The MOU Ignites a Firestorm

The Power of the People

June 18. 2026 Ukraine launched its biggest attack on Moscow since Russia's invasion, Russia struck one of Ukraine’s most important landmarks, Kyiv-Oechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage Area, Trump and J.D. Vance are trying hard to sell the MOU with Iran as a victory, but their claims are hollow and brittle, The parade for the New York Knicks, this year’s NBA Champions, was, by contrast, a powerful message that the momentum is with the people, Mayor Zohran Mamdani gave a triumphant speech, which combined the Knicks' victory with the political power of the people of New York, In Chicago a similar message was celebrated at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, The mood was jubilant as former presidents (but not the current one) filled the stage and performers sang, danced, and spoke, In her speech, Michelle Obama recognized the challenges of the moment but urged people to remember the power of choice, and "the steady work of change,”  She championed the power of the people, and urged people to come together, and to reignite optimism, and empathy, and ambition that is part of democracy and has powered the country’s greatest change. She said, "when we truly see each other, when we strive to bring out the best in ourselves and one another, oh, there is no limit to how high we can go." Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- [https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-] Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe [https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe] You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ [https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson [https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson] Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe [https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The MOU Ignites a Firestorm

June 17, 2026 The details of the 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran are revealed, It has a lot of firm language, most of it seemingly granting Iran everything it wanted, The MOU commits the US and its “allies” to stop military operations on all fronts, The US will terminate sanctions against Iran and lift the blockade of Iranian ports, Iran will use “best efforts” to support safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Language suggesting Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon does not include a process to enforce the promise, The war against Iran has cost lives and treasure for the US, Iran, and other countries around the world, Iran is claiming victory, while the US has come away with nothing, Trump seems prepared to blame J. D. Vance if the MOU doesn't work out, MAGA supporters of the Iran War are furious about the "deal," Trump dines at Versailles, and, in an awkward historical twist, signs the MOU while there. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- [https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-] Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe [https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe] You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ [https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson [https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson] Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe [https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Covering Up

June 16, 2026 Only 16% of Americans think the UFC Fight at the White House was appropriate, Kash Patel announces that the FBI had foiled a plot to attack the UFC fight, seemingly rushing to announce information that the Secret Service did not plan to leak, The Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are launching an investigation into Patel’s alleged misuses of FBI funds, A case against the Broadview Six, Chicago protestors charged with interfering with federal agents, has fallen apart, A similar charge is being leveled in Minnesota, claiming that 15 protesters conspired to impede or injure federal offers during the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, Details of Trump’s “deal” with Iran are emerging, and it appears that sanctions will be waived to allow oil sales, although the administration is trying to explain this away, The White House has approved millions of dollars of taxpayer money to pay for Trump’s ballroom, and that seems to have been the intention from the start. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- [https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-] Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe [https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe] You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ [https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson [https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson]  Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe [https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Testing the Limits

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One of the Highest Moral Lessons

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.   Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- [https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-] Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe [https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe] You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ [https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson [https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson] Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe [https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]