Melissa Givey

Writer, Producer, Director

[Michael McFaul @McFaul]

Putin invaded Ukraine. Ukraine/NATO never attacked Russia. Putin annexed territory, terrorized civilians, and kidnapped children from Ukraine. Zelenskyy has done none of these things. There is a right side and a wrong side in this war. We should be on the right side.

[Jim Acosta @Acosta]

This is a damning piece about a torture prison that is being used by the Trump administration. That’s why the piece was pulled. All Americans deserve to see this story. Shame on Bari Weiss.

[Nicholas Burns @RNicholasBurns]

An absolute travesty. In firing nearly 30 career Ambassadors, the Trump Administration has weakened U.S. diplomacy worldwide. No President has done anything like this in the 101-year history of the Foreign Service. https://t.co/d3OxkelTDz via @NYTimes

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

The Russians are peddling the narrative around the world that Ukraine allegedly cannot defend itself. They are saying that Ukrainian warriors cannot defend themselves.

The daily combat results of the Ukrainian army, our special forces, and deep strikes ��� these are all proof that Ukraine can defend its interests.

Now every eliminated Russian occupier, every replenishment of our exchange fund for Ukraine, every Russian assault Ukrainians have repelled, every piece of destroyed Russian equipment, every deep strike we carry out – these are all arguments showing that it’s worth standing with Ukraine, worth helping Ukraine, and that it is not Ukraine that must be pressured for peace, but Russia – the sole reason this war drags on.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Last night, search and rescue operations in Ternopil at the site where a missile struck a residential building were completed. Rescuers worked nonstop for four days. As a result of this Russian crime, 33 people were killed, including 6 children. My condolences to the families and loved ones. Sadly, 6 people are still considered missing. I thank all the services involved in responding to the aftermath of this strike and working to save our people.

Emergency work is ongoing in Dnipro at the site where a Russian drone struck near a residential building. Fourteen people were injured in the attack, including a child. I thank all of our services that responded swiftly to extinguish the fire and are providing assistance on the ground. In Nikopol, the Russians struck with an FPV drone, injuring two children and a woman. Once again, there were strikes on residential and civilian infrastructure, as well as on energy facilities in various regions of our country during the night.

Throughout the entire week, these attacks continued unabated – more than 1,050 attack drones, nearly 1,000 glide bombs, and over 60 missiles of various types were used.

Already today, our advisors will be working in Switzerland with representatives of the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. But in parallel with the diplomatic track, we must do everything to strengthen our defense against such wicked Russian attacks. It is extremely important to speed up the implementation of all our agreements with partners regarding air defense systems and missiles for them. I thank everyone who helps protect lives. I thank everyone who works for peace.

[Senator Adam Schiff @SenAdamSchiff]

Border Czar Tom Homan was caught by the FBI accepting bribes - on camera - to deliver government contracts in exchange for $50,000 in cash.

Pam Bondi knew.

Kash Patel knew.

Emil Bove knew.

And they made the investigation go away.

A corrupt attempt to conceal brazen graft.

[Elizabeth Warren @SenWarren]

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” will kick 15 million Americans off their health insurance.

But don’t worry: at least Amazon will pocket an estimated $16 billion extra this year.

[HuffPost @HuffPost]

Now leading HuffPost:

[Alex Vindman 🇺🇸 @AVindman]

My new piece is out now in Foreign Affairs: “The Perils of ‘Russia First’”

For 30 years, U.S. leaders have appeased Moscow��at the cost of our values, our credibility, and our security. Trump isn’t breaking with that tradition. He’s doubling down.

Every post–Cold War administration has sought better ties with the Kremlin—believing engagement would tame Russian aggression. Instead, we got Georgia, Crimea, Donbas, and a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The pattern is clear. Appeasement doesn’t work.

It’s time to call it what it is: a 30-year bipartisan failure.

Bush’s “look into his soul.” Obama’s “reset.” Trump’s infatuation with Putin.

Even Biden, who backed Ukraine publicly, still slow-walked weapons out of fear of escalation. We keep making the same mistake.

Now Trump is back—and he’s openly embracing Putin. He scolded Zelensky in the Oval Office. His envoy endorsed sham referenda in Russian-occupied Ukraine. And his administration is already negotiating to ease sanctions on Moscow.

Let’s be clear: Trump isn’t playing 4D chess. He’s being played.

Putin has no intention of negotiating in good faith. He sees exactly what 30 years of U.S. policy taught him: Just wait. America gets tired, and Russia wins.

A coerced Ukrainian ceasefire, without real security guarantees, is not peace. It’s an invitation for Russia to regroup, rearm, and strike again—just like they did after the Minsk agreements.

Appeasing Moscow won’t end the war, it will only prolong it. It will destabilize Europe. And it will embolden authoritarian regimes around the world.

What would real U.S. leadership look like?

A surge in military and economic support for Ukraine.

Real security guarantees—not vague promises.

Renewed NATO strength.

Sanctions that push Russia’s war machine to the brink.

Dealmaking isn’t a strategy. America can’t keep sacrificing its principles and partners for the illusion of stability. Long-term peace comes from deterrence, strength, and solidarity—not from rewarding aggression.

We’ve tried “Russia First.”

It failed. Again and again.

Let’s not repeat history.

Read my full argument in @ForeignAffairs

https://t.co/Asof1W1Wxs

[CALL TO ACTIVISM @CalltoActivism]

MAJOR BREAKING: Governor JB Pritzker just revealed that during COVID, Donald Trump told him he would only send life saving equipment if he agreed to praise him on the Sunday talk shows.

Is Donald Trump evil or just completely fucking deranged?

[Tim Kaine @timkaine]

Am I missing something or did Trump just give Russia exactly what it wants in Ukraine – no NATO admission, Russia keeps Ukrainian land, and Putin gets to visit the U.S.? In return for… one prisoner exchange? That’s the grand deal?

[Aaron Rupar @atrupar]

Trump is out here trying to blame Black people and women for a plane crash that happened *after* he announced a DEI purge of the FAA

[Tammy Duckworth @SenDuckworth]

BREAKING: Nearly every single Republican just voted to confirm the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our nation’s history. And our servicemembers and country will pay the price.

[Robert Reich @RBReich]

15 years ago the Supreme Court decided corporations are people under the First Amendment.

Today, sold-out politicians block progress on all fronts to appease their corporate donors.

Citizens United is among the worst decisions in history. It corrupts our system every day.

[The Hollywood Reporter @THR]

TV Ratings: Trump's Second Inauguration Down From 2017 (and 2021) in Early Numbers https://t.co/7bthwWd3RF

[Aaron Rupar @atrupar]

Trump: "The war in Ukraine would've never happened if I were president. But that couldn't happen because the election was rigged."

[News12LI @News12LI]

THOUGHTS? Gov. Hochul has announced a proposal to ban cellphones for students during school hours across the state.

#news12 #NewYork #CellPhoneBan #GovHochul #Schools #Education
https://t.co/EB2TcRYXEE

[Mother Jones @MotherJones]

"The law and order dude is about to pardon those who assaulted the police. Collectively more than 40 rioters attacked me that day.” https://t.co/Ijc713ZGrn

[Citizens for Ethics @CREWcrew]

Trump's Executive Order ended the Biden ethics pledge. Here's what Trump got rid of on his first day in office:

"I will not accept gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations for the duration of my service as an appointee."

[Jane Mayer @JaneMayerNYer]

Senate learns of new allegations against Hegseth - POLITICO https://t.co/XbMU3hhiRQ