Hi everyone! Thank you for being here.
Each week, I cover hot spots and critical threats that might affect our country, as well as keep you informed about our military. I end each show by sharing some scripture from the Bible (without being too pushy).
My hope is you end each show better informed, less worried, and more optimistic (about both our country and your life).
I’ve got timestamps below on the various topics, as well as source notes you can refer to.
Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.
If you’d like to support the show, there are several ways you can do so.
You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe
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Timestamps:
Timestamp: 0:46. The Trump Administration orders halt to almost all foreign aid, with the exception of military assistance to Israel and Egypt. The Administration has also demanded NATO countries increase defense spending to 5% -- an amount higher than even the U.S. spends.
Timestamp: 4:15. Pete Hegseth is narrowly selected as the next Secretary of Defense. Let’s dig into what that means both broadly and narrowly speaking, and also look at the move to transfer troops to the southern border.
Timestamp: 15:48. Trump makes two moves that upset some, with his decision to remove protection from some former Administration officials and his announcement that he would investigate General Mark Milley.
Timestamp: 35:46. How heavy-handed will President Trump’s foreign policy be? And how effective will that be? The balancing act confronting America (and the world).
Timestamp: 42:44. Trump proposes moving Palestinians out of Gaza and into countries such as Egypt and Jordan. Here’s why those countries likely won’t be on board with that plan.
Timestamp: 46:14. The latest on the peace deal that Trump is pursuing between Ukraine and Russia.
Timestamp: 53:20. Things are almost eerily quiet right now with China and the United States.
Timestamp: 53:39. Let me end by sharing some spiritual encouragement for you all out there.
Have a question? Or want to provide some feedback? Record a voice memo in your phone and email it to stanrmitchell2012@gmail.com. Please include at least your first name and city. (Or full name if you want to get a little famous.)
Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.
U.S. news:
Trump makes his first foreign policy moves. 0:46 min timestamp.
Pete Hegseth is narrowly selected as the next Secretary of Defense. Let’s dig into what that means both broadly and narrowly speaking, and also look at the move to transfer troops to the southern border. Timestamp: 4:15.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Begins 'Most Important Deployment of My Life'
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was sworn into his new role leading America's 3.5 million service members and civilians by Vice President JD Vance this morning, following Hegseth's Friday evening Senate confirmation.
"When President Trump chose me for this position, the primary charge he gave me was to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense," Hegseth said during his Jan. 14 confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"He, like me, wants a Pentagon laser-focused on lethality, meritocracy, warfighting, accountability and readiness."
Hegseth listed restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence as the ingredients needed to bring back warfighting.
Calling himself a change agent, Hegseth outlined a vision of a culture of accountability, high standards, performance, readiness, rapid innovation and merit across the Defense Department.
"We share the same goals," he told the committee. "A ready, lethal military; the health and well-being of our troops; and a strong and secure America."
He also said he would trim the bureaucracy and reallocate resources to the warfighter.
"We won World War II with seven four-star generals," he said. "Today we have 44. … There is an inverse relationship between the size of staffs and victory on the battlefield. We do not need more bureaucracy at the top. We need more warfighters empowered at the bottom. So, it is going to be my job … to identify those places where fat can be cut, so it can go toward lethality."
A former Army National Guard officer, Hegseth, 44, served as an infantryman leading troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and guarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay. His military awards include two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge.
Hegseth said his role as the 29th secretary of defense is "the most important deployment of my life."
Hailing from Minnesota, Hegseth graduated from Princeton University in 2003 and earned a master's degree from Harvard University in 2013. He has led organizations advocating for veterans, served as a Fox News host and published several books.
Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, have seven children.
Hegseth Arrives at Pentagon, Says Warfighters Are 'Ready to Go'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived at the Pentagon today and said improving lethality, warfighting and readiness are the main lines of effort he will pursue while in office.
Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greeted Hegseth as he arrived at the Pentagon. The defense secretary spoke to about 30 members of the press before entering the building.
"It's an honor to serve on behalf of the president and serve on behalf of the country," Hegseth said. "In talking to the chairman and so many other folks here, we're in capable hands. The warfighters are ready to go."
President Donald J. Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border. Hegseth said the "protection of the sovereign territory of the United States is the job of the Defense Department." He said he was pleased the Pentagon "snapped to" last week, providing troops to strengthen the border barrier and transportation "for the mass deportation effort."
"Whatever is needed at the border will be provided," Hegseth said. "Whether that is through state active duty, Title 32 or Title 10. This is a shift: This is not the way it was done in the past. The Defense Department will support the defense of the territorial integrity of the United States of America's southern border, including reservists, National Guardsmen and active-duty in compliance with the Constitution and the laws of our land, and the directives of the commander in chief."
Other areas the secretary will study include reinstating troops that were pushed out because of COVID-19 vaccination mandates and developing an Iron Dome anti-missile system for the United States.
Hegseth said he is focused on the men and women in uniform.
"Our job is lethality and readiness and warfighting. [The United States] will be no better friend to our allies and no stronger adversary to those who want to test us and try us," he said. "I look forward to serving the troops, the warriors of this department. It's the honor of a lifetime, and we're going to get to work. God bless you all."
Trump makes two moves that upset some, with his decision to remove protection from some former Administration officials and his announcement that he would investigate General Mark Milley. Timestamp: 15:48.
Adam Kinzinger: ”There is only one reason Trump pulled the security off Pompeo and Bolton…to put them in danger for “crossing him.” To send a message to anyone else who would oppose. Both have active death threats from Iran. All to intimidate.”
How heavy-handed will President Trump’s foreign policy be? And how effective will that be? The balancing act confronting America (and the world). Timestamp: 35:46.
Let’s talk about what happened with Colombia and what might happen elsewhere.
“It is much better to have friends and allies in the world than countries that do your bidding, while seething with resentment, only because they are smaller and weaker.” — Atticus Finch (of Georgia)
Middle East news:
Trump proposes moving Palestinians out of Gaza and into countries such as Egypt and Jordan. Here’s why those countries likely won’t be on board with that plan. Timestamp: 42:44.
Source for that reporting:
Ukraine news:
Donald Trump's '100 Day' Ukraine Peace Plan Leaked: Report
China news:
Things are almost eerily quiet right now with China and the United States. Timestamp: 53:20.
Let me end by sharing some spiritual encouragement for you all out there.
As you know, if you want true peace, I believe you should look to God and the Bible for that — not a country, not a party, and certainly not a person. I believe that not only can God give you ever-lasting life, but that He can also give you peace in this life. God is like a good shepherd. He leads you by the still waters. He restores your soul. He guides you out of the death and destruction of sin. If you know nothing about the Bible, but want to test the waters and maybe try it out, check out my resource page here.
By the way, if you’re dealing with depression, PTSD, or thoughts of suicide, I have a link I’d like you to check out. In fact, it’s an entire page long. A pep talk, if you will, that I believe will help. I also have listed a hotline that you can call, whether you’re a service member or just a civilian. Here’s the page: PTSD.
I also have a podcast that focuses solely on faith called The Search for God. You can find it below.
Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?
Go here:
I always like to end with an important reminder, whether you’re a Chrisitan or not.
And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.
If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.
Here are those links again if you’d like to support the show:
You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe
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Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell
And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.
Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.
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That’s it for this edition.
Want to talk to me directly?
Email me at the following address: stanrmitchell2012@gmail.com. I love hearing feedback, compliments, and even constructive criticism. 👊💓🙏
May God bless you,
Stan R. Mitchell
P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.
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