3. U.S. Legislative News. You would think that the first order of business of both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate this week would be to end the current partial government shut down that effects Department of Homeland Security funding. Today marks day 18 of the partial shutdown.
On Saturday, 2/28/2026, President Donald J. Trump, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, launched Operation Epic Fury in conjunction with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), to neutralize an imminent threat to U.S. civilians and military personnel in the Middle East. Careful Intel gathering had determined the threat. Many individuals have voiced concerns because they consider Operation Epic Fury to be an “unprovoked” military action. The Islamic Republic of Iran has been provoking the United States of America for 47 years. During this time, Iran has killed 869 U.S. Military Personnel. In 1988, Colonel William R. Higgins was serving as a member of a United Nations peace-keeping mission when he was kidnapped by a Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon. He was tortured and held captive for 17 months. His desecrated body was found behind a mosque. An autopsy report revealed he had been starved, skin on part of his face and his tongue had been removed, and he had been castrated. In addition to brutal tortures and murders, Iranian terrorist linked groups have engaged in plane hijackings and hostage situations. In 1979, militants in Iran seized 66 hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for over a year. Iran has been the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism for almost 5 decades. Trump has waited patiently for Iran to negotiate a peace deal with the United States since Operation Midnight Thunder was orchestrated on 6/22/2025. While dithering on the diplomatic stage, Iran was plotting and building an arsenal for the regime’s “death to America” revenge.
Many Democrats plus some Republicans believe Trump acted unlawfully in engaging in military action in Iran without first obtaining U.S. Congressional approval. Under the War Powers Resolution (Act) of 1973, the President is able to respond unilaterally to an imminent threat but is then required to obtain Congressional approval of such emergency military actions within 60 days following commencement of the action. Trump fulfilled his mandatory briefing duties under the War Powers Act. The Gang of Eight – 1. Mike Johnson (R-LA): Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, 2. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY): U.S. House Minority Leader, 3. John Thune (R-SD): U.S. Senate Majority Leader, 4. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): U.S. Senate Minority Leader, 5. Rick Crawford (R-AR): Chair of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, 6. Jim Himes (D-CT): Ranking Member of House Intelligence Committee, 7. Tom Cotton (R-AR): Chair of Senate Intelligence Committee, 8. Mark Warner (D-VA): Vice Chair of Senate Intelligence Committee – were briefed on Epic Fury on Tuesday, 2/25/2026. Seven Gang of Eight members were available to be reached immediately before operation Epic Fury commenced on 2/28/2026. Much talk has been raised over the preceding weekend to curtail the President’s ability to engage in military actions. I find it interesting that many of our Congressional members have had a lot to say about U.S. actions overseas while we are currently in a partial government shutdown at home that effects funding for the Department of Homeland Security. We are at an increased risk of terrorist acts occurring in the homeland and it is well past time for our government to act on behalf of the American people who pay government officials to protect Americans’ cherished assets which includes our lives. Protecting Americans should not be a partisan issue.
There has been chatter voicing concern about a “forever war.” I too do not have a positive view of many of the U.S. military actions that have occurred globally since WWII, but I have not been amused with Iranian mullahs running rough shod over our appeasing U.S. officials who have come to believe that diplomacy and pallets of cash will keep the Jihadists at bay. The Iranian Theocracy has been quite explicit in stating their desire for imposing Sharia Law globally. These zealots should be taken at their word which means there can be no peace until Western Judeo-Christian societies submit to Islam. Following Operation Midnight Thunder, many Iranians who favor a Western Worldview took to the streets in protest of the current ruling regime. Estimates put the recent slaughter of protesting Iranian citizens by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp. (IRGC) in the tens of thousands. In an address to the American people on Saturday and a follow-up statement yesterday, Trump made his objectives clear. Epic Fury is being carried out boldly and precisely to take out Iran’s ruling leaders, missiles, and missile launchers in a joint venture with the IDF. President Trump explicitly stated that the governing of Iran will be turned over to the Iranian people and he implored the people of Iran desiring freedom to act now for this once in a lifetime opportunity. I believe that Trump’s team would not have initiated Epic Fury if resources on the ground in Iran to implement real change were not ready to roll.
The days ahead will be tough as U.S. military casualties mount. The price of freedom is never free. The IRGC has been launching missiles all over the Middle East. It would appear that the IRGC has not made friends with United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. It is now making a lot more sense why Trump has invested so much diplomatic time during his current administration cozying up to Middle Eastern partners. To Conservatives who are carping that Epic Fury is not America First, my simple response is “grow up.” The United States of America is part of the world at large and one cannot hide in a closet hoping that things will magically work out. The U.S. has many global enemies who would celebrate its complete demise. I would prefer to level many of these players on their home turf, not ours. The current Iranian Islamic Regime cannot be bargained or reasoned with and this truth has been proven repeatedly over many decades.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Matthew 17: 1-9
Reflect today on Christ’s transfiguration and Peter’s reaction: “Lord it is good that we are here.” It was a good day for Peter and the other disciples. We all have good and bad days, but what makes a good day versus a bad day? We can define a good versus a bad day through the lens of our obedience to God’s will, especially when we are called to bear the Cross and practice sacrificial love. It is easy to love God when we are consoled but becomes more difficult when we face trials and tribulations. Reflect today on your good and bad days. Consider if you view every cross you bear as an invitation to love sacrificially, something good. That is what Christ wants for us, embrace it with joy.
🔥 GREG GUTFELD: “The angrier and more sullen the Dems are, the more effective and successful Trump’s policies are!”
“It’s anything Trump says: His success is measured by this explosion of envy and resentment that you see on the other side.” pic.twitter.com/vwNWsTpztE