Letters from an American

June 14, 2026
On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army, The Battles of Lexington and Concord had made it clear that the British government endangered American liberties, Congress then named Virginia planter George Washington as its commander-in-chief, Defending the country without creating a military that could be used to repress the people was a challenge, The army was overlooked by Congress and funds were not available for food or supplies for the militiamen encamped at Valley Forge, PA, When France signed a treaty with the American states in February 1778, they lent money, material, and men to the cause of American independence, The Treaty of Paris formally ended the war in September 1783, and Congress disbanded the army, Washington stepped aside from military leadership, addressing Congress in December, Painter John Trumbull called his retirement one of the highest moral lessons ever given to the world.  
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June 13, 2026
The head of the Kennedy Center certified to the court that the Center and its board have complied with the order to remove Trump’s name from the building,  They have not removed the tarp installed over the Center's portico, The Kennedy Center spokesperson said that the board was evaluating legal options, UFC fighters held a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial in advance of the cage fight planned for the White House on Trump’s birthday, The fighters were given the US military’s highest ceremonial formation as they walked down the steps of the Memorial, Stunts were performed on the South Lawn of the White House, Trump posted multiple images of himself on social media, The UFC fighters will enter the ring from the Oval Office and the whole thing will be carried live - for a fee. 
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June 12, 2026
Today was the deadline for removing Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center, The DOJ asked for a stay, but Judge Christopher Cooper ruled against them, The Kennedy Center board then filed an emergency appeal, alleging that the board would strip all funding unless Trump’s name remains on the building, The Washington National Opera has filed a suit claiming they are owed $17 million of the money Trump says now belongs to the Kennedy Center, Trump has seized funds appropriated for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Federal agencies and the UFC are putting at least $60 million toward the White House cage fight scheduled for Trump’s 80th birthday, Trump brags about the gilding of the horse sculptures by the Lincoln Memorial, The sculptures and Trump's proposed arch echo Victor Orbán’s use of architecture and memorials as symbols, Before day's end, the appeals court denied the motion to stay the removal of Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center and the removal was underway overnight.
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June 11, 2026
Trump began the day threatening to strike Iran and to take Kharg Island, Trump has not gotten congressional approval for continuing action in Iran, Fox News hosts are urging Trump to increase US military involvement in Iran, claiming a decisive win will be swift, Trump compares Iran to Venezuela, The US appears to be controlling Venezuela’s oil exports, but there is no transparency around the arrangement and Democrats have sent a formal request for an audit, The mood at the White House is reported to be angry and Trump is pushing his demands for military funding, the passage of the SAVE America Act, and installation of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, Republicans joined Democrats to reject a measure to extend FISA, Then Trump pulled back, reversing the plan to strike Iran, and nominating Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence.
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June 10, 2026
Inflation in May hit its highest level since early 2023, Trump seems unconcerned - revising the story by suggesting that the hit to the economy was strategic, Trump is also rewriting the history of the war that he started in Iran, Reporters in the NY Times have brought Jeffrey Epstein back into the news, suggesting panic in the White House, JD Vance has pressed to have Tim Walz and Keith Ellison of Minnesota investigated for fraud, An Iranian drone downed a US helicopter, Tump has launched new airstrikes against Iran, Oil prices jumped with the news of the strikes, Trump is pressuring the Republicans to provide additional funding for the military and to pass the SAVE American bill.
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