Over at the White House, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that the U.S. stands firmly against the recent terrorist attack on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Australia. In a statement reminiscent of the times when words were actually meant to correspond with action, Rubio condemned the attack and extended prayers to the victims and the Jewish community. It’s almost refreshing to see a political figure sticking to a script that doesn’t involve tiptoeing around obvious moral stance, isn’t it?
Prior to these harrowing events, the focus of President Trump’s overseas policy remained on another volatile area—Venezuela. The President, in his usual candid style, hinted that further action might be taken after U.S. forces recently commandeered an oil tanker laden with millions of barrels of sanctioned oil en route to Cuba. Seems like someone figured out that leaving valuable resources floating around for rogue nations to pick up isn’t exactly the brightest idea. The administration is evidently ready to show that the American military is more than just for appearances, positioning its formidable assets all over the Caribbean like chess pieces.
Stateside, the trusty F-35 stealth fighters arrived in Puerto Rico, while combat helicopters and advanced radar play supporting roles in what could be a game-changer for all countries watching. The U.S. Navy has moved one of its most potent pieces, the USS Gerald R. Ford, along with its armada of jets and missiles, ready to remind Venezuela who holds the cards. It’s like positioning a bulldozer to remind a kitten to behave—just a bit over the top, but effective if you ask the right people.
Not only does President Trump have his hands full overseas, but he’s also battling the domestic issue of affordability. Trump, like a devoted janitor cleaning up after a messy party, is trying to tackle rising prices blamed on his predecessor. Despite twice-failed attempts to pass key Senate votes to extend Obamacare subsidies, he seems determined to reform healthcare. It might be painful to admit, especially when political scores are at stake, but there is a whiff of logic in questioning the riveting success of Obamacare.
Meanwhile, President Trump and his administration face a familiar political scuffle over healthcare costs. A rally in Northeast Pennsylvania saw the President taking a playful jab at his favorite rhetorical strawman, his predecessor, and promising to make America affordable again. If only politics could promise fewer complications and more straightforward solutions—but then, where would the drama be, right? In Washington’s halls, as the discussions about healthcare costs unfold, the only thing that seems certain is the inevitable finger-pointing and posturing that accompanies any debate of this magnitude. Let’s just say, any resolution will need more than words and good intentions to pass this bumpy congressional road.
