06/28/2025

Ms. Vance kicked off the event with brief remarks informing the children present about the opportunity to participate in her Summer Reading Challenge and then began to read to the group. Following her remarks, Ms. Vance participated in a Q&A session with the children who were excited to hear about her role as Second Lady and collectively told her all of their favorite books to read. She then helped children create their own book covers in a fun activity, and the event concluded.

"Summer is a great time for learning, and what better place to learn than while having fun at camp! I am very grateful to the Jamestown 4-H and NMFA team members who made this event possible," said Second Lady Usha Vance.

For more information on the Second Lady Summer Reading Challenge please visit www.wh.gov/read.

06/27/25

Americans are seeing the cheapest summertime gas prices since 2021 -- more than 20 cents lower than one year ago -- as President Donald J. Trump delivers on his promises of lower prices , stable inflation, and higher wages.

The Fake News was wrong again.

From The New York Times : "Summer road trips appear to be safe from a big spike in gasoline prices. The national average price of gasoline has hovered around $3.20 a gallon this week after Israel and Iran agreed to a cease-fire … And it is more than 20 cents lower than a year ago. The last time the cost for drivers was lower in late June was in 2021."

From The Wall Street Journal : "Hitting the road this summer won't bring as big of a hit to your wallet. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline, $3.21, is about 23 cents cheaper than this time last year … Reduced prices would be a boon for consumers during the warmer months when Americans drive more. Low energy prices so far this year have already contributed to the economy's resilience and helped keep inflation in check."

From NBC News : "Looking at gas prices that are the best in four years -- and this is so important for all of those millions of people who will be hitting the roads … 20 cents less than it was a year ago, so that's six or seven bucks extra when you fill up. That's real money."

06/27/25

"Today's decision restores the proper separation of powers between the branches of government. Ending nationwide injunctions is a tremendous victory for the American people and the rule of law." -- White House Counsel David Warrington

No longer can rogue, activist judges abuse their authority to dictate the executive powers of the President of the United States, the Supreme Court ruled -- a massive victory for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the presidency itself.

Since the moment President Trump took office, low-level activist judges have been exploiting their positions to kneecap the agenda on which he was overwhelmingly elected. In fact, of the 40 nationwide injunctions filed against President Trump's executive actions in his second term, 35 of them came from just five far-left jurisdictions: California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

Now, the Trump Administration can promptly proceed with critical action to save the country -- like ending birthright citizenship, ceasing sanctuary city funding, suspending refugee resettlement, freezing unnecessary funding, stopping taxpayers from funding transgender surgeries, and much more.

The Supreme Court's commonsense decision was rightly hailed as a huge win:

President Trump : "The Supreme Court has delivered a monumental victory for the Constitution, the separation of powers, and the RULE OF LAW in striking down the excessive use of nationwide injunctions … I was elected on a historic mandate, but in recent months, we've seen a handful of radical left judges effectively try to overrule the rightful powers of the president to stop the American people from getting the policies that they voted for in record numbers. It was a grave threat to democracy."

Attorney General Pam Bondi : "Americans are finally getting what they voted for. No longer will we have rogue judges striking down President Trump's policies across the entire nation -- no longer."

CNN chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid : "This is a big win for President Trump because he has been railing against these so-called nationwide injunctions … The justices are agreeing with Trump and limiting this power that judges have to block a policy for the entire country."

CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig : "Such a big win for the Trump Administration and … the Office of the President."

Attorney Jonathan Turley : "I think that the Trump Administration has very good reason to celebrate. These district court judges have really tied down the administration."

Sen. John Kennedy : "Anybody who knows a law book from an L.L. Bean catalog knows that federal judges just made up this concept of universal injunctions ... They just made it up because they don't agree with what a President or Congress has done."

MSNBC legal analyst Melissa Murray : "This is a huge win for the Trump administration."

The New York Times : "A major victory for President Trump"

NBC News : "A major win to the Trump administration"

New York Post : "Major win"

Reuters : "Win for Trump"

Politico : "Supreme Court hands Trump major win"

06/26/25

In a defining moment for global security, President Donald J. Trump achieved a monumental victory for the United States and its allies, brokering an historic deal to dramatically increase defense contributions across the NATO alliance -- and marking a new era of shared responsibility and strength against global threats.

The agreement was met with widespread praise at home and across the world.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte : "Would you ever think that this would be the result of this summit if he would not have been re-elected president? … I think he deserves all the praise."

Finnish President Alexander Stubb : "We're witnessing the birth of a new NATO … This is a big win, I think, for both President Trump and I think it's also a big win for Europe."

Polish President Andrzej Duda : "Without the support and without the leadership of Donald Trump, it would be impossible."

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal : "It's a historic moment that we will be ramping up defense expenditure to five percent. I strongly, and Estonia strongly, support it."

Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen : "I think he's exactly right when he says that Europe needs to spend more."

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas : "Allies seem to be united. I think the understanding is everybody needs to do more for defense because we are living in very turbulent times."

Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski : "We should give credit where credit is due. President Trump was right in his first term when he said that allies were not fulfilling their own commitments from previous summits."

CNN's Joseph Ataman and Clare Sebastian : "A diplomatic masterstroke."

POLITICO.eu : "Big win for Trump"

Associated Press : "After less than 24 hours on the ground in the Netherlands, Trump headed back to Washington having secured a major policy change he's pushed for since 2017: a significant boost in defense spending by other NATO countries."

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board : "Trump Wins the Battle of NATO"

Foreign affairs analyst Jasmine El-Gamal : "It's something that Trump is going to tout as an achievement, and he wouldn't be wrong in doing so … It was clear that Trump is the mover and shaker and that he sets the tone and agenda."

Le Monde : "Trump triumphant after NATO leaders agree on defense spending hike"

De Volkskrant : "Rebirth of NATO"

Der Standard : "At the urging of US President Donald Trump, NATO members are committing to massively increasing defense spending."

Algemeen Dagblad : "US President Donald Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte can look back on a successful NATO summit ... History was made in The Hague."

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung : "NATO commits to a five percent target"

A bipartisan group of lawmakers also hailed the news:

Speaker Mike Johnson : "NATO countries bumping defense funding from less than 2% to 5%! No more free rides for the rest of the world. No more using the American taxpayer as their own personal piggy banks. THIS is the Trump effect."

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch : "@NATO's commitment to raise defense spending to 5% is a tremendous achievement. Thank you to @realDonaldTrump, @SecGenNATO, and our allies who worked to achieve this outcome. New investments in defense and industrial cooperation will strengthen the core pillar of NATO. Now, we must continue to push forward as an alliance and focus on the task of fulfilling this pledge."

Sen. Ted Budd : "Thanks to @POTUS, our NATO Allies have agreed to an increased annual defense investment of 5% of GDP -- long the target. It's about time Europe pays its fair share for our collective defense. Investments in military capabilities will enhance deterrence amid rising threats."

Sen. Bill Cassidy : "A stronger alliance makes for a safer world. President Trump successfully pushed our NATO allies to increase their investment in defense spending from 2% to 5% of GDP. When America is strong, the world is safer."

Sen. Chris Coons : "This will be remembered as a landmark summit. The agreement to spend 5 percent is a significant step forward toward a shared commitment to our collective security."

Sen. John Cornyn : "Astonishing news out of the NATO summit: Allies have agreed to devote 5% of their economies to military spending, up from the current 2% floor."

Sen. Ted Cruz : "NATO's commitment to step forward and invest more would've never happened without President Trump's leadership. Strong American leadership has returned."

Sen. Steve Daines : "A strong President and a strong America makes a difference yet again on the world stage: Nearly every NATO nation is pledging to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP. The world is safer today thanks to @POTUS."

Sen. Lindsey Graham : "Congratulations to President Trump and his team on a highly successful NATO summit. Virtually all NATO nations pledging to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP is historic and a game changer, making the alliance stronger and America safer. Thank you to our NATO allies and well done, @POTUS."

Sen. John Kennedy : "President Trump has awakened our NATO friends from their slumber--and they're finally taking their defense spending goals more seriously."

Sen. Dave McCormick : "In 2014, just three of NATO's member countries met the 2% of GDP defense spending commitment. Thanks to the leadership of @POTUS, that number is now 23. The declaration to raise spending to 5% by 2035 will ensure the future needs of the transatlantic alliance are met and that our allies are paying their fair share."

Sen. Rick Scott : "Great to see @POTUS' leadership and great success recognized by @SecGenNATO! Thanks to President Trump, peace through strength is BACK, and our NATO allies are paying their fair share to keep the world safe."

Sen. Dan Sullivan : "I've long said our NATO allies need to pay their fair share and I'm thankful President Trump is finally getting them to pony up."

Sen. Thom Tillis : "This is great news. For NATO to be successful, it is important for our allies and partners to pay their fair share of dues. Yet another victory secured under @POTUS Trump!"

Sen. Todd Young : "NATO is important to our global security and stability, but the U.S. cannot shoulder the majority of the burden given the threats we face. Today, our allies committed to contributing more to our common defense. Thank you, @POTUS, for leading the way."

Rep. Mike Bost : "President Trump has made clear that all freedom loving nations have a responsibility to shoulder the load for protecting our values in a dangerous world. For far too long, the United States carried a disproportionate financial weight at NATO, while allies failed to pay their fair share. But that changed yesterday. Thanks to President Trump's bold leadership, NATO countries almost universally have committed to increasing their defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. This is a major victory for American taxpayers and a safer world."

Rep. Ken Calvert : "NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is absolutely correct. President Trump's leadership is responsible for strengthening NATO, getting our European allies to expand their commitments, and improve the security of our important alliance."

Rep. Eli Crane : "The free ride is over."

Rep. Neal Dunn : "@NATO countries agree to increase defense spending from 2% of GDP to 5% of GDP. This represents the most decisive move by our allies in more than a decade. With this action, the Alliance will be stronger than ever!"

Rep. Pat Fallon : "A stronger NATO will stop future conflicts before they start."

Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez : "After four years of Biden-Harris failures, the United States is respected once again on the world stage. Thank you, @POTUS"

Rep. Mark Green : "The fact that nearly all of our NATO allies agreed to increase defense spending to 5% is a major victory for President Trump. This shift in burden-sharing will ensure that the United States and our allies are greater prepared to deter Chinese, Russian, and Iranian aggression."

Rep. Lance Gooden : "✅ NATO members commit to increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP ✅ Ceasefire between Iran and Israel … The adults are back in charge and the world RESPECTS President @realDonaldTrump!"

Rep. Brett Guthrie : "Huge win for peace through strength on the world stage at the NATO Summit. The 5% defense spending commitment by almost all member countries is exactly what is necessary to counter our adversaries. Thank you @POTUS for leading the charge!"

Rep. Wesley Hunt : "Huge win for the United States comes following the NATO meeting. Other countries will now contribute 5% toward NATO! The United States will no longer fund the security of the entire world. President Trump is putting America FIRST!"

Rep. Jim Jordan : "Thank goodness we had President Trump at the NATO Summit instead of President Biden. America is back and more powerful on the world stage!"

Rep. Frank Lucas : "At today's NATO summit, @POTUS displayed to the world America's renewed and rightful place as the dominant global superpower. He delivered peace to a region plagued by conflict, leant needed support to our friends in Israel, and instilled fear in our adversaries. I thank President Trump for his continued legacy of peacebuilding and for reinforcing that peace through strength is a necessary component of American foreign policy."

Rep. Michael McCaul : "For too long, the U.S. has carried the financial and military burden for NATO. That's going to change, thanks to today's extraordinary commitment from NATO countries to increase to 5% defense spending. Bravo, President Trump!"

Rep. Mike Turner : "I applaud strong leadership of President Trump in convincing our European & Canadian partners of their shared responsibilities to peace and security, not just in words but of investments in collective defense."

Rep. Tony Wied : "It's well past time our allies in NATO pay their fair share. President Trump is making sure Americans no longer have to foot the bill for other nation's defense. America First"

06/26/25

From nuclear regulators to foreign policy experts to members of the intelligence community, every knowledgeable person is in agreement that President Donald J. Trump obliterated Iran's nuclear facilities.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi : "Given the power of these devices and the technical characteristics of a centrifuge, we already know that these centrifuges are no longer operational, because they are fairly precise machines: there are rotors, and the vibrations [from the bombs] have completely destroyed them."

CIA Director John Ratcliffe : "CIA can confirm that a body of credible intelligence indicates Iran's Nuclear Program has been severely damaged by the recent, targeted strikes. This includes new intelligence from a historically reliable and accurate source/method that several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years."

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard : "New intelligence confirms what @POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran's nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities entirely, which would likely take years to do. The propaganda media has deployed their usual tactic: selectively release portions of illegally leaked classified intelligence assessments to try to undermine President Trump's decisive leadership and the brave servicemen and women who flawlessly executed a truly historic mission to keep the American people safe and secure."

Former ODNI National Intelligence Manager for Iran Norman Roule : "I am confident that Iran has suffered a catastrophic -- catastrophic -- blow ... and that this has set them back for a very, very long time."

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Philip Breedlove : "It went off magnificently … They did it perfectly, so we should have ... an expectation that there was significant damage."

Institute for Science and International Security President David Albright : "Iran can't make centrifuges and can't produce, in a sense, the equivalent of the gas ... so their program is severely damaged."

President Trump : "Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!"

Israel Atomic Energy Commission : "The devastating US strike on Fordo destroyed the site's critical infrastructure and rendered the enrichment facility inoperable. We assess that the American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, combined with Israeli strikes on other elements of Iran's military nuclear program, has set back Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years. The achievement can continue indefinitely if Iran does not get access to nuclear material."

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir : "I can say here that the assessment is that we significantly damaged the nuclear program, and I can also say that we set it back by years, I repeat, years."

Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei : "Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that's for sure."

Vice President JD Vance : "I can say to the American people with great confidence that they are much further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago. That was the objective of the mission, to destroy that Fordow nuclear site, and of course, do some damage to the other sites as well, but we feel very confident that the Fordow nuclear site was substantially set back, and that was our goal."

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth : "Based on everything we have seen -- and I've seen it all -- our bombing campaign obliterated Iran's ability to create nuclear weapons. Our massive bombs hit exactly the right spot at each target and worked perfectly. The impact of those bombs is buried under a mountain of rubble in Iran; so anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the President and the successful mission."

Secretary Hegseth : "Given the 30,000 pounds of explosions and the capability of those munitions, it was DEVASTATION underneath Fordow … Any assessment that tells you otherwise is speculating with other motives."

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan "Razin" Caine : "Initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction. More than 125 US aircraft participated in this mission, including B2 stealth bombers, multiple flights of fourth and fifth generation fighters, dozens and dozens of air refueling tankers, a guided missile submarine, and a full array of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, as well as hundreds of maintenance and operational professionals."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio : "The Iranian program -- the nuclear program -- today looks nothing like it did just a week ago ... That story is a false story and it's one that really shouldn't be re-reported because it doesn't accurately reflect what's happening."

Secretary Rubio : "Everything underneath that mountain is in bad shape … There's no way Iran comes to the table if somehow nothing had happened. This was complete and total obliteration. They are in bad shape. They are way behind today compared to where they were just seven days ago because of what President Trump did."

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff : "We put 12 bunker buster bombs on Fordow. There's no doubt that it breached the canopy, there's no doubt that it was well within reach of the depth that these bunker buster bombs go to, and there's no doubt that it was obliterated -- so the reporting out there that in some way suggests that we did not achieve the objective is just completely preposterous."

Director Gabbard : "The operation was a resounding success. Our missiles were delivered precisely and accurately, obliterating key Iranian capabilities needed to quickly assemble a nuclear weapon."

Director General Grossi : "Given the explosive payload utilized, and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred. At the Esfahan nuclear site, additional buildings were hit, with the US confirming their use of cruise missiles. Affected buildings include some related to the uranium conversion process. Also at this site, entrances to tunnels used for the storage of enriched material appear to have been hit. At the Natanz enrichment site, the Fuel Enrichment Plant was hit, with the US confirming that it used ground-penetrating munitions."

Mr. Albright : "Overall, Israel's and U.S. attacks have effectively destroyed Iran's centrifuge enrichment program. It will be a long time before Iran comes anywhere near the capability it had before the attack."

Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director Andrea Stricker : "I think that because of the massive damage and the shock wave that would have been sent by 12 Massive Ordnance Penetrators at the Fordow site, that it likely would render its centrifuges damaged or inoperable."

American Enterprise Institute Middle East Portfolio Manager Brian Carter : "There is no question that the bombing campaign 'badly, badly damaged' the three sites."

Institute for Science and International Security Senior Research Fellow Spencer Faragasso : "Overall, it may possibly take years for Iran to reconstitute the capabilities it lost at these facilities."