Rep. Max Miller is defying bipartisan calls to resign over domestic abuse allegations, while House Speaker Mike Johnson avoids taking a stand. When political expediency is prioritized over moral integrity, public trust suffers. True leadership demands character.

"Settling personal vendettas by targeting a disliked business or individual for punitive government action is not a legitimate use of the powers of the U.S. government or an American President." - U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell www.aol.com/articles/tru...

Trump vowed to 'bring free speech back.' Judges in 75 cases ruled that he has stifled it - AOL

By Nate Raymond and Jan Wolfe Aug 4 - U.S.

aol.com

Congress is closest to the people, yet trusted the least. How do we fix it? Join Principles First for Congress at a Crossroads—a candid panel on institutional reform & representation featuring Gregg Nunziata, Christianna Golden, & Jeff Mayhugh. RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/a-principl...

A Principles First Virtual Event: Congress at a Crossroads

Join Principles First for Congress at a Crossroads — a discussion on representation, reform & building a Congress that works for the people.

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Two big constitutional battles this week: 1️⃣ Kansas voters face a ballot measure that could replace merit-based judge selection with partisan elections. 2️⃣ Trump plans to revive a $1.8B settlement fund challenging Congress's power of the purse.

How’s your 2026 going so far?

The latest Principally Speaking podcast is live! @brittanymartinez.bsky.social & Josh Gillespie talk about John Thune's balancing act and so much more! Watch or listen on YouTube or Spotify. youtu.be/kxzQYQXetKg open.spotify.com/episode/2f9h...

Principally Speaking - Ep. 2: The John Thune Balancing Act

YouTube video by Principles First

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In case you missed our first virtual event of the year last night with former NC Gov. Pat McCrory and journalist and author Andrew Dunn, check out the replay on youtube! It was a fascinating discussion. Like, subscribe and leave a comment. youtu.be/xQoDNbHhsMo

The Change Agent: Pat McCrory's Rise, Reckoning and Legacy - Principles Virtual Event

YouTube video by Principles First

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As Congress heads into August recess, a growing rift between Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune threatens to fracture the Republican Party over the filibuster and key votes. Full breakdown: www.semafor.com/article/07/3...

We are officially on Substack! Principles First was built to champion democratic norms, constitutional integrity, and sound principles over personality politics. Check out our debut post, subscribe, and help us build a home for principled ideas: principles1st.substack.com/p/principles...

Principles, First

Why we’re building a movement that puts character, country, and conviction above party lines.

principles1st.substack.com

FEMA approved just 23% of disaster relief requests from Democratic-led states compared to nearly 90% for Republican-led states. Conditioning emergency aid on state policy compliance violates federalism & the rule of law. Disaster assistance must be based on need, not politics. tinyurl.com/28fnrv3x

Don't forget—tomorrow night, Thursday, July 30th, Principles First is hosting a special virtual conversation with former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and journalist Andrew Dunn. www.eventbrite.com/e/principles...

Principles First with Governor Pat McCory and Andrew Dunn

Join Principles First for a virtual talk with former NC Gov. Pat McCrory and author Andrew Dunn on Dunn's new book, The Change Agent.

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Senate "YOLO Caucus" members John Cornyn & Thom Tillis are putting Todd Blanche’s AG nomination in jeopardy. They want written guarantees dismantling a $1.8B fund and limiting Trump's tax audit immunity. With a thin GOP margin, a single "no" vote sinks the confirmation before recess.

We're so excited to host our very first virtual event of the year! Join us this Thursday for a special conversation with former Gov. Pat McCrory and Andrew Dunn to discuss Dunn’s new book and the future of principled leadership. Mark your calendars & register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/principles...

Principles First with Governor Pat McCory and Andrew Dunn

Join Principles First for a virtual talk with former NC Gov. Pat McCrory and author Andrew Dunn on Dunn's new book, The Change Agent.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune is balancing floor votes against internal party revolts ahead of the August recess. Key fights include Jay Clayton's DNI nomination, Todd Blanche's AG vote hinging on GOP swing votes and Sen. Mike Lee threatening to force a vote blocking recess over the SAVE Act.

Join us Thursday, July 30 at 7 PM ET for a candid talk with former NC Gov. Pat McCrory and journalist Andrew Dunn on Dunn's new book, The Change Agent. We'll explore public leadership, political lessons, & Q&A! RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/principles...

Principles First with Governor Pat McCory and Andrew Dunn

Join Principles First for a virtual talk with former NC Gov. Pat McCrory and author Andrew Dunn on Dunn's new book, The Change Agent.

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This week, Josh Gillespie examines two critical constitutional issues: 🔹 Legislative checks on executive war powers in the FY2027 NDAA 🔹 Dual voter registration under the SAVE America Act & federalism Watch the breakdown:

Hey, in case you missed it, we now have an official podcast hosted by @brittanymartinez.bsky.social & Josh Gillespie. Check out Principally Speaking - The Podcast on YouTube and Spotify. youtu.be/0yRjWwuZmJk open.spotify.com/episode/2KPG...

The standoff on the Senate Judiciary Committee continues over Todd Blanche. Going from serving as a president's personal defense attorney to running DOJ creates conflicts of interest. Auditing conflicts isn't partisan—it’s defending the rule of law. The AG must serve the public not an individual.

On the premiere episode of the Principally Speaking podcast @brittanymartinez.bsky.social & Josh Gillespie address many topics, but dive into the real-world impact of foreign policy—from Congressional accountability to rising costs on fuel, fertilizer, & groceries. Links listed below.

Something special is dropping tomorrow morning... 👀

As the Senate considers Acting AG Todd Blanche, all eyes are on swing votes like Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Will the Senate hold the line on institutional integrity, or let policy payouts dictate the DOJ? www.politico.com/news/2026/07...

A federal judge just blocked the expansion of the SAVE database to purge voter rolls. Executive overreach threatens privacy and puts eligible American voters at risk of losing their rights. apnews.com/article/trum...

"We've got to redesign who we aspire to be. That's going to require a whole lot more than messaging or slogans or throwing out old executive orders...It's going to require disciplined, humble work that absorbs the shock of what we've been through..." Lt. Gen. (Ret.)@markhertling.bsky.social

Join Principles First for a deep dive into NC political history with former Governor Pat McCrory and journalist Andrew Dunn, author of The Change Agent. They’ll discuss McCrory’s legacy and how institutional politics fractured. www.eventbrite.com/e/principles...

Principles First with Governor Pat McCory and Andrew Dunn

Join Principles First for a virtual talk with former NC Gov. Pat McCrory and author Andrew Dunn on Dunn's new book, The Change Agent.

eventbrite.com

This week's news audit breaks down the kinetic military escalation in the Middle East bypassing a congressional vote, alongside crucial alerts on the executive branch withholding foreign interference data from Congress. youtu.be/RC3tKGGsPe4

Principally Speaking: Your Weekend News Audit - Episode 7

YouTube video by Principles First

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"That's not the America I served when I was wearing the uniform." Retired Lt. Gen. @markhertling.bsky.social reflects on how the foundational assumptions of American foreign policy have been shattered by transactional politics, weakened institutions, and the praise of authoritarian regimes.

"We are...living through a tectonic shift, what some would call a rupture and that's in how we see the nation around us because we don't recognize it." - Lt. Gen. (Ret) @markhertling.bsky.social at the #PrinciplesFirst summit.

Why do US third parties fail? @davidfrum.bsky.social explains why "independent" polling numbers don't equal a new centrist coalition. Instead of a new party, we are seeing fragmentation and "non-joiners.

"We need to get it off the books...something that is fundamentally bad policy, unsustainable and needs to be put back in a bottle. I've said that the 1776 Fund has to be certainly and completely ended..." - Sen. Thom Tillis

The US election system is messy, local, and highly diffuse—and according to @davidfrum.bsky.social, that’s exactly what protects it. While institutional manipulation is difficult across 9,000 jurisdictions, Frum warns true vulnerability lies in post-election tactics.