievement on any planet – even Earth.

REMINGTON XP-100: The X in XP-100 stands for “experimental,” which might remind Chuck Yeager fans of the X-1 that he flew to break the sound barrier back in 1947. In fact, Remington XP-100’s design looks like it could have been a weapon of choice used by Han Solo in a galaxy far, far away. This unusual bolt-action pistol, produced by Remington from 1963 to the 1990s, was known for its accuracy and still remains competitive. Based on Remington Model

M1 GARAND: This .30-06 caliber semi-automatic rifle saw widespread usage as a service rifle during World War II and in Korea. It even saw limited action in Vietnam. Of the more than 5 million M1s made, most were issued to US forces and American allies. It’s still used by drill teams and military honor guards. General George S Patton called it “the greatest battle implement ever devised.” Among its positive traits was the fact that it was designed for simple assembly and disassembly, making field maintenance easier since it could be field-stripped without tools in just a few seconds. While enemy combatants armed with bolt-action rifle g

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lost precious time shot-to-shot, the M1 rifle’s semiautomatic operation gave American infantrymen a distinct advantage in firepower as well as the recovery time between shots. In 1936, the M1 replaced the M1903 Springfield; In 1958, the M1 was replaced by the M14. M14: After extensive testing and a tough head-to-head competition, the first wave of M14s were delivered to the US Army in July 1959. The weapon had been developed to replace seven different weapons: the M1 Garand, M1903 Springfield, M1917 Enfield, M1 carbine, M3 submachine gun, M1928/M1 Thompson, and the M1918 – an ambitious undertaking. In all, 1.3 million were built by Springfield Armory, Winchester Harrington & Richardson, and Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, Inc. They were produced from 1959 to 1964. Despite the rigorous development, extensive testing, and a demanding competitive match-up, reality struck the weapon when it was deployed to Vietnam where its weight and length were ill-suited for the environment. In addition to being cumbersome, its wood stock tended to swell and expand in the country’s humid jungles. Plus, the weapon was reportedly difficult to control in full-automatic mode. Some variants are still in use as sniper and designated marksman rifles. SMITH & WESSON MODEL 29: In the movie Dirty Harry (1971) the .44 Magnum is described by Inspector Callahan of the San Francisco Police Department as “the most powerful handgun in the world.” At the time, it wasn’t a hyperbole. The Model 29 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the hard-hitting .44 Magnum cartridge, an ammunition in search of an appropriate delivery system when it was first

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developed. That delivery system came into existence in 1950 with the Model 29 which produced 767 foot-pounds of energy and a velocity of 1,200 feet per second. Weighing nearly three pounds with punishing recoil, the firearm is as complex as it is niche; with one of its more exclusive roles equipping tunnel exploration personnel during Vietnam, a.k.a. “Tunnel Rats”, who used a version called the Deadly Quiet Special Purpose Revolver (QSPR) to clear out communist forces in the many tunnels dug by members of the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. DUCK FOOT PISTOL: Some firearms are remembered for their historical significance, like winning a battle or launching a trend. Much unlike the Duck Foot, sometimes referred to a volley gun. It’s an attention-getter because it looks comical, like a duck’s webbed foot. It was reportedly popular among bank guards, prison wardens, and sea captains. Why? Because its multiple, wide-spread barrels gave the holder potential advantage in crowd-control situations or clearing the deck on an enemy ship, but it was not a perfect weapon; it had a reputation that not all barrels always fired. The question people staring at a Duck Foot had to ask is, “Just how lucky do I feel today?” In fact, sometimes the user of such an eccentric firearm was on the bad end of some hard luck. That’s what happened to Giuseppe Marco Fieschi in July 1835 when he pulled the trigger of a home-made, 25-barrel volley gun in an attempt to assassinate King Louis Philippe The First in Paris. Eighteen were killed in the attack, but not the king who only received a minor wound. Fieschi was injured, captured, condemned to death, and guillotined. g

WINCHESTER MODEL 1885: John Moses Browning was a firearms designer who became known for guns that were innovative, popular, and timeless. His first effort, developed in obscurity in 1878 at the age of 23, was a falling-block single-shot rifle that he tried to manufacture by hand with his brother in a workshop in Ogden, Utah. That might have been the end of a short story, except that Browning’s work caught the eye of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in general and Thomas G Bennett in particular. Bennett, the company’s vice-president and general manager, traveled to Ogden and negotiated the purchase of the single-shot design. He also acquired a prototype of what would become the Model 1886 lever-action. The Winchester–Browning relationship lasted two decades and produced a wide variety of firearms, including the Model 1887 and Model 1897 pump shotgun, the falling-block singleshot Model 1885, and the lever-action Model 1886, Model 1892, Model 1894, Model 1895 rifles as well as the long recoil operated semi-automatic Remington Model 8; but it all began with that humble falling-block single-shot rifle.

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BROWNING AUTO-5: At age 13, John Moses Browning made his first firearm. He was awarded number one of more than one hundred patents at age 24. He died of heart failure at his workbench on November 26, 1926, while working on a self-loading pistol design that would become known as the Browning Hi-Power, a firearm appreciated world-wide by sportsmen, gun collectors, the military, and law enforcement agencies. But it was the Auto-5, the first mass-produced semi-automatic shotgun, that transformed the successful designer into a manufacturer. Browning had initially offered what he’d deemed his “best achievement” to Winchester with whom he’d had a successful and productive relationship. But the two could not come up with an agreement. Browning eventually produced the new design himself. It became the second best-selling auto-loading shotgun in US history, just behind the Remington 1100. REMINGTON 1100: American gun owners rarely change their mind overnight when a new model comes along, but that’s essentially what happened when Remington came out with the 1100, g

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a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun introduced in 1963 that became popular among sportsmen and remains in production. It managed to combine a number of positive attributes: versatility, modern design, and desirable handling characteristics, all of which came together to produce a best-seller. The gun is well-balanced; the trigger-pull, smooth; the quality, high; plus, it’s easy to break-down and clean. For all of those reasons, Remington 1100s are used in trapshooting, skeet-shooting, and sporting clays; modified versions are popular in multi-gun practical shooting events. Overall, more than four million of these reliable and popular shotguns have been produced. PEPPER-BOX REVOLVER: It may look like a cross between a pepper shaker and a gun, but these multiple-barrel repeating firearms had their moment in the sun from roughly 1830 to the Civil War, though the concept was developed much earlier. Pepper-Boxes were novelties that packed a punch, and were most often built as multi-shot handguns though occasionally as rifle-sized firearms. Early models were fitted with anywhere between three and seven barrels. Though primarily sold as civilian weapons, some were purchased privately for personal use by military personnel. As manufacturers added more and longer barrels, they became front-heavy, making them difficult to aim, though at close range they were deadly. The funny firearm survived for a time after revolvers were introduced, at one point even enjoying a brief revival, but eventually they faded into the history books.

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RUGER STANDARD: After the Second World War, a returning Marine gave firearm designer Bill Ruger a pair of Japanese Nambu pistols. Using the Nambu silhouette and bolt system, Ruger produced a prototype – reminiscent of the German Luger P08 pistol – that he showed to Alex Sturm, an American artist, author, and entrepreneur. Sturm, impressed by what he saw, provided the start-up money to launch Sturm, Ruger & Co. He also created its distinctive eagle coat-of-arms emblem. The company’s first product was the Ruger Standard, a rimfire semi-automatic pistol introduced in 1949; followed the next year by the MK I Target, a variant of the Standard used in target shooting. The Ruger Standard remained in production, in one form or another, for more than three decades. The original model came with a blued carbon steel finish and was equipped with a 4.75-inch tapered barrel. Its magazine held 9 rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammo. FRENCH APACHE: Part-dagger, part-gun, and part brass-knuckles (depending how its various components were folded or unfolded) the French Apache looks as if it were designed by Jules Verne as a retrofuturistic weapon for Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The multi-faceted weapon was designed and patented by Louis Dolne. It was used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by muggers, stickup men, burglars, and other ruffians in general – and in particular by a Parisian street gang called Les Apaches. Some were manufactured in France; others, in Belgium. All were banned in California, g

New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. The barrel-less pin-fire revolver incorporated a set of brass knuckles as a grip and featured a 2-inch to 3-inch double-edged Kriss blade that folded into the frame when not in use and folded out when needed. Without a barrel and brandishing a short blade, the French Apache was undoubtedly a weapon designed to be used up-close and personal. MARLIN MODEL 60: Some may refer to the Marlin Model 60 as “un-glamorous.” A few might even call it “homely.” But success speaks its own language and, in this case, the phrase that pays is “More than 11 million made,” making it one of the world’s most popular .22 rimfire rifles. This American classic earns its keep by being well-suited for small-game hunting and vermin control. In addition to being affordable, it’s reliable and accurate. The company calls it the most popular rifle of its kind in the world. The Model 60 was developed in 1960 from the Marlin Model 99, which had a stock made of walnut, while the Model 60’s stock was less-expensive birch. In addition, the steel inner tubes were replaced with brass. It’s currently produced by Remington Arms in Huntsville, Alabama, and is available in nine versions. It’s also offered in multiple stock variations, including Monte-Carlo walnut finished laminate, Monte-Carlo synthetic with Realtree Hardwoods, and Monte-Carlo laminated twotone black/grey hardwood. G.R.A.D. MODEL RS1 KNIFE PISTOL: A wise guy once said, “Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.” One wonders what his response might be to the G.R.A.D. Model RS1 Knife Pistol. (G.R.A.D. stands for Global Research And Development.) This unusual weapon combines a large knife with a .22-caliber, six-shot revolver, which is hidden in its handle. Introduced in the 1990s and produced in Las Vegas, the knife handle opens like an elongated clam-shell to reveal the gun’s cylinder, an action that also makes it operational as a pistol with a fold-down trigger. Basic models had functional, black, checkered grip panels; however, ornate custom models can be found sporting jewels

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and gold. The knife-gun can be reloaded by pushing a button in the hilt to open the cover. Reportedly, fewer than a thousand of these unusual weapons were made. HENRY REPEATING RIFLE: In 1860 Benjamin Tyler Henry invented the first reliable lever-action repeating rifle, which became the basis of the Winchester rifle known as “The Gun That Won the West.” How desirable was Henry’s creation? Enough that some Civil War soldiers saved their pay to buy one. Why didn’t the military make such an investment? For one thing, Henry Repeating Rifle could not be equipped with bayonets. For another, Henry’s .44 caliber black-powder cartridge gave it significantly lower muzzle velocity than other rifles of the day. Plus, it lacked a safety, meaning that a significant bump on the back of the hammer could cause the gun to fire. Still, despite its problems, the Henry Repeating Rifle managed to catch attention in battles, prompting one Confederate officer to call it “that damned Yankee rifle that can be loaded on Sunday and fired all week.” PHILADELPHIA DERRINGER: Henry Deringer is best-known for inventing a small-sized handgun that became known as the derringer, a mis-spelling of his name. Following in the footsteps of his father, who was also a gunsmith, Deringer opened up shop in Philadelphia and produced military pistols, muskets, and rifles. His big step on the road to fame and fortune came in 1825 when he produced large caliber, short-barreled pistols – though his lack of a trademark caused headaches along the way until it was sorted out in a landmark decision when the California Supreme Court ruled in Deringer’s favor. The easily concealed firearms became a part of American folklore, featured in many movies and on television, including a dance-hall girl in Red River, which starred John Wayne; Miss Kitty, in the TV show Gunsmoke; and Jodie Foster as Annabelle Bransford in the 1994 film Maverick with Mel Gibson in the title role. On a tragic note, actor John Wilkes Booth used a Derringer to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. g

GATLING GUN: Though he graduated from Ohio Medical College in 1850 with an MD, Richard Jordan Gatling was an inventor at heart, so he never practiced medicine. In fact, he was elected as the first president of the American Association of Inventors and Manufacturers. Two of his inventions helped transform agriculture in America: one mechanically sowed rice; the other, aided in the planting wheat; but he is mostremembered for inventing the rapid-fire, spring-loaded, hand-cranked Gatling Gun which some consider to be the first successful machine gun. The basic gun had six barrels revolving around a central shaft, with each barrel firing one shot per revolution. Turning the crank rotated the shaft. It was used by Union forces during the Civil War. Forbes magazine listed the Gatling Gun featured in Clint Eastwood’s The Outlaw Josey Wales as one of the five most iconic movie guns of all time. MAXIM: How do you know when a firearm is beyond successful? When both sides in a conflict use it. Such is the case with the Maxim, designed in 1883 by Sir Hiram Maxim, an American inventor who moved to Europe. His most successful invention was a recoil-operated machine gun that didn't need to be cranked by hand, an action required by operators of the Gatling gun. Instead, the force of the recoil ejects the spent cartridge and loads a fresh one. The Maxim was so effective and reliable that both sides used it during World War I. In addition to that endorsement, the Maxim remained in service into the 1960s. The United States Army tested the Model 1889 and the Model 1900. The gun was officially adopted in 1904 and designated as the Maxim Machine Gun, Caliber .30, Model of 1904. It was the Army’s first riflecaliber, heavy machine gun.

AR-10: During World War II, Eugene Morrison Stoner joined the Marines and enlisted for Aviation Ordnance. Little wonder, then, that firearms became a part of his life. In 1945, he worked in the machine shop of an aircraft equipment company, eventually becoming a design engineer. In 1954, he became chief engineer for ArmaLite, a small engineering firm for which Stoner designed a series of prototype small arms. The following year, he finished up the initial design of the AR-10, a lightweight infantry rifle that was submitted for evaluation by the US Army which was testing a number of rifles to replace the aging M1 Garand. ArmaLite's AR-10 entered the competition with two handbuilt prototypes. Though it garnered some favorable comments for its light weight, it did not survive one of the torture tests. Though fewer than 10,000 of the rifles were ultimately assembled, the AR-10 design, re-scaled and modified in 1957 to accommodate the .223 Remington cartridge, was given the designation ArmaLite AR-15. Colt Firearms acquired ArmaLite’s rights to the AR-10 and AR-15 in 1959. M16: There’s an old English proverb that goes like this: “From Little Acorns Do Mighty Oaks Grow.” That saying could be used to portray the relationship between the ArmaLite AR-15 and the M16, which became the longest continuously serving rifle in American military history. More than just a firearm, the M16 became a modular weapon-system in which various components could be reconfigured to support different

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features, though the original M16 rifle was essentially an automatic rifle with a 20-round magazine. It entered service in 1964, was deployed for jungle warfare operations during the Vietnam War, and ultimately replaced the M14. The M16A1 brought a number of improvements, including a bolt-assist, chrome-plated bore and a 30-round magazine. Total production of the M16 is in the neighborhood of 8 million. Though it’s since been generally replaced by the shorter and lighter M4 Carbine, the M16 is widely used by other militaries around the world.

M4: The United States military officially accepted the M4 carbine into service in 1994. It weighed 7.3 pounds with a 30-round magazine. The rifle is a shorter and lighter version of the M16A2 and replaced the M16 rifle in Army and Marine Corps combat units as their primary infantry rifle. Because of its lighter weight, compact size, telescoping buttstock, and effectiveness in close-quarter situations, it has also replaced most submachine guns and selected handguns. The M4 also features semi-automatic and three-round burst firing modes and is capable of mounting the M203 and M320 grenade launchers. As a mark of its versatility, the M4 can be fitted with night-vision devices, flash suppressors, laser pointers, telescopic sights, and bi-pods. In a 2006 survey of Army combat veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, 89 percent felt their M4 carbine was reliable in combat and 80 percent expressed confidence in their weapon. In an article for Army Times, Todd South, a Marine veteran of the Iraq War, has written that, “Over the next five years, the Army plans to buy a mix of more than 120,000 new light machine guns and rifles, built around new ammunition, to replace both the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon for select soldiers.” South also wrote that three contractors “are expected to deliver 38 prototype rifles and 28 prototype automatic rifles along with 660,000 rounds of ammunition for testing and soldier evaluations next year, according to budget documents.” Those contractors are Sig Sauer, General Dynamics-OTS and Textron Systems; the Army is reportedly expected to announce a winner by late 2021. In many ways, the company chosen will owe some measure of its success to Martin Meylin and his little gun shop in in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Jim Lamb is a retired journalist. He served in Vietnam with the United States Navy and later went to college on the GI Bill.

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Donald Trump Jr’s

GREAT RU ST ESCAPES

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U STIC I

n the city that never sleeps, Friday

would say ‘There’s the woods, go play.’

afternoons are highly anticipated.

He taught me how to shoot a bow,

It’s the sacred shift where business

shoot an airgun and how to fish. He

fronts are neatly filed away and party

got me into the outdoors,” Don Jr. said.

backs in tossing out ties and loosens

Those precious summers is where

the sleeves of a hard week. Many

Don Jr. fostered his avid affection for

blow off the steam of a stressful

the sports and his devotion to the

week by luxuriating at a country club,

outdoors has continuously evolved

or heading straight for happy hour.

throughout his life.

But what about the man who runs one of the most notable real estate phenomena, the Trump Organization, Donald Trump Jr.?

Don Jr. is dedicated to preserve the love for the outdoors in his lineage, teaching his five children the ropes of nature. “I don’t want my kids to just

To see Don Jr. in the city past that

be city kids… I want them to see the

magical strike of end of business

other side. If I can get them off of the

is rarer than some of the species

couch and away from video games,

he’s hunted. You won’t find him in

then I am doing them a major service,”

Manhattan – or sipping one. And the

Don Jr. said. Aside from emergencies

only country you’ll find him at is the

and special events, the family has not

one with thick vegetation where he

spent a single weekend in the city in

can easily conceal himself within

over a decade.

nature and be with his family at their Catskills cabin.

As a jack-of-all-trades when it comes

Don Jr. is extreme about his passion

philosophy when it comes to what

for the outdoors. Even with a heavy schedule as Executive Vice President at the Trump Organization, he always makes the time to spend out experiencing God’s creations. His grandfather passed down the heritage of hunting and fishing to Don Jr. as he spent most of his childhood summers with him in then-Czechoslovakia. “My grandfather would take me to Czechoslovakia every summer. He

to outdoor sports, Don Jr. has a simple method of fishing he decides to use: “whatever is working, I’m fishing,” he said regarding dry flies, nymphs, streamers, and even worms when fishing with his kids. “I fish whatever method I think I’m going to catch the most fish on.” But he has a certain affinity for fly fishing. “There was a time in my life where I was a fly purest. I would go g The TRUMP RALLY Publication

out there and I would try to figure out how to do everything on

on point. “I can’t recall a weekend where I haven’t hunted or shot

a fly.” With being known as a fly-fishing aficionado, he wrote the

pretty extensively for as long as I can remember,” Don Jr. said.

foreword to fishing expert and personal friend, George Daniel’s

He prepares himself physically by keeping to an intense CrossFit

book Strip-Set: Fly Fishing Techniques Tactics, & Patterns for

regimen. And when it comes to hunting, he plays the long game.

Streamers. Don Jr. appreciates the technicality of fishing, in every

He believes that the pre-hunt is half the fun of the actual hunt. All

method, and craves the chase of a big fish and that gratifying

of the work and preparation that goes into the pursuit makes the

feeling of the catch.

score that much more satisfying.

Last summer while fishing off of Martha’s Vineyard, Don Jr.

Don Jr. is no stranger to any facet of hunting. He hunts using

landed a feat that he had been chasing since his childhood: a

archery, rifles, shotguns, hand guns, revolvers – whatever the

record worthy 50-pound Striped Bass. He was using an 8-pound

season allows, he’s packing. But he’s partial to bowhunting. “If

braid with a topwater plug. After getting beat up by the gale force

I only did one thing ever, it would probably be bowhunting,” he

winds, Don Jr. watched as an explosion erupted on the water’s

said. Bowhunting has an extended season, which is one of the

surface, and he knew exactly what it was. He abandoned his

reasons Don Jr. prefers it, but the leading reason is the challenge

phone on shore, jumped in the water and swam to unwind the

of it. Bowhunting transcends hunting beyond just shooting – it’s

line from the rocks. He shouted to his friend, “I am not letting this

a proximity game. Like everything in his life, Don Jr. doesn’t take

fish go.” And he didn’t. He landed him in open water, his hand

the easy route. He trusts the hard efforts put into something to

buried in his mouth to release the plug, hoping to not get hooked

make something great. “It’s 100 percent a lifestyle and I live it

to the plug with this mammoth Striper pulling on the other end.

fully.” Even though the weekends are limited compared to the

With his multiple-decade dream accomplished, Don Jr. made

long grueling hours of the week, Don Jr. always looks forward to

the ultimate sacrifice: he released the fish so it could breed and

the great rustic escapes with his family.

make more commendable opponents for the future; and in doing so, he relinquished a world record title and bragging rights, but at least he’s got a good story to tell.

Don Jr. has been described as an outdoor sport ambassador, an accomplished conservationist, a national scale voice for hunters, and even a Fifth Avenue Redneck – all endearments

While the season may dictate whether Don Jr. is on the water or

for his advocation and affinity for hunting, fishing and the

in the woods, he is always making sure his hunting game will be

great outdoors.

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when missing is not an option Epstein didn’t kill himself

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The Three f

FAITH, FAMIL Y

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e fold Cord

L Y, FREEDOM By Dr. Ben Graham, Senior Pastor Music City Baptist Church President – Graham Family Films

he Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:12 "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

There are three prevalent aspects that have helped to shape and sustain America as the greatest nation that exists today and they are Faith, Family, and Freedom. Never before have they been under greater assault than they are now. President Trump was voted as the 45th president to lead our country back toward the very precepts that built this nation as a beacon of hope in a world of chaos and confusion. While many reasons brought people to this land, one of the great driving desires was to be able to express their faith in, and worship of God without fear of government overreach by trying to force a state religion on its people, rather to allow its citizens to follow soul conscience according to the dictates of Divine Scriptures. The great Judaeo-Christian precepts that led our founding fathers in the framing of our Constitution, make it clear that our Creator had guided them to establish this great nation. President Trump has been strong in promoting the cause of freedom of religion here and abroad. He has recognized that no nation will ever be great when the exercise of Faith in God is viewed as unnecessary or infringed upon. Our founders were not afraid to acknowledge the absolute existence and involvement of Almighty God in bringing this nation together and President Trump has expressed his assurance that the hand of God is still essential in the preservation of this great land.

The freedom of religion is at the very core of the rights protected by our constitution, and there has never been a time when our nation more desperately needed a true revival of faith in God than we do today. I am personally thankful to have as our President, Donald Trump, who recognizes the importance of the Bible to our society and desires to preserve the freedoms to express our faith in our Christ! The importance of the family to have and enjoy a great nation is also extremely vital to our success as a country. We must be vigilant to promote to our children an education that involves a knowledge of our history, both in success and failure, to embrace that which brought us greatness and refuse to repeat that which caused great harm. We will not develop strong families by ignoring the fact that traditional family values helped forge this great country and the demise of our homes has led to many of the conflicts and challenges we currently face. We must impart values that strengthen the homes of our people. We are living in a time when many have entrusted their children into institutions of higher learning, only to find those whose salaries are paid by the taxes and tuition of parents are constantly assaulting the core values of this country by promoting socialism and secularism. President Trump understands how we can succeed as a country by innovation, proper education and true appreciation of family by encouraging principles that prepare the next generation to continue in the pursuit of building on the foundation of American values, and to g

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protect our future generations from those who seek to destroy our families.

because the cause of freedom is greater than any one person, it affects us all.

The freedoms we are blessed with in America are so wonderful, and yet freedom comes with a great price. Some have mistakenly thought freedom is the right to do whatever they want. But that would lead to anarchy and mayhem.

But the resolve of one man to stand for freedom can serve to encourage many to stand, and together we can make a difference in these challenging times. Our freedom as a nation is at stake and now is not the time to have a leader who is unsure on what they will do. We need a President who will take the bold, fierce, and necessary steps to preserve the very freedoms our founding fathers risked their lives for.

With Freedom there is great responsibility that includes following the rule of law. President Trump has recognized the great freedoms we have enjoyed as a nation for over 240 years and the tremendous sacrifices paid by those who came before us. He has endured criticism and constant attack, it seems in every direction, yet his resolve to make and keep America great continues on

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Let's join our President and together through our Faith, and with our Families, let's do all we can to ensure our Freedoms, and keep America the great nation that symbolizes Freedom for all.

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Women

A 2020 Crusade

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n for Trump

“There are millions of women who support Donald Trump and

during this election was finally having a candidate who

we’re not standing in the shadows anymore!” – Women for Trump

understood and respected the power and determination of

The historic 2016 presidential campaign was monumental

conservative women. That candidate was Donald J. Trump.

moment for all women. Yes, having a woman selected as a

Women were able to unveil their support and look to leader

presidential candidate for the first time in the United States

who had their family values, jobs, and their children’s

history was an accomplishment, but the real win for women

education at the forefront of his agenda. Women for g

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Trump do not stand for being shamed for

tour bus, proudly wrapped in Women for

the best choice for women," Women for

not voting for a candidate solely based on

Trump logos, sparked any interest to the

Trump Co-chair Pam Bondi said. "We saw

their anatomy; they stand for prosperity,

general public, just wait until they hear

that women’s unemployment was at an

safety, and greatness for women and for

their pitch. It is not a glamourous dialogue

all-time low before we had to artificially

President Trump who promotes those

sequined with political jargon and

principles. With all that Trump has done for

accented with empty promises; but rather

shut down.”

women in the past four years, Women for

a bow of common sense, neatly tied with

President Trump is the most transparent

Trump are pushing harder than ever for his

policies that women truly care about and

president ever, and he follows through

re-election in 2020.

statistics from Trump’s first term to back

on his promises. He loves and supports

up his potential, it’s an articulation of facts

his family, and he respects money,

"It was extremely important in 2016, so it’s going to be extremely important in 2020," said Katrina Pierson, Trump 2020

that really makes Trump the only viable option for America.

rather than wanting to squander it. Women stressed the health of their local economies: building booms, more jobs,

Senior Advisor, attributing to the tour

Trump has had a great level of support

Women for Trump operate, stopping in

across generations and genders. Women

several counties in Wisconsin during their

in particular valued Trump’s policies

nationwide tour on their way to the White

over anything else – especially those

Before Trump, they felt that they had no

House. If rolling up in a massive pink

pertaining to the economy. “By far he is

voice and no power.

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and more people out shopping. And they credit the president for their prosperity.

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Women who support Trump know what they are looking for, and they believe it’s not what the Democratic frontrunners are offering. They would advise Democrats to abandon impeachment, censure the president, and focus on how to fix our broken country. They want answers to questions such as: How will you keep our economy booming? How will you continue to keep jobs plentiful? How will you manage our illegal immigration crisis? How will you control the growing costs of health care? How will you give our children better

American citizens. Women for Trump support the President because he thinks outside the box and tells it like it is; he’s genuine and brought a new tone to Washington; he has the brains, drive and determination to be successful; he takes action, and gets things done in the real world; he will keep families safe from outside threats & illegal immigration; and he’s shaking up the status quo in Washington and putting our country ahead of partisan politics. He is exactly what our country needs.

lives? And how will you do this without

Women for Trump are taking steps to

increasing my taxes? President Trump

keep America great. They support the

has provided solutions to all of these

Make America Great Again (MAGA)

questions with each solution benefiting

agenda by continuing to produce video,

ads and social media and donations that backs the MAGA agenda and to fight the “NeverTrump” crowd’s continuing attacks and lies. The power of the Women for Trump coalition should not be underestimated. Millions of women – many who never before had a voice in politics – have come together in the 21st century suffrage movement. Women for Trump are keeping this movement together by giving women the tools and a safe place to speak out – even when the cynics come after them and try to quiet them just because they are women. To learn more about the Women for Trump project or to donate visit womenfortrump.com

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TRUMPN

President Donald J. Trump Is P as We Restore Our E LEADING AN AMERICA FIRST RECOVERY President Donald J. Trump is extending and expanding the suspension of certain visas through the end of the year to ensure American workers take first priority as we recover from the economic effects of the coronavirus. President Trump is extending the pause on new immigrant visas through the end of the year to ensure we continue putting American workers first during our ongoing coronavirus recovery. President Trump is building on this measure with an additional pause on several job-related nonimmigrant visas—H-1Bs, H-2Bs without a nexus to the food-supply

of foreign workers to enter the United States at a time when so many Americans are out of work.

MOVING TO A MERIT-BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM The Trump Administration will reform our immigration system to prioritize the highest-skilled workers and protect American jobs. At President Trump’s direction, the Trump Administration is taking action to reform our H-1B immigration program. Under these reforms, the H-1B program will prioritize those workers who are offered the highest wage, ensuring that the highest-skilled applicants are admitted.

chain, certain H-4s, as well as Ls and certain Js—preserving

The Trump Administration will also close loopholes that

jobs for American citizens.

have allowed employers in the United States to replace

President Trump’s efforts will ensure businesses look to American workers first when hiring. Many workers have been hurt through no fault of their own due to coronavirus and they should not remain on the sidelines while being replaced by new foreign labor. The Trump Administration has also finalized regulations to eliminate the incentive to file an asylum application

With some exceptions, we should not permit large numbers

American workers with low-cost foreign labor. These reforms will help protect the wages of American workers and ensure that foreign labor entering our country is high skilled and does not undercut the United States labor market.

WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR COMMONSENSE ACTION

for the primary purpose of obtaining an Employment

The American people stand by President Trump as he takes

Authorization Document.

commonsense action to preserve jobs for American citizens.

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PNOMICS

s Putting American Workers First r Economy to Greatness Polls show that the overwhelming majority of Americans support pausing immigration as we recover as a Nation from the coronavirus pandemic. A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll found that 65% of those polled support pausing immigration into the country, including 61% of minority respondents. A Pew Research Center poll found that 81% of Americans see mass immigration as a threat as we confront the challenges posed by the coronavirus. Democrats and liberal commentators used to support such

“We have a moral duty to create an immigration system that protects the lives and jobs of our citizens.” President Donald J. Trump

commonsense efforts to protect American jobs. Sen. Bernie Sanders: “You think we should open the borders

American decline, and we have rejected the downsizing of

and bring in a lot of low-wage workers, or do you think maybe

America’s destiny.”

we should try to get jobs for those [American] kids?” Paul Krugman stated that “Immigration reduces the wages of domestic workers who compete with immigrants. That’s just supply and demand.” Then-Sen. Barack Obama warned that mass migration “threatens to depress further the wages of blue-collar Americans and put strains on an already overburdened safety net.”

- President Donald J. Trump

LEADING AN ECONOMIC RESURGENCE President Trump has reversed the failed economic policies of old and ushered in a new era of economic prosperity for the United States.

THE HISTORIC RESULTS OF TRUMP’S ECONMIC AGENDA

Real GDP growth under President Trump has beaten

“In just three short years, we have shattered the mentality of

Administration’s expansion. g

the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) projections every year and exceeded the rate of the Obama

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The net wealth held by the bottom half of households has grown by 47 percent—more than three times the rate of increase for the top 1 percent of households.

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5 million more jobs have been added than the CBO

The net wealth held by the bottom half of households has

projected prior to the 2016 election.

grown by 47 percent—more than three times the rate of

The economy added more jobs in 2019 alone than the CBO projected would be created during the President’s first three years in office. The unemployment rate is 1.4 percentage points lower than the CBO’s pre-election projection.

CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITY Thanks to the President’s policies, millions of jobs have been added to our economy, creating new opportunity for every American. Nearly 7 million jobs have been created nationwide since President Trump’s election, including more than 500,000 manufacturing jobs. Last year, the unemployment rate reached its lowest level in half a century. Unemployment rates for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Americans without a high school degree, and disabled Americans have logged record lows. The Trump economy is bringing workers off the sidelines after they were left behind for years. The prime-age labor force has expanded by 2.3 million under President Trump after shrinking by almost 1.6 million under the previous administration.

LIFTING UP ALL AMERICANS President Trump’s pro-growth policies are reducing inequality and benefiting Americans who were previously left behind. Nearly 2.5 million Americans have been lifted out of poverty, including nearly 1.4 million children. The poverty rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans hit new lows in 2018. Wages are rising faster for the bottom 10 percent of earners

increase for the top 1 percent of households.

DELIVERING REAL GAINS FOR FAMILIES American families are benefiting from President Trump’s pro-growth policies. Real household wealth has increased by nearly $12 trillion since the start of 2017. The President’s historic efforts to cut costly regulations are projected to increase household incomes by $3,100 a year. The domestic energy boom is resulting in real savings for families. The shale energy revolution saves American families an average of $2,500 a year. The President is expanding affordable healthcare and childcare options for families. Eliminating the individual mandate penalty, expanding Association Health Plans, and expanding short-term plans are expected to generate $450 billion in economic benefits. Doubling the Child Tax Credit has saved nearly 40 million families an average of $2,200.

ECONOMY AND JOBS The economy has come roaring back to life under President Trump. The stock market has hit record high after record high, helping more Americans build wealth and secure their futures. Through needed tax cuts and reform, the Administration will bring jobs back to our country. The President is helping U.S. workers by expanding apprenticeship programs, reforming job training programs, and bringing businesses and educators together to ensure high-quality classroom instruction and on-the-job training.

ACCELERATING UNITED STATES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

than for the top 10 percent of earners, and wage growth for

President Trump’s FY 2021 Budget Commits to Double

employees has surpassed wage growth for managers.

Investments in Key Industries of the Future.

Since President Trump’s historic tax reform, the lowest

In a time of great power competition, President Trump’s FY

earners have enjoyed faster wage gains than every other

2021 Budget puts America in position to maintain its global

income group.

leadership in science and technology for generations to come. g

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Unemployment rates for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Americans without a high school degree, and disabled Americans have logged record lows.

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President Trump’s FY 2021 Budget invests $142.2 billion in Federal Research and Development (R&D), a 6 percent increase over his FY 2020 budget.

The American AI Initiative directed Federal agencies to prioritize artificial intelligence in their annual budget requests. The FY 2021 budget delivers on this request.

The President’s Budget prioritizes the Industries of the Future and commits to double R&D spending in nondefense Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Information Science (QIS) by 2022.

The Initiative also called for the development of the first ever agency-by-agency report of nondefense AI R&D spending. This report identified $1 billion in nondefense R&D for FY 2020, establishing a benchmark for measuring nondefense AI R&D budgets in the future.

President Trump is the first President in American history to include AI and QIS as Administration R&D priorities. Since his inauguration, the Trump Administration has supported historic investments in R&D, bold national strategies, a pro-growth regulatory agenda, and a commitment to the American workforce. Beyond R&D, the FY 2021 Budget includes investments in education and job training that will help create a diverse and highly skilled American workforce to support the Industries of the Future. At the National Science Foundation, an additional $50 million will go toward AI and QIS workforce development, with a focus on community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutions.

QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE President Trump’s FY 2021 Budget greatly bolsters Federal QIS R&D funding with aggregate investment across key agencies increasing by more than 50 percent relative to the FY 2020 Budget, putting QIS R&D on the path to double by 2022. National Science Foundation investment in QIS research will double to $230 million, an additional $120 million over FY 2020.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The Department of Energy Office of Science spending on QIS research will increase to $237 million, which will boost QIS efforts at the national laboratories and in academia and industry. This represents a nearly $70 million increase over FY 2020.

The President’s FY 2021 Budget includes a significant increase in nondefense AI R&D compared to the FY 2020 Budget and is on a path to double nondefense AI R&D by 2022.

The President’s Budget includes $25 million for the Department of Energy Office of Science to support early stage research for a quantum internet.

This increase brings spending for AI R&D and interdisciplinary research institutes at the National Science Foundation to more than $830 million, which represents a more than 70 percent increase over the FY 2020 budget.

The development of a network of quantum computers and quantum devices holds promise for creating new technologies, improving the security of our communications, and allowing dramatic advances in computing.

The Department of Energy’s Office of Science will invest $125 million in AI research, a $54 million increase over FY 2020.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s National Quantum Coordination Office issued a Strategic Vision for America’s Quantum Networks, which provides the QIS research community with specific recommendations to focus quantum internet R&D activities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide $100 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative competitive grants program to enhance application of advanced technology, including AI, in agricultural systems. The National Institutes of Health will invest $50 million for new research on chronic diseases using AI and related approaches. In regards to Defense AI R&D, DARPA is investing $459 million in AI R&D, an increase of $50 million from FY 2020, and the Department of Defense’s Joint AI Center is increasing its budget from $242 million in FY 2020 to $290 million in FY 2021.

BACKGROUND President Trump launched the American AI Initiative, the United States national strategy for AI leadership, in February 2019.

BACKGROUND In December 2018, President Trump signed into law the bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Act, which greatly accelerated QIS R&D investment and coordination. The FY 2020 Budget jumpstarted the R&D spending called for by the legislation with at least half a billion dollars for QIS R&D across the Federal Government. As directed by the legislation, the White House established the National Quantum Coordination Office to harmonize QIS efforts across the Federal agencies. The TRUMP RALLY Publication

Winning the

Trade

The Falling D T

he US president Donald J. Trump emerges with the economy intact and his credibility enhanced. Trump has the upper hand. The US has greater geopolitical power and bigger GDP per capita. The American economy remains strong, with expanding employment and a fast, though slowing growth rate of 2.1% in the most recent period. President Trump’s tough line on China has shaken loose more apparent concessions from the Chinese than previous administrations managed. The previous, longstanding policy of constructive engagement, using persuasion couched in the language of mutual benefits, bore little fruit. As part of the deal, China has agreed to increase its purchases of products from the United States. With the US economy booming, unemployment at historic lows, and real wages finally rising after decades of stagnation, it’s hard to spin the narrative that the trade war has hurt the United States.

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SOLAR PANEL AND WASHING MACHINE IMPORTS INJURE US INDUSTRIES October 31, 2017 USITC Recommends Remedies The US International Trade Commission (USITC) finds that imports of solar panels and washing machines have caused injury to the US solar panel and washing machine industries and recommends President Trump impose “global safeguard” restrictions. January 22, 2018 Trump Imposes Safeguard Tariffs President Trump approves global safeguard tariffs on $8.5 billion in imports of solar panels and $1.8 billion of washing machines, a relatively rare move historically even when the president is granted the authority to do so.

e War:

g Deficit February 5, 2018 China Investigates US Exports of Sorghum The Chinese government self-initiates antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of roughly $1 billion of US exports of sorghum. While this is not an explicit retaliation linked to Trump’s tariffs on solar panels and washing machines, the coincidence of timing suggests a repeat of China’s retaliatory response to President Obama’s imposition of a safeguard tariff on tires in September 2009. April 17, 2018 China Imposes Preliminary Tariffs on US Sorghum The Chinese government announces preliminary antidumping duties of 178.6 percent on imports from the United States of sorghum. g

“A Trump Administration will end that war by getting a fair deal for the American people. The era of economic surrender will finally be over.” – Donald J. Trump

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May 14, 2018 Korea Files World Trade Organization (WTO) Disputes South Korea challenges the solar panel and washing machine tariffs through the WTO, claiming they violate WTO rules. May 18, 2018 China Ends Tariffs on US Sorghum During Negotiations China’s Commerce Ministry announcement comes as US and Chinese negotiating teams meet to resolve trade disputes. August 14, 2018 China Files WTO Dispute Against US Solar Panel Tariffs China’s Commerce Ministry announces a formal case alleging that US tariffs have damaged China’s trade interests.

STEEL AND ALUMINUM AS NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS April 20, 2017 National Security Investigations Commence President Trump instructs Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to self-initiate two investigations into whether steel (April 20) and aluminum (April 27) imports threaten US national security under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. February 16, 2018 National Security Investigation Results The Department of Commerce releases its reports finding

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imports of steel and aluminum products threaten US national security under the rarely-used Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. March 1, 2018 Tariff Announcement Trump announces forthcoming tariffs on all trading partners of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum under national security grounds. March 7, 2018 EU Threatens to Rebalance in Response The European Union announces its planned retaliatory response if it were to be hit with tariffs. This includes filing a formal World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute, safeguard restrictions of its own, and a “rebalancing” of trade with the United States through almost immediate imposition of its own 25 percent tariff on $3.4 billion of US exports such as cranberries, Harley Davidson motorcycles, blue jeans, and bourbon. March 8, 2018 Steel and Aluminum NAFTA Tariff Exemptions Trump issues formal steel and aluminum tariff proclamations effective March 23, but exempts Canada and Mexico, pending his view of the outcome of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation talks.

March 22, 2018 More Tariff Exemptions Trump issues revised formal steel and aluminum tariff proclamations, further exempting the European Union, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia—in addition to Canada and Mexico as previously announced—but only through May 1, 2018. March 23, 2018 Tariffs Go into Effect Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs go into effect with exemptions for selected countries. March 28, 2018 Korea Receives Permanent Exemption for Steel, But Faces Quota Korea agrees to reduce steel exports to the United States in return for a permanent exemption from the steel tariff. April 2, 2018 China Retaliates China imposes retaliatory tariffs on aluminum waste and scrap, pork, fruits and nuts, and other US products, worth $2.4 billion in export value in 2017. This compares to the US steel and aluminum tariffs covering Chinese exports worth $2.8 billion in 2017. April 30, 2018 US Extends Tariff Exemptions The Trump administration extends the steel and aluminum tariff exemptions provided to the European Union, Canada, and Mexico until June 1, 2018. Korea’s aluminum tariff exemption ends. Argentina, Australia, and Brazil receive indefinite exemptions for steel and aluminum tariffs while finalizing details on “satisfactory alternative means to address the threatened impairment to the national security” by the imports. June 1, 2018 US Ends Tariff Exemptions for EU, Canada, and Mexico The United States moves forward with 25 percent tariffs on steel and 10 percent on aluminum for the European Union, Canada, and Mexico by ending their previously granted exemptions effective June 1. The three trading partners supplied almost half of US steel and aluminum imports in 2017. As of June 1, Argentina has quotas for steel and aluminum in return for permanent tariff exemptions for both metals. Brazil has quotas on steel, with differing amounts on semi-finished and finished steel products, and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum. Australia remains the only trading partner for steel and aluminum without trade restrictions. June 22, 2018 EU Retaliates on Iconic American Goods The European Union activates its previous tariff threat on the United States, with an initial list covering $3.2 billion of US products in 2017. Steel and aluminum make up 34 percent of the affected products, while the rest are agricultural and food products, and other consumer goods. Specific items include bourbon whiskey, motor boats and yachts, motorcycles, blue jeans, corn, and peanut butter. Harley-Davidson announced on June 25 it was shifting additional motorcycle production outside the United States to avoid the retaliatory tariffs.

July 1, 2018 Canada Strikes Back Canada imposes tariffs on US products totaling $12.8 billion in 2017. Half of the targeted goods are steel and aluminum. American agricultural and food products make up 19 percent, and 24 percent are other consumer goods. Steel products face a 25 percent tariff, while the remaining products are hit at a 10 percent rate. July 16, 2018 Trump Administration Files WTO Challenges The US Trade Representative files separate disputes at the World Trade Organization against Canada, China, the European Union, Mexico, and Turkey, challenging the tariffs each WTO member imposed in response to President Trump’s aluminum and steel trade actions meant to protect US national security interests. Collectively, the five economies have retaliated with tariffs on US exports worth $24 billion in 2017. July 24, 2018 Subsidies for American Farmers After Export Fallout The US administration announces it will subsidize American farmers for up to $12 billion for their lost export sales resulting from all of the president’s tariff actions (including other tariffs on Chinese goods) using a law that supported farmers during the Great Depression. August 10, 2018 Higher Rates for Turkey President Trump announces he will increase the steel tariff rate imposed on Turkey from 25 percent to 50 percent in response the depreciation of the Turkish lira. In a tweet, he also states that the aluminum tariff rate for Turkey will be raised to 20 percent, up from 10 percent. August 14, 2018 Turkey Retaliates Turkey announces new tariffs on imports from the United States, including cars, alcohol, and tobacco, in response to President Trump’s August 10 doubling of US tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum. November 15, 2018 Steel Tariffs Have Hit Poor Countries the Hardest In the first six months of steel tariffs, strong economic growth actually increased US imports of steel by 2.2 percent, but small and poor countries saw a 12 percent decline in steel export volumes to the United States and 15.5 percent less revenue, relative to the six months prior to the tariffs. December 20, 2018 Steel Jobs Come at a High Cost A PIIE study finds that Trump’s steel tariffs have raised the price of steel products by almost 9 percent, creating 8,700 jobs in the US steel industry. However, steel users pay an extra $650,000 for each job created. May 17, 2019 US Lifts Tariffs on Canada and Mexico The United States agreed to remove steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico on May 21, a move that could boost the g

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chances of all three countries ratifying the pending US-CanadaMexico Agreement (USMCA). Canada and Mexico will remove their retaliatory tariffs on US goods, which include agricultural and consumer products.

UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES FOR TECHNOLOGY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP)

June 15, 2019 India Retaliates after Losing Special Trade Status India implements retaliatory tariffs against US exports in response to Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs of March 2018. India had announced the tariffs in mid-2018. Reports tie India’s action to the Trump administration’s decision on June 5, 2019, to increase tariffs on India by removing the country from the US Generalized System of Preferences program for developing countries.

August 18, 2017 USTR Self-Initiates Investigation of China US Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer self-initiates an investigation of China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, after President Trump’s memorandum of August 14, 2017, instructing him to consider whether to investigate any of China’s laws, policies, practices, or actions that may be unreasonable or discriminatory and that may be harming American intellectual property rights, innovation, or technology development.

January 24, 2020 Trump Broadens Tariffs Trump imposes new tariffs on almost $450 million of steel and aluminum products to help industries suffering from his previous tariffs. They mostly hit imports from allies such as Taiwan, Japan, and the European Union, as well as China.

March 22, 2018 Unfair Trade Practices Investigation Results The Trump administration releases its report finding China is conducting unfair trade practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Trump indicates forthcoming remedies of

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tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese products, a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute, and new rules on investment. April 3, 2018 US Threatens Tariffs The Trump administration releases its $50 billion list of 1,333 Chinese products under consideration for 25 percent tariffs, which covers $46.2 billion of US imports. The top sectors hit are machinery, mechanical appliances, and electrical equipment. April 4, 2018 China Threatens Retaliation on Autos, Aircraft, and Agriculture China publishes its list of 106 products subject to forthcoming 25 percent tariffs as retaliation for Trump’s Section 301 tariffs, covering $50 billion of China’s imports from the United States. They mostly affect US transportation (vehicles, aircraft, and vessels) and vegetable products (largely soybeans).

April 5, 2018 US Considers Additional Tariffs on $100 Billion Trump instructs trade officials to consider whether an additional $100 billion of US imports from China should be subject to new tariffs. May 29, 2018 White House Plans Tariffs After Brief “Hold” After Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the tariffs were “on hold” on May 20, the White House releases a statement that it would impose tariffs on $50 billion of goods from China shortly after announcing the final list of covered imports on June 15, 2018. June 15, 2018 US Revises $50 Billion Tariff List The US Trade Representative releases a revised list of products on which it plans to impose 25 percent tariffs, in two phases starting July 6, 2018. g

June 15, 2018 China’s Revised Retaliation List China issues an updated $50 billion retaliation list of 25 percent tariffs. It targets roughly $45 billion of US exports to China in 2017, including a lot of agricultural and food products. June 18, 2018 Trump Asks for More Tariffs In response to China’s retaliatory tariffs announced June 15, 2018, President Trump directs the US Trade Representative to identify an additional $200 billion worth of Chinese goods for additional tariffs at a rate of 10 percent. This is on top of the $50 billion list on June 15. He also threatens another $200 billion of tariffs if China retaliates again.

July 6, 2018 US and China Impose First Phase of June 15 Tariff Lists US tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese imports go into effect, the first phase of its June 15 $50 billion list. In parallel with President Trump’s tariffs, China’s tariffs on the first $34 billion of its $50 billion list of US imports also go into effect. July 10, 2018 USTR Announces $200 Billion Tariffs on China Following up on the June 18 request, the US Trade Representative releases a list of $200 billion of imports from China to be subjected to new 10 percent tariffs after public hearings in August. Intermediate goods, like computer and auto parts, make up 47 percent of the list. Consumer goods are more heavily targeted – including telephones, computers, furniture, lamps, and luggage. July 20, 2018 Trump Threatens Tariffs on All Imports from China In an interview, Trump says he is ready to impose tariffs on all US imports from China, which totaled $504 billion in 2017. The threat covers the remaining $262 billion of imports not already under previous tariffs or being investigated as previously announced under the Section 301 investigation. Capital goods and consumer products would be the primary targets, since intermediate inputs were already previously targeted, and include mobile phones, laptops, and clothing. July 24, 2018 Subsidies for American Farmers After Export Fallout The US administration announces it will subsidize American farmers for up to $12 billion for their lost export sales resulting from all of the president’s tariffs (including steel and aluminum) using a law that supported farmers during the Great Depression. A total of $27 billion of US agriculture exports are being affected, like soybeans, corn, nuts, fruit, and beef. August 1, 2018 Trump Wants 25 Percent Tariffs, Not 10 Percent Following Trump’s direction, the US Trade Representative considers a 25 percent tariff rate rather than the 10 percent rate on the list of $200 billion of imports released July 10. August 3, 2018 China Threatens $60 Billion Tariffs China warns it could add duties of 5 to 25 percent on $60 billion of US goods following Trump’s threat to raise proposed tariff rates on $200 billion of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent as well as potentially cover all $500 billion of imports from China with tariffs. August 7, 2018 USTR Finalizes Second Tranche of Tariffs The Trump administration releases a revision to the second phase of its $50 billion list, announcing that $16 billion of imports from China will be subject to a higher 25 percent tariff rate, going into effect on August 23. After public hearings, the US Trade Representative removed only 5 of the 284 products subject to the list published on June 15. Those products include alginic acid, splitting machines, containers, floating docks, and microtomes—imports worth $400 million in 2017.

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August 8, 2018 China Revises Its $50 Billion Tariff List, Removing Crude Oil China revises the second tranche of its June 15 list of $50 billion of imports from the United States with which it planned to impose 25 percent tariffs. Crude oil was removed and replaced with a number of other products. August 13, 2018 US Passes Law on Trade and National Security Trump signs the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2019 into law, which contains two key provisions on monitoring some foreign investments in the United States (FIRRMA) and outbound transfers of technology (ECRA). August 23, 2018 US and China Impose Second Phase of $50 Billion Tariffs The Trump administration followed through with imposing tariffs on $16 billion of imports from China, the second phase of the revised $50 billion list released June 15. China immediately responded with its own revised tariffs on $16 billion of US exports, also announced on June 15. These actions complete each country’s first $50 billion of tariffs originally announced in April. September 17, 2018 Trump Finalizes $200 Billion Tariff List President Trump finalizes the list of products on $200 billion of imports from China that will be subject to a 10 percent tariff that goes into effect on September 24. Trump also announced the rate will increase to 25 percent on January 1, 2019.

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September 18, 2018 China Finalizes Tariffs on $60 Billion of US Goods China announced its plan to place tariffs on $60 billion of US exports if Trump goes ahead with his recently finalized tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese exports. September 24, 2018 Next Phase of Tariffs Goes into Effect US tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports announced on September 17 take effect, along with retaliatory tariffs by China on $60 billion of US imports announced on September 18. The United States now has tariffs on 12 percent of its total imports during 2018, while the combined trading partner retaliation covers of total US exports. December 1, 2018 US-China Tariff Truce After the G-20 meeting in Buenos Aires, Presidents Trump and Xi announce a deal to halt the escalation of tariffs that were expected in January while they negotiate over trade concerns. The US statement says that if no agreement is reached by March 1, 2019, the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent. February 15, 2019 Almost 15 Percent of US Imports Are Now Protected In 2018, Trump’s actions combined with already existing tariffs have resulted in 14.9 percent of US goods imports covered by some form of trade protection, based on 2017 import data. Trump’s actions alone covered $303.7 billion, or 12.6 percent. g

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February 24, 2019 Tariff Increase Delayed President Trump announces via Twitter that he will delay the tariff increase on $200 billion of imports from China that had been scheduled to go into effect on March 1, 2019. The 10 percent tariffs would have been raised to 25 percent.

May 13, 2019 China Plans to Hike Tariff Rate In retaliation for President Trump’s tariff rate increase on May 10, China announced that on June 1, it intends to increase the tariff rate covering some of the $60 billion of US exports it had already hit in September.

April 2019 Concerns Emerge over Possible Deal In the weeks leading up to a potential deal with China, the media reports that the US-China tariffs will not be lifted by any agreement. Statements from US business interests and labor unions also indicate the potential deal may contain few Chinese commitments to curb industrial subsidies, a key request by the Trump administration.

June 1, 2019 China Raises Retaliatory Tariffs China’s tariff rate hike on US exports goes in effect, covering $36 billion of the $60 billion list from September 2018. Given that China has also lowered tariffs on US competitors since the start of the trade war, there is now a 14-percentage point difference in China’s average tariff on US goods versus the rest of the world’s goods.

May 5, 2019 Trump Renews Tariff Threats In a sudden reversal during the US-China trade negotiations, President Trump tweets (later officially confirmed) that the United States will increase the 10 percent tariff on $200 billion of imports from China to 25 percent on May 10, 2019. He also indicates he will “shortly” impose 25 percent tariffs on the rest of US imports from China not yet targeted with his Section 301 tariffs, which he states are “325 Billion Dollars” and would mostly hit final consumer products such as toys, footwear, clothing, and electronics. May 10, 2019 US Raises Tariff Rate on Previous List Imports from China that were previously hit by a 10 percent tariff under the September 2018 action are now subject to a 25 percent rate.

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August 1, 2019 US Announces Tariffs on Almost All Remaining Imports from China Immediately following another round of US-China trade talk, President Trump said the United States would impose a 10 percent tariff (not 25 percent as earlier threatened) on an additional $300 billion of imports from China, going into effect September 1, 2019. August 13, 2019 Trump Plans Two Major Rollouts of Fall 2019 Tariffs The Trump administration plans to impose the new 10 percent tariff on $112 billion of imports from China starting September 1, 2019, then $160 billion on December 15, 2019. The September 1 tariffs hit a lot of clothing and shoes, and the December 15 tariffs hit toys and consumer electronics. The timing helps importers avoid tariffs on goods typically bought for back-to-school and winter holiday shopping.

August 23, 2019 China Retaliates and Trump Announces More Tariffs China releases its plan to retaliate on $75 billion of US exports, effective September 1 and December 15, 2019, in response to Trump’s forthcoming tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods. The most significant change is that China will increase its average tariff on US autos from 12.6 to 42.6 percent. Later the same day, Trump said he would apply a 15 percent tariff, not 10 percent, on the $112 billion list on September 1 (includes clothing, shoes, other back-to-school items) and the $160 billion list on December 15 (includes toys, consumer electronics). He also said the current 25 percent tariff on $250 billion of Chinese goods will increase to 30 percent, starting October 1. September 11, 2019 China Removes a Few Tariffs, Trump Moves Date China announces it will exclude 16 products (less than $2 billion of US exports) from its retaliatory tariffs imposed in 2018, such as some animal feeds, chemicals, and petroleum products. President Trump plans to delay his tariff increase on $250 billion of Chinese imports from 25 to 30 percent, originally set out on August 23, 2019, from October 1 to October 15. October 11, 2019 Trump Cancels October Tariffs, Points to “Phase One” of Deal with China Trump announces the October 15 tariff increase on $250 billion of US imports from China (25 percent raised to 30 percent) will not go ahead as planned. He also states negotiations had

resulted in a forthcoming “substantial phase one deal” with China, “subject to getting it written.” December 13, 2019 Trump Calls Off December Tariffs in Anticipation of Deal Trump calls off the scheduled December 15 tariff increase and indicates his administration and China have reached agreement on the legal text of an 86-page deal that will be signed in January 2020. January 15, 2020 Leaders Sign Phase One Deal Under the agreement, China agrees to purchase the extraordinary amount of an additional $200 billion worth of US exports. Most tariffs remain in effect, and China does not address subsidies or state-owned enterprises—major issues that prompted the trade war. February 14, 2020 Phase One Deal Goes into Effect Average US tariffs on imports from China remain more than six times higher than before the trade war began in 2018. Average Chinese tariffs on down only slightly from when the deal was announced in December 2019. Chinese commitments to buy an additional $200 billion of US exports will likely rely heavily on purchases by state-owned enterprises. Article by Chad P. Bown and Melina Kolb, Peterson Institute for International Economics. www.piie.com

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eyewear, fragrances, yachts, and aircrafts. Some say he was

and inheritance left to

born into to living this luxe and lavish life and some say he has

him by his father, Fred

misled his way to the top… but we can all say that Donald J.

Trump, who established

Trump is a great diplomat, and a proven success regardless of

a real estate empire in

anyone’s opinion.

New York City.

President Donald J. Trump, the controversial real estate mogul who was elected as the 45th president of the United States, has boasted widely about having a net worth of more than US $10 billion. Forbes lists President Trump's 2018 net worth at $3.1 billion. That makes him the 259th-richest person in the country. While Trump dropped eleven spots on Forbes' ranking as compared to the previous year and slid 138 spots since he announced his presidential bid in 2015, he is nevertheless one of the wealthiest US Presidents.

• As a businessman, Donald Trump has a record of bankruptcies and business failures, but also several wins in branding himself and the Trump name across several platforms such as The Apprentice. • As president, his ongoing business interests have raised concern for some that politics and profits may violate the emoluments clause of the constitution.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

THE TRUMP FAMILY FORTUNE

• Donald J. Trump was a real estate magnate and reality TV

Trump's father, Frederick Christ "Fred" Trump, made a sizable

star before becoming president of the United States.

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fortune by building and selling housing for American soldiers g

P BRAND

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Some say he was born into to living this luxe and lavish life and some say he has misled his way to the top… but we can all say that Donald J. Trump is a great diplomat, and a proven success regardless of anyone’s opinion.

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TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL in Las Vegas, NV, named for real estate developer and politician Donald Trump. The luxury property’s windows are gilded with 24-carat gold.

and their families in World War II. It was at his father's real estate

it seemed nothing could stop Trump’s meteoric rise in the

company that Trump got his start in business.

1980s, even the most ambitious real estate tycoons are at the

In 1971, he took control of his father's apartment rental company, Elizabeth Trump & Son Co., and later on, he renamed it The Trump Organization. Trump stuck mostly with real estate investments during this period, particularly condo associations, huge apartment buildings, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-backed housing, all in the New York metropolitan area. Trump hit a milestone in 1980 when he teamed up with the Holiday Inn, Corp.,– at the time the parent company of Harrah's casino resorts – to develop a $250 million hotel and casino complex in Atlantic City, named Harrah's at Trump Plaza. Eventually, Trump would buy out his partners and rename the property Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. Following the successful launch of Trump Plaza, Trump purchased a second property in Atlantic City from Hilton Hotels for a sum of $320 million. After the hotel chain had failed to obtain a gaming license, Trump renamed this latest purchase, Trump Castle.

mercy of city bylaws. When Trump purchased an apartment building and an adjacent hotel in Manhattan, his plans for a large condominium tower on the site were curtailed by the city’s rent control programs. In 1985, Trump unveiled his plans for an $88 million complex on the West Side of Manhattan, dubbed 'Television City.' However, community opposition and a lengthy approval process ended Trump’s vision for the project. These two failures pale in comparison to the setbacks that would soon befall the Trump organization. In 1990, when the booming real estate market of the 1980s began to decline, many of Trump’s highly leveraged investments began to weigh heavily on the company’s balance sheets.

TRUMP FACES BANKRUPTCY Ultimately, in the early 1990s, Trump’s winning streak ground to a halt. The national economy started to slow down, and New York's economy stalled, causing Trump’s income streams to

TRUMP’S SETBACKS

dwindle. Soon, he found it difficult to make the interest payments

Back in New York, Trump purchased the Plaza Hotel in 1988 for

His annual loan payments were $300 million. The Trump

over $400 million and spent an additional $50 million renovating

Organization and its subsidiaries owed $9 billion and Trump's

and redecorating under his wife, Ivana Trump’s, direction. While

personal debt totaled $975 million. g

on the debt he'd accrued to finance his different businesses.

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VIEW FROM DAMAC HILLS overlooking Trump golf course and club, Dubai United Arab Emirates.

To avoid having to file for bankruptcy, Trump met with four of his

principal payments on Trump's outstanding loans. Some of

major lenders, Citibank (C), Bankers Trust, Chase Manhattan

Trump's debts were paid down with funds from the sale of his

Bank, and Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co.—now owned by

assets, which included an airline company (Trump Shuttle) and

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association. The banks were

a yacht (which was sold to Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin

concerned that if they foreclosed on his properties they, too,

Talal). Trump also sold his controlling stake in the Plaza Hotel

would lose tremendous amounts of money.

and turned his Florida beach house, Mar-a-Largo, into a resort.

AN ADDITIONAL LOAN

The Trump Organization famously revealed it was $5 billion

In the end, Trump convinced the banks to loan him an additional

Donald Trump personally. The business survived thanks to a

$65 million, which he'd use to keep his businesses afloat.

combination bailout and deferment by more than 70 banks.

The banks also agreed to defer, for five years, the interest and

Many point to the 1988 purchase of the Taj Mahal Casino as a

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in the hole in 1990, with as much as $1 billion guaranteed by

major catalyst for the Trump debt cycle. There is some truth in this, particularly after Trump unsuccessfully tried to finance the construction of its sister casinos in 1989 through mostly junk bonds.

enterprises, including more casinos. The early 1990s were tumultuous for the Trump Organization and Donald's business prospects. In 1991 and 1992, two of Trump’s Atlantic City casinos (the Trump Taj Mahal and the

RESULTS OF THE BAILOUT PACKAGE

Trump Plaza Hotel) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which

The bailout package allowed him to take out second and

debt, in 1991, Trump was forced to cede 50% of ownership in

third mortgages on most of his properties. Leverage became

the Taj Mahal to his bondholders in exchange for lower interest

a common theme for Trump, who notoriously dealt with

payments and extra deferments. Shortly after, Trump combined

bankruptcy four times. Trump used the extra rope from his

his three Atlantic City casinos, forming a single company, called

lenders to shore up debt, build up his rents and purchase other

Trump Entertainment Resorts. g

allowed them to restructure their debt. As a result of the onerous

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1995 AND THE TRUMP TURNAROUND Fortunes began to change in 1995. That year, Trump established Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts, Inc. and took the company public, eventually selling 13.25 million shares at $32.50 a share in 1996 for a tidy capital gain of $290 million over his original

Later in 1995, Trump purchased the old Bank of Manhattan Trust building located at 40 Wall Street. This building would go on to become one of his most famous properties. Trump claims he bought the building for just $1 million. The building was available

ownership stake.

at a discount however after another deal with former Filipino

Also, in the mid-1990s one of Trump's initial investments,

the building became desperate. The net value of this building,

the Grand Hyatt building that opened in 1980, became wildly successful. Trump quickly sold his stake back to Hyatt for a reported $140 million.

THE ENTRANCE TO TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB, a private golf club owned by President Donald. Located in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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President Ferdinand Marcos fell through, and the owners of best-known as the Trump Building, is now worth $327 million according to Forbes.

TRUMP’S INHERITANCE Fred Trump died in 1999 with an estimated net wealth between $250 million and $300 million according to a New York Times article at the time of death. While the specific amount Trump inherited from his father has not been revealed, a January 2016 article from the New York Times shows that Trump's will divided $20 million after taxes among his living children including Donald. Further, in 2003, it was reported that Donald and his siblings sold

a portion of their father’s real estate holdings for around half a billion dollars. In addition to this inheritance, Trump’s father helped the mogul financially throughout his lifetime by giving him loans and access to trust funds and establishing a wealth of real estate and political connections for his son. An October 2018 report in the New York Times alleges that Trump engaged in dubious practices that helped his parents evade taxes and enriched him in the process. g

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THE APPRENTICE Trump got his start on TV as a wrestling character on the World Wrestling Entertainment’s Wrestlemania in the 1980s and never

an arrangement, a developer pays Trump a licensing fee. In exchange, they're given permission to brand their building with the Trump name and logo.

looked back, eventually starring in a reality TV show about his

Trump benefits by receiving a regular stream of royalties, while

business called, The Apprentice. Trump’s name recognition

the developer can increase the rates she charges because

skyrocketed after The Apprentice aired in 2004.

the Trump name signifies high quality and luxury. According

In each season, more than a dozen contestants vied for a sixfigure paying managerial position at one of Trump's many companies. A press statement issued by the Trump presidential campaign states that during the ten-year history of The Apprentice and its spin-off series The Celebrity Apprentice, Trump made a total of $214 million.

THE TRUMP BRAND If you want to understand Trump the billionaire you have to look past Trump the real estate investor. You have to think of Trump as a brand name, just like Coca-Cola Co. or Nike Inc.

to Trump, his real estate licensing deals, intellectual property, brands, and branded development is worth more than $3.3 billion. However, Forbes pegs this number at around $253 million. In addition to real estate, Trump has lent his name to a diverse list of products ranging from mattresses and apparel to fragrances and furniture. These licensing deals contribute to Trump's annual income. In 2014 alone, Trump brought in $3.25 million via consumer products licensing. Trump found another way to monetize his outspoken nature — by charging speaking fees for conferences and other functions. Between May 2014 to March 2015, he spoke at several

Many of the properties that bear the Trump name aren't

engagements and charged as much as $450,000 for each

actually owned by the mogul. The Trump Organization has been

presentation. Overall speaking engagements contributed $1.75

known to partner with developers in licensing deals. In such

million to Trump's income during that period alone. g

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TRUMP’S BOOKS

November 2015 book, Crippled America: How to Make America

While Trump gained prominence and notoriety in the 80s through

that the billionaire received book royalties amounting anywhere

his business deals and colorful television appearances, he skyrocketed to a new level of fame when he released his first book. The Art of the Deal was released in November 1987. It spent 51 weeks on the bestseller list and has sold around one million

Great Again. Trump's 2015 personal financial disclosure revealed from $85,000 to $215,000 in 2014.

TRUMP’S REAL ESTATE FORTUNE TODAY

copies thus far according to most reports.

Though the Trump empire spans many industries, real estate

The Art of the Deal is making headlines again in 2016, following

Trump's real estate income is derived from many different types

a controversial interview in The New Yorker with the book’s coauthor Tony Schwartz. Schwartz claims he wrote “every word,” of the popular book. “Donald Trump made a few red marks when I handed him the manuscript, but that was it,” he said in an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America. Schwartz, who observed Trump almost daily for 18 months when

development and acquisitions have always been its core business. of property. The Trump Organization, for example, owns hundreds of residential units and office spaces that create regular rental income. According to Forbes, The Trump Hotel Collection and real estate licensing brought in $128 million in 2014.

THE BOTTOM LINE

penning The Art of the Deal describes Trump as a dangerous

Donald J. Trump has launched an empire, based largely on

sociopath whose successes were mythicized in The Art of the

his name. Taking on large loans, Trump constructed many

Deal. Schwartz says he now regrets writing the book: “I feel a deep

luxury hotels, apartments, and casinos, which have become

sense of remorse that I contributed to presenting Trump in a way

iconic monuments to the excess and exuberance of the 1980s.

that brought him wider attention and made him more appealing

However, Trump’s businesses have faced four bankruptcies

than he is,” Schwartz told The New Yorker.

throughout the years. The most recent one was in 2009 when

In response to Schwartz’s Good Morning America interview and New Yorker article, Trump’s camp has issued Schwartz a ceaseand-desist letter and has asked Schwartz to send a check to Trump for the royalties generated from The Art of the Deal, plus his advance. The president's disclosure revealed that The Art of the Deal generated royalties of $50,000 to $100,000 in 2015. A disclosure also reported income between $1 million and $5 million for his TRUMP NATIONAL DORAL MIAMI is a golf resort in Doral in south Florida in the United States. It was founded by real estate pioneer Alfred Kaskel in 1962.

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Trump Entertainment Resorts was ravaged by the 2008 recession. Though he has faced near financial ruin and multiple business bankruptcies, Trump's branded products and real estate licenses remain popular and have helped to land him on the Forbes 400 for several decades. Article Provided by Investopedia and requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. To learn more about Investropedi go to Investopedia.com and for the resources used for this article visit Investropediacom/ update-trump-rich/.

t is an honor to be able to have anything to do with the reelection of President Donald J Trump.

I am a 72-year-old Marine Sergeant veteran and am the youngest of thirteen children. I spent four years in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1970, and I am very proud of my service. I loved the discipline that the Marine Corps taught me and the respect for the chain of command that is essential for the system to operate properly. I come from a lineage of veterans: my father was in the Army and fought in World War I; my brother, Bob, was in the Army Air Corps and built and flew gliders into Normandy on D-Day; my other brother, Charles, was in the Marine Corps; and my third brother, Anthony, was a twenty-five-year Army First Sergeant and a thirty-month Prisoner of War (POW) survivor during the Korean War; and my last brother, Richard, was also in the Army. President Trump will never let the memory of our past military men and women be forgotten. He has rebuilt our military into the greatest force in the world after past administrations destroyed it. He created another branch of service, the United States Space Force, that will help defend our country for years to come with high technology and weapons that other nations will fear. I love watching President Trump approach Air Force One or Marine One and salute the military personnel that serve him and our country. It shows his respect and care for them. I really believe a Marine taught him how to salute because he does it properly. President Trump is not a career politician and he has done everything and more than he promised during his 2016 election campaign. Imagine how much more the President can accomplish with another four years in the White House. This is a very important election as our country is at a crossroad where we either protect our Constitution and live free, or turn into a socialist society. President Trump is clearly the only true choice. I believe that after President Trump serves his next four years, he will be remembered as the greatest President ever. I pray for him and his administration every day that God will give them the wisdom and courage to keep doing what is best for America and keep God in our everyday lives. Freedom is not free. Many of our veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our Constitution and our way of life over the history of out great nation. Semper Fi to my brothers and sisters. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. God Bless America and keep it great.

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2020

is not

1966

Free By Kenneth Ludwig

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PRESIDENT GREETS SAILORS after entering the hangar bay of USS Gerald R Ford. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cathrine Mae O.

COMMANDER in 114

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IN THE 21ST

By Jim Lamb

“As Commander in Chief, I never forget for one instant the immense sacrifices we ask of those who wear this nation’s uniform.” – President Donald J Trump

n the evening before Thanksgiving, 2019, a Boeing 747 with the distinctive color scheme of light blue, deep blue, white, and tan was parked on the tarmac of Palm Beach International Airport with an American flag on its tail and a presidential seal below and catty-corner to the cockpit. By all outward appearances, its primary passenger was in for the night, looking forward to a relaxing day at Mar-a-Lago, but looks can be deceiving. In fact, as Air Force One stood idle, Donald J Trump, 45th president of the United States, was on his way to see US troops in Afghanistan. During the surprise visit, the president served up dinners that included turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes to about two dozen troops. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, broadcast from New York, was the featured entertainment. Among the things the president told those gathered: “There’s nowhere I’d rather celebrate this Thanksgiving than right here with the toughest, strongest, best, and bravest warriors on the face of the Earth.” g

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In July 2017, the hat of a Marine standing by the president’s helicopter flew off at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. President Trump bent down, picked up the hat, walked over to the Marine, and placed it on his head. The serendipitous interaction was captured on video. It went viral. In February 2020, President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. They stood at attention in the rain and saluted as two flag-draped caskets were carried from a C-17 Globemaster and put into an awaiting vehicle. One casket carried the remains of Sergeant Javier Jaguar Gutierrez of San Antonio, Texas; the other held the remains of Sergeant Antonio Rey Rodriguez of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The two 28-year-old servicemen were killed in Afghanistan. Serving Thanksgiving dinner to the troops, retrieving a Marine’s cap, honoring fallen soldiers – such is the life of a Commander in Chief in the 21st Century. In his book The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency, John Dickerson of 60 Minutes writes that, “The presidency is a job of unrelenting difficult decisions.” He notes that Dwight D Eisenhower told his successor John F Kennedy, “There are no easy matters that will ever come to you as president. If they are easy, they will be settled at a lower level.” Writing for The Atlantic, Dickerson had this to say about the presidency: “No one man – or woman – can possibly represent the varied, competing interests of 327 million citizens. And it may be that no man – or woman – can perform the ever-expanding duties of office while managing an executive branch of 2 million employees (not including the armed forces) charged with everything from regulating air pollution to X-raying passengers before they board an airplane.”

THE US MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT held its graduation and commissioning ceremony for the Class of 2020 on The Plain in West Point, New York, June 13, 2020. In attendance were commencement speaker President Donald J Trump, Secretary of the Army Ryan D McCarthy and Chief of Staff of the Army General James C McConville. Photo by Brandon O’Connor.

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Even when the nation was young, its population paltry, and its leadership battle-tested, governing wasn’t easy. Little wonder, then, that 11 of America’s first 23 chief executives were generals: George Washington, Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S Grant, Rutherford B Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A Arthur, and Benjamin Harrison. Since then, only one president possessed such a high-level military pedigree: Dwight Eisenhower, a five-star general who served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War Two. Of course, not every general wants to be president. William Tecumseh Sherman, who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War, was clear about his intentions: “I hereby state, and mean all that I say, that I never have been and never will be a candidate for president; that if nominated by either party, I should peremptorily decline; and even if unanimously elected I should decline to serve.” Some presidents who did serve departed the highest office in the land with less-than positive memories regarding their time as chief executive. Here are a few: “I did not expect to encounter what has beset me since my elevation to the presidency. God knows, I have endeavored to fulfill what I considered to be an honest duty, but I have been mistaken; my motives have been misconstrued and my feelings grossly betrayed.” – Zachary Taylor

“No man will ever carry out of the presidency the reputation which carried him into it.”

– Thomas Jefferson

“The presidency is no bed of roses.”

– James K Polk

“When you get to be president, there are all those things, the honors, the 21-gun salutes, all those things. You have to remember it isn't for you. It’s for the presidency.” – Harry S Truman “The presidency has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger than he was; and no matter how big, not big enough for its demands.” – Lyndon B Johnson “The presidency has many problems, but boredom is the least of them.” – Richard M Nixon

There are many reasons why, as Polk noted, “the presidency is no bed of roses.” Conflict is one of them. Here’s a sampling of what American presidents have faced as Commandersin-Chief: War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War One, World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War, Iraq War, the ongoing War on Terror. One of the significant matters on every president’s agenda is to rally the troops on a regular basis – most notably by visiting America’s military academies for commencement addresses, a duty President Trump has embraced with enthusiasm on multiple occasions. Here are a few highlights: g

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COAST GUARD ACADEMY – Class of 2017 “This is truly an amazing group of cadets that are here today for commission. You could have gone to school anywhere you wanted – and with very, very few responsibilities by comparison. Instead, you chose the path of service. You chose hard work, high standards, and a very noble mission – to save lives, defend the homeland, and protect America’s interests around the world. You chose the Coast Guard. Good choice. Good choice. “From the first stormy days of your Swab Summer to your final weeks as a first-class cadet, you have been expected to take responsibility, to make decisions, and to act. You have to act, and you have to act properly. And you have to learn how to act under great, great pressure. “Just days from now, you will put this vital skill into the service of your ships, your sectors, and your country. You’ll serve as deck watch officers on our amazing Coast Guard cutters. You’ll bring law and order to the dangerous waters as boating officers. You will block illegal shipments of cash, weapons and drugs. You will battle the scourge of human trafficking. Something that people haven’t been talking about. One of the big, big plagues of the world. Not our country only, the world. Human trafficking. “Adversity makes you stronger. Don’t give in. Don’t back down. And never stop doing what you know is right. Nothing worth doing ever, ever, ever came easy. And the more righteous your right, the more opposition that you will face.”

NAVAL ACADEMY – Class of 2018 “The word impossible does not exist, because Navy never quits. “You don’t give up. You don’t give in. You don’t back down. And you never surrender. Wherever you go, wherever you serve, wherever your mission takes you, you only have one word in mind, and that’s victory. That is why you are here. “Each of you inherits the legacy of the heroes who came before you. It’s a living history passed down from officer to officer and generation to generation. Each of you will make your own mark on the Navy, the Marine Corps, the military, and the history of our great nation. Seize today and you will shape tomorrow. “Each of you enters service at a truly exciting time for our country. For we are witnessing the great re-awakening of the American spirit and of American might. We are building a modern fleet manned by the greatest sailors. We’re sharpening the fighting edge from Marines infantry squads to combat ships to deliver maximum, lethal force. The enemy has to know we have that. We are re-committing to this fundamental truth: We are a maritime nation. Being a maritime nation, we are surrounded by sea. We must always dominate that sea. We will always dominate the oceans. We are showing what we can achieve when natural American confidence is backed by unrivaled American power and unquestioned American resolve. 118

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“As long as we are united with the same mission, the same purpose, the same patriotic heart, we will win, because we are one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God.”

AIR FORCE ACADEMY – Class of 2019 “The first air combat happened just one century ago. You are the ones who will invent and define the next generation of air warfare. And you are the ones who will secure American victory all the time. Victory. To dominate the future, America must rule the skies. “This class has racked up a list of truly extraordinary achievements. Two graduating cadets recently received one of the most prestigious awards in all of academia: Rhodes scholarships. “On the athletic fields, the Air Force has won 15 conference championships over the last four years, which is really something. A hundred and fifty-three athletes have earned All-American honors. “More than half of you will soon head to pilot training, where you will prepare to unleash American thunder anywhere we need. Another 45 will join our Remotely Piloted Aircraft program. A record number of you will become space operators. You will specialize in combat rescues, intelligence, missile maintenance, weather, air traffic control, engineering, and much, much more. “It is a time for America to reclaim the ultimate high ground and prepare our young warriors of today for victory on the battlefield tomorrow. It’s a very different battlefield. It’s a very different type of warfare. But we are so advanced. And when you see what’s coming, you won’t even believe it. And hopefully, you know what? Hopefully, we never have to use it. Peace through strength. Peace through strength. “As your Commander in Chief, I want you to know that we will pursue and maintain the overwhelming strength we need to deter any aggressor and thrash any foe.”

WEST POINT – Class of 2020 “The members of this class have come from every state in our union. You have come from the farms and the cities, from states big and small, and from every race, religion, color, and creed. But when you entered these grounds, you became part of one team, one family, proudly serving one great American nation. You became brothers and sisters pledging allegiance to the same timeless principles, joined together in a common mission to protect our country, to defend our people, and to carry on the traditions of freedom, equality, and liberty that so many gave their lives to secure. You exemplify the power of shared national purpose to transcend all differences and achieve true unity. Today, you graduate as one class, and you embody one noble creed, duty, honor, country. “The survival of America and the endurance of civilization itself depends on the men and women, just like each of you, depends on people who love their country with all their heart and energy and soul. g

“The survival of America and the endurance of civilization itself depends on the men and women, just like each of you, depends on people who love their country with all their heart and energy and soul.” -- Donald J. Trump

Photo by US Army.

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“It was the graduates of West Point, towering figures like MacArthur, Patton, Eisenhower, and Bradley who led America to victory over the sinister Nazis and imperial fascists 75 years ago. “It was under the leadership of West Point graduates like the legendary General Matthew Ridgway, that the army was at the forefront of ending the terrible injustice of segregation. It was army strength that held the line against brutal opposition and depression from communism. And it has been thanks to patriots like you, that America has climbed to new heights of human achievement and national endeavor. This is your history, this is the legacy that each of you inherits.” Now there’s a sixth branch of the service starting to write the opening chapter of its legacy: The United States Space Force (USSF). It’s the first new branch since the Air Force was created in 1947. USSF was established on December 20, 2019, the result of a directive that President Trump signed the previous February. Here’s what President Trump said during a signing ceremony at Joint Base Andrews: “Space is the world’s new war-fighting domain. Among grave threats to our national security, American superiority in space is absolutely vital. And we’re leading, but we’re not leading by enough, and very shortly we’ll be leading by a lot.”

Space Force’s Budget for 2020 is 40 million dollars; its proposed budget for 2121 is about 15 billion dollars. The new military branch is currently operating out of Colorado’s Peterson Air Force Base, home to its predecessor, the Space Command, since 1987. No location has been officially chosen for the new Space Force’s headquarters, though the president has indicated Colorado is being “very strongly” considered. “We’ll be making that decision toward the end of the year,” he said. USSF hearkens back to the Kennedy era, including a speech JFK made at Rice University in 1962: “Space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man. And only if the United States occupies a position of preeminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theatre of war. I do not say that we should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space, any more than we go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea.” As Commander in Chief, President Trump has not been shy about framing his own legacy: “I am for the strongest military that the United States ever had.”

USSF’s goal is to “organize, train, and equip space forces in order to protect US and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force. Its responsibilities include developing military space professionals, acquiring military space systems, maturing the military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces to present to the Combatant Commands.”

A bold remark to be sure, but one that might have been appreciated by the Prussian general and military theorist Carl von Clausewitz who once said: “No military leader has ever become great without audacity.”

Here’s what Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said: “Our reliance on space-based capabilities has grown dramatically, and today outer space has evolved into a war-fighting domain of its own.”

Loren Thompson, Forbes Senior Contributor for Aerospace & Defense, has written what he believes were the “Top Five Steps Trump Has Taken To Prepare the US Military for Whatever Comes Next.”

President Trump chose General John Raymond to serve as the Space Force's first Chief of Space Operations. He is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and he previously served more than 35 years in United States Air Force.

Readiness: “The Trump Pentagon launched a multi-phase process to rebuild the military. In 2017, it would increase spending on readiness. In 2018, it would sustain funding for readiness – training, maintenance, etc. – while filling ‘holes’ in the military posture such as inadequate stocks of precision munitions. In 2019, it would begin making down payments on increased lethality to cope with the challenges posed by Russia and China, and in 2020, it would go fullbore on buying a new generation of weapons.”

“We are elevating space commensurate with its importance to our national security and the security of our allies and partners,” General Raymond said.

But the president has combined his words with actions.

PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP speaks to service members and their families onboard Naval Air Station Sigonella during an all-hands call. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon.

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Investment: “The Trump team greatly increased funding for development and procurement of new weapons. Outlays for R&D increased over 50 percent between 2016 and 2020, while outlays for the procurement of weapons rose 35 percent. Much of this money was devoted to fielding a new generation of war-fighting systems, including a more survivable bomber, longer-range rotorcraft and unmanned systems.” Modernization: “Recapitalization of the nation’s aging nuclear arsenal was the first major military initiative Trump cited when he announced he intended to seek the presidency. Deterring nuclear attacks by sustaining a diverse and survivable retaliatory force has long been the foundation of the US defense posture, but by the time Trump decided to run the entire strategic arsenal had grown old, including its command and control network and its industrial complex.” Space: “The Trump Administration has launched a major effort to increase the resilience of US space assets, which includes making orbital capabilities more survivable, protecting ground systems, and rendering downlinks/uplinks harder to jam or intercept. Much of the new money is going to secret projects such as sophisticated sensor arrays, but the organizational manifestations of increased emphasis on space are easy to see: a sixth branch of the military called the Space Force, a unified command, a dedicated Space Development Agency, and other bureaucratic constructs.” Allies: “President Trump has not been shy about telling allies they must do more to support collective security. That goes particularly for the European members of NATO [The North Atlantic Treaty Organization], many of whom have stopped thinking rigorously about the military threat posed by Russia.” Thompson closes his assessment with this observation: “From hypersonic weapons to multi-domain warfare to soldier lethality, Trump has done more to rebuild US war-fighting capabilities than any president since Reagan.” And the president did more than just add a branch to the services and dollars to the military budget: He has held men and women who serve in high esteem and honored them accordingly. The 2020 State of the Union was just such an occasion and Charles McGee was just such a person. During the Second World War, McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots, flew a P-51B Mustang that he had nicknamed “Kitten” after his wife. He spent more than 30 years in the Air Force and was honored with awards numerous times, including the Congressional Gold Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star.

“I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office,” Trump said. “General McGee, our nation salutes you. Thank you, sir.” Among those applauding McGee’s achievements was his 13-year-old great-grandson Iain Lanphier who wants to attend the US Air Force Academy and eventually join the newly instituted Space Force. Also present at the 2020 State of the Union was Kelli Hake whose husband, Staff Sergeant Christopher Hake, was killed by a roadside bomb in 2008 during his second deployment to Iraq. “Sergeant Hake now rests in eternal glory in Arlington. And his wife, Kelli, is in the gallery tonight, joined by their son, who is now 13 years old and doing very, very well,” Trump said. “To Kelli and Gage, Chris will live in our hearts forever. He is looking down on you now. Thank you.” Perhaps one of the most heart-warming and surprising moments came when Amy Williams from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was honored. Amy, who works full time and volunteers to help other military families, is married to Sergeant 1st Class Townsend Williams. “Amy’s kids haven't seen their father’s face in many months,” the president said. “Amy, your family’s sacrifice makes it possible for all of our families to live in safety and in peace. And we want to thank you.” The Commander in Chief announced a “special surprise” for her family. “I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back from deployment,” President Trump said. “He is here with us tonight. And we couldn’t keep him waiting any longer.” Sergeant Williams entered the gallery and greeted his wife and children, prompting many to chant: “USA! USA! USA!” Honoring military men and women as well as their families has been a tradition at recent State-of-the-Union addresses. In 2018, one such guest was Corporal (Retired) Matthew Bradford. In 2007, he stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Iraq and was blinded when shrapnel struck his eyes. He also lost both legs. After multiple surgeries and extensive therapy, Bradford re-enlisted in the Marine Corps; the first blind, double-amputee to do so. He is now an inspirational speaker who shares his story with audiences, capturing their attention with his motto: “No Legs, No Vision, No Problem.” Another special guest was Preston Sharp. The president told members of Congress that the youngster had noticed that some graves of veterans were not marked with flags on Veterans Day. He decided that trend needed to change, so he came up with this mission statement:

“After more than 130 combat missions in World War II, he came back home to a country still struggling for civil rights and went on to serve America in Korea and Vietnam,” Trump said of McGee. “On December 7th, Charles celebrated his 100th birthday.”

“Veterans fought for our freedoms and risked their lives whether or not we realized it or appreciated it. Without the services of our veterans, we would not have the freedoms we do today. Veterans have served all of us. This is why I have made it my mission to Honor Veterans everyday, not just the holiday.”

The president had previously signed a bill promoting McGee to Brigadier General.

Among the results of his campaign: Ten of thousands of flags have been placed on the graves of veterans. g The TRUMP RALLY Publication

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A SUPPORTER OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP waits for his arrival at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base. US Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Chloe Ochs.

“Young patriots, like Preston, teach all of us about our civic duty as Americans,” the president said, adding that, “Preston’s reverence for those who have served our nation reminds us of why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance, and why we proudly stand for the National Anthem.” Later in his speech, the president emphasized that those who’ve served deserve more than just lip service when their service is over. That’s why, he explained, he’d signed the landmark VA Accountability Act. “Since its passage, my administration has already removed more than 1,500 VA employees who failed to give our veterans the care they deserve. And we are hiring talented people who love our vets as much as we do,” he said. “I will not stop until our veterans are properly taken care of, which has been my promise to them from the very beginning of this great journey.” Taking care of those who’ve served goes hand-in-hand with the president’s stated objective of supplying those currently serving with the tools and training they need to succeed. “As part of our defense, we must modernize and rebuild our nuclear arsenal,” he said, “hopefully never having to use it, but making it so strong and so powerful that it will deter any acts of aggression by any other nation or anyone else.” Though optimistic about the future, he remained pragmatic: “Perhaps someday in the future, there will be a magical moment when the countries of the world will get together to eliminate their nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, we are not there yet, sadly.” While committed to helping the military deal with the high-tech challenges it faces, the president is well-aware that low-tech weapons can also have devastating results. “Army Staff Sergeant Justin Peck is here tonight,” the Commander in Chief said during his 2018 address. “Near Raqqa, last November,

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Justin and his comrade, Chief Petty Officer Kenton Stacy, were on a mission to clear buildings that ISIS had rigged with explosive so that civilians could return to that city hopefully soon, and hopefully safely.” But danger is always lurking just around the corner in such deadly environments. “Clearing the second floor of a vital hospital, Kenton Stacy was severely wounded by an explosion. Immediately, Justin bounded into the booby-trapped and unbelievably dangerous and unsafe building, and found Kenton, but in very, very bad shape. He applied pressure to the wound and inserted a tube to re-open an airway. He then performed CPR for 20 straight minutes during the ground transport, and maintained artificial respiration through two and a half hours and through emergency surgery. “Kenton Stacy would have died if it were not for Justin’s selfless love for his fellow warrior. Tonight, Kenton is recovering in Texas. Raqqa is liberated. And Justin is wearing his new Bronze Star, with a ‘V’ for ‘Valor.’ “Staff Sergeant Peck, all of America salutes you. Terrorists who do things like place bombs in civilian hospitals are evil. When possible, we have no choice but to annihilate them. When necessary, we must be able to detain and question them. But we must be clear: Terrorists are not merely criminals. They are unlawful enemy combatants. And when captured overseas, they should be treated like the terrorists they are.” That explosive moment near Raqqa when Chief Petty Officer Kenton Stacy was wounded helps remind Americans that virtually every day military personnel step into life-and-death situations. It’s such dedication and commitment, despite distractions and detractors, that make up the core of a speech delivered by Theodore Roosevelt at the Sorbonne in Paris on April 23, 1910. Though formally entitled “Citizenship in a Republic,” it’s more popularly known as “The Man in the Arena.” Here’s an excerpt: g

“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” When he spoke at Annapolis, President Trump, who in his life has stepped into “The Arena” on more than one occasion, had this to say: “Together we struggle. Together we strive. Together we pray. And together we triumph as citizens, as patriots, as Americans. We stand on the shoulders of heroes who gave their sweat, their blood, their tears, and their very lives for this great country of ours. This is our heritage. This is our home. And this is our pledge. We are all-in for America, like never before. We are all-in for our great country.” Nowhere was that “all-in” attitude more evident than during World War Two, which, as President Trump has noted, resulted in a massive clash of wills and weapons. “This year marks the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II – a monumental struggle between the forces of freedom and tyranny. In both the European and Pacific Theaters, the United States Army was critical to the success of the Allied Forces. The historic triumph came at a somber price, as the Army bore the brunt of the fighting – and human cost – of our Nation’s contribution to victory in the war. As we celebrate the United States Army’s incredible accomplishments, we also pause to remember those Soldiers who laid down their lives to defend our freedom and protect their fellow Americans.” Citizen-soldiers have volunteered to step into “The Arena” for a long time. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army to fight for the nation’s independence. Blood was shed at the birth of America just as blood is being shed now to keep the promise of freedom alive.

PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP WAVES as he exits Marine One onboard Naval Air Station Sigonella. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon.

“In the 245 years since, the United States Army has helped defend our freedom all over the world and has made countless contributions to our Nation’s security and the American way of life,” the president said, adding that “We recognize the United States Army for its many achievements and pay tribute to all those who have served in America’s oldest military branch. “This year, we celebrate our brave soldiers – active, guard, and reserve, past and present – who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way and make the ultimate sacrifice for our country during times of both war and peace. As Commander in Chief, I join a grateful Nation in wishing the United States Army a happy 245th birthday.” As a part of that celebration, America has built (though not yet opened) a 185,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, that holds 15,000 pieces from the Army Art Collection as well as 30,000 artifacts, documents, and images, the majority of which have never been displayed in public. Its official name: The National Museum of the United States Army. “This is a home for our soldiers,” said Tammy E. Call, the museum’s Director. “This is a gathering place … to bring their families, to bring their friends, and to be able to showcase where they served and what they did – and be able to tell that story.” The stories of America’s Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen continue to be written: stories of heroics and victories; sadness and loss. Some will be shared in quiet moments of comfort and pain; others will be shared in exhilaration and joy, such as when President Trump in his capacity as Commander in Chief spoke to the graduating class at Annapolis:

THE US MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT held its graduation and commissioning ceremony for the Class of 2020 on The Plain in West Point, New York, June 13, 2020. US Army Photo by Sergeant First Class Torin Olsen.

“Live for adventure. Think big. Dream bigger. Push further. Sail faster. Fly higher. And never, ever stop reaching for greatness. Never stop reaching for the stars. You know you’re up to the task. You’re among the finest people anywhere in the world, the smartest, the strongest. You know you will make us proud. We know that glory will be yours because you are winners. You are warriors. You are fighters. You are champions, and you will lead us only to victory.” Jim lamb is a retired journalist. He served in Vietnam with the United States Navy and later went to college on the GI Bill.

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By Raymond Frey

The Best is Yet to Come

he Vietnam

I am a dedicated and committed supporter of President

War was

Trump. To me, President Trump epitomizes the values

starting to heat

that I hold most dear, the ones that I and so many fought

up in 1965-66.

and sacrificed for. President Trump is a giver, not a taker; a doer, not a talker. He has the welfare of our great

I gave up my

nation and our people first and foremost in his mind and

college deferment

his agenda. He is the archetype for a great American

during my

patriot – self-made with a potent love for his country. He

Junior year to

is willing to sacrifice himself by taking on the swamp, the

volunteer for the

unelected bureaucrats, the dark state, and our so-called

Military Draft in February of 1966. I was drafted three

allies head on. The Washington establishment and

months later and trained at Fort Riley, Kansas. I was in

the professional politicians have done nothing for our

Vietnam by January of 1967. I was trained as a Military

country and our people for the last 50-60 years. They

Policeman, but served in various duties within the

have all taken excellent care of themselves. America

G-2/G-3 Sections of the 9th Infantry Division (Plans/

needs President Trump as an outsider with no political

Operations/Intelligence).

motive other than to sharpen America for the better. We need him as an experienced businessman to invest

My Unit was stationed in 4-Corps, south of Saigon, now

his wealth of knowledge into America. He is the only

known as Ho Chi Minh City. Our primary duty was to block

President of the United States that will leave the White

the southern approach to Saigon. The 9th Division was

House with less wealth than when he came in.

the only Division to train and deploy to Vietnam as a full Division. The 9th Division was also part of the Mobile

I would encourage all citizens who are about to vote

Riverine Force, a joint US Army and US Navy force that

in November to think about yourself, your family, your

comprised a substantial part of the Brown-Water Navy of

children, and your grandchildren. What type of future do

the Mekong Delta.

you want? President Trump wants to give all of the US and our citizens the two most important needs in our life:

The duty to my nation called me to volunteer. I have

peace and prosperity.

always been a great patriot, prioritizing the freedom of my country over my own life. The Vietnam War, and many

President Reagan once said, “We are one generation away

other events that occurred in the 1960s, was an ugly time

from losing our Freedom.” President Trump represents

in history for the US. It was a decade of radical tension and

what is good for America. The radical left only offers

war, on domestic and foreign fronts. The 1960s changed

destruction, obstruction, loss of freedoms and negativity.

the nation. The War took a mental and physical toll on the

We can and will do better. The best is yet to come!

country and on myself. But the country and myself alike, were able to persevere and flourish into a great nation

Vote Trump in 2020 to help keep America Great.

and a proud patriot. I cannot imagine not having served my country in a time of war and during pivotable time in history.

God Bless America!

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PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP A

THE MEDAL O

ormer US President Harry S Truman said he would rather have the Medal of Honor than be president of the

United States. No wonder. The Medal

UNITED STATES

ARMY

part of an assault element inserted by helicopter into a location in Afghanistan. As the assault element was moving up a mountain toward its objective, it was

of Honor (MOH) is the most prestigious

engaged by intense enemy machine gun,

and highest ranked US military award

sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire.

bestowed for bravery on the battlefield.

The lead portion of the assault element,

It is also the hardest to earn. There have

which included the ground commander,

been only 3,525 MOHs awarded since

sustained several casualties, and became

its establishment. Sadly, 624 of them

pinned down on the sheer mountainside.

have been awarded posthumously. The

Sergeant Williams, upon hearing that the

number of awards pales in comparison to

lead element had sustained casualties

the plethora of stories that compose the

and was in danger of being overrun,

medal’s glorious history.

braved intense enemy fire to lead a counterattack across a valley of ice-

The Medal of Honor dates to 1861. The Army and Navy needed a medal for bravery for US Warfighters during the American Civil War. Traditionally, awards for battlefield bravery had never been a priority for the either service.

US Army Photo by Sergeant Kevin Roy.

President Donald J Trump presents the Medal of Honor to US Army Master Sergeant Matthew O Williams during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, 30 October 2019. Photo Credit: Sergeant Keisha Brown.

The few available prior to the Civil War were temporary in nature and not always associated with honor or bravery.

I WILL ALWAYS PLACE THE MISSION FIRST I WILL NEVER ACCEPT DEFEAT I WILL NEAVER QUIT I WILL NEVER LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE

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covered boulders and a fast-moving, ice cold, and waist-deep river. Under withering fire, Sergeant Williams and his local national commandos fought up the terraced mountainside to the besieged element. Arriving at the lead element’s position, Sergeant Williams

SERGEANT MATTHEW O WILLIAMS

arrayed his Afghan commandos to provide suppressive fire, which kept the

Sergeant Matthew O Williams

insurgent fighters from overrunning the

distinguished himself by acts of gallantry

position. When the Team Sergeant was

and intrepidity above and beyond the

wounded, Sergeant Williams braved

call of duty on 6 April 2008, while serving

enemy fire once again to provide buddy-

as a Weapons Sergeant, Special Forces

aid and to move the Team Sergeant down

Operational Detachment Alpha 3336,

the sheer mountainside to the casualty

Special Operations Task Force-33, in

collection point. Sergeant Williams then

support of OPERATION ENDURING

fought and climbed his way back up the

FREEDOM. Sergeant Williams was

mountainside to help defend the lead g

P AWARDING AMERICA’S BEST

L OF HONOR

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129

assault element that still had several

him, Staff Sergeant Bellavia fired at the

serious casualties in need of evacuation.

enemy position at a cyclic rate, providing

Sergeant Williams directed suppressive

covering fire that allowed the squad to

fire and exposed himself to enemy fire

break contact and exit the house. A Bradley

in order to reestablish the team’s critical

Fighting Vehicle was brought forward to

satellite radio communications. He then

suppress the enemy; however, due to high

assisted with moving the wounded

walls surrounding the house, it could not

down the near-vertical mountainside

fire directly at the enemy position. Staff

to the casualty collection point. Noting

Sergeant Bellavia then re-entered the house

that the collection point was about to

and again came under intense enemy fire.

be overrun by enemy fighters, Sergeant

He observed an enemy insurgent preparing

Williams led the Afghan commandos in a counterattack that lasted for several hours. When helicopters arrived to evacuate the wounded, Sergeant Williams again exposed

his platoon. Recognizing the grave danger the grenade posed to his fellow soldiers, Staff Sergeant Bellavia assaulted the enemy position, killing one insurgent and

himself to enemy fire, carrying and

wounding another who ran to a different

loading casualties onto the helicopters

part of the house. Staff Sergeant Bellavia,

while continuing to direct commando firepower to suppress numerous

130

to launch a rocket-propelled grenade at President Donald J Trump presents the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant David G Bellavia during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, 25 June 2019. US Army Photo by Sergeant Kevin Roy.

STAFF SERGEANT DAVID G BELLAVIA

realizing he had an un-cleared, darkened room to his back, moved to clear it. As

insurgent positions. His actions

Staff Sergeant David G Bellavia

he entered, an insurgent came down the

enabled the patrol to evacuate wounded

distinguished himself by acts of gallantry

stairs firing at him. Simultaneously, the

and dead comrades without further

and intrepidity above and beyond the

previously wounded insurgent reemerged

casualties. Sergeant Williams’ complete

call of duty on 10 November 2004, while

and engaged Staff Sergeant Bellavia. Staff

disregard for his own safety and his

serving as a squad leader in support of

Sergeant Bellavia, entering further into the

concern for the safety of his teammates

OPERATION PHANTOM FURY in Fallujah,

darkened room, returned fire and eliminated

ensured the survival of four critically

Iraq. While clearing a house, a squad from

both insurgents. Staff Sergeant Bellavia

wounded soldiers and prevented the

Staff Sergeant Bellavia’s platoon became

then received enemy fire from another

lead element of the assault force from

trapped within a room by intense enemy

insurgent emerging from a closet in the

being overrun by the enemy. Sergeant

fire coming from a fortified position under

darkened room. Exchanging gunfire, Staff

Williams’ actions are in keeping with

the stairs leading to the second floor.

Sergeant Bellavia pursued the enemy up

the finest traditions of military service

Recognizing the immediate severity of the

the stairs and eliminated him. Now on the

and reflect great credit upon himself,

situation, and with disregard for his own

second floor, Staff Sergeant Bellavia moved

Combined Joint Special Operations Task

safety, Staff Sergeant Bellavia retrieved an

to a door that opened onto the roof. At this

Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations

automatic weapon and entered the doorway

point, a fifth insurgent leapt from the third-

Command Central, and the United

of the house to engage the insurgents.

floor roof onto the second-floor roof. Staff

States Army.

With enemy rounds impacting around

Sergeant Bellavia engaged the insurgent

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through a window, wounding him in the

himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity

his own safety. In this critical and selfless

back and legs, and caused him to fall off the

above and beyond the call of duty on 1

act of valor, Staff Sergeant Atkins saved

roof. Acting on instinct to save the members

June 2007, while serving in the position

the lives of the three other soldiers who

of his platoon from an imminent threat,

of Squad Leader with Company D, 2d

were with him and gallantly gave his life

Staff Sergeant Bellavia ultimately cleared an

Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2d

for his country. Staff Sergeant Atkins’

entire enemy-filled house, destroyed four

Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain

undaunted courage, warrior spirit, and

insurgents, and gravely wounded a fifth.

Division, in support of OPERATION

steadfast devotion to duty are in keeping

Staff Sergeant Bellavia’s bravery, complete

IRAQI FREEDOM. While manning a static

with the highest traditions of military

disregard for his own safety, and unselfish

observation post in the town of Abu

service and reflect great credit upon

and courageous actions are in keeping with

Samak, Iraq, Staff Sergeant Atkins was

himself, the 2d Brigade Combat Team, and

the finest traditions of military service and

notified that four suspicious individuals,

the United States Army.

reflect great credit upon himself and the

walking in two pairs, were crossing an

United States Army.

intersection not far from his position. Staff Sergeant Atkins immediately moved his squad to interdict the individuals. One of the individuals began behaving erratically, prompting Staff Sergeant Atkins to disembark from his patrol vehicle and approach to conduct a search. Both individuals responded belligerently toward Staff Sergeant Atkins, who then engaged the individual he had intended to search in hand-to-hand combat. Staff Sergeant Atkins tried to wrestle the insurgent’s

US Army photo by Specialist James Harvey.

President Donald J Trump posthumously awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins at the White House in Washington DC, 27 March 2019. Atkins’ son, Trevor Oliver, speaks to those in attendance at the ceremony. Atkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in Abu Sarnak, Iraq. US Army photo by Specialist James Harvey.

STAFF SERGEANT TRAVIS W ATKINS Staff Sergeant Travis W Atkins distinguished

arms behind his back. When he noticed the insurgent was reaching for something under his clothes, Staff Sergeant Atkins immediately wrapped him in a bear hug and threw him to the ground, away from his fellow soldiers. Staff Sergeant Atkins maintained his hold on the insurgent,

White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.

The Medal of Honor is presented to former US Army Staff Sergeant Ronald J Shurer II during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, 1 October 2018. White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.

STAFF SERGEANT RONALD J SHURER II

placing his body on top of him, further

Staff Sergeant Ronald J Shurer II

sheltering his patrol. With Staff Sergeant

distinguished himself by acts of gallantry

Atkins on top of him, the insurgent

and intrepidity above and beyond the

detonated a bomb strapped to his body,

call of duty on 6 April 2008, while serving

killing Staff Sergeant Atkins. Staff Sergeant

as a Senior Medical Sergeant, Special

Atkins acted with complete disregard for

Forces Operational Detachment Alpha g

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131

132

3336, Special Operations Task Force-33,

enemy

in support of OPERATION ENDURING

fire to

FREEDOM. Staff Sergeant Shurer was part

get to the

of an assault element inserted by helicopter

other Soldier’s

into a location in Afghanistan. As the assault

location in order

element moved up a near vertical mountain

to treat his lower

toward its objective, it was engaged by fierce

leg, which had been almost

enemy machine gun, sniper, and rocket-

completely severed by a high-caliber

propelled grenade fire. The lead portion of the

sniper round. After treating the Soldier, Staff

assault element, which included the ground

Sergeant Shurer began to evacuate the

commander, sustained several casualties, and

wounded, carrying and lowering them down

became pinned down on the mountainside.

the sheer mountainside. While moving down

Staff Sergeant Shurer and the rest of the

the mountain, Staff Sergeant Shurer used

trailing portion of the assault element were

his own body to shield the wounded from

likewise engaged by enemy machine gun,

enemy fire and debris caused by danger-

sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire.

close air strikes. Reaching the base of the

As the attack intensified, Staff Sergeant

mountain, Staff Sergeant Shurer set up a

Shurer braved enemy fire to move to an

casualty collection point and continued

injured Soldier and treat his wounds. Having

to treat the wounded. With the arrival of

stabilized the injured Soldier, Staff Sergeant

the medical evacuation helicopter, Staff

Shurer then learned of the casualties among

Sergeant Sharer, again under enemy fire,

the lead element. Staff Sergeant Shurer fought

helped load the wounded into the helicopter.

his way up the mountainside, under intense

Having ensured the safety of the wounded,

enemy fire, to the lead element’s location.

Staff Sergeant Shurer then regained control

Upon reaching the lead element, he treated

of his commando squad and rejoined the

and stabilized two more Soldiers. Finishing

fight. He continued to lead his troops and

those lifesaving efforts, Staff Sergeant Shurer

emplace security elements until it was time

noticed two additional severely wounded

to move to the evacuation landing zone for

Soldiers under intense enemy fire. The bullet

the helicopter. Staff Sergeant Shurer’s actions

that had wounded one of these Soldiers had

are in keeping with the finest traditions of

also impacted Staff Sergeant Shurer’s helmet.

military service and reflect great credit upon

With complete disregard for his own life, Staff

himself, Combined Joint Special Operations

Sergeant Shurer again moved through enemy

Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations

fire to treat and stabilize one Soldier’s severely

Command Central, and the United States

wounded arm. Shortly thereafter, Staff

Army. In 2020 Staff Sergeant Ronald J Shurer II

Sergeant Shurer continued to brave withering

died due to lung cancer.

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armor could have on the Battalion, Lieutenant Conner immediately volunteered to run straight into the heart of the enemy assault to get to a position from which he could direct friendly artillery on the advancing enemy forces. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Conner maneuvered 400 yards through enemy artillery fire that destroyed trees in his path and rained shrapnel all around him, while unrolling telephone wire needed to communicate with the Battalion command US Army photo by Specialist Anna Pol.

Pauline Lyda Wells Conner, the spouse of US Army 1st Lieutenant Garlin M Conner, and their son Paul Conner, at the White House in Washington, DC, 26 June 2018. Conner was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving as an intelligence officer during World War II, 24 January 1945. US Army photo by Specialist Anna Pol.

FIRST LIEUTENANT GARLIN M CONNER

post. Upon reaching the Battalion’s front line, he continued to move forward under the enemy assault to a position 30 yards in front of the defending United States forces, where he plunged into a shallow ditch that provided minimal protection from the advancing enemy’s heavy machine gun and small arms fire. With rounds impacting all around him, Lieutenant Conner calmly directed multiple fire missions, adjusting round after round of artillery from his prone position, until the enemy was forced

First Lieutenant Garlin M Conner distinguished

to halt its advance and seek cover behind

himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity

a nearby dike. For three hours, Lieutenant

while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th

Conner remained in this compromised position,

Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the

enduring the repeated onslaught of German

morning of 24 January 1945, near the town of

infantry which, at one point, advanced to

Houssen, France, German forces ferociously

within five yards of his position. As German

counterattacked the front left flank of the 7th

infantry regrouped and began to mass in an

Infantry Regiment with 600 infantry troops, six

overwhelming assault, Lieutenant Conner

Mark VI tanks, and tank destroyers. Lieutenant

ordered friendly artillery to concentrate directly

Conner, having recently returned to his unit

on his own position, having resolved to die

after recovering from a wound received in an

if necessary, to destroy the enemy advance.

earlier battle, was working as the Intelligence

Ignoring the friendly artillery shells blanketing

Officer in the 3d Battalion Command Post

his position and exploding mere feet from

at the time of the attack. Understanding the

him, Lieutenant Conner continued to direct

devastating effect that the advancing enemy

artillery fire on the enemy assault swarming g

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ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

The Medal of Honor dates to 1861. The Army and Navy needed a medal for bravery for US Warfighters during the American Civil War.

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around him until the German attack was finally broken. By his heroism and disregard for his own life, Lieutenant Conner stopped the enemy advance. The artillery he expertly directed, while under constant enemy fire, killed approximately fifty German soldiers and wounded an estimated one hundred more, preventing what would have undoubtedly been heavy friendly casualties. His actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

US Army photo by C. Todd Lopez.

President Donald Trump places the Medal of Honor around the neck of Captain Mike Rose, during a 23 October 2017 ceremony at the White House, in Washington, DC. US Army Photo by C Todd Lopez.

SERGEANT GARY M ROSE Sergeant Gary M Rose distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Special Forces Medic with a company-sized exploitation force, Special Operations Augmentation, Command and Control Central, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of g

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Vietnam. Between 11 and 14 September

to treat the wounded, estimated to be

1970, Sergeant Rose’s company was

half of the company’s personnel. On 14

continuously engaged by a well-armed and

September, during the company’s eventual

numerically superior hostile force deep

helicopter extraction, the enemy launched

in enemy-controlled territory. Enemy B-40

a full-scale offensive. Sergeant Rose, after

rockets and mortar rounds rained down

loading wounded personnel on the first set

while the adversary sprayed the area with

of extraction helicopters, returned to the

small arms and machine gun fire, wounding

outer perimeter under enemy fire, carrying

many and forcing everyone to seek

friendly casualties and moving wounded

cover. Sergeant Rose, braving the hail of

personnel to more secure positions until

bullets, sprinted fifty meters to a wounded

they could be evacuated. He then returned

soldier’s side. He then used his own body

to the perimeter to help repel the enemy

to protect the casualty from further injury

until the final extraction helicopter arrived.

while treating his wounds. After stabilizing

As the final helicopter was loaded, the

the casualty, Sergeant Rose carried him

enemy began to overrun the company’s

through the bullet-ridden combat zone to

position, and the helicopter’s Marine door

protective cover. As the enemy accelerated

gunner was shot in the neck. Sergeant

the attack, Sergeant Rose continuously

Rose instantly administered critical medical

exposed himself to intense fire as he

treatment onboard the helicopter, saving

fearlessly moved from casualty to casualty,

the Marine’s life. The helicopter carrying

Private First Class James C McCloughan

administering life-saving aid. A B-40 rocket

Sergeant Rose crashed several hundred

distinguished himself by acts of gallantry

impacted just meters from Sergeant Rose,

meters from the evacuation point, further

and intrepidity at the risk of his life above

knocking him from his feet and injuring his

injuring Sergeant Rose and the personnel

and beyond the call of duty from 13 -15

head, hand, and foot. Ignoring his wounds,

on board. Despite his numerous wounds

May 1969, while serving as a combat

Sergeant Rose struggled to his feet and

from the past three days, Sergeant Rose

medic with Company C, 3d Battalion, 21st

continued to render aid to the other injured

continued to pull and carry unconscious

Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade,

soldiers. During an attempted medevac,

and wounded personnel out of the burning

Americal Division. The company air

Sergeant Rose again exposed himself

wreckage and continued to administer aid

assaulted into an area near Tam Ky and

to enemy fire as he attempted to hoist

to the wounded until another extraction

Nui Yon Hill. On 13 May, with complete

wounded personnel up to the hovering

helicopter arrived. Sergeant Rose’s

disregard for his life, he ran 100 meters

helicopter, which was unable to land due

extraordinary heroism and selflessness

in an open field through heavy fire to

to unsuitable terrain. The medevac mission

above and beyond the call of duty were

rescue a comrade too injured to move and

was aborted due to intense enemy fire

critical to saving numerous lives over

carried him to safety. That same day, 2d

and the helicopter crashed a few miles

that four-day time period. His actions are

Platoon was ordered to search the area

away due to the enemy fire sustained

in keeping with the highest traditions of

near Nui Yon Hill when the platoon was

during the attempted extraction. Over the

military service and reflect great credit upon

ambushed by a large North Vietnamese

next two days, Sergeant Rose continued

himself, the 1st Special Forces, and the

Army force and sustained heavy casualties.

to expose himself to enemy fire in order

United States Army.

With complete disregard for his life and

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US Army photo by Eboni Everson-Myart.

President Donald J Trump hosts the Medal of Honor ceremony for former Specialist Five James C McCloughan at the White House in Washington, DC, 31 July 2017. US Army photo by Eboni Everson-Myart.

PRIVATE FIRST-CLASS JAMES C MCCLOUGHAN

Sergeant Kyle J White

personal safety, Private First-Class

nighttime resupply drop. He remained

McCloughan led two Americans into the

steadfast while bullets landed all around

safety of a trench while being wounded

him and rocket propelled grenades flew

Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter

by shrapnel from a rocket propelled

over his prone, exposed body. During

Staff Sergeant Clinton L Romesha

grenade. He ignored a direct order to stay

the morning darkness of 15 May, Private

Sergeant 1st Class Leroy A Petry

back and braved an enemy assault while

First Class McCloughan knocked out a

Staff Sergeant Salvatore A Giunta

moving into the “kill zone” on four more

rocket propelled grenade position with

occasions to extract wounded comrades.

a grenade, fought and eliminated enemy

Sergeant 1st Class Jared C Monti

He treated the injured, prepared the

soldiers, treated numerous casualties,

Private 1st Class Ross McGinnis

evacuation, and though bleeding heavily

kept two critically wounded Soldiers

Sergeant 1st Class Paul R Smith

from shrapnel wounds on his head and

alive during the night, and organized

body, refused evacuation to safety in

the dead and wounded for evacuation

Since 1998 at least 15 other Medals of

order to remain at the battle site with

at daylight. His timely and courageous

Honor have been awarded to correct past

his fellow Soldiers who were heavily

actions were instrumental in saving the

administrative errors, oversights, and

outnumbered by North Vietnamese

lives of his fellow Soldiers. Private First-

follow-up on lost recommendations or

Army forces. On 14 May, the platoon was

Class McCloughan’s personal heroism,

because of new evidence.

again ordered to move out towards Nui

professional competence, and devotion

Yon Hill. Private First-Class McCloughan

to duty are in keeping with the highest

Here are just a few examples of Soldiers

was wounded a second time by small

traditions of the military service and

who were awarded the Medal of Honor

arms fire and shrapnel from a rocket

reflect great credit upon himself, the

from three wars. Their actions, like the

propelled grenade while rendering aid to

America l Division, and the United

other recipients of the medal, were far

two Soldiers in an open rice paddy. In the

States Army.

and above the call of duty.

from the 2nd North Vietnamese Army

Medals of Honor are awarded sparingly

During the Civil War, the job of color

Division and an element of 700 soldiers

and are bestowed only to the bravest of

bearer was one of the most hazardous

from a Viet Cong regiment descended

the brave; and that courage must be well

as well as important duties in the Army.

upon Company C’s position on three

documented. Other recent Army Medal of

Soldiers looked to the flag for direction

sides. Private First-Class McCloughan,

Honor Recipients are:

and inspiration in battle and the bearer

Captain William D Swenson

Staff Sergeant Robert J Miller

final phases of the attack, two companies

again with complete disregard for his life, went into the crossfire numerous times

was usually out in front, drawing heavy Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles

enemy fire while holding the flag high.

throughout the battle to extract wounded

Captain Florent Groberg

On 16 November 1863, regimental color

Soldiers, while also fighting the enemy.

Sergeant Henry Johnson

bearer Private Joseph E. Brandle, from

His relentless and courageous actions

Sergeant William Shemin

the 17th Michigan Infantry, participated

inspired and motivated his comrades to

1st Lieutenant Alonzo H Cushing

fight for their survival. When supplies

Command Sergeant Major

in a battle near Lenoire, Tennessee. “Having been twice wounded and the

Bennie G Adkins

sight of one eye destroyed, he still held

volunteered to hold a blinking strobe

Specialist 4 Donald Sloat

to the colors until ordered to the rear by

light in an open area as a marker for a

Staff Sergeant Ryan M Pitts

ran low, Private First-Class McCloughan

his regimental commander.” g

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Corporal Alvin C York, from the 82nd

2nd Lieutenant Craig was killed by enemy

his own wounds, he rushed across fire-

Division, fearlessly engaged the numerically

fire, but his intrepid action so inspired his

swept terrain to carry wounded Marines to

superior German force at Chatel-Chehery,

men that they drove the enemy from the

safety. When his commanding officer was

France, on 8 October 1918 – just a month

area, inflicting heavy casualties on the

severely wounded, he took command and

before the armistice was signed. His

hostile force.”

led his company into Hue City. While in

citation reads: “...After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties and three other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Corporal York assumed command. Fearlessly leading seven men, he charged with great daring toward a machine

UNITED STATES

MARINE CORPS

command of the company for three days, he led attacks against multiple enemy-fortified positions while exposing himself to enemy fire to carry wounded Marines to safety. On 6 February, at a hospital compound, he twice scaled a wall in full view of the

gun nest, which was pouring deadly and

enemy to aid wounded Marines and carry

incessant fire upon his platoon. In this

them to safety. Then-Gunnery Sergeant

heroic feat the machine gun nest was taken,

Canley’s heroic actions saved the lives of

together with four officers and 128 men and

his teammates.

several guns.”

UNITED STATES

NAVY

Valor is found across the times as well as across the ranks, as World War II 2nd Lieutenant Robert Craig, from the 3rd Infantry Division, demonstrated. According to his citation, 2nd Lieutenant Craig volunteered to defeat an enemy machine gun that three other officers before him could not. He quickly located the gun outside of Favoratta, Sicily, but without cover, he and his men found themselves

MAJOR JOHN L CANLEY

vulnerable to approximately 100 enemies. “Electing to sacrifice himself so that his

Sergeant Major John L. Canley will receive

platoon might carry on the battle, he

the Medal of Honor for his actions from

ordered his men to withdraw... while he

January 31 to February 6, 1968, while

drew the enemy fire to himself. With no

assigned to Company A, First Battalion, First

hope of survival, he charged toward the

Marines in the Republic of Vietnam. While

enemy until he was within 25 yards of them.

serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant,

Assuming a kneeling position, he killed five

he fought off multiple enemy attacks as his

and wounded three enemy soldiers. While

company moved along a highway toward

the hostile force concentrated fire on him,

Hue City to relieve friendly forces who were

his platoon reached the cover of the crest.

surrounded. On several occasions, despite

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MASTER CHIEF SPECIAL WARFARE OPERATION BRITT K SLABINSKI

As a Team Leader assigned to a Joint

approached, the accurate enemy mortar

Task Force, in the early morning hours

fire forced the team further down the

of 4 March 2002, then-Senior Chief

sheer mountainside. Carrying a seriously

Slabinski led a reconnaissance team to

wounded teammate down a sheer cliff

its assigned observation area on a snow

face, he led an arduous trek across one

covered, 10,000-foot mountaintop in

kilometer of precipitous terrain, through

support of a major coalition offensive

waist-deep snow while continuing to call

against Al-Qaida forces in the valley below.

fire on the enemy who was engaging the

Rocket-propelled grenades and small

team from the surrounding ridges. During

arms fired from enemy fighters hidden

the subsequent 14 hours, he stabilized

and entrenched in the tree lines and rocks

casualties on his team and continued

riddled the team’s insertion helicopter. One

the fight against the enemy until the

teammate was ejected from the aircraft,

mountaintop was secured by the quick

and the crippled helicopter crash landed

reaction force and his team was extracted.

on the valley floor below. Then-Senior Chief Slabinski boldly rallied his remaining team and organized supporting assets for a daring assault back to the mountain peak in an attempt to rescue their stranded teammate. Later, after a second enemyopposed insertion, then-Senior Chief

UNITED STATES

AIR FORCE TECHNICAL SERGEANT JOHN A CHAPMAN

Slabinski led his six-man joint team up

Valerie Nessel, the spouse of Technical Sergeant John Chapman, stands as the citation is read before receiving the Medal of Honor from President Donald J. Trump during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar mountain in Afghanistan on 4 March 2002. US Air Force photo by Wayne A. Clark.

team members voluntarily returned to the snow-capped mountain, into the heart of

a snow-covered hill, in a frontal assault

Sergeant Chapman’s spouse, Valerie

a known enemy stronghold, in an attempt

against two bunkers under withering

Nessel, and family will join the President

to rescue their stranded teammate.

enemy fire from three directions. He

at the White House to commemorate his

Sergeant Chapman charged into enemy

repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire

example of selfless service and sacrifice.

fire through harrowing conditions, seized an enemy bunker, and killed its enemy

as he engaged in a pitched, close-quarters firefight against the tenacious and more

Sergeant John A Chapman will receive

occupants. He then moved from cover to

heavily armed enemy forces. Proximity

the Medal of Honor posthumously for

engage a machine gun firing on his team

made air support impossible, and after

his actions on 4 March 2002, on Takur

from a second bunker. While engaging

several teammates became casualties, the

Ghar mountain in Afghanistan. During a

this position, he was severely wounded by

situation became untenable.

helicopter insertion, Sergeant Chapman’s

enemy gunfire. Despite severe wounds, he

aircraft came under heavy enemy fire and

continued to fight relentlessly, sustaining

Senior Chief Slabinski maneuvered his

was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. One

a violent engagement with multiple enemy

team to a more defensible position,

teammate was ejected from the aircraft,

personnel before paying the ultimate

directed air strikes in very close

and the crippled helicopter crash landed

sacrifice. Sergeant Chapman’s heroic

proximity to his team’s position, and

in the valley below. Sergeant Chapman

actions, at the cost of his life, are credited

requested reinforcements. As daylight

and the remaining joint special operations

with saving the lives of his teammates.

Article provide in part by army.mil/medalofhonor, whitehouse.gov and navy.mil.

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FIRST RESPONDERS TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

am a First Responder. More specifically, I am a Paramedic that works for TLC Emergency Medical Services, Inc. in Central New York. President Donald J Trump has changed the way the world looks at First Responders. He represents many things to many people, and after all, is that not what we want and expect from our President? To be a national symbol of the heart of America and a person who sets an example for all to see? His success in being that kind of President has touched all First Responders in a very special way. You see, First Responders have always seemed to be “invisible” until someone needs help. We swoop in and save a life, protect those in danger and comfort those in need. Then, we quietly slip away, back into anonymity. We take with us the images, sounds and emotions of tragedy, pain and suffering every day. If a story appears in the newspaper about a particular event we are not even mentioned except in the rarest of cases. We work for less money and benefits that you can imagine and many of us are uncompensated volunteers. It’s a hard job that requires uncommon dedication and skill. Our President has done something for us that no one has ever done before. Every time he salutes someone in uniform, every time he speaks of the importance of all First Responders, every time he stands publically with one of us we all become the recipients of new respect and recognition – a feeling that we are not accustomed to. This shift in the public consciousness has lifted our spirits and emboldened our dedication to duty. Where we were once unseen actors in the shadows we are now front and center. Every day someone comes up to us and says, “Thank you for your service.” This warms our hearts in a very special way. Frankly, we never thought this day would come – and it wouldn’t have if it were not for President Trump. He continues to stand up for one issue after another and many others have become the beneficiaries of his strength, unswerving dedication and love for our country. Because of President Trump, we are renewing our relationship with America where we had been taking her for granted. We owe him a great debt of gratitude.

Lon A Fricano, BA, EMT-P Director of Operations TLC Emergency Medical Services

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Every day someone

comes up to us and says,

“Thank you for your service.” This warms our

hearts in a very special way. Frankly, we never

thought this day would come – and it wouldn’t have if it were not for President Trump.

STANDING B

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President Trump

G Behind the Badge BY MITCHELL KRUGEL

n unwavering support for the police, the commitment to keep officers safe, and a relentless desire to give them every resource they need to do the job has made President Trump the best Commander in Chief law enforcement has ever known. Twitter tenders an organic window into the world of the real Donald Trump, a round-the-clock report of the president’s real thoughts and real agenda. Lurking at the top of his page is a picture broadcasting Mr. Trump’s devotion to what he deems as perhaps the sturdiest pillar of American protection and service. Clad in their pristine white uniforms, deputies from the Palm Beach County, Florida

Sheriff’s Office motors unit surround President Trump flashing a vibrant smile and even more vibrant thumbs up. Air Force One sets the backdrop, waiting to whisk him away from a brief respite at Mar-a-Lago. Moving parts and moving mountains to make this photo happen reveal great insight into the president’s real support of law enforcement officers, and his passion to never stop battling for the badge. Every time he breaks at Mar-a-Lago, Trump tries to find time to snap a selfie with a deputy or two. But the sheriff’s office rotates so many deputies through this detail, and they all want a photo op with their Commander in Chief. There are just never enough photo ops. So, at the end of 2018, the President of the United States implored his Secret Service agent in charge to consult with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office about mustering all the deputies in the motor unit. The Secret Service is used to such requests from the president. Because of his excruciatingly demanding schedule, agents always try to keep him moving. But when he sees law enforcement, members of the military or any other uniformed personnel who provide his security, well, he just can’t help himself. g

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To pull off this team photo, a special gate to the runway was opened. Word spread and officers from nearby law enforcement agencies, including Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens and Delray Beach, were allowed in to bring the ranks to nearly 70. The photo was snapped. And then the president walked the line to shake hands with each and every officer. “It probably sounds a little corny, but for many of these officers, this truly was the biggest thing they will ever get to do,” explained Captain Paul Vrchota, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office incident commander whenever the president comes to town. Vrchota has been in command for visits from other presidents and candidates. He did so when Hillary Clinton came through in 2016 and was there when George W Bush told Vrchota how he had the coolest job. But no leader of the free world – or anybody running for that gig – has meant as much to the police as Donald Trump. “We don’t get that same respect that we get from President Trump,” Vrchota continued. “The only way we’re able to do our jobs as law enforcement officers in this country is through the consent and support of the public. If we have a president who is vocal and supportive of law enforcement, it trickles down through the community. Something that helps us through the day is the support we get from President Trump.”

WITHOUT POLICE, THERE IS CHAOS Trump has earned distinction as the “Law and Order President” through an unwavering support for the profession that he generated even before taking office. He has consistently shown such bravery, right up to the executive order he signed in midJune confirming police is paramount. Steve Casstevens, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), wasn’t quite sure why the president summoned him to the White House in advance of that June 16 issue. He received a call on his personal cell phone a few days before: “Hi chief, this is Molly from the White House. I have President Trump on the phone.” “He could have had any number of staffers call me,” reported Casstevens, the chief of the Buffalo Grove Police Department in north suburban Illinois. “But he made the call himself.” Apparently, the president needed to assure the leader of one of the most influential law enforcement associations in the world that the order coming in the wake of historical anti-police

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protests over the death of George Floyd would not give in to public outcry. Casstevens sat in the Oval Office for nearly an hour discussing, among other topics, use of force, de-escalation, better officer training and the prohibition of using chokeholds. “Then he paused, looked directly at me and said, ‘I don’t want to do anything that hurts law enforcement,’” Casstevens detailed. “He didn’t want to see any legislation that makes officers less safe. I thought, ‘Wow, that’s impressive.’” At a time when it would have been understandable, and certainly politically correct, to waver on his support for law enforcement, Trump was at his most unwavering. He issued the executive order to encourage law enforcement agencies to implement best practices and protect the communities they serve. He was very clear that this order would raise the standard of law enforcing in the US. He was also very clear what it would not do. And why. “I strongly oppose the efforts to defund, dismantle and dissolve our police departments, especially now when we’ve achieved the lowest recorded crime rates in recent history,” the president has declared. “Americans know the truth. Without police, there is chaos; without law, there is anarchy; and without safety, there is catastrophe. We need leaders at every level of government who have the moral clarity to state these obvious facts.” Unwavering in his support for the badge? Law enforcement has never had a shadow of a doubt. Perhaps that support is a significant component of the lowest recorded crime rates in recent history.

NOT JUST TALKING THE TALK The past three and a half years have been the most encouraging and validating period for law enforcement officers in recent history, largely due to the about-face from the executive branch. Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) that represents more than 330,000 rank-and-file law enforcement officers, recalls tearing his hair out over working with the Obama Administration. Around 2014, President Barack Obama enacted a policy to disband the federal government providing surplus military equipment to law enforcement under the Federal 1933 Program. Additionally, his administration wanted to restrict the use of protective equipment like helmets and shields as though they were machine guns and bayonets.

“To give it a restriction meant filing a report every time one was used,” explained Johnson, a former Florida police officer turned attorney. “What did they want to see? ‘Somebody threw a brick at me so I put a helmet on.’ End of report.” The Trump Administration made it clear from the start that it would have no use for hair-raising treatment of law enforcement. And no here today, gone tomorrow, either. After getting elected in 2016, he immediately sent his transition team to meet with NAPO, which offered ideas for Department of Justice grants, mandating two-officer patrol cars and additional recommendations the Obama Administration more or less disregarded. The timing couldn’t have been any better for a fresh approach and a fresh start. In July 2016, four police officers were assassinated in Dallas. A month later, four more officers were gunned down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, exacerbating cold-blooded attacks on the police that, with no visible support from the government, made the job as dangerous as it had even been. NAPO was told to wait for Congress to act to protect law enforcement. Truth be told, it would have taken an act of Congress to muster any support for law enforcement at that time. The Trump Administration wasted no time in acting. Two days after the inauguration, he held a reception at the White House for all law enforcement officers who worked the event. Two weeks later, he hosted a group of county sheriffs from across the country to discuss his commitment to securing the borders and reducing crime. And less than three weeks after taking office, the president issued his first executive order that made it the policy of the executive branch to: Enforce all federal laws to enhance the protection and safety of federal, state, tribal g

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and local law enforcement; Direct the attorney general to develop a strategy to more effectively prosecute people who engage in crimes against law enforcement officers; Pursue appropriate legislation, consistent with the US Constitution’s regime of limited and enumerated federal powers, that will define new federal crimes and increase penalties for existing federal crimes in order to prevent violence against federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers. Not coincidentally, these policies were included in suggestions NAPO made to the president’s transition team and bestowed an affirmation of his pre-election pledge to bring back law and order and to bring back respect to law enforcement. From that moment on, law enforcement realized

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that their Commander in Chief did not need to set his hair on fire to defend them. “At that moment, we realized he was not just talking the talk,” praised Johnson, who attended both the signing of that first executive order in 2017 and the most recent one in June 2020. “And he continues to do that today. He recognizes officers have a right to defend themselves, and that when use of force is justified, it’s justified.” And that has only brought Trump closer to the police. “He might be unpopular for having to do that,” Johnson added. “But he is catching the same grief as officers do, and a lot of cops respect him for that.”

WE HAVE YOUR BACK The greatest statement of respect in law enforcement includes three simple words: “Got your back.” It’s not just a recognition of great professionalism. It’s a phrase of endearment passed from one law enforcer to another. Now, Mr. Trump certainly seems to be worthy of such tribute given the way he has walked the walk the past four years. But law enforcement performance can be a metrics-driven entity, especially when it comes to verifying to supervisors, directors and elected officials the prowess of programs and initiatives. Consider, then, some of the metrics resulting from Trump Administration-driven initiatives: • From 2016 to 2019, violent crime dropped 4.6 percent in the US, where violent crime spiked in each of the two years prior to the president taking office. • The national murder rate declined during his first two years in office to a 7-percent reduction after increasing each of the prior two years. • From 2016 to 2018, the number of robberies nationwide dropped by more than 50,000.

includes its friends and family and it very well might have pushed him over the top in states like Florida during the 2016 election. Subsequently, the president formed a coalition with law enforcement that has led to improving the safety of citizens and those who serve and protect him. And that prompted Kazanjian to offer some compelling words to the president that can only come from a law enforcement officer to one of their own. “I told him, ‘We have your back, Mr. President,’” Kazanjian reported. “And he looked back at me and said, ‘No, I have your back.’” Fast forward about a year and a half, and Kazanjian recalled that interaction painted against what has happened in the country since the end of May. He appraised how much backup has been coming from the president. “Federal, state and local politicians have taken our money and our endorsements and have thrown us under the bus. They don’t have our back. Joe Biden has not come out to support us,” Kazanjian continued. “Mr. Trump understands we need law and order and that the angry mob cannot dictate the narrative. That’s why he is the law and order president.”

• In 2018, the Trump Administration charged the largest number of firearms crimes defendants in the history of the country. And federal firearms prosecutions increased by 44 percent compared the last two years of the previous administration. • In reviving the 1933 program, the Trump Administration provided more than 600 million dollars worth of surplus military equipment to local law enforcement. “The previous administration did not want to make you look like a threat,” the president announced during his keynote address to the 2019 IACP conference. “I said, ‘That’s OK. We want to protect our police officers.’” Accordingly, his administration made funding available to train more than 80,000 police officers. In thinking back to a meeting he had with President Trump in 2019, Florida Police Benevolent Association President, John Kazanjian, cites another number. He conjectures that of the 10 million arrests law enforcement made last year, there were a little more than 1,000 officer-involved fatalities. Out of the 1,000, 41 were unarmed. Kazanjian says one death is too much but he emphasizes how dangerous it is to be a law enforcement officer. As Kazanjian’s conversation with Mr. Trump progressed, they chatted about the results of the president’s support for the badge. Law enforcement is a formidable voting bloc that

THAT MOST SACRED CALLING Clearly, President Trump is willing to put law enforcement on his back. He has been a riveting speaker at just about every major national law enforcement gathering. His speech in front of the US Capitol on National Peace Officers Memorial Day each May 15 offers an emotional, validating, consoling, multiple-standingovation-generating crescendo to National Police Week. The president uses that all-in-this-together voice at these events, the inviting tone fueled by what Casstevens calls an uncanny ability to recall the names of officers lost in the line of duty and their family members. To law enforcement officers, he seems to reiterate an oath of office when making these speeches. He always, always starts with, “We stand with you 100 percent,” and then will follow up with ovation-rendering oratory. “When danger came, when darkness fell, when destruction loomed, they did not flinch. They were not afraid. They did g

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not falter. They stared down danger, raced down alleys, chased down criminals, kicked down doors and faced down evil,” Trump announced during his 2018 National Peace Officers Memorial Day remarks. “And they did it all with courage, with dignity, with pride, with love for their nation and with love for their families. They lived every day of their lives by that most sacred calling: to serve and protect. And today, every American heart bleeds blue.” He continued with another passage from that 2018 appearance that also tends to be part of each presidential address to the blue. “Today we are also joined by Savannah and Ayzayah Hartfield, along with their amazing mom, Veronica. We honor their father and husband, Officer Charleston Hartfield of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. As many of you remember, Officer Hartfield was off duty attending a concert with Veronica when that horrible shooting began in Las Vegas in October (2017). He immediately leapt into action, rescuing the wounded and shielding the innocent. You all read about it. I remember it so well. As he did, he was shot and killed by rounds of gunfire. He knew he was right in the path, and it made no difference. He gave his life so that countless others could live. “Savannah and Ayzayah, your dad was a guardian angel to those in need. Now he is keeping watch on you from heaven.”

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As applause gave way to tears, imagine the scene of 20,000 law enforcement officers collectively wiping their eyes. To honor law enforcement this way is the most sacred genuflect to the blue, and from Trump it usually climaxes with a lasting thought, just like it did on that May day. “We must confront and condemn dangerous anti-police prejudice,” Trump declared as officers rose one more time to cheer. “We’re not going to let bad things happen to our police. In 2016, an officer was assaulted in America on an average of every 10 minutes. It’s outrageous and it’s unacceptable. We must end the attacks on our police and we must end them right now. We believe criminals who kill our police should get the death penalty. We must show appreciation, gratitude and respect for those who police our streets and patrol our communities.”

REAL-TIME EXPERIENCE Law enforcement brings a right-back-atcha to the president with regard to honor and tribute. It would be easy to characterize this as a mutual admiration society. And it is. But if admiration is the mother of attention, then aspiration has been the mother of invention for the Trump Administration to continually formulate policy and practice to make law g

enforcement more effective. And much of this has come from doing what the previous administration did not, by doing what elected officials at the federal, state and local level often do not. The president has brought law enforcement leaders from every avenue to the table to discuss improvement opportunities. NAPO President, Mick McHale, frequently refers to the 2017 convening of a group to recommend a national use-of-force policy as one of the president’s most illustrious accomplishments. McHale is the consummate rank-and-file cop representing 330,000 of them. He marvels at the law enforcement constituents represented at this use-of-force table that included IACP, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Sheriff’s Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) from the US Department of Justice, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and a half-dozen others. McHale has been to the Rose Garden on several occasions to witness the president sign legislation and executive orders that improve law enforcement. But nothing gets this 30-year-plus law enforcement veteran going more than having a seat at the table.

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“I think the president recognizes that the rank-and-file being at the table to bring accurate representation of the daily threats we face is an important aspect that needs to be shared,” McHale disclosed. “And it’s of great importance for all our associations to participate in these roundtable discussions and panels for the purpose of bringing real-time experience to the table.” Real law enforcement supported by the real Donald Trump manifested in an ongoing roundtable known as the Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. Issued by executive order on October 28, 2019 as the high note of the presidential address to the IACP conference, the Commission was tasked with providing concrete recommendations to address some of the systemic challenges that burden law enforcement, and offer best practices to recruit, hire, train and provide for the health, safety and wellbeing of officers. The commission further validated the administration’s commitment to law enforcement’s expertise. As the president stated when he announced the formation of the commission, “After the commission issues its recommendations next year – they’ll have them immediately because many of them know the answers before they begin – we will begin implementing its ideas immediately.” g

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Improving the physical safety, health and wellness of officers.

“We appreciate the opportunity to be active participants in the formulating of ideas that are enacted through laws or special orders to ensure public safety needs are being addressed,” McHale emphasized. “The president, along with Attorney General (William) Barr and the Department of Justice, have been great partners in not only protecting law enforcement, but, more importantly, providing the protection to the public it so richly deserves.”

Promoting public respect for the law and law enforcement officers.

WE STAND READY TO ASSIST YOU

Better integration of education, employment, social services and public health services into efforts to reduce crime and ease the burden on law enforcement, courts and corrections systems.

In this social media centric world, imagine some of the Tweets law enforcement officers and leaders might post. Comments have come from so many that would be perfect for the real Donald Trump.

To say that the commission addressed exactly what law enforcement needed would be an understatement. McHale or any other rank-and-file cop would have corroborated the commission’s mission being dead-on accurate for including: Addressing refusals by state and local prosecutors to enforce laws or prosecute categories of crimes.

The use of targeted deterrence approaches to reduce violent crime. Using new and developing methodologies, technologies and best practices for combatting criminal activity. Developing the effectiveness of contemporary law enforcement training methods around critical topics, the direction of nextgeneration training methods and understanding of critical training needs. McHale went back to the table on July 8th to participate in discussion about the hottest topic on the job: community trust and the respect of law enforcement. He also noted Trump’s endorsement of another nationwide group to recommend resources for mental health evaluation of law enforcement and treating mental health issues that continue to result in the high numbers of suicide in the profession. Such presence seems to confirm that having law enforcement expertise in his arsenal is the mother of prevention for the president. 152

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Following a roundtable with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on June 8, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, whose pedigree includes federal prosecutor, judge and wife of a cop, commented: “In Florida, we are at a 48-year crime rate low. And I believe it is because of people like you, Mr. President, who have supported law enforcement. I admire that you are willing to dig in and have these conversations. And we stand ready to assist you.” At the 2019 IACP Conference, the president recognized the heroics of several law enforcement officers, including Thomas Thompson of the Lubbock, Texas Police Department who responded to a bank robbery and took on violent gunfire as he burst through the door. Thompson, who ended the threat with deadly force, told the president: “Thank you for your support of law enforcement, especially in this day and age. That’s no small thing. It matters.”

Chicago Police Officer John Catanzara is known for showing up at city council meetings wearing a Trump baseball jersey. He said it’s his way of letting local elected officials know what it takes to be a great leader.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Captain Vrchota has seen the real Donald Trump as much as any cop. And in the pantheon of interaction, he continues to be particularly moved by two revealing moments.

“Especially in this city where the previous mayor and current one are willing to throw us under the bus, back it up a couple of times and change a tire, it’s refreshing to hear the most powerful man in the world appreciates what you do. He’s not going to ask how I do my job. He’s just going to say, ‘thank you.’”

When the president comes to Mar-a-Lago, even going out to play golf requires a battalion of security. “He has been known to ask us that if he decides to take the day off and stay in, how many of our deputies can we send home to be with their families,” Vrchota revealed.

On January 28, the Trump campaign held a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey. The New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association was asked to offer two of its 33,000-plus members to be part of the security detail for the president’s motorcade.

And on Thanksgiving 2017, the president and the first lady realized that hundreds of officers had no real option for dinner. Restaurants were closed, and the kitchen at the resort was likewise not serving.

Meg Hammond, a 22-year veteran with the Raritan Township Police Department, was asked to represent. As she witnessed thousands line the streets to wave flags and wave at the president, she realized what he has meant to her profession. “It’s his unwavering support and appreciation for what we do,” Hammond articulated. “He realizes law enforcement is a necessity to keep all people safe, and if you give us the tools and the resources, we can do it even better.”

“So Mrs. Trump asked them to open the kitchen, and they cooked up everything they had,” Vrchota recalled. “It was like a fourcourse dinner. They have served us the same dinner every big holiday since.” That is your law and order president: Promoting safety and respect for the badge; giving them the resources and support to do their jobs; offering a virtual handshake with every comment and every post about the importance of the rule of law and those who defend it; doing everything in his power to keep it real for law enforcement.

Do Americans like

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when Trump says

FAKE NEWS? BY LINLEY SANDERS, Data Journalist at YouGov

f you were to say most Americans like President Donald Trump’s Twitter attacks on national media organizations, that would be fake news. Most Americans do not approve of the president’s rhetoric, particularly when his tweets include the phrase “fake news.” Trump has posted more than 400 tweets with the words “fake news” since YouGov began tracking public sentiment about his daily Twitter posts in February 2017. Those tweets have primarily earned a negative rating from

Democrats and Independents, according to data drawn from YouGov’s TweetIndex, a daily tracker of tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account. Every day, YouGov asks a nationally representative sample of Americans to rate the president's tweets on a five-point scale from Great (+2) to Terrible (-2), which produces an overall score for how the general population feels about the tweet on a scale from -200 (if everyone thinks it is terrible) to +200 (if everyone thinks it is great). Since the YouGov TweetIndex began collecting data, the median score for Trump’s tweets among the US population as a whole is -19. Analysis of public sentiment around all of the president’s tweets invoking the words “fake news” shows an average score of -37, slightly below the general population’s median score. Democrats, in particular, express a low opinion of Trump’s “fake news” tweets. The median Democrat score for Trump tweets is -111, but the median score for tweets including “fake news” is -134. That 23-point gap is slightly more significant than the 21-point gap seen among Independents and the 15-point gap among Republicans. The president often uses Twitter to lash out against reported articles showing the behind-the-scenes drama of his Administration or to praise his media supporters. He most-frequently mentions Fox News on Twitter: g

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there are more than 350 mentions of the organization (excluding Retweeted segments) on his Twitter account out of approximately 7,000 tweets. By comparison, Trump has mentioned The New York Times more than 180 times, CNN on more than 100 occasions, and MSNBC just 24 times. A frequent target of Trump’s media fire is The New York Times. The median score of those tweets is -33, which is similar to the overall American disapproval associated with the term “fake news.” Republicans tend to view the president’s media attacks in a favorable light, unlike most Americans. That group’s lowest-rated media-related tweets, however, include tweets in which the president insisted that he does not watch 4-8

hours of television a day (+40), criticized Fox News for moderating a conversation with Bernie Sanders in April (+45), and his reminder that the candidate he endorsed for the Alabama Senate primary, Luther Strange, “went up MANY points” before losing (+31). Methodology: YouGov TweetIndex shows how the public rate each tweet from President Donald Trump’s official Twitter account. At the end of every day, YouGov shows a representative sample of US adults the tweets sent in the past 24 hours by President Trump. The panelists are asked to rate the posts on a scale Great (+2), Good (+1), OK (0), Bad (-1), and Terrible (-2). Theoretically, scores can range from -200 (if everyone thought the tweet was “Terrible”) to +200 (if everyone thought the tweet was “Great”).

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KEEP AMERICA Since taking office in 2016, President Donald Trump has fought many battles from behind his twitter handle. Although most U.S. farmers and ranchers don’t agree with Trump’s public relations tactics, they do find comfort in his conservative-based, aggressive platform to “Make America Great Again.”

rive down any road in rural America and you’ll likely find a Trump 2020 flag hanging proudly from the bed of a pickup truck or at the tippy top of a grain bin. It’s no secret that most U.S. farmers and ranchers don’t find comfort in the idea of a Democratic president. However, the real question is, has Trump done the agricultural industry enough good in the last four years to warrant his re-election? And does his current platform lend itself to creating an economy farmers and producers can truly thrive in through 2024? Some might say yes, while others will present the age-old “it depends” argument. One thing is for sure, Trump can do better than he has in the last four years. U.S. farmers and ranchers have some strong suggestions about how he can accomplish that.

TRUMP TODAY Leaning towards the do-it-yourself mentality in the past, producers have gotten a firsthand look at why asking for help doesn’t equate to weakness. Not only is American agriculture vulnerable to the everchanging weather patterns, but it’s also at the mercy of market prices. Prior to 2016, producers were staring down the barrel of increased regulations that lead to a downturn in the markets. There were multiple contributing factors feeding into this fear as America headed to the polls in 2016. “Having year after year of reportedly record crop production and subsequent grain carry over has only helped lower commodity prices,” said Nolan Sampson who works in farm real estate by day. Along with his wife, Kelsey, Sampson is a grain farmer on nights and weekends; raising soybeans, corn, and popcorn near Union Mills, Indiana, at NK Sampson Farms. The Sampson duo also raise cattle and market them directly off their farm to customers. This custom beef processing business allows the Sampsons to keep their thumb on the pulse of their grain customers. It also provides their local community with a connection to the producers who reap the benefits, or detriments, of their voting decisions. Sampson finds himself feeling a bit outspoken on the topic of grain market prices, but he’s optimistic Trump can turn things around if he continues listening to farmers.

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“I think producers are more confident that they aren’t going to see overreach in regulation as they were before,” Sampson said. “In my opinion, we [producers] get in our heads about the political affiliation of our president.”

STEP ON THE GAS Although most voters wouldn’t consider ethanol an attractive point of Trump’s 2016 campaign, it certainly caught the attention of American farmers. Why? Corn is a versatile crop and, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it’s grown in all 40 states.

GROWING Biotechnology takes a bow for those advancements in crop production and subsequent yield increases. While a third of the U.S. corn crop is used to make livestock feed, another third goes into food and other products for humans, and the rest of it is used to make ethanol. This renewable fuel source is an important avenue for America’s corn farmers. Without this market, many producers would be forced to grow different crops. As a grain farmer and seed dealer in Cassopolis, Michigan, Aaron Blaske boasts a first-hand perspective of farming. He also works directly with his peers in the industry on a daily basis. “Our farm’s been around for the last 60 years and I’ve been heavily involved for about the last five,” Blaske said of the operation he works on with both his dad and grandpa. The trio all agree that ethanol production is one of the main drivers that keeps grain farmers in business in their area. “Ethanol makes us the most money and is at the forefront of a lot of the decisions that we make,” Blaske said. “Anything we can do to increase ethanol production is a pretty big deal, both for my own farm and for my customers.” Originally introduced in 2005, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was created by Congress “to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the nation’s renewable fuel sectors while reducing reliance on imported oil,” according to the United States

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website. As with anything, RFS has gotten facelifts over the years, but not all of them improved its smile enough to win the hearts of corn farmers. In 2019, Trump delivered on one of his key 2016 campaign promises: promoting increased domestic biofuel use. However, when the required 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol blended into the nation’s fuel wasn’t being met, farmers were the first to take that financial burden. The Small Refinery Exemptions for the RFS allowed small-scale refineries the ability to bypass their obligation to include biofuels in their gasoline if they could prove they were in a financial hardship. Trump’s administration found themselves in a bind when more refineries than expected qualified for the exemptions, effectively hurting the U.S. corn grower. “Ethanol is the quickest, cleanest, and most renewable source of fuel and it’s also the most profitable way to make positive change in the agricultural industry,” Blaske explained. “Those Small Refinery Exemptions have to stop; those are killing the industry. If you exempt everyone from blending ethanol into their gas, then there is no need for an ethanol plant and no need for the corn that goes into it.” Primarily available in the Midwest, ethanol refineries are logically placed in the corn belt. Since producers have the distinct pleasure of paying all the freight for their product, the shorter the haul, the more profit they can pocket. That margin is already minimal, so farmers are making the best business decisions by shortening their shipment distance. g

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The pushback from one of Trump’s largest group of supporters, rural America and those who farm it, warranted a change. Those changes were supposed to take effect in 2020 but were disrupted by a global pandemic: COVID-19.

SHUT THE GATES Just across the great blue pond, people were discovering that the coronavirus wasn’t a short-lived disease outbreak. A full-blown pandemic quickly ensued and found its way to America’s shores. States began closing in early March and by April 1, a majority of the 331 million people living in the U.S. were following quarantine guidelines from their home. The global pandemic put even more strain on the oil and gas industry as stay-at-home orders drastically reduced the number of cars on the road in early 2020. Some parts of the country saw gasoline prices drop below $1 a gallon. Rural America might’ve been quarantined just the same as residents in New York City, but it’s not difficult to practice social distancing when your job is spent in the seat of a tractor dead center of a 100acre field. For producers, life didn’t change a whole lot. “The pandemic is a great example of how [the Trump] administration has stepped up and helped us move forward in these challenging times,” said Chelsea Good, Livestock Marketing Association Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs and Legal. “The White House and Department of Homeland Security sent out guidelines for who needed to continue doing business because they were critical.” These guidelines made it abundantly clear that the agricultural industry was included in the definition of essential. This allowed agriculture to make adjustments but continue with business as usual. Time waits for no man, and the American agriculturalist knows this better than anyone. Delays in planting or delivering livestock to harvest would’ve proven immediately detrimental to the farming and ranching community. “The White House also sent out a Presidential Directive that made sure our meat processing plants were able to function,” Good added. “Without that directive, we could’ve lost the ability to keep the beef supply flowing.” Neither blizzard nor global pandemic will keep farmers and ranchers from caring for their crops and livestock. Trump made it official with his executive order that dubbed the agricultural industry a collective group of essential workers. Farmers and ranchers perfected the work-from-home scenario long before it was a possibility for any other industry. It only took a global pandemic for people to realize how important the agricultural industry was to a thriving economy. Although the Trump administration developed assistance programs for the general population, they didn’t forget about rural America in that. Following on the heels of the $19 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, the USDA announced, on April 19, that they would purchase and distribute $3 billion in agricultural products. The agency worked with various locations to find areas that were hit 160

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the hardest to both purchase and distribute the fresh produce, dairy, and meat products. In a live webinar hosted by the USDA, panelists discussed the finer details of how the “Farmers to Family Food Box” would function. Trump and his administration designed the program to help prevent producers from destroying their crops and livestock as demand was driven downward by the pandemic. During the webinar, Agricultural Marketing Service Deputy Administrator for the Commodity Procurement Program Dave Tuckwiller said, “Most of you are living and breathing through the toughest situation right now. We’ve heard reports, and talked to a number of you, that are dumping fresh produce and milk. There’s talk of euthanizing certain farm animals. Food distributors are laying off employees as the need plummeted on the food service side.” Tuckwiller continued by pointing out how food bank needs have increased while donations and volunteers virtually disappeared. This program was designed to link those challenges together with a solution. “Traditionally, the cattle industry doesn’t get handouts, they just want to be paid for their product,” Good said. “It’s been an unprecedented time frame where something else was needed and the administration was able to do that.” Good added that some producers saw payments as early as a week after taking action.

2018 FARM BILL Although negotiations for the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, aka the farm bill, went well past the expiration date of the previous bill, the resulting document might’ve been worth the wait. The $87 billon farm bill was hyper-focused on improving support programs, crop insurance, disaster programs, and conservation efforts on farm ground. One area that saw a lot of change in the farm bill was the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). In an effort to reward U.S. producers for their efforts to be good stewards of the land, the CRP furthered this agenda and was geared towards building a partnership in the process. “The CRP was a nice change,” Sampson said. “It made the program more attractive for people to use. It allowed for marginal-yield farm ground that didn’t need to be farmed to get back into the program. It’s good for agriculture because it takes acres out of production and it lets some ground go back to its native habitat.” The CRP primarily provides landowners with financial compensation for voluntarily removing land from production. That land is typically vulnerable to erosion and is more environmentally sensitive. Removing these acres from production requires those landowners to either preserve the wildlife habitat in that area or install resourceconserving efforts. The farm bill was also helpful for the livestock industry. It required the USDA to conduct a feasibility study to determine if creating a livestock dealer statutory trust was necessary.

“Within the livestock markets, we have some issues with dealer payment defaults,” Good said. “We want to see better protection for producers so they can get paid.” The USDA has worked closely with many entities within the livestock industry. And in doing so, they’ve cultivated a positive, open network that wasn’t necessarily there previously. “They [the USDA] has been great to work with. They got the study done on time and it was very positive,” Good added. “They found that the trust would be a big help to the industry and now we are working with Congress to see that put in place. The [Trump] administration has done a great job of tackling that.” Legalizing hemp production was one of the other major changes producers saw in the 2018 farm bill. Dispensaries are quickly popping up in towns across the nation as a direct result of this change in 2018. “Anytime we introduce another crop to grow other than corn, soybeans, and wheat, and if they can find a market for that, it helps [producers’] livelihood and fill that fiber gap,” Sampson said of the novel crop. “It’s also giving chemical and seed companies something new to work with because the introduction of industrial hemp requires new herbicides and possibly new seed treatments. It’s just another thing that helps give us [farmers] a competitive advantage.” Some agricultural insurance and protection programs were also changed in the farm bill to help mitigate risk.

TRADE TWEETS Possibly the hottest topic when it comes to President Trump relates to his twitter account. He’s more than outspoken on a social media platform that limits authors to only 280 characters and doesn’t allow tweets to be edited. Producers might not agree with Trump’s main form of communication, but most stand behind his ideals and the direction he’s attempting to take the country. One of those directions is negotiating new trade deals with major export destinations. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect on July 1 and replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “The USMCA has given us some predictability for U.S. beef across the North American market,” Good said. “Some of the big steps forward from the Trump administration concerning trade includes leveling the playing field and getting us beef access to Japan as well as some access to China where a fifth of the world population lives.” Phase 1 of trade negotiations with China were signed in late January with intentions of moving forward with more discussions for improved agreements. Unfortunately, COVID-19 disrupted those conversations and has also dumped relations between the U.S. and China in murky water.

of agricultural goods reached $26 billion in 2012. The agreement increased that number to $40 billion. Experts are skeptical that China will be able to deliver on this promise, but it’s certainly one of the stronger trade deals agriculture has seen in recent years. “From the livestock perspective, we’ve seen increased access to trade rather than the other way around,” Good said.

THE BEEF “[Trump] has been a huge champion for rural America and the cattle industry in particular,” Good said. “We work with the USDA every day, and one thing we’ve seen improvement in is the culture of regulation. With Purdue at the helm, [the USDA] has a mindset that our goal, together, is to do right and feed everyone.” Past presidential administrations used their agencies to play big brother, but Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue have played the game a bit differently. “[The USDA] is focused on how we work together and giving us the tools we need to do everything the right way,” Good said. “The culture is focused on being helpful. Some of the regulation roll backs have also been helpful. An example would be the U.S. Waters of the World (WOTUS) rule.” Introduced in 2015 under the Clean Water Rule, WOTUS was viewed as a gross overreach of power from President Barack Obama and his administration. Although the intent was to clearly define federal jurisdiction over waterways, producers saw it as a way to get in trouble for their animals walking through ditch water. As far-fetched as the Obama administration said that claim was, Trump knew WOTUS wasn’t a fair way to accomplish the original goal. “From a livestock producer standpoint, [the repeal] allows us the peace of mind that if you have a question or concern you can talk to the USDA,” Good said. “[The USDA] are your partners and aren’t out to get you. It helps us be more productive in our day-to-day work.” Part of that day-to-day work involves protecting workers at packing plants during a global pandemic. When COVID-19 began showing up in packing plants, the government was on hand to help. Businesses worked with the government to spread people out and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) while continuing to operate. Packing plants are built with efficiency and safety in mind, which made spreading people out a difficult and somewhat costly process. Another concern from the livestock industry through the pandemic was the supply and demand spread for beef prices. Food flew off the shelves when the quarantine began; ground beef in particular was in high demand and packing plants took advantage of this spike in sales.

“Something needed to be done with China, the trade policy wasn’t fair for us or them,” Sampson said. “I don’t think Trump has attacked full force yet, but he has caused a lot of shakiness in the market.”

“We saw lower prices for cattle and higher prices for beef when the pandemic started,” Good explained. “The Department of Justice is investigating packing plants and trying to see if they are too consolidated and if there is any illegal activity going on.”

The trade agreement with China was intended to greatly bolster the agricultural markets. Historically, China’s highest U.S. import

Trump has made public comments about his support for the investigation. The huge profit margins for the packers while g

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ranchers barely break even on their animals made it imperative that the government step into the situation. “We hope the investigation is very thorough and comes back with some clear answers,” Good said. “If illegal things are going on, then they need to be addressed. And if they aren’t, the cattle industry needs that answer as well. We appreciate the fact that Trump is on board with taking a look at the packing sector.”

2024 OUTLOOK Moving forward, it’s a fair expectation that Trump will continue fulfilling the promises he made back in 2016. As the old saying goes, things have to get worse before they can get better. Many producers will agree that things have gotten worse in some areas. In late 2015, Sampson and his then fiancé purchased their current land. They calculated future grain prices to ensure they could continue to afford running their operation. “We thought we had figured conservatively of what grain prices would be over the next five years,” Sampson said. “Our most conservative grain price is still above what we’re at today. It’s been very discouraging just getting started and having low commodity prices. But if we had to go back and do it again, we would.” Luckily, both Sampson and his wife have off-farm jobs that help keep the operation afloat in times like these. “[Trump] has taken care of the farmer through all of this and we’ve seen that through several different payments and loan options,” Sampson said. “He hasn’t turned his back on the farmers through all this, he knows it has affected the commodity market and he’s been doing his best to keep us moving forward.”

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Although U.S. farmers and ranchers recognize the large role regulations play in their operation, they are still very much a do-ityourself group of people. Finding new technology to improve yields and the continuous search for improved sustainability are at the helm of agriculture in 2020. The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is just one example of how producers forge their own paths when it comes to finding realistic solutions for their issues. “There are a lot of things the cattle sector has done already to help themselves,” Good said. “But it’s important that we make sure the industry comes up with solutions rather than trying to dictate regulatory answers that aren’t necessarily fitting in the real world.” Good’s statement goes for all areas of agriculture. Farmers and ranchers do more than plow the ground and feed the animals, their moves are calculated precisely to use their resources responsibly and efficiently to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. It is certainly a breath of fresh air that President Trump not only recognizes the importance of including producers in finding solutions, but also whole-heartedly embraces the idea. “This is something I see in our current environment that we’re working on that I would hate to lose,” Good added. “Moving to an administration that doesn’t work with the industry to achieve good environmental outcomes that allows business to operate would be taking a step backwards for the agricultural industry.” Unless the Democratic nominees include agriculture in their campaign plans and build confidence that they will uphold them, it’s safe to say Trump is the best candidate to keep America growing in the right direction.

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CAN BUILD

ur mission is to unite private citizens that share a common belief in providing national security for our Southern Border through the construction, administration and maintenance of physical barriers inhibiting illegal entry into the United States. In interpreting the purpose of the Corporation, the Board of Directors and Members of the Advisory Board will consider the impact of a proposed structure on a selected site’s environment and construct barriers primarily designed to prevent illegal access to the United States, rather than cause catastrophic injury. We will focus on building portions of a US Southern Border wall and manage the support operations required for, and the processes associated with, the design, engineering, construction, and maintenance of the wall.

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As a donor to “We Build the Wall”, you may be interested in how we are organized and how we use your donations to accomplish the missions of the organization. Brian Kolfage founded We Build the Wall, Inc., as a Florida-based 501(c)(4) non-profit, advocacy organization. A 501(c)(4) is a tax-exempt social welfare organization described in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501(c)(4) as an organization that is not organized for profit and is operated exclusively to promote social welfare. “We Build the Wall” has two social welfare missions. The first mission is to build border wall on the southern border of the United States using privately raised funds. We completed our first major wall section in Sunland Park, New Mexico, in June 2019.

THE WALL “We” constructed a state-of-the-art, 18-foot-tall, steel-bollard border barrier that blocked one of the worst human- and drugsmuggling corridors in the El Paso Sector. The construction of this barrier immediately altered the entire region’s flow of illegal drugs and illegal migrants coming into the United States. Future building projects will have a similar impact in stopping illegal immigration and drug smuggling. The second mission is an educational one, something common to many 501(c)(4) organizations. As Brian Kolfage put it when We Build the Wall was organized, on January 11, 2019, “Our mission is to unite private citizens that share a common belief in providing national security for our Southern Border through the construction, administration and maintenance of physical barriers inhibiting illegal entry into the United

States.” Uniting citizens who share our interest in border security requires reaching to like-minded citizens and educating the public about the need for border barriers. With those objectives in mind we hold educational events, such as town halls and symposia. “We” have been working diligently to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis at our border and unite all citizens who share our belief in the value of physical barriers on the border. “We” are dedicated to accomplishing these missions, no matter how much resistance we face. “We” are seeing the same attacks from the open borders Left that President Trump has faced. But rest assured we are not deterred. “We” will continue to build sections of border wall and educate the public about the need for border wall. Our country’s security depends on it. As of October 2019, more than 300,000 Americans have stepped forward to join us in accomplishing these missions. The total donation amount raised includes a large chunk of pledged donations that will be given to us upon meeting g

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certain milestones. Roughly $18,500,000 has been received in direct donations, and an additional $6,000,000 has been pledged. Contributions or gifts to “We Build the Wall” are not tax deductible for IRS purposes. The operations of We Build the Wall are not paid for at taxpayer expense.

SOCIAL WELFARE

Building strong safe communities for future generations of Americans.

• Construction • Border Barriers • High Tech Surveillance & Detection • Research & Development • Long term Wall Maintenance

EDUCATION

Educating Americans through direct community engagement on issues surrounding the border crisis.

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• Direct Community Engagement • Wall A Thon • Symposium • Border Wall Finale Events • Town Halls across the USA • Border Wall Bus Tours • Social Media & Online Media • Live Stream educational events • Digital advertising & marketing

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• Documentary • Fundraising • Overhead • Employees • Travel • Contractors

LEGAL

• Unprecedented legal work involved for private funded international border barrier and constant barrage of deep state attacks.

THE CURRENT STATE OF THE BORDER FENCE

To date, progress on the border wall has been slow and limited due in large part to Congressional inaction and obstruction. President Trump declared a national emergency in February 2019 to jumpstart construction of a border wall. Presently, there is approximately 700 miles of fencing and barriers along the 1,954-mile border with Mexico. About 300 miles consists of anti-vehicle barriers. Most of the construction work to date has consisted of upgrades and repairs to existing border fencing and barriers. In April 2019, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) began the process of prequalifying contractors for completion of $8 billion in construction and repair work. The Department of Defense (DOD) has redirected funds from existing programs for the purposes of

border wall construction under the authority of President Trump’s emergency declaration. The estimated cost of the border wall cited most often is between $15 and $25 billion, which is a considerably smaller price tag than the $116 billion in taxpayer funds spent on illegal immigration in 2017. Many countries maintain border walls or fences, including Israel, the UK (Northern Ireland), Spain, Greece, Hungary, and India. To learn more about President Trump’s other immigration priorities and accomplishments, check out our Trump Administration Immigration Accomplishments page and our Trump Tracker.

BARRIERS AND BORDER CONTROL

Recognizing the effectiveness of physical barriers as a means of border control, Congress first mandated the construction of a border fence in 1996 as part of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA). IIRIRA called for the construction of a 14-mile, triple-layered fence along the boundary between San Diego and Tijuana. By 2004, only nine miles of fencing were completed. Congress subsequently passed the Secure Fence Act of 2006. That legislation called for double-layered fencing along the border, augmented by manpower and technology, and directed the Secretary of Homeland security to construct “reinforced fencing along not fewer than 700 miles of the southwest border, in

locations where fencing is deemed most practical and effective.” How much of the required fencing was completed before Trump? Currently, US Customs and Border Protection maintains several types of “tactical infrastructure” (fencing, other physical barriers, and support structures such as observation towers) along the border. Chief among these are:

• Primary Pedestrian Fencing – that runs directly along the border and is intended to prevent crossings on foot. • Secondary Fencing – that runs behind Primary Fencing, usually separated by a Patrol Road that allows the Border Patrol to monitor the area between fences. • Tertiary Pedestrian Fencing – that runs behind the Secondary Fencing, intended to prevent attempts to cross the border on foot. • Vehicle Fencing – that prohibits motorized vehicles from crossing.

As of May 2015, DHS had installed:

• 353 miles of Primary Pedestrian Fencing • 36 miles of Secondary Fencing • 14 miles of Tertiary Pedestrian Fencing • 300 miles of Vehicle Fencing

These numbers are virtually the same as the numbers available in 2012, indicating no measurable progress. But, given the growth g

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in worldwide migration and the emergence of new threats along the southern border, it is essential that the fence be completed and supplemented by other security structures – including walls where appropriate. By 2015, sixty-five other countries have built security fences and other barriers to protect themselves from large scale migration and the infiltration of terrorists. As of May 2018, there were at least seventy-seven border walls or fences around the world. Fences do not guarantee security, but they are an integral tool for securing borders and send the message that would-be migrants are expected to enter the country through the proper channels.

BUILDING A NEW AND IMPROVED BORDER FENCE

Much of the existing barrier along the southern border hardly qualifies as a fence or wall. In fact, many stretches consist of nothing more than a “vehicle barrier” that fails to slow down foot traffic. The remainder of the fence is a mixture of easily climbed, poorly- installed corrugated panels and other ad hoc materials. Only

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along short stretches are a heavy-duty barrier installed in a concrete footing or double-layered fencing separated by a patrol road. The Trump administration has promised to build a better security barrier on the southern border. Since making this a priority, there have been numerous estimates on what such an endeavor would cost. The primary plan includes constructing a single-layer wall in the most problematic areas where a sufficient barrier does not exist. The cost estimates for constructing this border fence have ranged from as low as $8 billion (President Trump’s initial estimate from the campaign trail), to as high as $40 billion. The estimate most often quoted by political and construction experts, is between $15 and $25 billion. This figure was derived by Bernstein, a leading development research firm that specializes in large-scale building projects. There are a few possible scenarios based on the upper and lower echelons of current Bernstein cost estimates: a 1,000-mile-long, 40-foot-high wall that goes 7 feet underground and is 10 inches

thick, would cost approximately $25 million/mile to construct based on current concrete costs, land buyouts, labor, and other related costs. Shorten the wall to 750 miles at $25 million/mile, and the estimate drops to somewhere around $18.75 billion. If President Trump can fulfill his campaign promise of negotiating costs to their lowest and achieve a total cost of $15 billion for a 1,000-mile wall, the bill would become approximately $15 million/ mile. Under the preceding scenario of $15 million/mile, a 750-mile wall could be built for approximately $11.25 billion. Bernstein bases their model on the effective design that Israel used for its concrete wall on the West Bank. This is a reasonable comparison because the objective is largely the same, and much of the US border fence will be in sandy, desert terrain as well – land that requires a strong and deep foundation due to shifting dunes. Based on the inefficient system the federal government uses to contract for building services, a $25 billion price tag is likely the most realistic. However, President Trump has stated that he believes his administration can keep the costs to the lower end of

UNITED STATE BORDER PATROL chief Rodney Scott gives President Donald Trump a tour of a section of the border wall, Tuesday, June 23, 2020, in San Luis, Ariz. AP Photo/Evan Vucci.

the prevailing estimates, between $15 and $25 billion. After initial construction, especially if high-tech monitoring devices are installed, there will be annual maintenance costs. These next-generation devices are already being tested and used along the southern border. Annual total maintenance costs have varied greatly since the Secure Fence Act was passed. They range from a low of $115 million in FY 2006, to a high of $1.2 billion in FY 2008 before eventually stabilizing at around $400 million in FY 2012. Nailing down a specific, static cost for maintaining a well- secured border is hard to estimate. It can reasonably be assumed that annual maintenance will cost considerably more than it has in the past. Maintenance of an effective border barrier is likely to cost as much, or more, than the FY 2006 high of $1.2 billion. However, a well-maintained border barrier is likely to reduce some of the high costs associated with interior immigration enforcement. Another possibility, should cost, environmental concerns and technical difficulties become a major concern, would be to construct more double-layered wired fence in low-traffic areas instead of a concrete wall. Combined with hi-tech monitoring equipment such as ground sensors and aerial monitoring, this approach could yield success comparable to that experienced by other nations, such as Israel, that have built similar barriers in lightly populated deserts. Assuming that the construction costs for double-layered fencing are considerably less than those for a concrete wall, and taking into account that much of the border with Mexico is in remote areas where wire fencing might be effective, the savings could be substantial. President Trump, the Department of Homeland Security, and Congress will have to conduct a careful cost- benefit analysis to determine which construction method is appropriate for each sector of the US-Mexico border. Regardless of which approach is taken, securing the southern border is a sound fiscal investment. The overall construction and annual maintenance costs pale when compared to the $116 billion the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates illegal immigration costs American taxpayers. (Not to mention, the FY 2020 federal budget, which is $4.746 trillion.) In fact, if the project only results in a 5 percent reduction in the annual cost of illegal immigration to American taxpayers, and construction and maintenance costs reach the most expensive estimates, it will pay for itself after only six years.

THE STATUS OF THE BORDER WALL: 2017-PRESENT

Since assuming office in January 2017, progress on the President’s signature campaign issue has been limited, much to the chagrin of President Trump’s supporters and the President himself. Given that Republicans controlled not only the presidency, but both houses of Congress, the GOP should have focused on securing border wall funding. Unfortunately, the opportunity was missed. With Democrats staunchly opposed to the wall, a small, but influential group of Republicans joined in opposing any appropriating of funds or forward movement on construction of a wall along the southern border. As a result, the issue of appropriating the necessary funds for the border wall was essentially slow walked for almost two years. g The TRUMP RALLY Publication

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Rather than working to solve the border crisis, House Democrats (and some Republicans) voted to terminate the President’s emergency declaration, as well as filing a lawsuit aimed at declaring President Trump’s executive declaration unconstitutional. On February 27, the House voted 245–182 (including thirteen Republicans) against the emergency declaration. Similarly, the Senate voted against the declaration on March 14 by a vote of 59 to 41 (twelve GOP senators voted with the Democrats). President Trump vetoed the “reckless” Joint Resolution on March 15. The House attempted to overturn the veto but did not have sufficient votes to do so. Sixteen states – all of them “blue” – also sued the Trump administration, but the President remains undeterred.

Less than a month before the 2018 midterm elections, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) introduced the Build the Wall, Enforce the Law Act of 2018 (HR 7059) on October 12, 2018, but the bill died at the end of the congressional session. In December, the Republican-controlled Senate passed an appropriations bill that did not include the $5.7 billion in the President’s budget. The House passed (217-185, with 8 Republicans voting against) a stopgap bill which included wall funding. This, however, was blocked by the Senate Democrats and President Trump, as promised, vetoed the spending bill. That logjam resulted in a partial shutdown of the federal government from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019 – the longest such shut down in US history. With Democrats regaining control of the House and their commitment to blocking any progress on the border wall, the chances for obtaining sufficient wall funding from Congress plummeted essentially to zero. On February 14, Congress passed legislation which only contained $1.375 billion for approximately 55 miles of border barriers (“steel slats,” but not a concrete wall) in the Rio Grande Valley. Not only was this much less than the $5.7 billion President Trump had requested (which, in turn, was several times less than the approximately $23 billion offered by the McCarthy bill), the legislation also contained a hidden poisoned pill in the form of what the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) President Dan Stein described as “a perpetual illegal alien amnesty,” as well as an H-2B guest worker increase. Deeply frustrated, the President ultimately signed the legislation to avoid another shutdown. Simultaneously, on February 15, he declared a national emergency to supplement the insufficient congressional appropriation with additional funding, including: $601 million from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund, up to $2.5 billion under the Department of Defense funds transferred for Support for Counterdrug Activities, and an up to $3.6 billion reallocation from the Department of Defense military construction projects.

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Despite congressional obstruction, on March 27, the Pentagon handed the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) $1 billion – out of the $6.1 billion in defense funds – to build 57 miles of fencing. On April 9, the USACE awarded a $789 million fixed-price contract for barrier replacement in Santa Teresa (New Mexico) to SLS, and a $187 million design-bid-build contract for primary pedestrian wall replacement in Yuma (Arizona) to Barnard. These were the first contracts utilizing emergency declaration funds. Ten days later, on April 19, USACE started prequalifying contractors for $8 billion in construction work. According to a construction industry news and analysis site, “the Pentagon is [now] ready to mobilize nearly the full emergency fund amount for projects which will include wall, levee, fencing, access roads, gates, repairs and more.” In late April 2019, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued two waivers facilitating more rapid construction within the US Border Patrol’s Yuma and El Paso sectors in Arizona and Texas. “The projects covered by the waivers include up to approximately 53 miles of new bollard wall in place of dilapidated and outdated designs, in addition to, road construction and improvement and lighting installation.” (The waivers were published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2019.)

CONCLUSION

In 2006, Congress required that a barrier be constructed. But the project was never completed as mandated, and much of the border wall/fence lies in disrepair or is built to subpar standards. With illegal immigration, drug trafficking and human smuggling an ongoing problem, and the threat of terrorism ever increasing, it is critical that a proper security barrier be constructed. A physical barrier on the southern border is a necessity if our government wishes to meet its obligation to protect the sovereignty and security of the United States of America. Besides helping stem the tide of illegal immigration, it also limits the ability of drug cartels, human traffickers, terrorists, and other national security threats to access the United States from Mexico and the rest of Central and South America. Furthermore, a secure border sends the message that prospective immigrants are expected to follow the rule of law. Article provided in part by WeBuildtheWall, Inc. and FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform), please visit https://www.fairus.org/issue/border-security/ current-state-border-fence for further information.

A ‘DIVISIVE’ SPEECH?

Only if you don’t Believe in America By Katrina Pierson

t was a late Friday evening and then-candidate Barack Obama was fatigued following a full day of campaigning. It was May 30, 2008, and Obama was in South Dakota visiting Mount Rushmore, a monument dedicated to four presidential giants of America’s past. The New York Times, in its report that weekend, described the massive sculpture as a “granite visage” and the “Pride of South Dakota.” Obama even joked with reporters that his ears were too large to be added to the massive wall face. A dozen years later, President Donald Trump made a Friday night visit of his own to the impressive monument, on the eve of America’s 244th birthday – the Fourth of July. The president delivered an inspirational, inclusive message rooted in the American ideals of life, liberty, and self-determination. He spoke of our shared belief in equal opportunity, equal justice, and equal treatment for citizens of every race, background, religion, and creed. The New York Times’ report on this president’s visit to Mount Rushmore was strikingly different than its report on Obama’s visit 12 years earlier. Following the president’s address, his usual detractors, including the Times, attacked his message as “divisive.”

So, what led to such a mischaracterization? The answer, I’m afraid, isn’t very nuanced. The Democrat establishment and its media allies have chosen to elevate the radical left’s hatred of America in order to achieve its short-term goal of defeating Donald Trump in November. The president’s message could only be interpreted as divisive by individuals who do not love America, and who do not believe in the idea that the great American experiment continues to march toward a more perfect union despite inequities of the past. The president highlighted the famous words enshrined in the Declaration of Independence that declared “all men are a created equal,” words he described as setting into motion the “unstoppable march of freedom.” The Democrat Party and its media allies don’t’ see it that way. They see an America that is dark, evil, and irredeemable. The radical left, now being fully supported by the Democrat establishment and many in the mainstream media, are stoking tensions, fear, and destruction by mobs. They celebrate what Lance Morrow, writing in the Wall Street Journal, calls “ideology as performance” and “outage with a touch of holiday.” g

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This is not a holiday for the majority of Americans who love this country. It’s why this election is so important. Joe Biden has fully embraced the radical left – seeing it as another path towards taking down President Trump and the Republican Party in November. Listen, Biden has been a dull ornament in politics for generations, as naïve in his understanding of the devastating consequences of his 1994 crime bill to the black community as he is of the consequences of the street violence he is now helping fuel from the comfort of his basement. The Democrat Party has its partisan reasons for taking on Trump, but this is much more complex than just a partisan battle of ideas. This election is a confrontation between those who believe in America and the ideals it stands for, and those who wish to tear down America in exchange for an imaginary socialist future where there is global control of American life. The New York Times’ description of the president’s message as a “harsh diatribe” meant to “sow division during a national crisis,” ignores the fact that Joe Biden has spent the last six months engaged in divisive rhetoric and political cheap shots, rather than a unifying message for the American people. None of this is about racial justice, as Biden wants Americans to believe. Nor is it about the social revolution that Biden claims to support. It’s about sowing enough division, hate and fear to convince enough voters to turn back to the old ways of Washington – where empty vessels like Biden feed empty promises and rhetoric to the masses while personally enriching themselves and their families behind the scenes. This is the Joe Biden who stood shoulder to shoulder with some of the Senate’s most prominent segregationists of the latter half of the 20th century. This is the Joe Biden who served as a driving force behind mass incarceration policies in America. Americans can both believe in America and the ideals for which it stands – as a majority of Americans do – while also acknowledging, and working to fix, systemic injustices faced by the black community. We cannot allow the unwinding of hundreds of years of progress. The radical left, with the full support of the Democrat establishment, wants to decimate this great American experiment in favor of mob rule and a socialist future. If Joe Biden is elected, that’s exactly what will happen.

BLACK VOICES FOR TRUMP HIGHLIGHTS Empowering the Black community has always been a top priority for Donald J. Trump, even before he became President. Since his inauguration, President Trump has championed policies that have revitalized the Black community. He has done this by creating a more inclusive economy for Black Americans, providing historic funding for our Historical Black Colleges and Universities, expanding school choice, and giving former inmates a second chance to achieve the American Dream.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP •B lack Americans are seeing unprecedented levels of economic success with record low unemployment rates, more jobs, and higher incomes: Over 1.4 million more Black Americans have found a job since President Trump’s election. •B lack poverty reached a historic low. •P resident Trump designated 8,760 Opportunity Zones that are projected to spur $100 billion in private investment in minority communities. •T he Trump administration established a fund to deploy $1 billion in capital funding for minority-owned businesses through the Commerce Department. •T he Black poverty rate is now at its lowest level in history.

SCHOOL CHOICE President Trump called on Congress to pass school choice legislation to expand educational opportunities for all American children, especially those in our nation’s inner cities: President Trump’s 2020 budget called for $500 million in federal funding for school choice, and in 2018 he signed legislation increasing school choice funding by $42 million. His Administration proposed the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act. HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCUS) President Trump restored funding and increased investment for HBCUs by 14 percent: •P rovided more than $500 million in loans to HBCUs through the Capital Financing Program. •W orked with HBCUs to protect $80 million in Title III carryover funding. •S igned the FUTURE Act into law, which permanently funds HBCUs and simplifies the FAFSA application. • I n 2018, President Trump signed a budget deal which forgave more than $300 million in debt owed by four HBCUs impacted by natural disasters and provided $10 million in loan payment deferments for schools that face financial difficulties, including HBCUs. •P resident Trump worked with Congress to lift the ban on Pell Grants on summer classes.

Risk and Needs Assessment in Prison Reform

THE FIRST STEP ACT

ecember 21, 2018, President Trump signed into law the First Step Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-391). The act was the culmination of several years of congressional debate about what Congress might do to reduce the size of the federal prison population while also creating mechanisms to maintain public safety. This article provides an overview of the provisions of the act. This act has three major components: Correctional reform via the establishment of a risk and needs assessment system at the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Sentencing reform via changes to penalties for some federal offenses. And the reauthorization of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-199). The act also contains a series of other criminal justicerelated provisions. The First Step Act requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop a risk and needs assessment system to be used by the BOP to assess the recidivism risk of all federal prisoners and to place prisoners in programs and productive activities to reduce this risk. Prisoners who successfully complete recidivism reduction programming and productive activities can earn additional time credits that will allow them to be placed in prerelease custody (such as, home confinement or a Residential Reentry Center) earlier than they were previously allowed. The act prohibits prisoners convicted of any one of dozens of offenses from earning additional time credits, though these prisoners can earn other benefits, such as additional visitation time, for successfully completing recidivism reduction programming. Offenses that make prisoners ineligible to earn additional time credits can generally be categorized as violent, terrorism, espionage, human trafficking, sex, and sexual exploitation, repeat felon in possession of firearm, certain fraud, or highlevel drug offenses. The act makes changes to the penalties for some federal offenses. The act modified mandatory minimum prison sentences for some drug traffickers with prior drug convictions by increasing the threshold for prior convictions that count toward triggering higher mandatory minimums for repeat offenders, reducing the 20-year mandatory minimum (applicable where the offender has one prior qualifying conviction) to a 15-year mandatory minimum, and reducing a life-in-prison mandatory minimum (applicable where the offender has two or more prior qualifying convictions) to a 25-year mandatory minimum. The act made the provisions of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-220) retroactive so that currently incarcerated offenders who received longer sentences for possession of crack cocaine than they would have received if sentenced for possession of the same amount of powder cocaine before the enactment of the g

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Fair Sentencing Act can submit a petition in federal court to have their sentences reduced. The act also expands the safety valve provision, which allows courts to sentence low-level, nonviolent drug offenders with minor criminal histories to less than the required mandatory minimum for an offense. Finally, the act eliminated the stacking provision, which allowed prosecutors to charge offenders with a second and subsequent use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking or violent offense in the same criminal incident, which, if the offender is convicted, carries a 25-year mandatory minimum. Now, the mandatory minimum will only apply when the offender has a prior conviction for use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking or violent crime from a previous criminal prosecution. The First Step Act contains the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2018. This act reauthorizes appropriations for and expands the scope of some grant programs that were initially authorized under the Second Chance Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-199). The reauthorized programs include the Adult and Juvenile State and Local Offender Demonstration Program, Grants for Family-Based Substance Abuse Treatment, Careers Training Demonstration Grants, the Offender Reentry Substance Abuse and Criminal Justice Collaboration Program, and the Community-Based Mentoring and Transitional Service Grants to Nonprofit Organizations Program. The act also reauthorized and modified a pilot program that allows BOP to place certain elderly and terminally ill prisoners on home confinement to serve the remainder of their sentences. Finally, the First Step Act includes a series of other criminal justicerelated provisions. These provisions include a prohibition on the use of restraints on pregnant inmates in the custody of BOP and the U.S. Marshals Service; a change to the way good time credit is calculated so prisoners can earn 54 days of good time credits for each year of imposed sentence rather than for each year of time served; a requirement for BOP to provide a way for employees to safely store firearms on BOP grounds; a requirement for BOP to try to place prisoners within 500 driving miles of their primary residences; authority for the Federal Prison Industries to sell products to public entities for use in correctional facilities, disaster relief, or emergency response, to the District of Columbia government, and to nonprofit organizations; a prohibition against the use of solitary confinement for juvenile delinquents in federal custody; and a requirement that BOP aid prisoners with obtaining identification before they are released.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ninety percent of those who have had their sentences reduced are Black Americans. • The First Step Act shortens mandatory minimum sentence for nonviolent drug crimes.

• The law allows offenders sentenced under racially motivated mandatory minimums to petition for revaluation. • President Trump launched the “Ready to Work” Initiative, which helps released prisoners gain meaningful employment. • President Trump has proposed the Second Step Act to partner with corporate America to create opportunities for former prisoners to rejoin society.

CORRECTIONAL REFORMS The correctional reform component of the First Step Act involves the development and implementation of a risk and needs assessment system (system) at BOP. Development of the Risk and Needs Assessment System, the act requires DOJ to develop the system to be used by BOP to assess the risk of recidivism of federal prisoners and assign prisoners to evidencebased recidivism reduction programs and productive activities to reduce this risk. The DOJ is required to develop and release the system within 210 days of enactment of the First Step Act. The system is to be used to determining the risk of recidivism of each prisoner during the intake process and classify each prisoner as having a minimum, low, medium, or high risk; assess and determine, to the extent practicable, the risk of violent or serious prison misconduct of each prisoner and determine the type and amount of recidivism reduction programming that is appropriate for each prisoner and assign each prisoner to programming based on the prisoner’s specific criminogenic needs. In addition the system is to periodically reassess the recidivism risk of each prisoner; reassign prisoners to appropriate recidivism reduction programs or productive activities based on their reassessed risk of recidivism to ensure that all prisoners have an opportunity to reduce their risk classification, that the programs address prisoners’ criminogenic needs, and that all prisoners are able to successfully participate in such programs; determine when to provide incentives and rewards for successful participation in recidivism reduction programs or productive activities; determine when a prisoner is ready to transfer into prerelease custody or supervised release; and determine the appropriate use of audio technology for program course materials to accommodate prisoners with dyslexia. The DOJ is authorized to use existing risk and needs assessment instruments, validated annually, to meet the requirements of the act. When developing the system, the Attorney General is required to consult with:

• Director of BOP; • Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts; • Director of the Office of Probation and Pretrial Services; • Director of the National Institute of Justice; • Director of the National Institute of Corrections; and • Independent Review Committee, which is established by the First Step Act. When developing the system, the Attorney General, with the assistance of the Independent Review Committee, is required to conduct a review of the existing risk and needs assessment systems; develop recommendations regarding recidivism reduction programs and productive g

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activities; conduct ongoing research and data analysis on evidencebased recidivism reduction programs related to the use of risk and needs assessment, the most effective and efficient uses of such programs, which programs are the most effective at reducing recidivism, and the type, amount, and intensity of programming that most effectively reduces the risk of recidivism, and products purchased by federal agencies that are manufactured overseas and could be manufactured by prisoners participating in a prison work program without reducing job opportunities for other workers in the United States; annually review and validate the risk and needs assessment system, including an evaluation to ensure that assessments are based on dynamic risk factors (i.e., risk factors that can change); validate any tools that the system uses; and evaluate the recidivism rates among similarly classified prisoners to identify any unwarranted disparities, including disparities in such rates among similarly classified prisoners of different demographic groups, and make any changes to the system necessary to address any that are identified; and submit an annual report to Congress each year for five years starting in 2020.

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Prior to releasing the system, DOJ is required to consult with the Independent Review Committee to reviewing the effectiveness of recidivism reduction programs in prisons operated by BOP; review available information regarding the effectiveness of recidivism reduction programs and productive activities provided in state prisons; review the policies for entering into recidivism reduction partnerships authorized by the act; and direct BOP regarding evidence-based recidivism reduction programs, the ability for faith-based organizations to provide educational programs outside of religious courses, and the addition of any new effective recidivism reduction programs that DOJ finds. Under the act, the system is required to provide guidance on the type, amount, and intensity of recidivism reduction programming and productive activities to which each prisoner is assigned, including information on which programs prisoners should participate in based on their criminogenic needs and the ways that BOP can tailor programs to the specific criminogenic needs of each prisoner to reduce their risk of recidivism. The system is also required to provide guidance on how to

group, to the extent practicable, prisoners with similar risk levels together in recidivism reduction programming and housing assignments. The act requires BOP, when developing the system, to take steps to screen prisoners for dyslexia and to provide programs to treat prisoners who have it.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RISK AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT SYSTEM Within 180 days of DOJ releasing the system, BOP is required to complete the initial risk and needs assessment for each prisoner (including for prisoners who were incarcerated before the enactment of the First Step Act); begin to assign prisoners to appropriate recidivism reduction programs based on the initial assessment; begin to expand the recidivism reduction programs and productive activities available at BOP facilities and add any new recidivism reduction programs and productive activities necessary to effectively implement the system; and begin to implement any other risk and needs assessment tools necessary to effectively implement the system over time. BOP is required to expand recidivism reduction programming and productive activities capacity so that all prisoners have an opportunity to participate in risk reduction programs within two years of BOP completing initial risk and needs assessments for all prisoners. During the two-year period when BOP is expanding recidivism reduction programs and productive activities, prisoners who are nearing their release date are given priority for placement in such programs. BOP is required to provide all prisoners with the opportunity to participate in recidivism reduction programs that address their criminogenic needs or productive activities throughout their term of incarceration. High- and medium-risk prisoners are to have priority for placement in recidivism reduction programs, while the program focus for low-risk prisoners is on participation in productive activities. Prisoners who successfully participate in recidivism reduction programming or productive activities are required to be reassessed not less than annually, and high- and medium-risk prisoners who have less than five years remaining until their projected release date are required to have more frequent reassessments. If the reassessment shows that a prisoner’s risk of recidivating or specific needs have changed, BOP is required to reassign the prisoner to recidivism reduction programs or productive activities consistent with those changes. The DOJ is required to develop and administer a training program for BOP employees on how to use the system. This training program must include initial training to educate employees on how to use the system in an appropriate and consistent manner, continuing education, periodic training updates, and a requirement that employees biannually demonstrate competence in administering the system. To ensure that BOP is using the system in an appropriated and consistent manner, DOJ is required to monitor and assess how the system is used at BOP, including an annual audit of the system’s use. Incentives and Rewards for Program Participation The First Step Act requires the use of incentives and rewards for prisoners to participate in recidivism reduction programs, including the following: additional phone privileges, and if available, video conferencing privileges, of up to 30 minutes a day, and up to 510 minutes a month; additional time

for visitation at the prison, as determined by the warden of the prison; transfer to a facility closer to the prisoner’s release residence, subject to the availability of bed space, the prisoner’s security designation, and the recommendation from the warden of the prison at which the prisoner is incarcerated at the time of making the request; and additional incentives and rewards as determined by BOP, to include not less than two of the following:

1) increased commissary spending limits and product offerings, 2) greater email access, 3) consideration for transfer to preferred housing units; and 4) other incentives solicited from prisoners and determined appropriate by BOP.

Rewards or incentives prisoners earn are in addition to any other rewards or incentives for which they may be eligible (e.g., good time credit under 18 U.S.C. Section 3624(b)).

EARNED TIME CREDITS FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION Under the act, prisoners who successfully complete recidivism reduction programming are eligible to earn up to 10 days of time credits for every 30 days of program participation. Minimum and low-risk prisoners who successfully completed recidivism reduction or productive activities and whose assessed risk of recidivism has not increased over two consecutive assessments are eligible to earn up to an additional five days of time credits for every 30 days of successful participation. However, prisoners serving a sentence for a conviction of any one of multiple enumerated offenses are ineligible to earn additional time credits regardless of risk level, though these prisoners are eligible to earn the other incentives and rewards for program participation outlined above. Offenses that make prisoners ineligible to earn additional time credits can generally be categorized as violent, terrorism, espionage, human trafficking, sex, and sexual exploitation, repeat felon in possession of firearm, certain fraud, or high-level drug offenses. Prisoners who are subject to a final order of removal under immigration law are ineligible for additional earned time credits provided by the First Step Act. Prisoners cannot retroactively earn time credits for programs they completed prior to the enactment of the First Step Act, and they cannot earn time credits for programs completed while detained pending adjudication of their cases. The act requires BOP to develop guidelines for reducing time credits prisoners earned under the system for violating institutional rules or the rules of recidivism reduction programs and productive activities. The guidelines must also include a description of a process for prisoners to earn back any time credits they lost due to misconduct.

PRERELEASE CUSTODY A prisoner is not eligible to be placed in prerelease custody until the amount of time credits the prisoner has earned is equal to the remainder of his/her imposed term of imprisonment; the prisoner has shown a reduced risk of recidivism or has maintained a minimum or low recidivism risk during his/her term of imprisonment; the remainder of his/her imposed term of imprisonment has been computed under applicable law (e.g., any good time credits the prisoner has earned have been credited to his/her sentence); and the prisoner has been g

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determined to be a minimum or low risk to recidivate based on his/ her last two assessments, or has had a petition to be transferred to prerelease custody approved by the warden, after the warden’s determination that the prisoner:

1) would not be a danger to society if transferred to prerelease custody, 2) has made a good faith effort to lower his/her recidivism risk through participation in recidivism reduction programs or productive activities, and 3) is unlikely to recidivate.

A prisoner who is required to serve a period of supervised release after his/her term of incarceration and has earned time credits equivalent to the time remaining on his/her prison sentence can be transferred directly to supervised release if the prisoner’s latest reassessment shows that he/she is a minimum or low risk to recidivate. However, BOP cannot allow a prisoner to start serving a period of supervised release more than 12 months before he/she would otherwise be eligible to do so. If a prisoner has earned more than 12 months of additional time credits, the amount in excess of 12 months would be served in prerelease custody. Prisoners who are placed on prerelease custody on home confinement are subject to a series of conditions. Per the act, prisoners on home confinement are required to have 24-hour electronic monitoring that enables the identification of their location and the time, and must remain in their residences, except to; go to work or participate in job-seeking activities, participate in recidivism reduction programs or similar activities, perform community service, participate in crime victim restoration activities, receive medical treatment, attend religious activities, or participate in family-related activities that facilitate a prisoner’s successful reentry. When monitoring adherence to the conditions of prerelease custody, BOP is required, to the extent practicable, to reduce the restrictiveness of those conditions for prisoners who demonstrate continued compliance with their conditions. If a prisoner violates the conditions of prerelease custody, BOP is authorized to place more conditions on the prisoner or revoke prerelease custody and require the prisoner to serve the remainder of the sentence in prison. If the violation is nontechnical in nature (e.g., committing a new crime), BOP is required to revoke the prisoner’s prerelease custody. The BOP is required to expand its capacity, if necessary, so that all eligible prisoners can be placed in prerelease custody.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS The act requires the submission of several reports to help Congress oversee the implementation and assess the effects of the system.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REPORT TO CONGRESS Two years after the enactment of the First Step Act, and each year thereafter for the next five years, DOJ is required to submit a report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees and the House and Senate Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations that includes information on the types and effectiveness of recidivism reduction programs and productive activities provided by BOP, including the capacity of each program and activity at each prison and any gaps or shortages in capacity of such programs and 178

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activities; the recidivism rates of prisoners released from federal prison, based on the following criteria:

1) the primary offense of conviction, 2) the length of the sentence imposed and served, 3) the facility or facilities in which the prisoner’s sentence was served, 4) the type of recidivism reduction programming, 5) prisoners assessed and reassessed risk of recidivism; and 6) the type of productive activities.

The status of prison work programs offered by BOP, including a strategy to expanding prison work opportunities for prisoners without reducing job opportunities for nonincarcerated U.S. workers; and any budgetary savings that have resulted from the implementation of the act, and a strategy for investing those savings in other federal, state, and local law enforcement activities and expanding recidivism reduction programs and productive activities at BOP facilities.

REPORT FROM THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW COMMITTEE Within two years of the enactment of the First Step Act, the Independent Review Committee is required to submit a report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees and the House and Senate CJS Appropriations Subcommittees that includes; a list of all offenses that make prisoners ineligible for earned time credits under the system, and the number of prisoners excluded for each offense by age, race, and sex; the criminal history categories of prisoners ineligible to receive earned time credits under the system, and the number of prisoners excluded for each category by age, race, and sex; the number of prisoners ineligible for earned time credits under the system who did not participate in recidivism reduction programming or productive activities by age, race, and sex; and any recommendations for modifications to the list of offenses that make prisoners ineligible to earn time credits and any other recommendations regarding recidivism reduction.

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE AUDIT Within two years of BOP implementing the system, and every two years thereafter, the Government Accountability Office is required to audit how the system is being used at BOP facilities. The audit must include an analysis of the following: whether prisoners are being assessed under the system with the required frequency; whether BOP is able to offer recidivism reduction programs and productive activities as defined in 18 U.S.C. Section 3632(f); whether BOP is offering the type, amount, and intensity of recidivism reduction programs and productive activities that allow prisoners to earn the maximum amount of additional time credits for which they are eligible; whether DOJ is carrying out the duties required by the First Step Act; whether employees of the BOP are receiving the training required by the act; whether BOP offers work assignments to all prisoners who might benefit from them; whether BOP transfers prisoners to prerelease custody or supervised release as soon as they are eligible; and the rates of recidivism among similarly classified prisoners to identify any unwarranted disparities, including disparities among similarly classified prisoners of different demographic groups.

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS The First Step Act authorizes $75 million per fiscal year from FY 2019 to FY 2023 for DOJ to establish and implement the system; 80% of this

funding is to be directed to BOP for implementation.

EXPANDING THE SAFETY VALVE

SENTENCING REFORMS

The act makes drug offenders with minor criminal records eligible for the safety valve provision, which previously applied only to offenders with virtually spotless criminal records. The safety valve allows judges to sentence low-level, nonviolent drug offenders to a term of imprisonment that is less than the applicable mandatory minimum.

The First Step Act makes several changes to federal sentencing law. The act reduced the mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses, expanded the scope of the safety valve, eliminated the stacking provision, and made the provisions of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-220) retroactive.

CHANGES TO MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR CERTAIN DRUG OFFENDERS The act adjusts the mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug traffickers with prior drug convictions. The act reduces the 20-year mandatory minimum (applicable where the offender has one prior qualifying conviction) to a 15-year mandatory minimum and reduces the life sentence mandatory minimum (applicable where the offender has two or more prior qualifying convictions) to a 25-year mandatory minimum. The act also changes the prior conviction criteria under which these mandatory minimum penalties apply. For these mandatory minimums to apply, the offender’s prior convictions must meet the new criteria of a serious drug felony or a serious violent felony rather than any felony drug offense.

ELIMINATING THE STACKING PROVISION The act eliminates stacking by providing that the 25-year mandatory minimum for a “second or subsequent” conviction for use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime or a violent crime applies only where the offender has a prior conviction for use of a firearm that is already final. Under prior law, two violations that were charged concurrently triggered the enhanced mandatory minimum.

RETROACTIVITY OF THE FAIR SENTENCING ACT The First Step Act authorizes courts to apply retroactively the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which increased the threshold quantities of crack cocaine sufficient to trigger mandatory minimum sentences, by resentencing qualified prisoners as if the Fair Sentencing Act had been in effect at the time of their offenses. The retroactive application of the Fair Sentencing Act is not automatic. A prisoner must petition the court to have his/her sentence reduced. Article in part provided by the Congressional Research Service, summary R45558.

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VICE PRESIDENT

MIKE PENCE CRUISING FOR CHARITY ON A HARLEY-DAVIDSON By Dave Nichols

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hile occupying the Governor’s office of Indiana, and about to be sworn in as the country’s second in command, Vice President Mike Pence has demonstrated a preference for Milwaukee Iron. He began riding Harley-Davidsons in his younger years, and in July 2016, borrowed a buddy’s black Street Glide and led the Ride with the Governor charity event. The 100-mile ride aided the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund’s efforts to help service members and their families as well as to spotlight motorcycle safety via the ride’s organizer, American Bikers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE). “At the RNC [Republican National Convention] in Cleveland, Mike Pence came up and poked me in the chest. I was wearing a T-shirt with a motorcycle image, and he said, ‘I got one of those at the house, young man,’” says Chris Cox, Founder of Bikers for Trump. While the event’s route has varied since it was first launched in 2005, this go-around found VP-to-be Pence, along with 250

other riders, cruising downtown Indianapolis and then over to the town of Corydon, the state’s first capital circa 1816 to 1825. When interviewed, he joked that riding motorcycles was “required in the Constitution.” That idea may be shared by New York State’s Congresswoman, Claudia Tenney, as she and Pence learned that they both share a common bond with Harley-Davidson as well as sons serving as Marines. As they talked, Tenney said, “I noticed a picture circulating on Facebook of you with a Harley. And he [Pence] said, ‘Yes, do you like to ride?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I have a Harley too.’” As it turned out, during her campaign she aired a video showing her riding her white and blue 2015 Softail DeLuxe. Her political stance also echoed Pence’s and the President’s campaign points. “I ran on a very similar agenda that Trump ran on,” Tenney tells us. “Less taxes, limited government, reducing regulations, dealing with the national debt, trying to reduce, repair and replace and get rid of Obamacare.”

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Biker

Mondo Porras THE GODFATHER OF CHOPPERS

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FOR TRUMP

By Dave Nichols

he following is a very American story. It is about living the American way of life, embracing freedom, and standing behind our President. Revered as the “Godfather of Choppers” by many of his peers, Mondo Porras can look back at an illustrious career in the custom motorcycle world as few can. From judging and putting on custom bike shows worldwide, to television appearances on shows such as The Discovery Channel’s Great Biker Build-Off, his story is as unique as the man himself and his name is forever linked to the long, low and lean bikes Denver’s Choppers is most known for. Mondo is also a proud supporter of our President Donald Trump. In fact, he believes that Trump may very well save our way of life in America.

Barely out of high school, Mondo began working with Denver Mullins, the original owner of Denver’s Choppers out of San Bernardino, California. Back in the 1960’s, the shop was known for building custom cars and hot rods. For Mondo, the wish to become a biker led him to buying a used HarleyDavidson Panhead. Throwing a leg over your first big twin Harley can be a bit scary. “I remember Denver saying, ‘You bought it, you ride it!’ I kicked that Panhead over and I haven’t looked back since.” “We decided to get some motorcycles and fix ‘em up,” Mondo recalls, “and that’s how we got into playing with bikes. We all bought Harleys and decided we didn’t like the way they g

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looked, so we started building front ends and changing frames and customizing them, and pretty soon people came in and wanted us to do that to their bikes.” That was shortly after 1967, the year Denver’s Choppers opened its doors, which made it one of the very first businesses in the slowly emerging custom motorcycle industry to manufacture and sell custom parts. “Back then, there were no catalogs to order parts from, so within a short time, we were known worldwide as the guys to go to for custom parts for choppers,” Mondo explains. Soon Denver’s began building complete custom bikes and shipping them all over the world. It got to the point, according to Mondo, where “you couldn’t pick up a custom bike magazine without seeing a Denver bike in it.” The Denver’s Chopper style is uniquely its own, according to Mondo, who describes it as long and low. “I’d call it Southern California style.” It all came to a tragic end in October of 1992, when Denver, who also dabbled in drag boats, drowned during a test run with a safety capsule he and Mondo had designed. For the following year-and-a-half, Mondo stayed at the shop to settle outstanding accounts and take care of legal matters. “What I did was focus more on the drag boats but was still building bikes in the shop as well,” he says. On June 30, 1997, Mondo re-opened Denver’s Choppers, having moved to Henderson, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas. “During that time some of the things I am most-proud of happened to me,” he says. “First off, my association with the legendary Easyriders Magazine. I could not have done it without the magazine’s support and help over the years. In 2001 I was awarded the trophy for Best Custom Bike Fabricator from Easyriders. I also had the very extreme pleasure of being in David Mann’s last painting for the 30th anniversary of Easyriders. This was a huge deal to me.” Mondo was also honored to be awarded the first ever David Mann Kind Award from the David Mann Chopper Fest, and was installed into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018, along with being voted Cycle Source Magazine’s Man of the Year. In 2012 he moved to Reno to be near his daughter and her family and try to slow down a bit, running his one-man-shop in a strip mall near the city’s airport. “But slowing down has not really happened. I still work seven days a week because I love it so much,” Mondo says. After more than 50 years in the business, Mondo still adheres to the old Denver philosophy, and his front end, rolling chassis, and complete bikes are as innovative, old-school, and mind-blowing as they were during the early days. “Most of my customers g

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“Back then, there were no catalogs to order parts from, so within a short time, we were known worldwide as the guys to go to for custom parts for choppers”

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are hard-working Americans young and old who love choppers,” Mondo tells us. “I still build a lot of Springer front ends that go all over the world.”

not only elect a President he believed in but also to champion and empower bikers and veterans all across the country.

As far as retirement goes, Mondo says although he’s in his 70s now, he’s loving it more every day as the bikes get better with every build. “That makes it all worthwhile and exciting to come to work every day,” he says. “I don't want to ever retire. I’m having too much fun building bikes and hot rods. My running joke is that if you ever find me in my shop bent over my welding table with my hood on and the part finished, I was working on, I died a happy man.”

Chris threw his first rally in Virginia Beach at a bar called Bone Shakers, and it turned out bone-shaking cold and rainy plus the local team was playing a Super Bowl playoff. Several hundred bikers still showed up and it was spotlighted with TV coverage that reached several hundred thousand people. The ball was rolling. Chris got back on the road, setting up rallies wherever he could.

When asked about his loyalty to Donald Trump, Mondo lights up. He says he has a shrine to the President at his shop. “I believe he really is going to drain the swamp in Washington,” Mondo says. “We need a businessman who can come into this mess from the outside and make changes as no career politician can. He has done so many amazing things that you never hear about in the fake news media.” Bikers are a very loyal and patriotic bunch and there are millions of them all across America who share Mondo’s sentiments. One such patriot is Chris Cox, who started Bikers for Trump back in 2014. Bikers for Trump originally stated that its goal was “to bring together like-minded patriots for the sole purpose of electing Donald Trump for President of the United States.” That message definitely served its purpose and achieved its avowed goal, Donald J. Trump now standing as the President after leaving the pollsters and pundits with their jaws dropped down to their knees. And if you listened closely, you could have heard a deep rumbling as a background soundtrack, the music of masses of motorcycles rallying to the campaign. And the man who orchestrated that symphony of nationwide biker support was indeed Chris Cox. It took clocking 50,000 miles across the country in a raggedy trailer and sleeping in Walmart parking lots, all on his own nickel. “First, I drove all around Virginia and North Carolina sort of checking the political temperature, stopping at biker bars with a few bumper stickers I had printed, then started a dialogue over a cold beer, and always within minutes, people were talking about Trump,” Chris recalls. “Then I went to social media and it took off from there.” That’s a bit of an understatement of the time, sheer grit and determination Chris put into his plan, to

That first rally would eventually grow into a cavalcade of several thousand Bikers for Trump who rumbled into Cleveland for the Republican National Convention. “We were there to make sure that the delegates were allowed to exercise their right to peacefully assemble. We had bikers coming in groups from all over the country, anywhere from a thousand to 10,000. What we had in common was that we were all citizen crusaders from all walks of life. We came there to stand with law enforcement, with veterans, with the working man to collectively get behind Donald Trump elected as President.” Chris had an amazing turnout at Daytona Bike Week in Florida after several weeks on the road when he secured a spot at the No Name Saloon, a biker bar with serious history. “I knew this would be my coming-out party so to speak because of the big collection of bikers.” While Chris was initially handling the speaker’s role, later he was able to bring in heavy hitters such as New Hampshire State House Representative and Veterans for Trump spokesman Al Baldasaro as well as Governor Henry McMaster who spoke at the last South Carolina rally and also ex-New York Mayor Giuliani who would speak to the 3,000 bikers that attended the last rally staged in Homosassa. After the rally successes in Florida, and Fox News giving Bikers for Trump major national coverage, Chris set his sights on the national primaries, starting up in New York. “It’s one of the most liberal areas in the world, and we were going to show them what we got,” Chris said. “I was going there because all the other candidates were there, but I was also going there because Trump was not. In fact, I deliberately put on the rallies when he wasn’t around, because anybody could build a rally if Trump was there. I wanted to build a crowd without Trump to highlight how popular he really was and also how enthusiastic bikers were about the election.” g The TRUMP RALLY Publication

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In the process of raising the Bikers for Trump banner, Chris brought together like-minded Trump supporters including the Patriot Guard Riders and the Defenders of Liberty. The grass roots group teamed up to offer security for Trump rallies in general, and in the case of the Cleveland National Republican Convention wanted to add their support to local law enforcement in case of attempted disruptions of the activities. During the campaign, Mr. Trump was definitely aware of the Bikers for Trump support. In his own unique style, he has Tweeted his appreciation to Chris and Bikers for Trump. While attending the annual Memorial Weekend Rolling Thunder motorcycle run in Washington, DC, where he was given the event’s official endorsement, Mr. Trump said, “When I saw the thousands of bikes, I asked what are they doing here? My people said, they’re here to protect you. It’s an amazing thing.” When he added he would “knock the hell out of ISIS” and back up the military on the home front as well, he received a resounding thumbs up from the riders, the majority of whom were veterans and police officers. Chris Cox has said that seven out of ten Bikers for Trump members have served their country, many in combat, and form “the backbone of the community.”

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One of the many reasons that Donald Trump gained the trust and support of so many bikers has to do with the fact that he made sure to appear at events around the country where blue collar Americans gather to make sure they were onboard with his message of a new America. One such gathering was Rolling Thunder in Washington DC in which bikers come from all over the country to honor Prisoners of War (POWs), those missing in action, and our service men and women who have given their lives to keep us free. “Do we love the bikers? Yes!” Trump said on the National Mall in Washington DC, “Some of these people are tough. And some of these guys, they’re rough. And I get out and I shake their hands and I’ll tell you, there is love. There is love, and it’s an incredible feeling. And that’s why I wanted to be here today.” For all these reasons and more, many of America’s tried-and-true bikers support President Trump. After all, bikers are rebels. They are wolves in a land of sheep, and in Trump, they see a fellow rebel. It is no wonder that patriots like Mondo of Denver’s Choppers stands behind the President and looks forward to his re-election. “I believe Trump will save us,” Mondo says. “I believe in him.” ALL PHOTOS BY DENVER’S CHOPPERS ARCHIVES

DOUG STENBERG

“President

Trump strives to help the military; he strives to help us all.” – Doug Stenberg SSG 190

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Veteran, Biker, and Champion for Trump

oug Stenberg was in the military for just over twenty years. He began his military career in the Navy Seabees from 19721975. Eleven years later, he joined the New Hampshire National Guard and around that same time, his former passion for riding motorcycles was reignited. Back in the 1960’s, Stenberg grew up on a farm and got into riding motorcycles with his friends from school. “I got together with kids my age and we went. It wasn’t an elaborate thing like it is today in 2020,” Stenberg said, referring to the generous support bikers contribute to the community. From toy runs at Christmas to the marches in advocacy of constitutional rights, bikers unite to provide protection and relief for their communities.

After he retired from the military in 2006, Stenberg craved the winding roads and the humble roar of a Harley-Davidson. His Harley hankering led him to purchase a chrome and cranberry bodied 1997 Dyna. Like many veterans, Stenberg did not retire the military without the sacrifice of his health. Serving in Iraq during OPERATION DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, and others, left him 80% disabled with nerve damage and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He found solace in riding and within the biker community. “90% of the bikers I know are veterans who served in Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan,” he said. Being among a group of people who shared his same values and could relate to his life experiences provided Stenberg with a sense of relief and freedom. On a trip from South Carolina to Washington DC, Stenberg and about forty other bikers set off and were eventually joined by almost two thousand other bikers. Thousands of bikers cruising down the interstate, two-by-two, with the wind whipping at their backs and a harmony of low growls from the engines humming throughout the air, the only word that Stenberg could use to describe his experience was “fascinating” – an all-encompassing word that marvels at the unparalleled camaraderie and support amongst the biker community. Whether in a Motorcycle Organization (MO) or a fly-by night biker, like Stenberg who just rallies and rides, many bikers take a strong stance on patriotism and the preservation g

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of American rights declared in the nation’s constitution. For this reason, they are among the most remarkable supporters of President Trump. President Trump goes beyond politics when it comes to running our great nation. He knows what needs to be done to transcend America from a fruitful dream to a flourishing reality. “All the bikers that I know support President Trump and care about making America what it is supposed to be,” Stenberg said. And what America is supposed to be is great and free; free to exercise their rights as scripted in the Constitution. When it comes to making speeches or even posting on Twitter, President Trump is a straight-shooter. “I feel President Trump tells them like it is … This man is not afraid to tell you, no matter who you are, what’s right and what’s wrong,” Stenberg said. Whether Trump is speaking on the validity of the news, the necessity of the wall on the Mexican border, or the urgency of the protection of American rights, he is not afraid to go against the current to fight for what is right.

vital equipment for our forces, a 3.1% pay raise for troops, among many other enhancements to the quality of life for our military members and their families.

One of the most prominent reasons Stenberg stands in support of President Trump is Trump’s fulfilment of his pledge to rebuild and modernize America’s military. “Trump is trying to help make the military better on the same token that he is trying to help the American people,” Stenberg said, attributing to the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which authorizes a historic 738 billion dollar defense spending budget, investment in

Doug Stenberg assumes many roles as an American citizen: veteran, biker, father, and friend – as do many bikers in America. But perhaps his most critical role in this election season is advocate and champion for President Trump’s reelection. Stenberg affirms that “President Trump needs to be reelected for America’s sake,” and voices his hope for the American public to see President Trump’s vision for a greater America.

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WELCOME

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the

CLUB By Janis Mako

resident Donald Trump’s second presidential campaign is officially underway. With several successful 2020 rallies and events behind us, our President and his supporters are gearing up for the demanding, vigorous upcoming months to ensure a worthy second term for Donald J Trump. After all, freedom is worth fighting for. The President’s Fourth of July rally at the nation’s capital was evident of that freedom. With hundreds of thousands of Americans present, Bikers for Trump included, it was a great continuation of the support Trump has seen thus far. As Americans, we have to continue to support the pillars of liberty, justice, freedom and greatness that America was built upon and those who uphold them. Now more than ever, we must stand with our country and our President. “I saw first-hand the Washington DC gridlock. So, I wished and hoped for a candidate that would step forward outside of the establishment. Low and behold, here is Donald Trump,” said Chris Cox, founder of Bikers for Trump. “That’s how Bikers for Trump was born. I saw an opportunity to reinvent the [Republican] party. I spent all of my money on [Bikers for Trump] and about ninety percent of my time on it,” Cox went on to explain. Cox’s devotion to America has since led to the most profound and unexpected political marvel our country has seen to date. Bikers for Trump is a grassroots political organization of patriotic American bikers and citizens “who are committed to supporting President

Trump's agenda and upholding American liberties.” Chris Cox, a chainsaw artist from South Carolina, has been a long-time lone wolf in the American biker community until Donald Trump’s presence in the political arena inspired and swayed him into getting involved with politics again. President Trump isn't the first political figure Cox has bolstered up. In the 1990s, Cox worked for former Vice President Dan Quayle. Today, Chris is running for Congress. Cox displayed appreciation for Quayle’s mentorship publicly in a post. On April 30, 2020, he wrote, “Thank you Dan Quayle. The training I received as an Advance Man in the Office of the Vice President set in motion my ambitions to impact the presidential election cycle. As your next member of the House of Representatives, I will serve the Lowcountry, not the swamp. Too many politicians go to DC and forget why they’re there and where they came from. In DC, I’ll fight to pass term limits for members of Congress, to restore integrity to Washington with respect for the constitution and the American people who entrust us to be their voice. My biggest strengths are political instinct and loyalty. I’ll never forget where I come from and who I’m there to represent.” “I had retired from politics. I became fed up with it,” Cox said during a 2017 interview with The New York Times. Many felt the same sentiment until Donald Trump showed America it can be great again. Because of President Trump, Cox’s perspective on politics has changed dramatically. Politics g

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isn't something we, as Americans, have the liberty to ignore. “A lot of people out there don't want anything to do with politics. Well, let me tell you something. Politics will have something to do with you. People need to get involved and we need to show our President some support here.” Cox’s dedication to President Trump’s message and his faithful nationwide biker group have been rewarding. Since its conception four years ago, the organization has grown exponentially in members, calling for organized staff in different regions of the country. Dale Herndon is the Director and National Coordinator of the political organization. He controls the group’s social media handles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as coordinates events and rallies for the organization. Many other chapter moderators of Bikers for Trump help coordinate rallies and events in their region of the country as well as assist members and other people who fit the patriot demographic with information and answer inquiries. With over three hundred and thirty-nine thousand members of Bikers for Trump on Facebook, you are almost guaranteed to see and feel the security of the Bikers for Trump presence at the any Trump rally in your area. Bikers for Trump are ethnically and culturally diverse; they come from every walk of life. These singular histories were divergent until a light from the right emerged and called for a unification to support a leader who functions beyond politics. Bikers for Trump are all shapes, sizes and colors; they are from different backgrounds and classes; they come from hundreds of miles around; but all stand together for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Some bikers are police and veterans while others have never participated in politics until Donald Trump became a viable option for America. His endeavor to make a greater, unrecognizable America has manifested an inspiration that has liberated the hearts of hundreds of thousands of Americans. “Everyday patriots are coming on board,” Cox said. “We’ve spent a lot of time policing out

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members. We don't have felons that’re servicing in leadership positions. We have community members out there. We have blue collared guys. We have archangelical Bikers for Christ. We have veterans and combat veterans in front of our group.” Bikers for Trump consists of fathers, mothers, teachers, doctors, veterans – everyday Americans. These patriots represent the different niche views of America; they represent the changes they want and need to see in our country. President Trump Tweeted, “Hundreds of Bikers for Trump just joined me at Bedminster. Quite a scene – GREAT people who TRULY LOVE our country.” The goal of the Bikers of Trump organization is very simple: they are here to support President Trump by being a patriot and defender of America and our freedoms. They are here to exemplify and amplify his “Make America Great Again” promise and to help him in any way they can to ensure his next four years as our President. Since 2016, the group has held peaceful events and rallies in Trump’s name to gain support and educate voters on the issues America faces. “We are here to push his voice forward and try to reach out to his demographic to continue growing. We’re looking at almost half a million strong now. We’re going to be in the position to swing votes. Our main [goal] is that we want to identify congressional members across the country, and senatorial members, and we’re going to get their pledge for our president. We’re going to hold them to that pledge and were going to help swing that vote… But as far as out there [at the rallies], stepping and getting our hands dirty and civil disobedience and really going against the fabric of this country… that’s not what we’re about,” Cox said. Now more than ever, Bikers for Trump have taken a more vigorous and active role in keeping the peace during Donald Trump's 2020 campaign due to the recent protesting. “We’re not looking for any fight. We are here to stand with Donald Trump and his fellow supporters. In the event we have to provide extra security, we will. The armed citizen is the first line of g

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defense; law abiding weapons carriers,” said “Bomb Dog,” a member of Bikers for Trump. Making America Great Again is a value the bikers want to uphold for the United States for years to come. They want their children and grandchildren to experience the same America they experienced as a child, but better. Bikers want to reform America to its former glory and President Trump is the vehicle and force to lead us to that victory. “Because bikers want to see a wall built. Because bikers want to see Syrian refugees vetted, that doesn't make us racists. That makes us patriots. We have got to change our policies in Washington [DC]. We have to work on bringing jobs back to America. We have to work on race relations 198

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in America,” said Cox. “When we show up [to rallies and events], we are there to bring peace and calmness to the situation. We are not there to intimidate. We are there to give our President some support, some much-needed support.” Bikers for Trump stand with peace and respect during the events they attend. They set the example with their upstanding presence and readiness to serve in their communities. Bikers for Trump’s 2020 mission and role at rallies has expanded to acting as additional security, standing up with and for police, creating human barriers for supporters and to identify and remove protesters. “Being told to stand down goes against every fiber of a police officer that has given an oath and sworn to serve g

and protect. To have to watch felonies unfolding, it goes against every fiber of the police department and police officers. Our hearts go out to them and we couldn't have more support for them than we do now. We are going to continue to support police officers around this country. We are going to continue to support the president with unyielding support and we are excited about the leadership Donald Trump has exemplified,” Cox said. To keep this vision, President Trump, and his fellow supporters safe and peaceful are imperative. Bikers for Trump are as loyal to Trump as they are to their Harleys. That is because of Trump’s devotion to America. Trump and the sound of a Harley have the same spirit. They ignite the same feelings. President Trump is the rumble and shake our country has needed. He has an attitude. He tells it like it is but he’s more than just ‘talk’. He is action and he's unapologetic. The spirit of Harley and Trump are synonymous with the USA – and its freedom. Is Trump a biker? No, but he’s in touch with America. He's in touch with the needs and wants of our citizens to make our country great again. Bikers and Trump hold many of the same values and attitude towards life and self-expression. Bikers are strong, spirited and rebellious. Bikers are brutally honest and unapologetic about their bold individualism. They are fiercely loyal. They are proud of their roots and their home. They LOVE America. Sound familiar?

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What can you and your family expect at a 2020 Trump Presidential campaign rally? First of all, it is, in fact, family friendly. It is safe. Admission doesn’t cost a penny. Rallies are full to the brim with fellow American loving, American protecting, President Trump supporting people. It is a sea of red, love, strength, hope and God. It is a spectacle of passion, loyalty, pride and community. Rallies are fun, educational and inspirational. More times than not, you can expect President Trump’s appearance. Bikers for Trump, by the hundreds if not thousands, will have a presence at every rally. With a loyal following that clearly shows up, supporters and bikers alike, a win for Trump in 2020 is in sight. Even though Trump rides in a limousine versus the open road, the parallels between these seemingly uncomplimentary forces is one to be reckoned with. Bikers for Trump have attended multiple rallies across the country getting in gear for the 2020 Presidential Campaign and they will attend every one until the campaign is over to ensure safety and raise support. Just like previous years, Bikers are coming by the thousands. Their dedication, integrity, intensity and passion are uncanny and admirable. “A lower-key politician that embraces the ideals, would we like him or her? Yeah,” said Bill Hayes, a California biker. “But in this case, it’s all so over the top that the support is over the top.”

“As a civilian, we don't get a lot of opportunity to serve our country, so when we get one, we need to step up and seize it!” Cox said, attributing to the civil duty called upon to all citizens. “I can tell you I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of the Bikers for Trump – I have the tough people, but they don’t play it tough – until they go to a certain point, and then it would be very bad, very bad, ” President Trump said in a Tweet, recognizing the vigor of his supporters. Bikers for Trump are not alone in their crusade. President Trump has gained support of many members of society on many levels to make a change for the better. Stand with them. President Trump still needs our help. President Donald Trump and America need another four years of leadership without the Swamp destroying everything our President has put into place. Our country and our President depend on it. God bless America. God bless President Donald Trump. God bless Bikers for Trump and American citizens everywhere. To learn more or donate to Bikers for Trump, visit their website at bikersfortrumppac2020.com.

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Advertiser Index American AF Nation................................................................31

S & S Promotional Group......................................................95

American Legacy Firearms...................................................47

SB Tactical.................................................................................... 5

American Mint...........................................Inside Front Cover

Seal 1...........................................................................................97

Army 245: Call to Duty Publication.................................. 151

Second Amendment Foundation.......................................33

Bradd and Hall............................................ Inside Back Cover

Shield Republic...................................................................... 149

Bul Bag........................................................................................43

Sneaky Pete Holsters........................................................... 125

Cowboy Fast Draw Association..........................................55

Spikes Tactical..........................................................................75

Diamond Eye Performance...................................................29

Spit Bud.................................................................................... 199

Ford Performance Specialists.......................................... 193

Tactical Development.............................................................51

Global Archery Products.......................................................67

Taylor's & Company.................................................................37

Gooseneck Trailer Mfg ............................................................ 9

US Night Vision Corporation.................................................. 7

Green Stuff Absorbent........................................................ 163

Walther Arms.............................................................................63

GripKnife.....................................................................................69

Wilkinson Tactical....................................................................61

Gun Owners of America........................................................11 GunSkins ...................................................................................53 Heretic Knives........................................................................ 111 Illinois State Rifle Association...........Outside Back Cover Illinois State Rifle Association.......................................... 189 Industrious Handwear......................................................... 203 InvisiShield.................................................................................71 It's in the Bag Boutique..........................................................83 Liong Mah Design...................................................................41 Luxe Holdings Group..............................................................27 MGM Targets............................................................................49 Midwest Perma-Column.................................................... 109 NeoMag .................................................................................. 141 Palmetto State Armory...........................................................39 Pastor Ben Graham, Author..................................................79 Precision Reflex........................................................................65 Professional Media Group................................................. 201 Prolix Lubricant.........................................................................99 Q Series.................................................................................... 153 Rhino Hitch............................................................................. 123 Rock Island Armory.................................................................45 202

The TRUMP RALLY Publication

The Trump Rally Publication: Make America Great Again

Articles inside

Doug Stenberg

Welcome to the Club

A Biker for Trump

Vice President Mike Pence

Risk and Needs Assessment in Prison Reform

A 'Divisive' Speech?

We the People Can Build the Wall

Keep America Growing

President Trump Standing Behind the Badge

Freedom is not Free

President Donald J. Trump Awarding America’s Best the Medal of Honor

A First Responder’s Letter

Do Americans Like When Trump Says Fake News?

The Best is Yet to Come

The Trump Brand

Commander in Chief in the 21st Century