Extended Bibliography

Author’s Note

This is the full bibliography for Courage Can Save US. Sources are presented in the order they appear within each chapter. You may navigate by chapter using the hyperlinks below.

Direct quotations from interviews are cited once per chapter; subsequent references to the same interview or correspondence (including text, phone, or email) are noted as “communication with author.”

Prologue

U.S. Marine Corps. “Semper Fidelis.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/who-are-the-marines/semper-fidelis.html.
Vergun, David. “Film Director Oliver Stone Was a Soldier in Vietnam.” U.S. Department of Defense, January 12, 2022.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2889210/film-director-oliver-stone-was-a-soldier-in-vietnam/.
Corliss, Richard. “Platoon: Viet Nam, the Way It Really Was, on Film.” TIME, January 26, 1987.
https://time.com/3834671/platoon-oliver-stone-charlie-sheen-movie-review/.
Harmetz, Aljean. “Unwanted ‘Platoon’ Finds Success as U.S. Examines the Vietnam War.” New York Times, February 9, 1987.
https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/09/movies/unwanted-platoon-finds-success-as-us-examines-the-vietnam-war.html.
Stone, Oliver. Platoon. Screenplay. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://archive.org/details/PlatoonScreenplayByOliverStone.
Amazon.com. “Platoon Movie Poster, Glossy Finish.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.amazon.com/Posters-USA-Platoon-Poster-GLOSSY/dp/B01MTS5NTI.
The Epic of Gilgamesh. Translated by Maureen Gallery Kovacs. Electronic edition by Wolf Carnahan, 1998. PDF. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://uruk-warka.dk/Gilgamish/The%20Epic%20of%20Gilgamesh.pdf.
HISTORY.com Editors. “Ancient Greek Democracy.” HISTORY, August 23, 2018.
https://www.history.com/articles/ancient-greece-democracy.
Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Book III. Translated by W. D. Ross. Written ca. 350 BCE. The Internet Classics Archive. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.3.iii.html.
Plato. The Trial and Death of Socrates. Translated by F. J. Church. New York: A. L. Burt, 1920. Internet Archive. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://archive.org/details/trialdeathofsocr01plat.
Durand, Marion, Simon Shogry, and Dirk Baltzly. “Stoicism.” In The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Spring 2023 ed., edited by Edward N. Zalta and Uri Nodelman. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2023/entries/stoicism/.
Stockdale, James B. “Stockdale on Stoicism II: Master of My Fate.” Occasional Paper no. 2. Center for the Study of Professional Military Ethics, U.S. Naval Academy. Originally published May 1995. PDF. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.usna.edu/Ethics/_files/documents/Stoicism2.pdf.
McCain, John, and Mark Salter. Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir. New York: Random House, 1999.
Stockdale, James B. Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus’s Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior. Stanford, CA: Hoover Institution Press, 1993.
Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters. New York: HarperOne, 2001.
Mattis, James N. “Remarks by Secretary Mattis at the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.” Transcript. U.S. Department of Defense, September 25, 2018.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/1645050/.
Encyclopædia Britannica. “The Meditations.” Last modified December 20, 2025. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marcus-Aurelius-Roman-emperor/The-Meditations.
Marcus Aurelius. The Meditations. Book VI. Translated by George Long. Written ca. 167 CE. The Internet Classics Archive. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://classics.mit.edu/Antoninus/meditations.6.six.html.
Holiday, Ryan, and Stephen Hanselman. Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius. New York: Portfolio, 2020. Pages 282-286; 298-299.
Harper, Kyle. The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2017. Page 115.
King, Arienne. “Growing Old in Ancient Greece & Rome.” World History Encyclopedia, June 5, 2024.
https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2475/growing-old-in-ancient-greece–rome/.
U.S. Marine Corps. Marine Corps Order 1610.7B: Performance Evaluation System (PES). Washington, DC: Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, June 5, 2023. PDF. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/MCO%201610.7B%20SECURED.pdf.
U.S. Marine Corps. United States Marine Corps Fitness Report (NAVMC 10835). Blank form. PDF. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/133/Blank%20FITREP.pdf.
Matt Jones (retired Marine colonel). Communication with author, February 8, 2026.
Barcott, Rye. It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace. New York: Bloomsbury USA, 2011.
ABC News. “Chance Meeting Turns into Change: How $26 Is Sometimes All You Need to Make a Difference.” December 29, 2011.
https://abcnews.go.com/WN/chance-meeting-turns-change-26-make-difference/story?id=14742128.
Haberman, Clyde. “David Gergen, Adviser to Presidents and Political Commentator, Dies at 83.” New York Times, July 11, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/us/politics/david-gergen-dead.html.
Christopher Gergen (son of David Gergen). Personal communication with author, November 1, 2025.
With Honor. Analysis of U.S. Department of Defense, 2023 Demographics Profile of the Military Community, and U.S. Census Bureau population data.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. Fact Book, 2005–2006. 19th ed. Chapel Hill, NC, 2006. PDF. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://oira.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/297/2024/06/fb2005_2006.pdf.
Howard, Michael. “Iraq Slips toward Civil War after Attack on Shia Shrine.” Guardian, February 22, 2006.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/feb/23/iraq.iraqtimeline1.
Spenner, Elise A. “HKS Professor David Gergen Remembered as Adept Washington Insider, Dedicated Public Servant.” Harvard Crimson, July 14, 2025.
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/7/14/david-gergen-obituary/.
Sorensen, Ted. Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History. New York: HarperCollins, 2008.
Dallek, Robert. An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917–1963. Boston: Little, Brown, 2003.
“Coconut Shell Bearing Rescue Message.” 1943. Artifact. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://jfk.artifacts.archives.gov/objects/14084/coconut-shell-bearing-rescue-message.
Shane III, Leo. “Breaking Down the Number of Veterans in the 119th Congress.” Military Times, January 2, 2025.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2025/01/02/breaking-down-the-number-of-veterans-in-the-119th-congress/.
Kennedy, John F. “Inaugural Address.” Speech, January 20, 1961. The American Presidency Project. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/inaugural-address-2.
Mildenberg, David. “Solar Investing, War Experience Spur McCready’s Political Career.” Business North Carolina, March 30, 2018.
https://businessnc.com/solar-investing-war-experience-spur-mccreadys-political-career/.
Jones, Jeffrey M. “Military Experience Tops Candidate Credentials.” Gallup, October 2, 2025.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/695648/military-experience-tops-candidate-credentials.aspx.
Kennedy, Brian. “Most Americans Trust the Military and Scientists to Act in the Public’s Interest.” Pew Research Center, October 18, 2016.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/10/18/most-americans-trust-the-military-and-scientists-to-act-in-the-publics-interest/.
Dumain, Emma. “Dole Has One Last Moment with Inouye.” Roll Call, December 20, 2012.
https://rollcall.com/2012/12/20/dole-has-one-last-moment-with-inouye/.
U.S. Adjutant General’s Office. Military Personnel File of Harry S. Truman, 1917–1973. Record Group 407. Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/federal-record/records-adjutant-generals-office-military-personnel-file-harry-s-truman.
Roxberry, Katie. “Dwight David Eisenhower.” National Museum of the United States Army. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.thenmusa.org/biographies/dwight-david-eisenhower/.
Naval History and Heritage Command. “Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, USNR.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/people/presidents/kennedy.html.
Naval History and Heritage Command. “Lieutenant James Earl Carter Jr., USN.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/people/presidents/carter.html.
Naval History and Heritage Command. “George Herbert Walker Bush.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/biographies-list/bios-b/bush-george-h-w.html.
Gergen, David. Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders Are Made. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2022.
Robinson, G. Lee, Joseph Amoroso, Isaiah (Ike) Wilson III, and Richard M. Yon. “Veterans and Bipartisanship.” Armed Forces & Society 46, no. 1 (2020): 132–162.
U.S. Department of Defense. 2023 Demographics Profile of the Military Community. Military OneSource, 2023.
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2023-demographics-report.pdf.
“Information Operations.” Alliance for Securing Democracy, German Marshall Fund of the United States. Accessed February 6, 2026.
https://securingdemocracy.gmfus.org/asd_tools/information-operations/?fwp_country=united-states.
Peters, Jeremy W., and Ruth Igielnik. “Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says.” The New York Times, October 2, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/us/politics/times-siena-poll-political-polarization.html.
Cropf, Robert. “Running on Empty: America’s Fragile Middle Class.” The Fulcrum, September 10, 2025.
https://thefulcrum.us/business-democracy/cost-of-living-crisis-us.
Woolf, Steven H., MD, MPH. “The Youth Mental Health Crisis in the United States: Epidemiology, Contributors, and Potential Solutions.” Pediatrics 156, no. 5 (October 28, 2025).
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/156/5/e2025070849/204637/the-youth-mental-health-crisis-in-the-united.
“America’s National Debt Challenge.” Peter G. Peterson Foundation. Accessed February 6, 2026.
https://www.pgpf.org/our-national-debt/.
Kinder, Molly, Xavier de Souza Briggs, Mark Muro, and Sifan Liu. “Generative AI, the American Worker, and the Future of Work.” Brookings Institution, October 10, 2024.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/generative-ai-the-american-worker-and-the-future-of-work/.
University of Virginia Center for Politics. “New Initiative Explores Deep, Persistent Divides Between Biden and Trump Voters.” Sabato’s Crystal Ball, September 30, 2021.
https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/new-initiative-explores-deep-persistent-divides-between-biden-and-trump-voters/.
Robbins, Hannah. “Poll: Nearly Half of Americans Think Members of the Opposing Political Party Are ‘Evil.’” Johns Hopkins University Hub, October 27, 2024.
https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/10/27/snf-agora-poll-september-2024/.
NBC News. NBC News Poll. October 2022.
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23171526-220699-nbc-news-october-poll-v3/.
Diamond, Jared. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005.
Gibbon, Edward. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. 6 vols. London: Strahan & Cadell, 1776–1788.
Back to top

Chapter 1: Governor Mikie Sherrill

Sherrill, Mikie (then U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s Eleventh District). Interview with the author, November 25, 2025.
Sherrill, Rebecca Michelle. Navy Achievement Medal citation. U.S. Department of the Navy, for actions June 24, 1991.
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://graveyardoftheatlantic.com/.
Sherrill, Mikie (Governor-elect of New Jersey). Interview with the author, January 2, 2026.
Tully, Tracey. “A Fan of ‘Ruthless Competence,’ She Wants to Be Governor of New Jersey.” The New York Times, October 29, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/nyregion/mikie-sherrill-new-jersey-governor.html.
LaPorta, James. “Archives Released Too Much of Mikie Sherrill’s Military Record to Ally of Her Opponent in N.J. Governor’s Race.” CBS News, September 26, 2025.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/national-archives-mikie-sherrill-military-record-jack-ciattarelli/.
Ciattarelli, Jack (@Jack4NJ). “Today’s admission by Congresswoman Sherrill…” X (formerly Twitter), September 26, 2025, 1:41pm,
https://x.com/Jack4NJ/status/1971268836583240129.
Wildstein, David. “Sherrill Didn’t Walk with Her Graduating Class in Wake of Navy Academy Cheating Scandal.” New Jersey Globe, September 25, 2025.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/governor/sherrill-didnt-walk-with-her-graduating-class-in-wake-of-navy-academy-cheating-scandal/.
Miller, Andrew Mark, and Paul Steinhauser. “Dem Gubernatorial Nominee Hit with Accusations of Nepotism over Children’s Acceptance into Naval Academy.” FOXNews.com, September 30, 2025.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-gubernatorial-nominee-hit-with-accusations-nepotism-childrens-acceptance-naval-academy.
Biryukov, Nikita. “Sherrill Wins.” New Jersey Globe, November 6, 2018.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/sherrill-wins/.
Walsh, Julia Terruso, and Sean Aliya Schneider. “U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill Elected New Jersey Governor, Defeating Jack Ciattarelli.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 4, 2025.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/new-jersey/2025-new-jersey-governor-election-results-winner-20251104.html.
Sherrill, David, and Pattie Sherrill (parents of Mikie Sherrill). Interview with the author, September 19, 2025.
Sherrill, Mikie (then U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 11th District). Interview with the author, April 9, 2025.
Kruse, Michael. “The Most Important New Woman in Congress Is Not Who You Think.” POLITICO Magazine, February 15, 2019.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/02/15/congress-house-democrats-freshmen-mikie-sherrill-aoc-225054/.
National Museum of the United States Air Force. “Consolidated B-24D Liberator.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196286/consolidated-b-24d-liberator/.
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. “Plan Your Trip to Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County.” Visit Annapolis, accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.visitannapolis.org/.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon. “Resignation of Military Commission.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/resignation-of-military-commission.
U.S. Naval Academy. “Visit the U.S. Naval Academy and Experience the Yard.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://navalacademytourism.com/visit.
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. “Architect Ernest Flagg’s Beaux-Arts Vision Firmly Planted on the Yard.” January 2021.
https://www.visitannapolis.org/blog/stories/post/ernest-flaggs-beaux-arts-vision-firmly-planted-on-the-yard/.
“Induction Day and Plebe Summer Facts – Class of 2024.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.usna.edu/NewsCenter/2020/06/Induction_Day_and_Plebe_Summer_Facts_-_Class_of_2024.php.
United States Naval Academy. COMDTMIDN Instruction 1531.2G: Plebe Indoctrination System. Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Academy, 17 April 1972. PDF.
http://1973.usnaclasses.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/06/Plebe-Indoctrination-System.pdf
Thiel, Mike (U.S. Naval Academy graduate). Interview with the author, December 1, 2025.
Goat, Bill the. “Reef Points: A Plebe’s Favorite Book.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://go.navyonline.com/blog/reef-points-a-plebes-new-favorite-book.
USN for Life. “The One Book That Defines Life at the U.S. Naval Academy.” July 14, 2025.
https://usnforlife.com/blogs/usnforlife-blog/the-one-book-that-defines-life-at-the-u-s-naval-academy.
U.S. Naval Academy. “Course Catalog.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Majors-and-Courses/Course-Catalog.php
Valentine, Paul W. “Two Dozen Midshipmen Expelled.” The Washington Post, April 29, 1994.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/04/29/two-dozen-midshipmen-expelled/73d45e72-3048-41e7-8d21-c450ea7b7b31/.
Hedberg, Jason (husband of Mikie Sherrill). Interview with the author, November 24, 2025.
U.S. General Accounting Office. Naval Academy: Gender and Racial Disparities. GAO/NSIAD- 93-54. Washington, DC: U.S. General Accounting Office, April 30, 1993.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/nsiad-93-54.pdf.
U.S. Naval Academy. “Class of 2028 I-Day Stats.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.usna.edu/NewsCenter/2024/07/CLASS_OF_2028_I-DAY_STATS.php.
Barringer, Felicity. “Harassment of Woman Shakes Naval Academy.” The New York Times, May 20, 1990.
https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/20/us/harassment-of-woman-shakes-naval-academy.html.
Naval History and Heritage Command. “James H. Webb.” Department of the Navy, accessed February 6, 2026.
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/people/sec-nav/webb/james-webb.html.
Webb, James. “Women Can’t Fight.” Washingtonian, November 1, 1979.
https://washingtonian.com/1979/11/01/jim-webb-women-cant-fight/.
United Press International. “Webb: No Women in Combat.” UPI, April 7, 1987. Accessed February 6, 2026.
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/04/07/Webb-No-women-in-combat/6755544766400/.
NBC News. “Transcript for Sept. 17: George Allen and Jim Webb.” September 17, 2006.
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14815993.
Lamothe, Dan. “Under Pressure, Jim Webb Declines to Be Recognized as a Distinguished Naval Academy Graduate.” Washington Post, March 28, 2017.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/03/28/jim-webb-has-been-named-a-distinguished-naval-academy-graduate-and-some-alumni-are-furious/.
Stilwell, Blake. “The Tailhook Scandal: How a ‘Top Gun’ Mentality Led to a Disastrous Navy Conference.” Military.com, August 11, 2022.
https://www.military.com/history/tailhook-scandal-how-top-gun-mentality-led-disastrous-navy-conference.html
Lancaster, John, and Ann Devroy. “Head of Navy Quits in Tailhook Scandal.” The Washington Post, June 26, 1992.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1992/06/27/head-of-navy-quits-in-tailhook-scandal/7074a7b3-c6b6-4785-a7d6-204cf077f57a/.
Parks, W. Hays. “Tailhook: What Happened, Why & What’s to Be Learned.” Proceedings, U.S. Naval Institute, September 1994.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1994/september/tailhook-what-happened-why-whats-be-learned.
Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill. “About Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.nj.gov/govelect/about/governor-elect/.
Schnell, Lindsay. “Tough Talk, Tough Women: New House Members Come Together to Form ‘The Badasses.’” USA Today, November 13, 2018.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/13/election-2018-new-female-u-s-house-members-form-badasses/1981743002/.
Sherrill, Mikie. “Everyone Deserves the American Dream—I Am Running to Make It a Reality.” Front Runner New Jersey, October 29, 2025.
https://frontrunnernewjersey.com/2025/10/29/mikie-sherrill-op-ed-everyone-deserves-the-american-dream-i-am-running-to-make-it-a-reality/
Naval Air Systems Command. “P-3C Orion.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/P-3C-Orion
Mallon, Maggie. “Mikie Sherrill Once Flew Helicopter Missions in the Navy—Now She’s Running for Congress.” Glamour, September 1, 2017.
https://www.glamour.com/story/mikie-sherrill-running-for-congress
Polmar, Norman. “The Presidential Helicopters.” Naval History Magazine, U.S. Naval Institute, February 2024.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2024/february/presidential-helicopters.
Federation of American Scientists. “H-3 Sea King.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ac/h-3.htm.
Holmes, Tony. “H-C2 Desert Ducks.” Naval Aviation News, July–August 2003. Naval History and Heritage Command, U.S. Navy. PDF.
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aviation%20News/2000/2003/july-august/ducks.pdf.
Miller, Steve (U.S. Naval Academy classmate and copilot of Mikie Sherrill). Interview with the author, January 2, 2026.
Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State. “Milestones in the History of U.S. Foreign Relations: The Gulf War, 1989–1992.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1989-1992/gulf-war.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Battle of Mogadishu.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Mogadishu.
Rosenbaum, David E. “Peace Dividend: A Dream for Every Dollar.” The New York Times, February 18, 1990.
https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/18/weekinreview/the-nation-peace-dividend-a-dream-for-every-dollar.html.
Hedberg, Jason (husband of Mikie Sherrill). Interview with the author, May 6, 2025.
Navy Rugby Alumni Association. “Jason Hedberg HoF.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://usnarugby.com/jason-hedberg-hof.
Blair, Caroline. “Mikie Sherrill’s Family: All About the New Jersey Governor-Elect’s Husband and 4 Children.” People, November 6, 2025.
https://people.com/all-about-mikie-sherrill-family-husband-kids-11844024.
Chaffin, Joshua. “New York Getaway: A Weekend in Montclair, New Jersey’s Leafy ‘Oasis of Culture and Good Living.’” Financial Times, September 7, 2021.
https://www.ft.com/content/07e8a54e-06da-465b-a1cc-9d763910ab5b.
Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill. “About Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.nj.gov/govelect/about/governor-elect/.
Flegenheimer, Matt, and Michael Barbaro. “Donald Trump Is Elected President in Stunning Repudiation of the Establishment.” The New York Times, November 9, 2016.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-president.html.
Friedman, Matt. “New Jersey Playbook Interview: House Candidate Mikie Sherrill.” POLITICO, May 12, 2017.
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/12/new-jersey-playbook-interview-house-candidate-mikie-sherrill-238293.
Kitchin, Jessica. “Like Father, Like Son, And Son, And Son…” New Jersey Monthly, November 10, 2009.
https://njmonthly.com/articles/jersey-living/like-father-like-son-and-son-and-son/.
Frelinghuysen Township, New Jersey. “Home Page.” February 2, 2026.
https://www.frelinghuysen-nj.us/.
Wildstein, David. “Some History on the 11th.” New Jersey Globe, August 17, 2018.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/some-history-on-the-11th/.
“New Jersey U.S. House 11th District Results: Rodney Frelinghuysen Wins.” The New York Times, August 1, 2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/new-jersey-house-district-11-frelinghuysen-wenzel.
Kiernan Park-Egan. Atlas of U.S. Presidential Election Results by Congressional District (interactive ArcGIS Instant App map), maintained on Google Sites. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/minimalist/index.html?appid=fa9c111d9beb4ce3a6f4c684d
59bdfce. Based on project hosted at
https://sites.google.com/view/presidentialbycongressionaldis/election-results.
Mollie Binotto (then Sherrill advisor). Interview with author, May 2, 2025.
Hensley-Clancy, Molly. “Suburban Women Are Fed Up With The Republican Party And Could Drive A Blue Wave.” BuzzFeed News, October 16, 2018.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/democrats-blue-wave-midterms-suburban-woman-voters.
Pereira, Cindy. “Montclair Resident Announces Bid to Unseat Rep. Frelinghuysen.” NorthJersey.com, May 12, 2017.
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/essex/montclair/2017/05/12/na/320384001/.
Zernike, Kate. “Female Candidates Break Barriers, Except When It Comes to Money.” The New York Times, October 30, 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/30/us/politics/women-campaign-fundraising.html.
Schwartz, Brian. “Nancy Pelosi Celebrates Democrats’ Midterm Victory in New York with Donors and Possible 2020 Candidate Mike Bloomberg.” CNBC, November 13, 2018.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/13/nancy-pelosi-celebrates-midterm-win-in-ny-with-donors-mike-bloomberg.html.
Kruse, Michael. “How Veterans Are Powering the Democrats’ 2018 Hopes.” POLITICO Magazine, March 28, 2018.
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https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/12/sherrill-spanberger-military-veterans-2026-00401395.
Cait Conley for Congress. “Cait Conley for Congress – New York’s 17th District.” March 17, 2025.
https://caitconley.com/#bio.
Choi, Matthew, and Dan Merica. “The Democratic Veterans Trying to Repeat 2018.” The Washington Post, November 17, 2025.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/17/democratic-veterans-trying-repeat-2018/.
Rebecca Bennett (Navy veteran and then congressional candidate). Communication with author, February 2, 2026.
Sherrill, Mikie. “Election Night Speech.” Transcript. CNN, November 4, 2025.
https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/se/date/2025-11-04/segment/06.
U.S. Navy. “Our Heritage.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.navy.mil/About/Our-Heritage/.
U.S. Census Bureau. “QuickFacts: New Jersey.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/NJ/PST045224.
Back to top

Chapter 2: Senator Todd Young

Todd Young (then U.S. Senator from Indiana). Interview with author, September 18, 2025.
Todd Young. “About.” Office of Senator Todd Young. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.young.senate.gov/about/.
Todd Young (then U.S. Senator from Indiana). Interview with author, October 9, 2025.
“Lawyer Files for 9th District Run.” Madison Courier, January 27, 2009.
https://web.archive.org/web/20160915140924/http://madisoncourier.com/Content/Social/Social/Article/Lawyer-files-for-9th-District-run/-2/-2/48868.
9th Marine Corps District. “U.S. Senator Todd Young Visits Recruiting Station Indianapolis Marines.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.9thmcd.marines.mil/In-the-News/Photos/.
Hiar, Corbin. “Young and Restless: Hoosier on the Fast Track.” POLITICO, January 12, 2017.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/young-and-restless-hoosier-on-the-fast-track/.
IMDb. “William H. Macy.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000513/.
“United States Senator Todd Young.” Leaders and Legends. Podcast audio, January 2, 2023. Apple Podcasts. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/united-states-senator-todd-young/id1451356684?i=1000591888464.
Todd Young (then U.S. Senator from Indiana). Communication with author, January 11, 2026; February 3, 2026.
Lange, Kaitlin. “2022 Election: Sen. Todd Young Focuses on Bills Rather than Talk Show Soundbites.” The Indianapolis Star, September 13, 2022.
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2022/09/13/indiana-senate-election-2022-todd-young-seeks-reelection/65405790007/.
Flanner Buchanan Funeral Centers. “Bruce H. Young Obituary September 30, 2022.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.flannerbuchanan.com/obituaries/bruce-h-young.
Kenworthy, Jay. “Indiana Senator Todd Young Scoring on a Scissor Kick.” The Indianapolis Star, December 19, 2022.
https://www.indystar.com/videos/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2022/12/19/indiana-senator-todd-young-playing-soccer-world-cup/10922147002/.
Doyel, Gregg. “Doyel: Soccer Took Todd Young from Carmel to Navy to the U.S. Senate.” The Indianapolis Star, December 20, 2022.
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2022/12/20/watching-world-cup-indianas-top-soccer-fan-sen-todd-young/69737034007/.
Indiana University Athletics. “Hoosiers Host Saint Louis in NCAA Second Round.” November 22, 2025.
https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2025/11/22/mens-soccer-hoosiers-host-saint-louis-in-ncaa-second-round.
National Collegiate Athletic Association. NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship Records. 2012. Archived October 15, 2014.
https://web.archive.org/web/20141015070124/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_soccer_champs_records/2012/D1/champs.pdf.
United States Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS). “Home.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.usna.edu/NAPS/index.php.
United States Naval Academy. “Todd Young.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.usna.edu/Notables/congress/1995young.php.
U.S. Government Accountability Office. DOD Service Academies: Academy Preparatory Schools Need a Clearer Mission and Better Oversight. GAO/NSIAD-92-57, March 13, 1992. Washington, D.C. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/nsiad-92-57.pdf.
United States Naval Academy Preparatory School. “Newport Information.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.usna.edu/NAPS/Visit/newportInfo.php.
United States Department of Defense, Defense Technical Information Center. Conduct of the Persian Gulf War: Final Report to Congress, Chapters 1–8. ADA249270, April 1992.
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA249270.pdf.
U.S. Navy. “Naval Station Newport.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://cnrma.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAVSTA-Newport/
United States Naval Academy Preparatory School. Naval Academy Preparatory School Academic Instruction. June 22, 2022.
https://www.usna.edu/NAPS/_files/documents/NAPS%20Instruction%20Page%20Update%2020220811/4._NAPSINST1531.1D_NAPS_Academics_Instruction.pdf
Todd Young (then U.S. Senator from Indiana). Interview with author, January 6, 2026.
Jeff Wuslich (Young campaign volunteer/staffer). Interview with author, October 23, 2025.
Wren, Adam. “How Todd Young Held the Line for Senate Republicans.” Indianapolis Monthly, November 5, 2020.
https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/news-and-opinion/how-todd-young-held-the-line-for-senate-republicans/.
Gregory, Joseph R. “Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Britain Has Died.” The New York Times, April 8, 2013.
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/09/world/europe/former-prime-minister-margaret-thatcher-of-britain-has-died.html.
Young, Todd. “In England and in America, It’s Time for the Next Generation of Conservatives to Step Up.” National Review, September 20, 2022.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/09/in-england-and-in-america-its-time-for-the-next-generation-of-conservatives-to-step-up/.
The Lugar Center. “About Senator Richard Lugar.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.thelugarcenter.org/about-lugar.html.
Wren, Adam. “Introducing Todd Young, the Most Important Senator You’ve Never Heard.” Business Insider, July 14, 2021.
https://www.businessinsider.com/todd-young-profile-senate-indiana-republican-2021-4.
“Young, Todd.” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Office of Art and Archives, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/Y000064.
U.S. House of Representatives. “Election Statistics, 1920 to Present.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/.
“Indiana – Election Results 2008.” The New York Times, last updated December 9, 2008.
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/elections/2008/results/states/indiana.html.
Gallup, Inc. “Obama’s Initial Approval Ratings in Historical Context.” Gallup, January 26, 2009.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/113968/Obama-Initial-Approval-Ratings-Historical-Context.aspx.
“Young Wins Close GOP Primary.” Louisville Public Media, May 5, 2010.
https://www.lpm.org/news/2010-05-05/young-wins-close-gop-primary.
“Sodrel’s Working-Man Roots Resonate in 9th District.” Herald-Times, November 14, 2004.
https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2004/11/14/sodrels-working-man-roots-resonate-in-9th-distric/118143312/.
Davis, Susan. “Primary Day: No 5th Match for Hill and Sodrel.” Washington Wire (blog), Wall Street Journal, May 5, 2010.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-WB-19045.
“The Land.” CT.gov — Connecticut’s Official State Website. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://portal.ct.gov/about/the-land.
“Census Profile: Congressional District 9, IN.” Census Reporter. Accessed January 30, 2026.
http://censusreporter.org/profiles/50000US1809-congressional-district-9-in/.
Cox, Jeff. “5 Years Later, Rick Santelli ‘tea Party’ Rant Revisited.” CNBC, February 24, 2014.
https://www.cnbc.com/2014/02/24/5-years-later-rick-santelli-tea-party-rant-revisited.html.
mia! “Indianapolis ‘Tea Party’ Demonstration.” Photograph. Flickr, April 2009.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/_mia/3446675214/.
“Protesters Hold ‘Tax Day Tea Parties.’” WTHR, April 15, 2009.
https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/protesters-hold-tax-day-tea-parties/531-3263f689-5987-43af-9b79-8cebc1c4da43.
“Photo Gallery: Toying with Hitler and History.” Der Spiegel, October 21, 2010.
https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/photo-gallery-toying-with-hitler-and-history-fotostrecke-60763.html.
Groppe, Maureen. “Here’s Why Barack Obama Is Praising Late Former Sen. Richard Lugar.” USA Today, April 28, 2019.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/28/richard-lugar-dies-praised-barack-obama-his-bipartisanship/3610377002/.
Baron P. Hill. “Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.” Office of Art and Archives, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/H001030.
Allen, Jonathan. “Blue Dog Wipeout: Half of Caucus Gone.” POLITICO, November 3, 2010.
https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2010/11/blue-dog-wipeout-half-of-caucus-gone-030524.
Cillizza, Chris, and Jim Vandehei. “Basketball Legend’s Campaign Gets an Assist From His Fame.” The Washington Post, September 24, 2006.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/09/24/basketball-legends-campaign-gets-an-assist-from-his-fame-span-classbankheadbut-sports-rivalry-could-rebound-gop-incumbentspan/3e502eea-260c-4f23-8ad6-2d30718e1301/.
“Baron Hill.” Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://hoopshall.com/inductees/baron-hill/.
Blake, Aaron. “NRCC Adds 32 to Young Guns Program.” The Hill, October 27, 2009.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/64923-nrcc-adds-32-to-young-guns-program/.
“Young Defeats Hill In Indiana Congressional Race.” Louisville Public Media. November 3, 2010.
https://www.lpm.org/news/2010-11-03/young-defeats-hill-in-indiana-congressional-race.
Calabresi, Massimo. “2010: Races to Watch.” Time, October 26, 2010.
https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2019138_2019132_2027602,00. html.
Cook Political Report. “2009 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (111th Congress).” April 5, 2023.
https://www.cookpolitical.com/cook-pvi/2009-partisan-voting-index/111-district-map-and-list.
“Indiana — Election Results 2010.” New York Times. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/results/indiana.html.
“GOP Wave Yields Control of House.” CQ Almanac 2010. Washington, DC: CQ–Roll Call Group, 2011.
https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/document.php?id=cqal10-1278-70365-2371719.
Dade, Corey. “GOP’s ‘Sweet’ Wins In Governors’ Races May Pay Off.” NPR, November 8, 2010.
https://www.npr.org/2010/11/08/131158449/gop-s-sweet-wins-in-governors-races-may-pay-off.
Halloran, Liz. “Obama Humbled By Election ‘Shellacking.’” NPR, November 3, 2010.
https://www.npr.org/2010/11/03/131046118/obama-humbled-by-election-shellacking.
Boehner, John. “Panic Rooms, Birth Certificates and the Birth of GOP Paranoia.” Politico Magazine, April 2, 2021.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/04/02/john-boehner-book-memoir-excerpt-478506
John Connell (then Young chief of staff). Interview with author, October 15, 2025.
“The Debt Limit.” Congressional Research Service. Updated December 5, 2025. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF10292.
“Debt-Ceiling Fight Dominates Congress.” CQ Almanac 2011, 67th ed., 11-3–11-6. Washington, DC: CQ–Roll Call Group, 2012.
https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/document.php?id=cqal-1390-77513-2462134.
“Stocks Slide Amid Debt Talks; Techs Gain.” CNBC, July 26, 2011.
https://www.cnbc.com/2011/07/26/stocks-slide-amid-debt-talks-techs-gain.html.
Reuters. “White House: Moody’s Underscores Need to Act on Debt.” June 3, 2011.
https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/us/white-house-moodys-underscores-need-to-act-on-debt-idUSN03140088/.
Beller, Margo D. “‘Lehman on Steroids’ If Debt Ceiling Not Raised: Summers.” CNBC, July 20, 2011.
https://www.cnbc.com/2011/07/20/lehman-on-steroids-if-debt-ceiling-not-raised-summers.html.
“Rep. Joe Walsh: Calls Obama a Liar on Default.” Chicago Sun-Times, July 14, 2011.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2011/7/14/18607278/rep-joe-walsh-calls-obama-a-liar-on-default.
“Final Vote Results for Roll Call 690.” U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk. August 1, 2011.
https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll690.xml.
Shear, Michael D. “Government Gets Back to Business, but Effects of the Shutdown Linger.” The New York Times, October 17, 2013.
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/18/us/politics/government-reopens.html.
“Roll Call 61: Bill Number S. 540, 113th Congress, 2nd Session.” Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. February 11, 2014.
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/201461
“Roll Call 579: Bill Number H.R. 1314, 114th Congress, 1st Session.” Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. October 28, 2015.
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2015579.
Sullivan, Sean. “Sen. Dan Coats Not Running for Reelection.” The Washington Post, March 24, 2015.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/03/24/sen-dan-coats-not-running-for-re-election/.
Smith, Brandon. “Coats Staffer Announces He’ll Run for Senate.” WFYI Public Media, March 26, 2015.
https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/coats-staffer-announces-hell-run-for-senate.
Viebeck, Elise. “Rep. Marlin Stutzman Declares Senate Bid.” The Hill, May 9, 2015.
https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-primaries/241534-rep-marlin-stutzman-to-declare-senate-bid/.
Groppe, Maureen. “Young Enters Crowded GOP Primary for Coats’ Senate Seat.” Palladium- Item, July 12, 2015.
https://www.pal-item.com/story/news/local/2015/07/12/young-enters-crowded-gop-primary-coats-senate-seat/30054411/
Cook, Tony, and Chelsea Schneider. “Eric Holcomb to Become Gov. Mike Pence’s Running Mate, Source Says.” The Indianapolis Star, February 8, 2016.
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/02/08/holcomb-drops-out-us-senate-race/80011504/.
“Fact Check: Did Indiana Rep. Todd Young Vote for ‘More Debt and Deficit Spending’?” Ballotpedia. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://ballotpedia.org/Fact_check/Did_Indiana_Rep._Todd_Young_vote_for_%22more_debt_and_deficit_spending%22.
Briggs, James. “Yes, Todd Young Was a Marine. This Young Campaign Volunteer Plans to Follow in His Footsteps.” The Indianapolis Star, May 15, 2016.
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/05/15/yes-todd-young-marine-young-campaign-volunteer-plans-follow-his-footsteps/84148654/.
“Indiana Primary Election Results 2016.” The New York Times, last updated September 26, 2016.
http://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/primaries/indiana.
Smith, Brandon. “Race For U.S. Senate Seat Is Rematch Between Todd Young And Baron Hill.” WFYI Public Media. May 4, 2016.
https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/race-for-us-senate-seat-is-rematch-between-todd-young-and-baron-hill.
Severns, Maggie. “Evan Bayh Readying Indiana Senate Comeback Run.” POLITICO, July 11, 2016.
https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/evan-bayh-readying-indiana-senate-comeback-run-225360.
Shabad, Rebecca. “Evan Bayh Launches Comeback Bid for Senate Seat in Indiana.” CBS News, July 13, 2016.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/evan-bayh-launches-comeback-bid-for-senate-seat-in-indiana/.
Glover, Mike. “Sen. Bayh Seeks Edge in Democratic Field.” Associated Press, July 8, 2006.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/08/AR2006070800206.html.
“Report: Bayh on Obama’s VP Shortlist.” WTHR, August 19, 2008.
https://www.wthr.com/article/news/politics/report-bayh-obamas-vp-shortlist/531-f5b2e6e3-8812-4e5a-bc47-336952c34779.
Severns, Maggie. “DSCC Internal Shows Bayh with Big Lead in Indiana.” POLITICO Pro, July 18, 2016.
https://subscriber.politicopro.com/campaigns/whiteboard/2016/07/dscc-internal-shows-bayh-with-big-lead-in-indiana-074852.
Catanese, David. “How Mourdock Took Down Lugar.” POLITICO, May 9, 2012.
https://www.politico.com/story/2012/05/lugar-toppled-in-in-primary-076077.
“Bayh, Young Keep Up Biting Attacks During Senate Debate.” NBC4 Washington. October 18, 2016.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/local/dc-wtop-bayh-young-keep-up-biting-attacks-during-senate-debate/112846/.
Severns, Maggie, and Isaac Arnsdorf. “Evan Bayh’s Shadow Lobbying.” POLITICO, September 28, 2016.
https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/how-evan-bayh-lobbied-but-was-never-a-lobbyist-228870.
Indiana Republican Party. “Evan Bayh or HBO’s Veep?” October 2016.
https://indiana.gop/news-evan-bayh-or-hbos-veep/.
Shepard, Steven. “GOP Insiders: Trump Can’t Win.” POLITICO, August 12, 2016.
https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/donald-trump-electoral-votes-gop-insiders-226932.
“Indiana Election Results 2016.” The New York Times, last updated August 1, 2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/indiana.
Wren, Adam. “The GOP Senator Who Faulted Trump for Jan. 6 — and Lived to Tell about It.” POLITICO, May 2, 2022.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/todd-young-indiana-senate-trump-00029217.
Todd Young (then U.S. Senator from Indiana). Interview with author, October 15, 2025.
Edmondson, Catie. “Senate Passes $280 Billion Industrial Policy Bill to Counter China.” The New York Times, July 27, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/us/politics/senate-chips-china.html.
U.S. House of Representatives, Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. Predatory Pricing: How the Chinese Communist Party Manipulates Global Mineral Prices to Maintain its Dominance. Washington, DC, November 12, 2025.
https://chinaselectcommittee.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/china-interim-report-on-price-manipulation-w.toc-compressed.pdf.
Tromblay, Darren E. “From Outside Assaults to Insider Threats: Chinese Economic Espionage.” Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, November 3, 2025. Accessed February 6, 2026.
https://itif.org/publications/2025/11/03/from-outside-assaults-to-insider-threats-chinese-economic-espionage/.
Semiconductor Industry Association. “About Semiconductors.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.semiconductors.org/semiconductors-101/what-is-a-semiconductor/.
Swanson, Ana, and Lazaro Gamio. “The Global Effort to Make an American Microchip.” The New York Times, March 20, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/03/20/business/economy/semiconductor-chip-manufacturing-us.html.
Rickman, William. “Why the Term ‘Rust Belt’ Matters.” Belt Magazine, April 15, 2016.
https://beltmag.com/why-rust-belt-matters/.
Thomas, Lauren. “Coronavirus Wreaks Havoc on Retail Supply Chains Globally, Even as China’s Factories Come Back Online.” CNBC, March 16, 2020.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/16/coronavirus-wreaks-havoc-on-retail-supply-chains-globally.html.
Duffy, Clare. “IBM Says It Has Created the World’s Smallest and Most Powerful Microchip.” CNN, May 6, 2021.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/06/tech/ibm-semiconductor-two-nanometer.
Chuck Schumer. “Biography.” Office of Senator Chuck Schumer. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/about/biography.
Weinberg, Abigail. “How Does Chuck Schumer Keep Democrats Together? A Flip Phone.” Mother Jones, February 23, 2021.
https://www.motherjones.com/mojo-wire/2021/02/how-does-chuck-schumer-keep-democrats-together-a-flip-phone/.
Chuck Schumer. “Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.” Office of Art and Archives, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/S000148.
Purdum, Todd S. “Chuck Schumer, Show Horse and Workhorse, Takes Center Stage on Chuck Hagel and Immigration.” Vanity Fair, February 7, 2013.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/02/chuck-schumer-show-horse-workhorse-profile.
Office of Senator Todd Young. “Young, Schumer Unveil Endless Frontier Act to Bolster U.S. Tech Leadership and Combat China.” May 27, 2020.
https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-schumer-unveil-endless-frontier-act-to-bolster-us-tech-leadership-and-combat-china/.
Kane, Paul. “Schumer Realizes Dream of Senate Control — but with a Razor-Thin Edge.” The Washington Post, January 10, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/schumer-poised-to-realize-dream-of-senate-control–but-with-a-razor-thin-edge/2021/01/06/10bc1e00-4fd8-11eb-bda4-615aaefd0555_story.html.
Edmondson, Catie. “Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Bolster Competitiveness With China.” The New York Times, June 8, 2021.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/08/us/politics/china-bill-passes.html.
Walsh, Deirdre. “The House Passed a Bill Aimed at Boosting U.S. Competitiveness with China.” NPR, February 4, 2022.
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/04/1078226282/u-s-house-passes-china-competition-bill.
“Conference Committee and Related Procedures: An Introduction.” Congressional Research Service. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/96-708.
Edmondson, Catie. “Senate Advances Expansive Industrial Policy Bill to Counter China.” The New York Times, July 26, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/26/us/politics/senate-industrial-policy-bill.html.
Heritage Action. “Heritage Action Key Votes Against Reckless and Ineffective CHIPS Package.” July 21, 2022.
https://heritageaction.com/press/heritage-action-key-votes-against-reckless-and-ineffective-chips-package.
Treene, Alayna. “House Conservatives Criticize CHIPS-plus Package as ‘Fake’ China Bill.” Axios, July 21, 2022.
https://www.axios.com/2022/07/21/house-republicans-chips-plus-china.
Schoeff Jr., Mark. “Sen. Young takes Chips risk, but Hoosier GOP don’t follow,” Howey Politics Indiana, July 28, 2022.
Nichols, Hans. “McConnell Threatens to Kill China Bill If Democrats Keep Negotiating on Reconciliation.” Axios, June 30, 2022.
https://www.axios.com/2022/06/30/mcconnell-china-competition-bill.
Edmondson, Catie, and Ana Swanson. “With Funding Stalled, Chip Makers Warn Congress the U.S. Is Lagging.” The New York Times, June 17, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/17/us/politics/semiconductors-congress-chips.html.
Nichols, Hans. “Biden Administration Wants Congress to ‘Cleave off’ CHIPS Funding and Pass Standalone Bill.” Axios, July 13, 2022.
https://www.axios.com/2022/07/13/chips-act-semiconductors-china-competition.
Treene, Alayna. “How the Senate’s CHIPS-plus Bill Ballooned by Billions.” Axios, July 21, 2022.
https://www.axios.com/2022/07/21/china-chips-bipartisan-bill.
Popli, Nik. “How a Closed-Door National Security Briefing Convinced Senators to Pass the Chips Bill.” Time, July 28, 2022.
https://time.com/6201675/chips-bill-national-security/.
McKinsey & Company. “What Is the CHIPS and Science Act?” May 16, 2024.
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/the-chips-and-science-act-heres-whats-in-it.
Todd Young (then U.S. Senator for Indiana). Communication with author, January 31, 2026.
Swanson, Ana. “Congress Is Giving Billions to the Chip Industry. Strings Are Attached.” The New York Times, August 3, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/03/business/economy/chip-industry-congress.html.
“U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 271 (117th Congress, 2nd Session).” U.S. Senate. July 27, 2022.
https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00271.htm
“Roll Call 404: Bill Number H.R. 4346, 117th Congress, 2nd Session.” Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. July 28, 2022.
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022404.
Biden, Joseph R., Jr. “Remarks on Signing Legislation to Promote United States Semiconductor Production, Technological Innovation, and Advanced Manufacturing.” American Presidency Project, August 9, 2022.
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-signing-legislation-promote-united-states-semiconductor-production-technological.
Ngo, Madeleine. “Trump Attacks Bipartisan Semiconductor Law, a Key Policy Achievement for Biden.” The New York Times, October 26, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/26/us/politics/trump-joe-rogan-chips-science-act.html.
Mickle, Tripp, and Ana Swanson. “Trump’s Call to Scrap ‘Horrible’ Chip Program Spreads Panic.” Technology. The New York Times, March 10, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/technology/trump-chips-act.html.
Mui, Christine. “‘Semiconductor Slush Fund’: How the Trump Admin Seized Control of Biden’s $7.4 Billion Chips Initiative.” POLITICO, September 30, 2025.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/lutnick-natcast-chips-biden-00576779.
Office of Senator Todd Young. “CHIPS and Science Act.” PDF. Last updated July 26, 2024.
https://www.young.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Senator-Young-CHIPS-and-Science-Act.pdf.
U.S. Senate. “U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote No. 33, 116th Congress, 2nd Session: Guilty or Not Guilty (Article I, Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald John Trump).” February 5, 2020.
https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1162/vote_116_2_00033.htm.
U.S. Senate. “U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote No. 34, 116th Congress, 2nd Session: Guilty or Not Guilty (Article II, Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald John Trump).” February 5, 2020.
https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1162/vote_116_2_00034.htm
U.S. Senate. “U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote No. 57, 117th Congress, 1st Session (Is Former President Donald John Trump Subject to a Court of Impeachment for Acts Committed While President?).” February 9, 2021.
https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1171/vote_117_1_00057.htm.
Office of Senator Todd Young. “Young Supports One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-supports-one-big-beautiful-bill-act/.
Dayak, Shifra. “Republicans Fell In Line to Back Tulsi Gabbard in the Intelligence Committee.” NOTUS, February 4, 2025.
https://www.notus.org/senate/tulsi-gabbard-intelligence-committee-vote.
Dan Sullivan (then U.S. Senator for Alaska). Communication with author, January 2, 2026.
Wu, Nicholas. “Buttigieg Gets Favorable Reception in Confirmation Hearing for Transportation Secretary Role.” USA Today, January 21, 2021.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/21/pete-buttigieg-gets-warm-reception-transportation-secretary-hearing/4243663001/.
The Lugar Center. “Our Work.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-Bipartisan-Index.html.
“Sen. Young to Trump Supporters: ‘I Took an Oath under God.’” The Washington Post, January 6, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/local/sen-young-to-trump-supporters-i-took-an-oath-under-god/2021/01/06/dbf97084-ac68-46b0-905b-d74463da69ee_video.html.
Stevens, Harry, et al. “How Members of Congress Voted on Counting the Electoral College Vote.” Washington Post, January 7, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2021/politics/congress-electoral-college-count-tracker/.
Benen, Steve. “Yet Another Republican Senator Says He Won’t Endorse Trump in 2024.” MS NOW, March 8, 2024.
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/yet-another-republican-senator-says-wont-endorse-trump-2024-rcna142498.
Downard, Whitney. “Sen. Todd Young Says He Won’t Support Trump Nomination.” Indiana Capital Chronicle, May 11, 2023.
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2023/05/11/sen-todd-young-says-he-wont-support-trump-nomination/.
Taylor, Jessica. “Hillary Clinton Picks Tim Kaine As Her Vice Presidential Running Mate.” NPR, July 22, 2016.
https://www.npr.org/2016/07/22/487050100/hillary-clinton-picks-tim-kaine-as-her-vice-presidential-running-mate.
Kane, Paul. “Congress Ceded the Power to Wage Wars to the President after Sept. 11. A Bipartisan Pair of Senators Want to Take It Back.” The Washington Post, September 11, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/congress-ceded-the-power-to-wage-wars-to-the-president-after-sept-11-a-bipartisan-pair-of-senators-want-to-take-it-back/2021/09/11/ebd083be-1260-11ec-bc8a-8d9a5b534194_story.html.
Ali, Ayesha. “Why 22 Senate Republicans Defied Trump and Voted for Aid to Ukraine.” ABC News, February 13, 2024.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/22-senate-republicans-defied-trump-voted-aid-ukraine/story?id=107193651.
Howey, Brian. “Young, Braun Split on Electoral Count Act Reform.” Courier & Press. January 3, 2023.
https://www.courierpress.com/story/opinion/2023/01/03/young-braun-split-on-electoral-count-act-reform/69773208007/.
Dey, Sneha. “Uvalde School Shooting Ends with 19 Children, 2 Adults Dead.” The Texas Tribune, May 24, 2022.
https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/24/uvalde-texas-school-shooting/.
Office of Senator Todd Young. “Young Statement on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.” June 23, 2022.
https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-statement-on-bipartisan-safer-communities-act/.
Clyde, Don, and Shauneen Miranda. “Biden Signs Gun Safety Bill into Law.” NPR, June 25, 2022.
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/25/1107626030/biden-signs-gun-safety-law.
Young, Todd. “Op/Ed: Sen. Young to Vote for ‘improved Version’ of Respect for Marriage Act. Here’s Why.” The Indianapolis Star, November 30, 2022.
https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/2022/11/30/todd-young-same-sex-marriage-law-indiana-lgbtq-rights-2022/69682795007/.
Dwyer, Kayla. “Cass County GOP ‘censures’ Todd Young over Same-Sex Marriage Vote. Will Others Follow?” The Indianapolis Star, December 13, 2022.
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/13/cass-county-gop-censures-todd-young-will-others-follow/69720977007/.
Joe Momma (@JoeMomma461). “We must primary Traitor Todd Young in 2028…” X (formerly Twitter), November 23, 2024, 2:51 a.m.
https://x.com/JoeMomma461/status/1860229565161017555.
The Indy Oracle (@OracleIndy). “You are a disgusting RINO…” X (formerly Twitter), November 28, 2024, 11:06 a.m.
https://x.com/OracleIndy/status/1862166061602275414.
Ortiz, Aimee, Hannah Ziegler, and Yan Zhuang. “What We Know About Maduro’s Capture and the Fallout.” The New York Times, January 3, 2026.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/world/americas/venezuela-maduro-capture-trump.html.
Office of Senator Todd Young. “Young Statement on War Powers Resolution.” January 8, 2026.
https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-statement-on-war-powers-resolution-2/.
“Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, Votes with Democrats Advancing Venezuela War Powers Resolution.” The Republic News, January 8, 2026.
https://www.therepublic.com/2026/01/08/sen-todd-young-r-indiana-votes-with-democrats-advancing-venezuela-war-powers-resolution/.
Swanson, Ian. “Donald Trump Lashes out at GOP Senators over War Powers Vote on Venezuela.” The Hill, January 8, 2026.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5679376-trump-criticizes-republican-senators/.
Murray, Ashley. “War Powers Resolution Fails in U.S. Senate after 2 Republicans Flip, Vance Breaks Tie — Young Changes Vote.” The Republic News, January 15, 2026.
https://www.therepublic.com/2026/01/15/war-powers-resolution-fails-in-us-senate-after-2-republicans-flip-vance-breaks-tie-young-changes-vote/.
Todd Young (then U.S. senator for Indiana). Communication with author, February 1, 2026.
“Young, One-Time Skeptic, Wants to Be a ‘Team Player’ for Trump.” Punchbowl News, March 3, 2025.
https://punchbowl.news/article/senate/young-trump-relationship/.
Office of Senator Todd Young. “Young, Kelly Introduce Legislation to Make American Ships Again.” April 30, 2025.
https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-kelly-introduce-legislation-to-make-american-ships-again/.
Todd Young for Senate. “Make American Ships Again Navy Structured Adjustable Hat.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://secure.winred.com/todd-young/storefront/make-american-ships-again-navy-structured-adjustable-hat/details/.
Odendahl, Marilyn. “‘But You’re Not Here: Hoosiers Voice Concerns, Frustrations at ‘Empty Chair’ Town Hall That Sen. Todd Young Declined to Attend.” The Indiana Citizen. March 21, 2025.
https://indianacitizen.org/but-youre-not-here-hoosiers-voice-concerns-frustrations-at-empty-chair-town-hall-that-sen-todd-young-declined-to-attend/.
Roessler, Meg. “‘Replace Him with a True America First Conservative’: Hoosiers for a Conservative Senate Wants to Push Out Senator Todd Young.” 21Alive News, March 24, 2025.
https://www.21alivenews.com/2025/03/24/replace-him-with-true-america-first-conservative-hoosiers-conservative-senate-wants-push-out-senator-todd-young/.
Roebuck, Jeremy, et al. “Trump Ally Charlie Kirk Gunned Down in Brazen Act of Public Violence.” Washington Post, September 11, 2025.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/10/kirk-shooting-political-violence/.
Thompson, Adam. “Former Naval Academy Midshipman Threatened Mass Execution, Federal Prosecutors Say.” CBS Baltimore, October 13, 2025.
https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/former-naval-academy-midshipman-threatened-mass-execution-federal-prosecutors/.
Toropin, Konstantin, and Brian Witte. “False Threat Led to Naval Academy Lockdown and Then a Mistaken Shooting.” Associated Press. September 12, 2025.
https://apnews.com/article/naval-academy-false-shooting-report-injury-aad982be7dc3c0ac861d7f999975a5fa.
Office of Senator Todd Young. “Young Commemorates Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, Warns of Political Division.” February 12, 2021.
https://www.young.senate.gov/news/press-releases/young-commemorates-abraham-lincolns-birthday-warns-of-political-division/.
Back to top

Chapter 3: Senator Mark Kelly

Paul Fujimura (Director of International Programs at USNA and Mark copilot). Interview with author, July 16, 2025.
Mark Kelly (U.S. Senator for Arizona). Interview with author, July 7, 2025.
Paul Fujimura (Director of International Programs at USNA and Mark copilot). Communication with author, November 7, 2025.
U.S. Department of Defense. Conduct of the Persian Gulf War: Final Report to Congress, Chapters I–VIII. Washington, DC: Department of Defense, April 1992.
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA249270.pdf.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 96.
Mark Kelly (U.S. Senator for Arizona). Communication with author, December 30, 2025.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page Page 97.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “International Space Station Facts and Figures.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/space-station-facts-and-figures/.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 98.
Novelly, Thomas. “‘Top Gun’ Boosted Recruiting and Brought the Tailhook Scandal. So What Happens After the Blockbuster Sequel?” Military.Com, August 11, 2022.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/08/11/top-gun-boosted-recruiting-and-brought-tailhook-scandal-so-what-happens-after-blockbuster-sequel.html.
Scott Kelly (NASA astronaut and Mark’s brother). Interview with author, November 17, 2025.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 61.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 67.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 64.
Kelly, Scott. Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. Page 34.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 65.
Kelly, Scott. Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. Page 9.
Scott Kelly (NASA astronaut and Mark’s brother). Interview with author, July 16, 2025.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 60.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 133.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Pages 61-62.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Pages 64-65.
Legacy.com. “Richard Kelly Obituary (1940–2016), Webster, TX.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/richard-kelly-obituary?id=17578676.
Kelly, Scott. Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. Page35.
Kelly, Scott. Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. Pages 36-37.
Rose, Lisa. “Twin Astronauts Remember Their Mother, West Orange’s First Female Police Officer.” NJ.com, April 27, 2012.
https://www.nj.com/news/2012/04/twin_astronauts_remember_their.html.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 67-68.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 68.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 66.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 69.
Scott Kelly (NASA astronaut and Mark’s brother). Interview with author, November 17, 2025.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 93.
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. “The United States Merchant Marine Academy and American Merchant Marine Museum Added to National Register of Historic Places.” October 3, 2024.
https://www.usmma.edu/about/communications/united-states-merchant-marine-academy-and-american-merchant-marine-museum-added.
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. “USMMA Facts.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
https://www.usmma.edu/about/facts.
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. “Midshipman’s Diary.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
https://www.usmma.edu/academy-life/midshipmans-diary.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 92.
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. “Service Obligation.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
https://www.usmma.edu/admissions/service-obligation.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 94.
Mark Kelly (U.S. Senator for Arizona). Communication with author, December 29, 2025.
Collins, Shannon. “Desert Storm: A Look Back.” U.S. Department of Defense, January 11, 2019.
https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/1728715/desert-storm-a-look-back/.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 99.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 100.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 138.
Mark Kelly (U.S. Senator for Arizona). Interview with author, July 7, 2025
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “The Space Shuttle.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.nasa.gov/reference/the-space-shuttle/.
Kelly, Scott. Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. Page 71-72.
Kelly, Scott. Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. Page 79.
“Mark Kelly Writing Children’s Book.” Associated Press, February 20, 2012.
https://www.politico.com/story/2012/02/giffords-husband-writing-childrens-book-073089.
Kelly, Mark. “This Year Has Been an Unequivocal Disaster for the Future of the Planet.” CNN, December 27, 2017.
https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/26/opinions/earth-from-space-climate-change-opinion-mark-kelly.
D’Andrea, Niki. “Mark Kelly: The Man Who Fell to Arizona.” PHOENIX Magazine, September 16, 2020.
https://www.phoenixmag.com/2020/09/16/mark-kelly-the-man-who-fell-to-arizona/.
Stanford University School of Medicine, Genetics Bioinformatics Service Center. “HERO Twin Astronaut Study.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://med.stanford.edu/gbsc/pages/nasa-twins.html.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 132.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 134-135.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 55.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 32.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 33.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 39.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 120.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 121.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 125.
U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Historian. “Giffords, Gabrielle.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/G/GIFFORDS,-Gabrielle-(G000554)/.
Arizona Secretary of State. State of Arizona Registration Report: 2008 General Election— November 4, 2008. Phoenix: Arizona Secretary of State, 2008.
https://apps.azsos.gov/election/voterreg/2008-10-22.pdf.
Montini, E. J. “Reminded of What America Lost – and Gained – When Gabby Giffords Was Shot.” The Arizona Republic. April 8, 2022.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2022/04/08/gabby-giffords-turning-shooting-aphasia-loss-into-america-gain/9512235002/.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 163.
Arizona Secretary of State. “2006 General Election: U.S. Representative in Congress, District 8.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
https://apps.azsos.gov/results/2006/general/GEN-1008.htm.
“Arizona – Election Results 2008 .” The New York Times. Accessed February 2, 2026.
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/elections/2008/results/states/arizona.html.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 160.
Office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. “U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ Statement on Financial Market Recovery Legislation.” October 3, 2008.
https://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20081031000234/http://giffords.house.gov/press/press-releases/2008/FINANCIALMARKETSTATEMENT100308.shtml.
Rogers, David. “Senate Passes $787 Billion Stimulus Bill.” POLITICO, February 13, 2009.
https://www.politico.com/story/2009/02/senate-passes-787-billion-stimulus-bill-018837.
Walsh, Bryan. “Politics: Gabrielle Giffords Is a Green Patriot.” Time, January 10, 2011.
https://science.time.com/2011/01/10/politics-wounded-representative-giffords-was-a-supporter-of-solar-cap-and-trade/.
Barr, Andy. “Palin Doubles down on ‘Death Panels.’” POLITICO, August 13, 2009.
https://www.politico.com/story/2009/08/palin-doubles-down-on-death-panels-026078.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 152.
Smith, Dylan. “Giffords Will Vote for Health Insurance Reform Bill.” Tucson Sentinel, March 20, 2010.
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report//032010_giffords/.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 153.
“House Democrats Who Voted Against the Health Care Bill.” The New York Times, November 8, 2009.
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/08/us/politics/1108-health-care-vote.html?ref=politics.
Berman, Ari. “Breaking Down Blue Dog Democrats.” The Nation, November 10, 2009.
https://www.npr.org/2009/11/10/120269537/the-nation-breaking-down-blue-dog-democrats.
Feldmann, Linda. “Rep. Bart Stupak to Retire, Casualty of Health Care Reform Battle.” Christian Science Monitor, April 9, 2010.
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0409/Rep.-Bart-Stupak-to-retire-casualty-of-health-care-reform-battle.
“Midterm Losses Bite Blue Dog Democrats.” NPR, November 6, 2010.
https://www.npr.org/2010/11/06/131093849/midterm-losses-bite-blue-dog-democrats.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 161.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 25.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 76.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 79.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 44.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 174-175.
Jen Cox (Mark’s campaign manager). Interview with author, September 10, 2025.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 168.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 169.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 171
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 170.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 170-171.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 185.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 183.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 10.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 73.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 212.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 220.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 245.
Giffords, Gabrielle D., and Mark E. Kelly. Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope. New York: Scribner, 2011. Page 238.
Lonsdorf, Kat, Courtney Dorning, Amy Isackson, Mary Louise Kelly, and Ailsa Chang. “A Timeline of the Jan. 6 Capitol Attack — Including When and How Trump Responded.” NPR, January 5, 2024.
https://www.npr.org/2022/01/05/1069977469/a-timeline-of-how-the-jan-6-attack-unfolded-including-who-said-what-and-when.
Baker, Peter. “A Mob and the Breach of Democracy: The Violent End of the Trump Era.” The New York Times, January 6, 2021.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/trump-congress.html.
Forgey, Quint. “Pence Rushed out of Senate Chamber as Protesters Storm Capitol.” January 6, 2021.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/06/pence-rushed-out-of-senate-capitol-455483.
Concepcion, Summer. “‘QAnon Shaman’ Who Stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 Files Paperwork to Run for Congress.” NBC News, November 13, 2023.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/qanon-shaman-stormed-capitol-jan-6-files-paperwork-run-congress-rcna124858.
Stephanopoulos, George. “Gabby Giffords Would Like to Run for Congress But Mark Kelly Says He Won’t.” ABC News, November 15, 2011.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/11/gabby-giffords-would-like-to-run-for-congress-mark-kelly-says-he-wont.
GIFFORDS. “History.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://giffords.org/about/history/.
Isenstadt, Alex, and James Arkin. “Arizona Governor Appoints Martha McSally to Senate.” POLITICO, December 18, 2018.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/18/arizona-governor-to-appoint-mcsally-to-senate-1067921.
Bergquist, Carl. “First AF Female Combat Pilot Reflects on Career.” Joint Base Langley-Eustis, December 13, 2006.
https://www.jble.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/260009/first-af-female-combat-pilot-reflects-on-career/.
Leingang, Rachel. “Martha McSally Concedes to Kyrsten Sinema after ‘Hard-Fought Battle.’” The Arizona Republic, November 12, 2018.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/12/arizona-senate-martha-mcsally-concedes-kyrsten-sinema/1984298002/.
Mark Kelly for Senate. “My Next Mission.” YouTube, February 12, 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts9iXe0Te24.
Browning, Robert M., Jr. “Damn the Torpedoes.” Naval History 28, no. 4 (July 2014). U.S. Naval Institute.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2014/july/damn-torpedoes
Hulse, Carl. “McCain Provides a Dramatic Finale on Health Care: Thumb Down.” The New York Times, July 28, 2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/us/john-mccains-real-return.html.
Wingett Sanchez, Yvonne, and Stephanie Innes. “Rep. Martha McSally: ‘I’m Getting My Ass Kicked’ on Vote to Repeal ‘Obamacare.’” Arizona Republic. October 29, 2018.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/10/29/martha-mcsally-im-getting-my-ass-kicked-obamacare-vote-senate-sinema/1764519002/.
Mark Kelly for Senate. “Arizonans Deserve Quality, Affordable Health Care.” #FullSpeedAhead. September 5, 2020.
https://medium.com/fullspeedahead/health-care-edb5313a8e3a.
Mark Kelly for Senate. “I’ll Be a Senator for Arizona.” #FullSpeedAhead. October 29, 2020.
https://medium.com/fullspeedahead/senator-for-arizona-c2d25e4726d9.
Levine, Marianne. “Kelly Defeats McSally in Arizona Senate Race.” POLITICO, November 4, 2020.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/04/arizona-senate-election-results-2020-433583.
General Election—November 8, 2022. Phoenix: Arizona Secretary of State, 2022.
https://apps.azsos.gov/election/VoterReg/2022/State_Voter_Registration_2022_General.pdf.
“Arizona Election Results.” The New York Times, December 29, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-arizona.html.
Treene, Alayna. “The Most Bipartisan Freshmen in Congress.” Axios, May 19, 2021.
https://www.axios.com/2021/05/20/bipartisan-freshmen-congress-young-kim-gop-democrats.
Davis, Susan. “GOP Ads on Transgender Rights Are Dominating Airwaves in the Election’s Closing Days.” NPR, October 19, 2024.
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/19/g-s1-28932/donald-trump-transgender-ads-kamala-harris.
Donald J. Trump for President. “Kamala Is for They/Them. I Am for You.” YouTube short, accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VVU7pYq3WHw.
Goldmacher, Shane, Maggie Haberman, and Jonathan Swan. “How Trump Won, and How Harris Lost.” The New York Times, November 7, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/us/politics/trump-win-election-harris.html.
Tomlinson, Hugh. “The Two Sentences That Doomed Kamala Harris’s Campaign.” The Times of London, November 15, 2024.
https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/kamala-harris-trans-gender-democrat-election-campaign-kvzqz9d6c.
Barrow, Bill. “California’s Gavin Newsom Opposes Trans Athletes in Women’s Sports, Splitting with Progressives.” Associated Press. March 6, 2025.
https://apnews.com/article/gavin-newsom-transgender-athletes-e28abfe4d507086633e5f83b94b095e6. Balk, Tim. “The Democrat Picking a Fight With His Party Over Transgender Rights.” The New York Times, November 16, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/16/us/politics/democrats-transgender-rights-moulton.html.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “CBP Announces March 2021 Operational Update.” April 8, 2021.
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-announces-march-2021-operational-update.
WorldAtlas. “U.S. States That Border Mexico.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/us-states-that-border-mexico.html.
Loya, Adriana. “Arizona Communities Asking for Help as Migrants Surge toward US-Mexico Border.” 12 News, March 15, 2021.
https://www.12news.com/article/news/arizona-communities-asking-for-help-as-migrants-surge-toward-the-border/75-3ae5955d-67f2-4dc3-baf9-7bc38a569344.
Blitzer, Jonathan. “The Trials of Alejandro Mayorkas.” The New Yorker, February 17, 2024.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/02/26/the-trials-of-alejandro-mayorkas.
Office of Senator Mark Kelly. “Photos: Sen. Mark Kelly Visits Yuma, Southern Border and Military Bases.” April 6, 2021.
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/photos-sen-mark-kelly-visits-yuma-southern-border-and-military-bases/.
“Biden Administration to Fill Border Wall Gaps near Yuma, Arizona.” Associated Press, July 28, 2022.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/biden-administration-fill-border-wall-gaps-yuma-arizona-rcna40567.
Office of Senator Mark Kelly. “Sen. Kelly Statement on President Biden’s Address to Congress.” Senator Mark Kelly. April 28, 2021.
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-kelly-statement-on-president-bidens-address-to-congress/.
Congressional Progressive Caucus. “Congressional Progressive Caucus Leadership on Opposition to Reinstating Title 42.” May 19, 2022.
https://progressives.house.gov/2022/5/congressional-progressive-caucus-leadership-on-opposition-to-reinstating-title-42.
Office of Senator Mark Kelly. “Sens. Kelly and Sinema on the Biden Administration’s Decision to End Title 42.” April 1, 2022.
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-kelly-and-sinema-on-the-biden-administrations-decision-to-end-title-42/.
Cathey, Libby, and Alexandra Hutzler. “Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly Distances Himself from Biden’s Border ‘Mess.’” ABC News, October 7, 2022.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/arizona-democrat-mark-kelly-distances-bidens-border-mess/story?id=91161359.
Montoya-Galvez, Camilo. “Moderate Democrats Join GOP Senators to Back Bill to Delay End of Title 42 Border Expulsions.” CBS News, April 7, 2022.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-title-42-senate-bill-border-expulsions/.
Blake, Aaron. “Analysis: Mark Kelly’s Cry for Help to Biden on the Border.” The Washington Post, April 29, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/04/29/mark-kellys-cry-help-biden-border/.
Office of Senator Mark Kelly. “Watch: Sen. Kelly Delivers Remarks on Border Security, Fixing Broken Immigration System.” December 20, 2022.
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-sen-kelly-delivers-remarks-on-border-security-fixing-broken-immigration-system/.
Office of Senator Mark Kelly. “Senator Kelly Statement on Construction to Permanently Close Morelos Dam Gaps at the Arizona-Mexico Border.” January 19, 2023.
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-kelly-statement-on-construction-to-permanently-close-morelos-dam-gaps-at-the-arizona-mexico-border/.
Biden, Joseph R., Jr. “Remarks by President Biden Urging Congress to Pass the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.” The White House, February 6, 2024.
https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/02/06/remarks-by-president-biden-urging-congress-to-pass-the-emergency-national-security-supplemental-appropriations-act/.
Kapur, Sahil, and Kate Santaliz. “Senate Republicans Block Border Security Bill as They Campaign on Border Chaos.” NBC News. May 23, 2024.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-republicans-block-border-security-bill-campaign-border-chaos-rcna153607.
Kapur, Sahil, and Frank Thorp V. “Senate Passes Laken Riley Act Aimed at Cracking down on Illegal Immigration.” NBC News, January 20, 2025.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-passes-laken-riley-act-crack-down-immigration-rcna188226.
Office of Senator Mark Kelly. “Kelly Statement on Voting to Advance the Laken Riley Act in the Senate.” January 9, 2025.
https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-statement-on-voting-to-advance-the-laken-riley-act-in-the-senate/.
American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona et al. “Letter to Senators Kelly and Gallego Regarding Vote on S. 5.” February 4, 2025.
https://www.acluaz.org/app/uploads/2025/02/2025.02.04_letter_to_senators_kelly_and_gallego_re_lra.pdf.
“West Virginia Presidential Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated December 18, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-west-virginia-president.html.
Kelly, Mark, et al. “Don’t Give Up the Ship.” YouTube short.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Fk9Gh3qwW4I.
Baldor, Lolita C., Tara Copp, Jason Dearen, and Tim Sullivan. “Trump Sends 700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard Members to Los Angeles.” Associated Press, June 2025.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/trump-sends-700-marines-and-2000-national-guard-members-to-los-angeles.
Moran, Mark. “‘We Don’t Want Them Here,’ Los Angeles Mayor Says of Guard Troops.” United Press International, June 15, 2025.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/06/15/bass-we-dont-want-troops-here/4501750020865/.
Mason, Melanie. “Newsom Blasts Deployment of National Guard to LA as ‘Purposefully Inflammatory.’” Politico, June 15, 2025.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/07/newsom-national-guard-los-angeles-00393526.
Weaver, Al. “Schumer: National Guard Deployment to LA ‘Unnecessary, Inflammatory, and Provocative.’” The Hill, June 9, 2025.
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5340402-schumer-national-guard-la-california/.
Ordoñez, Franco, and Ryan Lucas. “As Strikes on Alleged Drug Boats Grow, so Do Questions about Their Legality and Goal.” NPR, October 24, 2025.
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/24/nx-s1-5584173/trump-drug-boats-venezuela-maduro.
Horton, Alex, and Ellen Nakashima. “Hegseth Order on First Caribbean Boat Strike, Officials Say: Kill Them All.” The Washington Post, November 28, 2025.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/28/hegseth-kill-them-all-survivors-boat-strike/.
Lillis, Katie Bo, Natasha Bertrand, and Haley Britzky. “Exclusive: Survivors Clinging to Capsized Boat Didn’t Radio for Backup, Admiral Overseeing Double-Tap Strike Tells Lawmakers.” CNN, December 4, 2025.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/04/politics/strike-lawmakers-briefing-radio-survivors.
Savage, Charlie, Eric Schmitt, John Ismay, Julian E. Barnes, Riley Mellen, and Christiaan Triebert. “U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane.” The New York Times, January 12, 2026.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/us/politics/us-boat-attacks-law.html.
Lillis, Katie Bo, Natasha Bertrand, and Zachary Cohen. “Experts Skeptical of Legality of Trump’s Strike on Alleged Drug Boat.” CNN, September 6, 2025.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/06/politics/venezuela-boat-strike-trump-legality.
Trump, Donald J. (@realDonaldTrump). “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” Truth Social, November 20, 2025, 10:21 AM.
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115582703277798715.
Mark Kelly (U.S. Senator for Arizona). Interview with author, November 24, 2025.
Hult, Raymond. “Letter: Sen. Kelly Was Absolutely Justified in Warning Soldiers Not to Obey Unlawful Orders.” The Salt Lake Tribune, December 25, 2025.
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/letters/2025/12/21/letter-sen-kelly-was-absolutely/.
Mitchell, Ellen. “Retired General Criticizes Democrats’ Video on Military Orders.” The Hill, November 25, 2025.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5622407-democrats-kelly-trump-illegal-military-orders/.
Finley, Ben, and Gary Fields. “Experts Doubt the Pentagon Can Punish Kelly Over the ‘Illegal Orders’ Video.” Associated Press, November 29, 2025.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/11/29/experts-doubt-pentagon-can-punish-kelly-over-illegal-orders-video.html.
Office of Congressman Ryan Zinke. “Veteran Lawmakers Introduce Resolution Condemning Democrat Lawmakers’ Reckless Call for Military Disobedience.” December 4, 2025.
http://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/veteran-lawmakers-introduce-resolution-condemning-democrat-lawmakers-reckless.
Hegseth, Pete (@PeteHegseth). “The video made by the ‘Seditious Six’ was despicable…” X (formerly Twitter), November 24, 2025, 12:27 PM.
https://x.com/PeteHegseth/status/1993008532187148582.
Resnik, Brahm. “‘Never Been Done’: Defense Secretary’s Unprecedented Move to Demote Sen. Kelly Raises Legal Questions.” 12 News, January 6, 2026.
https://www.12news.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/never-been-done-defense-secretarys-unprecedented-move-demote-senator-mark-kelly-raises-legal-questions/75-f1c096b1-554e-4030-9e5a-37fc7d098d90.
O’Brien, Connor, Leo Shane III, and Kyle Cheney. “Kelly Sues Hegseth over Effort to Punish Him for Anti-Trump Video.” POLITICO, January 12, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/01/12/congress/mark-kelly-pete-hegseth-lawsuit-00722382.
Lawrence, Quil. “Sen. Mark Kelly Fires Back after Hegseth Threatens His Rank and Retirement Pay.” NPR, January 5, 2026.
https://www.npr.org/2026/01/05/nx-s1-5667080/mark-kelly-pete-hegseth-pentagon-military-rank-retirement.
Smith, Chris. “Mark Kelly Says He’s ‘Been Through Harder Things’ Than Pete Hegseth’s Attacks.” Vanity Fair, December 10, 2025.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/mark-kelly-pete-hegseth-investigation-interview.
Back to top

Chapter 4: Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick

Brian McLaughlin (professor of labor relations and former assemblyman investigated by Brian). Interview with author, October 16, 2025.
Finn, Robin. “Public Lives; A Labor Leader by Nature Tests His Political Muscle.” The New York Times, October 16, 2003.
https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/16/nyregion/public-lives-a-labor-leader-by-nature-tests-his-political-muscle.html.
Mike Campi (head of NYC public corruption squad). Interview with author, January 6, 2026.
Brian Fitzpatrick (then U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s First District). Interview with author, July 23, 2025.
“‘Operation City Lights’ Targets McLaughlin.” Observer, March 2, 2006.
https://observer.com/2006/03/operation-city-lights-targets-mclaughlin/.
Brian Fitzpatrick (then U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s First District). Interview with author, July 23, 2025.
Brian McLaughlin (professor of labor relations and former assemblyman investigated by Brian). Communication with author, February 7, 2026.
Hartocollis, Anemona. “Union Leader Charged With Racketeering.” The New York Times, October 17, 2006.
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/nyregion/17cnd-labor.html.
Brian Fitzpatrick (then U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s First District). Interview with author, January 10, 2026.
United States of America v. Brian M. McLaughlin. Sealed Indictment. United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, October 2006.
https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nys/pressreleases/October06/mclaughlinindictment.pdf.
Hartocollis, Anemona, and Steven Greenhouse. “Labor Leader Accused of Taking $2.2 Million.” The New York Times, October 18, 2006.
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/18/nyregion/18labor.html.
MacIntosh, Jeane. “‘Stripper’ No-Show & Tell– Pol’s Aide Was Sleazy Hire: Kin.” New York Post, October 20, 2006.
https://nypost.com/2006/10/20/stripper-no-show-tell-pols-aide-was-sleazy-hire-kin/.
Brian Fitzpatrick (then U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s First District). Interview with author, October 21, 2025.
Brian Fitzpatrick (then U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s First District). Communication with author, December 21, 2025.
Weiser, Benjamin. “Ex-Labor Leader Is Sentenced to 10 Years for Racketeering.” The New York Times, May 20, 2009.
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/nyregion/21sentence.html.
Brian McLaughlin (professor of labor relations and former assemblyman investigated by Brian). Interview with author, August 3, 2025.
Odato, By James M. “Disgraced Assemblyman Released Early.” Times Union, October 22, 2014.
https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Disgraced-assemblyman-released-early-5841366.php.
Dayanim, Suzanne Lashner. “Levittowns (Pennsylvania and New Jersey).” Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/levittowns/.
Author visit to Fitzpatrick home. August 27, 2025.
Jim, Marry, and Maggie Fitzpatrick (Brian’s parents and sister). Interview with author, Aug 27, 2025.
Brian Fitzpatrick (then U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s First District). Communication with author, December 23, 2025.
Maggie Fitzpatrick (sister of Brian). Interview with author, August 28, 2025.
King, Larry. “From the Archives: Cancer-Free, Mike Fitzpatrick Works on a Political Comeback.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 19, 2010.
https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/homepage/20101019_Cancer-free__Mike_Fitzpatrick_works_on_a_political_comeback.html-2.
Myers, Steven Lee, and Ellen Barry. “Putin Reclaims Crimea for Russia and Bitterly Denounces the West.” The New York Times, March 18, 2014.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/19/world/europe/ukraine.html.
Kurkov, Andrey. “Ukraine’s Revolution: Making Sense of a Year of Chaos.” BBC News, November 21, 2014.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30131108.
Fitzpatrick, Michael G. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed February 2, 2026.
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/F000451.
McDaniel, Justine, and Michaelle Bond. “Mike Fitzpatrick, a Former Republican Congressman from Bucks County, Has Died at 56.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 6, 2020.
https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/mike-fitzpatrick-dead-20200106.html.
National Cemetery Administration. “Washington Crossing National Cemetery.” U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/WashingtonCrossing.asp.
Davies, Dave. “Petri out in Bucks County Congressional Race.” WHYY, February 2, 2016.
https://whyy.org/articles/petri-out-in-bucks-county-congressional-race/.
“Pennsylvania Primary Election Results 2016.” The New York Times, last updated September 29, 2016.
http://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/primaries/pennsylvania.
“PA-8, PA-6 Make Cook’s House Ratings List.” PoliticsPA, April 17, 2015.
https://www.politicspa.com/pa-8-pa-6-make-cooks-house-ratings-list/65427/.
“Biden Makes Pitch for Hillary Clinton to Bucks County College Voters.” WHYY, October 7, 2016.
https://whyy.org/articles/biden-latest-making-pitch-to-college-voters-for-hillary-clinton/.
“Donald Trump Rallies In Bucks County.” CBS Philadelphia, October 21, 2016.
https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/donald-trump-bucks-county/.
Sofield, Tom, and Erich Marin. “Brian Fitzpatrick, Steve Santarsiero Denounce Donald Trump For Remarks.” LevvittownNow.com, October 9, 2016.
https://levittownnow.com/2016/10/09/brian-fitzpatrick-steve-santarsiero-denounce-donald-trump-for-remarks/.
Benshoff, Laura. “8th District Candidates Find Lots of Common Ground, Quarrel over ‘insider’ Insult.” WHYY. Ovtober 13, 2016.
https://whyy.org/articles/8th-district-candidates-find-lots-of-common-ground-quarrel-over-insider-insult/.
Kiernan Park-Egan. Atlas of U.S. Presidential Election Results by Congressional District (interactive ArcGIS Instant App map), maintained on Google Sites. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/minimalist/index.html?appid=fa9c111d9beb4ce3a6f4c684d 59bdfce. Based on project hosted at
https://sites.google.com/view/presidentialbycongressionaldis/election-results.
“Pennsylvania U.S. House 8th District Results: Brian Fitzpatrick Wins.” The New York Times, last updated August 1, 2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/pennsylvania-house-district-8-santarsiero-fitzpatrick.
Sofield, Tom. “Congressman Sworn In For Second Term, Demonstrators Rally Outside His Office.” LevittownNow.com, January 3, 2019.
https://levittownnow.com/2019/01/03/congressman-sworn-in-for-second-term-demonstrators-rally-outside-his-office/.
Brian Fitzpatrick communication with author, Feb. 7, 2026.
Fitzpatrick, Brian (@RepBrianFitz). “My heart is broken…” X (formerly Twitter), January 6, 2020, 2:03 p.m.
https://x.com/repbrianfitz.
Sofield, Tom. “Former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick Laid to Rest.” Bucks County Herald, January 14, 2020.
https://www.buckscountyherald.com/news/former-congressman-mike-fitzpatrick-laid-to-rest/article_e9f3cafd-8262-5263-b631-506a672c2bbb.html.
Jason Guenther (associate director of Washington Crossing National Cemetery). Interview with author, August 27, 2025.
Author visit to Washington Crossing National Cemetery, August 27, 2025.
Office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “Fitzpatrick Sworn In, Introduces Sweeping Government Reform Legislation as First Official Act.” January 10, 2017.
https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2017/1/fitzpatrick-sworn-introduces-sweeping-government-reform-legislation.
Carroll, Lauren. “Trump Wants to ‘repeal and Replace’ the Affordable Care Act, Quickly.” PolitiFact. January 17, 2017.
https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/trumpometer/promise/1388/repeal-obamacare/article/2245/.
Sullivan, Sean. “Republicans Abandon the Fight to Repeal and Replace Obama’s Health Care Law.” The Washington Post, November 7, 2018.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/republicans-abandon-the-fight-to-repeal-and-replace-obamas-health-care-law/2018/11/07/157d052c-e2d8-11e8-ab2c-b31dcd53ca6b_story.html.
Kogan, Richard, and David Reich. “Introduction to Budget ‘Reconciliation.’” May 6, 2022.
https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-budget/introduction-to-budget-reconciliation.
U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk. “Final Vote Results for Roll Call 256: On Passage of the American Health Care Act.” May 4, 2017.
https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2017/roll256.xml.
Hulse, Carl. “McCain Provides a Dramatic Finale on Health Care: Thumb Down.” The New York Times, July 28, 2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/us/john-mccains-real-return.html.
Scott, Dylan. “2 New Polls Give Democrats a Double-Digit Lead in the 2018 Generic Ballot.” Vox. July 25, 2018.
https://www.vox.com/2018/7/25/17613518/2018-midterm-elections-polls-generic-ballot-democrats-kff.
Enten, Harry. “Pennsylvania’s New Congressional District Lines Are Not a Game-Changer CNN. February 20, 2018.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/politics/pennsylvania-redistricting-not-a-game-changer.
Brian Fitzpatrick for Congress. “Listen to Mom.” YouTube, October 16, 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guKx8kbcWwQ.
Watkins, Derek, K. K. Rebecca Lai, Larry Buchanan, and Karen Yourish. “Sizing Up the 2018 Blue Wave.” The New York Times, November 7, 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/07/us/politics/how-democrats-took-the-house.html.
“Pennsylvania Election Results: First House District.” The New York Times, last updated January 28, 2019.
https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/pennsylvania-house-district-1.
Smith, Allan, Alex Moe, Kasie Hunt, and Leigh Ann Caldwell. “House Votes to Condemn Trump’s ‘Racist Comments.’” NBC News, July 16, 2019.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/house-vote-resolution-condemning-trump-s-racist-comments-n1030266.
U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk. “Roll Call 482: On Agreeing to the Resolution Condemning President Trump’s Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress.” July 16, 2019, 6:49 p.m.
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2019482.
Problem Solvers Caucus. “About.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
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Needham, Vicki. “Lawmakers Form Bipartisan Caucus on ‘Problem-Solving.’” The Hill, September 17, 2014.
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/217996-lawmakers-form-bipartisan-caucus-on-problem-solving/.
Problem Solvers Caucus. “Our Co-Chairs.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
http://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/our-co-chairs.
Problem Solvers Caucus. “Problem Solvers Caucus Announces Membership and Executive Council for the 118th Congress.” March 8, 2023.
http://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/media/press-releases/problem-solvers-caucus-announces-membership-and-executive-council-for-the-118th-congress.
Problem Solvers Caucus. “Endorsed Legislation.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
http://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/bills.
Sweitzer, Justin. “Q&A with U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.” City & State Pennsylvania, March 1, 2023.
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Klein, Betsy, and Kate Sullivan. “Biden Signs Infrastructure Bill into Law at Rare Bipartisan Gathering.” CNN, November 15, 2021.
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Kurtz, Josh. “Hogan Convenes Bipartisan Meeting of National Leaders to Discuss Infrastructure.” Maryland Matters, April 23, 2021.
https://marylandmatters.org/2021/04/23/hogan-convenes-bipartisan-meeting-of-national-leaders-to-discuss-infrastructure/.
The White House. Investing in America Report: Today’s Investments, Tomorrow’s Future. January 2025.
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Thrush, Glenn. “Steve Ricchetti Is Tapped for the West Wing’s Wise-Man Role.” The New York Times, November 17, 2020.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/us/politics/steve-ricchetti-biden.html.
Congressional Progressive Caucus. “Progressive Position on Infrastructure and Build Back Better Remains Unchanged Following Caucus Meeting.” September 28, 2021.
https://progressives.house.gov/2021/9/progressive-position-on-infrastructure-and-build-back-better-remains-unchanged-following-caucus-meeting.
U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk. “Roll Call 369: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3684, INVEST in America Act.” November 5, 2021.
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2021369.
Solender, Andrew. “The 13 House Republicans Who Voted for the Infrastructure Bill.” Axios, November 6, 2021.
https://www.axios.com/2021/11/06/house-republicans-votes-infrastructure-biden.
Sprunt, Barbara. “Biden Says Final Passage of $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Is a Big Step Forward.” NPR, November 6, 2021.
https://www.npr.org/2021/11/05/1050012853/the-house-has-passed-the-1-trillion-infrastructure-plan-sending-it-to-bidens-des.
Office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “Fitzpatrick Statement on the Passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.” November 6, 2021.
https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2021/11/fitzpatrick-statement-on-the-passage-of-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act.
Schneider, Gregory S., and Laura Vozzella. “Republican Glenn Youngkin Wins Virginia Governor’s Race.” The Washington Post, November 3, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/virginia-governor/2021/11/02/ba9c3ccc-36b2-11ec-91dc-551d44733e2d_story.html.
Brian Fitzpatrick (then U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s First District). Communication with author, January 11, 2026.
Strand, Mark, and Tim Lang. “How Congress Punishes Its Wayward Members.” November 26, 2019.
https://www.congressionalinstitute.org/2019/11/26/how-congress-punishes-its-wayward-members/.
Elkind, Elizabeth. “Congress Sending Trump’s ‘big, Beautiful Bill’ to His Desk after Dramatic All-Night House Vote.” Fox News, July 3, 2025.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/congress-sending-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-his-desk-after-dramatic-all-night-house-vote.
The White House. “The One Big Beautiful Bill.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/obbb/.
Hutzler, Alexandra. “Dems Call GOP’s ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill ‘Ugly’ for Hurting Low-Income, Helping Rich.” ABC News, May 22, 2025.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ugly-democrats-slam-trump-megabill-hurting-low-income/story?id=122078571.
Ferris, Sarah, Manu Raju, and Lauren Fox. “House GOP Infighting Turns Ugly Over Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ CNN, May 7, 2025.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/07/politics/medicaid-republicans-divided-house-trump-bill.
Pecorin, Allison, Isabella Murray, and John Parkinson. “Trump Says No Vacations until Congress Passes His Megabill.” ABC News, June 24, 2025.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-vacations-congress-passes-megabill/story?id=123161731.
Ullery, Chris. “Fitzpatrick Votes for ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ What It Means for Medicaid, Tax Cuts.” In Bucks County Courier Times, May 23, 2025.
https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/local/2025/05/23/big-beautiful-bill-trump-agenda-brian-fitzpatrick-vote-medicaid-snap-tax-cuts-bucks-county-pa-01/83795356007/.
Office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “Fitzpatrick Statement on Passage of the Initial Version of Reconciliation Bill.” May 21, 2025.
https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2025/5/fitzpatrick-statement-on-passage-of-the-initial-version-of-reconciliation-bill.
“Conference Committee and Related Procedures: An Introduction.” Congressional Research Service. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/96-708.
Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello. “Senatorial Saucer.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://www.monticello.org/encyclopedia/senatorial-saucer.
Edmondson, Catie, Carl Hulse, Michael Gold, and Megan Mineiro. “After Narrow Senate Passage, Trump’s Policy Bill Faces Resistance in House.” The New York Times, July 1, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/us/politics/senate-trump-bill.html.
McLeary, Paul, Jack Detsch and Joe Gould. “Pentagon Halting Some Promised Munitions for Ukraine.” POLITICO, July 1, 2025.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/01/pentagon-munitions-ukraine-halt-00436048.
House Armed Services Committee—Democrats. “Ranking Member Smith Responds to Trump Administration Halting Support for Ukraine.” July 2, 2025.
https://democrats-armedservices.house.gov/2025/7/ranking-member-smith-responds-to-trump-administration-halting-support-for-ukraine.
Gould, Joe, and Connor O’Brien. “Republicans Tear into Pentagon’s Ukraine Weapons Freeze.” July 2, 2025.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/02/ukraine-aid-freeze-republican-response-00437299.
Office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “Ukraine Caucus Co-Chairs Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Push for Hard-Hitting Russia Sanctions.” April 2, 2025.
https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2025/4/ukraine-caucus-co-chairs-lead-bipartisan-bicameral-push-for-hard-hitting-russia-sanctions.
Office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “Fitzpatrick, Ukraine Caucus Co-Chairs Introduce Stand with Ukraine Act.” September 12, 2024.
https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2024/9/fitzpatrick-ukraine-caucus-co-chairs-introduce-stand-with-ukraine-act.
Office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “Recap: Fitzpatrick Travels to Ukraine and Israel, Meets with President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Netanyahu, Amid Two Raging Wars.” February 23, 2024.
https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2024/2/recap-fitzpatrick-travels-to-ukraine-and-israel-meets-with-president-zelenskyy-and-prime-minister-netanyahu-amid-two-raging-wars.
Congress.gov. “Behind Enemy Lines: Life in Ukraine’s Newly Occupied Territories.” July 2, 2022.
https://www.congress.gov/event/117th-congress/joint-event/LC74268/text.
Office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “Fitzpatrick Visits Russian Border on War Zone Front- Line to Boost Ukrainian Special Forces, Meets One-on-One with President Zelenskyy.” April 21, 2025.
https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2025/4/fitzpatrick-visits-russian-border-on-war-zone-front-line-to-boost-ukrainian-special-forces-meets-one-on-one-with-president-zelenskyy.
Terruso, Julia. “U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick Visited Ukraine and Signed a Missile to Putin.” The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 19, 2025.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/brian-fitzpatrick-ukraine-visit-signs-missile-putin-20250419.html.
Brian Fitzpatrick (@RepBrianFitz). “Today, I called on the President to address my serious concern…” X (formerly Twitter), July 2, 2025, 12:42 p.m.
https://x.com/RepBrianFitz/status/1940451015125246089.
Lillis, Mike, Mychael Schnell, and Emily Brooks. “GOP Holdouts Stall Donald Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ into the Night.” The Hill, July 3, 2025.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5382989-gop-holdouts-trump-agenda/.
Sheth, Sonam. “Full List of Republicans Who Voted against Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.’” Newsweek, May 22, 2025.
https://www.newsweek.com/full-list-republicans-voted-against-trump-big-beautiful-bill-2-2075522.
Solender, Andrew, and Kate Santaliz. “GOP Breaks Record for Longest House Vote with ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.’” Axios, July 2, 2025.
https://www.axios.com/2025/07/03/republicans-house-vote-record-trump-big-bill.
Betz, Bradford, and Elizabeth Elkind. “Trump Calls out Republican Holdouts as House Procedural Vote on Megabill Remains Open: ‘Costing You Votes!’” Fox News, July 3, 2025.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-calls-out-republican-holdouts-house-procedural-vote-megabill-remains-open-costing-you-votes.
Otterbein, Holly. “This Pennsylvania Republican Withstood Pressure on the Megabill. Here’s Why.” POLITICO, July 3, 2025.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/03/brian-fitzpatrick-trump-megabill-obbba-00439788.
Congress.gov. “House Roll Call Vote 190.” July 3, 2025.
https://www.congress.gov/votes/house/119-1/190.
Copp, Tara. “U.S. Resumes Sending Some Weapons to Ukraine after Pentagon Pause.” Associated Press, July 9, 2025.
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Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer). “Here are the two Republicans who voted against President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill…” X (formerly Twitter), July 3, 2025, 2:48 p.m.
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Karni, Annie. “Tillis Announces He Won’t Run Again as Trump Threatens Him With a Primary.” The New York Times, June 29, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/us/politics/thom-tillis-retirement.html.
Brian Fitzpatrick (@RepBrianFitz). X (formerly Twitter). Accessed February 3, 2026.
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Brian Fitzpatrick (@BrianFitzUSA). X (formerly Twitter). Accessed February 3, 2026.
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Brian Fitzpatrick (then U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s First District). Interview with author, December 21, 2025.
Oleszek, Mark J. Discharge Procedure in the House. CRS Report R45920. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, January 26, 2023.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45920.
Brian Fitzpatrick (@RepBrianFitz). “Correction: The United States wants Russia’s answer on an unconditional withdrawal of Ukraine by Thursday.” X (formerly Twitter), November 21, 2025, 1:43 p.m.
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Office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “Fitzpatrick Files Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Bipartisan Bill Preventing ACA Premium Spikes.” December 10, 2025.
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Hill, Meredith Lee. “Frustrated GOP Moderates Join Democrats to Force Obamacare Extension Vote.” December 17, 2025.
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Clack, Erin. “Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich Gets Engaged to Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in Lavender Field in Provence (Exclusive).” People Accessed July 8, 2025.
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Flood, Brian. “Fox News Announces Revamped Weekend Lineup Highlighting ‘Commitment to Delivering Incomparable Coverage.’” Fox News, September 10, 2025.
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Heinrich, Jacqui. “Host & Guest on The Fox News Rundown.” Accessed February 3, 2026.
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Back to top

Chapter 5: Governor Wes Moore

Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 92-93.
Trent, Sydney. “Wes Moore Tried to Run Away from Military School. It Changed His Life Instead.” The Washington Post, November 2, 2022.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/11/02/wes-moore-military-school-valley-forge/.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 85.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 87.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Pages 91-92.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Pages 93.
Wes Moore (Governor of Maryland). Communication with author, Dec 4, 2025.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. p 16.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 15.
“Wes Moore Dies, Anchorman for WMAL Radio.” The Washington Post, April 21, 1982.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/04/21/wes-moore-dies-anchorman-for-wmal-radio/dc319834-eeba-4974-a38f-84c1c97c5d8e/.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Pages 11-12.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Pages 9-10.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 10.
Joy Moore (mother). Communication with author, January 19, 2026.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Pages 6-7.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 12-13.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 13.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 14.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 12.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 36.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 40.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 42.
Joy Moore (mother). Interview with author, December 4, 2025.
Joy Moore (mother). Interview with author, December 3, 2025.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 43-44.
Ball, Molly. “Where Wes Moore Comes From.” Time, February 14, 2023.
https://time.com/6250784/wes-moore-interview/.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 48.
Osnos, Evan. “Wes Moore Would Like to Make History.” The New Yorker, July 9, 2023.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-new-yorker-interview/wes-moore-would-like-to-make-history.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 50.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 54.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 75.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 80.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 81-84.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 84.
Rhoden, William C. “On Basketball; No Longer Trapped by the Stuff Dreams Are Made Of.” Sports. The New York Times, June 28, 1996.
https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/28/sports/on-basketball-no-longer-trapped-by-the-stuff-dreams-are-made-of.html.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 90.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 96.
Joy Moore (mother of Wes). Interview with author, Dec 3, 2025.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 97.
Wes Moore (Governor of Maryland). Interview with author, Sept 3, 2025.
“Army National Guard.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://armyrotc.army.mil/arng/.
Army Reserve At a Glance. U.S. Army. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.usar.army.mil/Portals/98/Images/AtAGlance2025/ArmyReserveAtAGlance2025.pdf.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 133.
Ty Hill (Valley Forge cadet captain and mentor to Wes). Interview with author, February 5, 2026.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page 161.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 13.
MIchael R. Fenzel (Lieutenant General and mentor to Wes). Interview with author, January 6, 2026.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 23.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 4.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 14.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Pages 20-21.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 34.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 33.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 40.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 48.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 42.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 45.
Michael R. Fenzel (Lieutenant General and mentor to Wes). Communication with author, December 28, 2025.
Michael R. Fenzel (Lieutenant General and mentor to Wes). Communications with author, February 7, 2026
U.S. Army Center for Military History. “Special Designation Listing — by Unit Number.” Center for Military History, U.S. Army. June 2010.
https://web.archive.org/web/20100609010022/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/spdes-123-ra_ar.html.
504th PIR. “Regimental History – ‘The Devils in Baggy Pants.’” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://504thpir.net/regimental-history-the-devils-in-baggy-pants/.
Jaime Martinez (lieutenant colonel and Wes’s executive officer in Iraq). Communication with author, January 21, 2026.
Cafarella, Jennifer. “Regional Command East.” Institute for the Study of War. April 15, 2009.
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/regional-command-east/.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 47.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 59.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 58.
Antrim, Taylor. “Wes Moore On Gen Z, Social Media, Winning Over Republicans, and Why ‘Service Will Save Us.’” Vogue, July 18, 2023.
https://www.vogue.com/article/wes-moore-interview-2023.
Dawn Moore (wife). Communication with author, December 9, 2025.
Dawn Moore (wife). Interview with author, December 3, 2025.
Dawn Moore (wife.). Communication with author, January 19, 2026.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 63.
Jaime Martinez (lieutenant colonel and Wes’s executive officer in Iraq). Interview with author, November 1, 2025.
Pat Donahue (Commander of Combined Task Force Devil). Interview with author, October 17, 2025.
Barfield, Thomas. Afghanistan: A Cultural and Political History. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, March 25, 2012. Pages 3, 18.
Malkasian, Carter. The American War in Afghanistan. New York: Oxford University Press, March 7, 2023.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 65.
Jaime Martinez (lieutenant colonel and Wes’s executive officer in Iraq). Interview with author, Oct 1, 2025.
Scalabrino, Giulia. “Afghanistan: A Case Study in IED Harm.” AOAV, October 15, 2020.
https://aoav.org.uk/2020/afghanistan-a-case-study-in-ied-harm/.
Smith, Michael. “Jenks Soldier Killed.” Tulsa World, December 30, 2005.
https://tulsaworld.com/archive/article_0b87c58f-fc85-5beb-9aad-b533b9dd1600.html
Military Times. “Army 1st Sgt. Tobias C. Meister.” The Fallen. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-1st-sgt-tobias-c-meister/1449422.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 93.
Joy Moore (mother). Interview with author, Dec 5, 2025.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Pages 75, 138.
Cox, Erin. “Eighteen Years and One Controversy Later, Wes Moore Gets a Bronze Star.” The Washington Post, December 23, 2024.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/12/21/wes-moore-bronze-star/.
Epstein, Reid J. “Wes Moore and the Bronze Star He Claimed but Never Received.” The New York Times, August 29, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/29/us/politics/wes-moore-bronze-star.html.
Levien, Simon J. “Wes Moore Given Bronze Star, Nearly 2 Decades After Army Service.” The New York Times, December 22, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/22/us/wes-moore-bronze-star.html.
Frost, Mikenzie. “Bronze Star Recipient? Wes Moore Seen Failing to Correct Record Again in Past Interview.” WBFF, April 28, 2022.
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/bronze-star-recipient-wes-moore-appears-to-misrepresent-military-record-in-past-interview.
Nerozzi, Timothy H.J. “Rising Democratic Star Admits Falsely Claiming Bronze Star Award.” Fox News, August 30, 2024.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rising-democratic-star-falsely-claimed-bronze-star-award-report.
MIchael R. Fenzel (Lieutenant General and mentor to Wes). Communication with author, Jan 19, 2026.
MIchael R. Fenzel (Lieutenant General and mentor to Wes). Communication with author, Jan 11, 2026.
Ickes, Samantha. “Wes Moore Discusses Importance of Reintegration for Veterans.” The Chautauquan Daily, August 17, 2016.
https://chqdaily.com/2016/08/wes-moore-discusses-importance-of-reintegration-for-veterans/.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 147.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. Page 139.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. p.168.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Pages xi-xiii.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Page xi.
Kristof, Nicholas D. “Two Men and Two Paths.” The New York Times, June 12, 2010.
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/opinion/13kristof.html.
Oprah.com. “The Other Wes Moore.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.oprah.com/book/the-other-wes-moore-by-wes-moore.
Hurwitz, Cassie. “Oprah Introduces Wes Moore at His Inauguration Ceremony for Maryland Governor.” Oprah Daily, January 18, 2023.
https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a42444479/oprah-wes-moore-inauguration-ceremony-maryland-governor/.
Moore, Wes. The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters. New York: One World, 2015. pp.177-178.
Harris, Elizabeth A. “Robin Hood, Favorite Charity on Wall Street, Gets New Leader.” New York. The New York Times, April 25, 2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/25/nyregion/robin-hood-foundation-charity-wes-moore.html.
Psaki, Jen, host. “Flaws and All, with Gov. Wes Moore.” The Blueprint with Jen Psaki. Podcast audio. February 10, 2025.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flaws-and-all-with-gov-wes-moore/id1707410660?i=1000690148862.
Shulman, Dylan. “How ‘Blue’ Is Maryland? A Closer Look at the State’s Voting History.” CNS Maryland, October 1, 2024.
https://cnsmaryland.org/2024/10/01/maryland-presidential-election-history-2024/.
Maryland State Archives. “Maryland Former Governors.” Maryland Manual On-Line. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/gov/former/html/former.html
Cramer, Ruby, Sarah Ferris, and Zach Montellaro. “Tom Perez Launches Maryland Governor Bid.” POLITICO, June 22, 2021.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/22/tom-perez-maryland-governor-495588.
Moore, Wes. Remarks delivered at the With Honor Gala, October 24, 2023. Unpublished remarks.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Biography – Lt. Governor.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://governor.maryland.gov/leadership/ltgovernor/Pages/biography.aspx.
Wise, Alana. “Democrat Wes Moore Elected Governor in Historic Maryland Race.” NPR, November 8, 2022.
https://www.npr.org/2022/11/08/1134181227/maryland-election-midterms-first-black-governor-results-wes-moore.
Booker, Brakkton. “Wes Moore Has Never Been Elected to Anything. Some Backers Are Already Eyeing the White House.” POLITICO, October 19, 2022.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/19/wes-moore-maryland-governor-00062510.
Swisher, Kara, host. “Gov. Wes Moore Talks Trump, Democrats, DOGE — and Running in 2028?” On with Kara Swisher. Podcast audio. May 5, 2025.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov-wes-moore-talks-trump-democrats-doge-and-running-in-2028/id1643307527?i=1000706334990.
Gaines, Danielle E., and Josh Kurtz. “Political Notes: Moore’s Ad Buy, Mizeur’s Night on Capitol Hill, and More.” Maryland Matters, March 9, 2022.
https://marylandmatters.org/2022/03/08/political-notes-moores-ad-buy-mizeurs-night-on-capitol-hill-namaste-politics-and-more/.
Miller, Larry. “Wes Moore Gains Ground in Maryland Gubernatorial Race; Peter Franchot Continues to Lead, Data Shows.” WUSA9, May 17, 2022.
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/politics/maryland-governor-race-2022-polling-data-peter-franchot-leads-wes-moore-second-place-gaining-ground/65-be8caa43-d4e1-45b6-90da-7f2a2a18472e.
Ford, William J. “Moore Picks Up More Key Backers in Prince George’s County.” The Washington Informer, June 16, 2022.
https://www.washingtoninformer.com/moore-picks-up-more-key-backers-in-prince-georges-county/.
“Maryland Primary Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated August 10, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/07/19/us/elections/results-maryland.html.
Cassie, Ron. “Gov. Wes Moore Has Lofty Dreams for Maryland. Can He Make Them Come True?” Baltimore Magazine, February 2024.
https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/historypolitics/governor-wes-moore-profile-legislative-session-2024/.
DePuyt, Bruce. “Rutherford: ‘Extremist’ Dan Cox Would Harm Republican Office-Seekers in November.” Maryland Matters, July 15, 2022.
https://marylandmatters.org/2022/07/15/rutherford-extremist-dan-cox-would-harm-republican-office-seekers-in-november/.
Rosenwald, Michael S. “‘A Very Bad Blow’: The GOP Lawmaker Who Turned on Nixon Paid a Price for It.” The Washington Post, September 29, 2019.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/09/29/a-very-bad-blow-gop-lawmaker-who-turned-nixon-paid-price-it/.
Wiggins, Ovetta, and Erin Cox. “Hogan Calls GOP Gubernatorial Nominee Mentally Unstable.” The Washington Post, August 18, 2022.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/08/18/hogan-cox-moore-governor/.
Naranjo, Jesse. “Hogan Says He Won’t Support Party’s Nominee in Maryland Governor Contest.” POLITICO, July 24, 2022.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/24/hogan-cox-maryland-governor-election-00047602.
“Maryland Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated December 14, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-maryland.html.
Charles, Michael. “Moore’s Legislative Success Builds General Assembly Relationship for Future Years.” CNS Maryland, April 19, 2023.
https://cnsmaryland.org/2023/04/19/moores-legislative-success-builds-general-assembly-relationship-for-future-years/.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Governor Moore Launches Service Year Option, First-in-the- Nation Public Service Year Program for High School Graduates.” October 28, 2023.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-launches-service-year-option-firstinthenation-public-service-year-program-for-high-school-graduates.aspx.
Cameron, Chris. “When the Governor Shotguns a Beer (or Maybe a Spiked Iced Tea).” The New York Times, January 29, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/29/us/politics/wes-moore-shotguns-beer-ravens.html.
Muñoz, Ulysses. “Take the Plunge: Gov. Moore Joins Thousands of Supporters at Annual Polar Bear Plunge.” The Baltimore Banner, February 4, 2023.
https://www.thebanner.com/community/polar-bear-plunge-wes-moore-7SYC4WXBUNGU5OV4FH6REBNTOQ/.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Governor Moore Celebrates the Ribbon Cutting and Dedication of the Children’s Guild Transformation Academy’s Adaptive Playground.”
December 5, 2023.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-celebrates-the-ribbon-cutting-and-dedication-of-the-children%E2%80%99s-guild-transformation-academys-adaptive-playgr.aspx.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Governor Moore Joins Groundbreaking Ceremony for Pikesville Armory Transformation Project.” January 22, 2024.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-joins-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-pikesville-armory-transformation-project.aspx.
Franklin, Jonathan, Jason Breslow, Rachel Treisman, and Ayana Archie. “The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Collapses, 6 Feared Dead.” NPR, March 26, 2024.
https://www.npr.org/2024/03/26/1240857704/francis-scott-key-bridge-collapse-baltimore.
Cox, Erin. “Wes Moore Envisioned Economic Revival. Then the Key Bridge Collapsed.” The Washington Post, April 1, 2024.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/04/01/wes-moore-baltimore-bridge-collapse/.
Chakrabarti, Meghna, and Paige Sutherland, hosts. “What It Took to Reopen One of the Nation’s Busiest Ports.” On Point. Podcast audio. July 2, 2024.
https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2024/07/02/baltimore-port-ship-francis-scott-key-bridge-collapse.
Robertson, Campbell, and Heather Knight. “Critical Baltimore Shipping Channel Reopens 11 Weeks After Bridge Collapse.” The New York Times, June 10, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/10/us/baltimore-bridge-shipping-channel.html.
Collins, David. “‘In some cases, they will have to close’: Opposition grows against proposed business-to-business tax.” WBAL, March 12, 2025.
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/opposition-grows-against-business-to-business-tax/64165679.
Maryland Chamber of Commerce. “Act Now: New 3% Tech Tax Will Hit Your Business.” March 20, 2025.
https://www.mdchamber.org/2025/03/20/tech-services-tax-impacts/.
Ford, William J. “State Faces Potential Loss of $232.1 Million in Federal Funds, Less than Feared but Still Worrisome.” Maryland Matters, April 30, 2025.
https://marylandmatters.org/2025/04/30/state-faces-potential-loss-of-232-1-million-in-federal-funds-less-than-feared-but-still-worrisome/.
Sears, Bryan P. “Five-Year State Budget Projection Foresees ‘enormous Gap’ Not Seen in Two Decades.” Maryland Matters, November 12, 2024.
https://marylandmatters.org/2024/11/12/five-year-state-budget-projection-foresees-enormous-gap-not-seen-in-two-decades/.
Sears, Bryan P. “Maryland Loses Coveted Aaa Bond Rating.” Maryland Matters, May 14, 2025.
https://marylandmatters.org/2025/05/14/maryland-loses-coveted-aaa-bond-rating/.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Governor Moore Delivers Address on Maryland’s Budget, Installs Officers at the 2023 Maryland Association of Counties Winter Conference.” Accessed
December 7, 2023.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-delivers-address-on-maryland%E2%80%99s-budget-installs-officers-at-the-2023-maryland-association-of-counties-winter-.aspx.
O’Malley, Martin. Smarter Government: How to Govern for Results in the Information Age. Redlands, CA: Esri Press, November 5, 2019.
Ford, William J., and Bryan P. Sears. “Political Notes: A New Performance Officer, Animal- Friendly Lawmakers, Federal Minimum Wage Push and a Town Hall next Week.” Maryland Matters, September 2, 2023.
https://marylandmatters.org/2023/09/02/political-notes-a-new-performance-officer-animal-friendly-lawmakers-federal-minimum-wage-push-and-a-town-hall-next-week/.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Governor Moore Announces Asma Mirza as Chief Performance Officer.” August 31, 2023.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-announces-asma-mirza-as-chief-performance-officer.aspx.
Asma Mirza (Chief Performance Officer of Maryland). Interview with author, September 10, 2025.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Governor Moore Announces Expanded Maryland SUN Bucks Program Fed More than Half a Million Children in Inaugural Year.” October 3, 2024.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-announces-expanded-maryland-sun-bucks-program-fed-more-than-half-a-million-children-in-inaugural-year.aspx.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Cannabis Pardon.” Strategic Highlights. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://governor.maryland.gov/priorities/strategic-highlights/Pages/cannabis-pardon-order.aspx.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Governor Moore Launches Government Modernization Initiative to Save Taxpayers’ Money.” January 10, 2025.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-launches-government-modernization-initiative-to-save-taxpayers-money.aspx.
Moore, Wes. “Government Modernization Announcement.” January 10, 2025.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/speeches/pages/Government-Modernization-Announcement.aspx
The White House. “Establishing and Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency.’” January 20, 2025.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/.
Forbes. “Forbes 2025 Billionaires List: The Richest People in the World Ranked.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/.
Shalal, Andrea, and Nandita Bose. “Trump Appears to Contradict White House, Says Elon Musk in Charge of DOGE.” United States. Reuters, February 20, 2025.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-appears-contradict-white-house-says-elon-musk-charge-doge-2025-02-20/.
Shear, Michael D., and Eric Lipton. “Trump Taps Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to Slash Government.” The New York Times, November 12, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/12/us/politics/elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-trump.html.
Heckman, Jory. “‘Humiliating and Degrading’: HHS Employees Learn of Layoffs When Their ID Badges Stop Working.” Federal News Network, April 1, 2025.
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/04/humiliating-and-degrading-hhs-employees-learn-of-layoffs-when-their-id-badges-stop-working/.
Demirjian, Karoun, Stephanie Nolen, Michael Crowley, and Elizabeth Dias. “Final Cuts Will Eliminate U.S. Aid Agency in All but Name.” The New York Times, March 28, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/us/politics/usaid-trump-doge-cuts.html.
Sullivan, Eileen. “Trump Upended the Federal Government. The Full Scope of the Impact Is Still Unclear.” The New York Times, December 30, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/us/politics/trump-federal-government-fallout.html.
Whitehurst, Lindsay, and Michael Kunzelman. “DOGE’s USAID Dismantling Likely Violates the Constitution, Judge Rules.” Associated Press, March 18, 2025.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/doges-usaid-dismantling-likely-violates-the-constitution-judge-rules.
Hsu, Andrea. “Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Trump’s Sweeping Government Overhaul.” NPR, May 10, 2025.
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/09/nx-s1-5393777/trump-rifs-court-mass-layoff-doge.
Leason, Morgan. “State Officials Brace for Big Layoffs of Federal Workers.” CNS Maryland, February 28, 2025.
https://cnsmaryland.org/2025/02/28/state-officials-brace-for-big-layoffs-of-federal-workers/.
DeJohn, Jaclyn. “Which States Have the Most (and Best-Paid) Federal Employees? 2025 Study.” SmartAsset, March 6, 2025.
https://smartasset.com/data-studies/federal-employee-income-2025.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “New Employment Data Reveal Trump Firings Have Cost Maryland Nearly 25,000 Federal Jobs in 2025, with 10,300 Federal Jobs Lost October– November.” January 7, 2026.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/New-Employment-Data-Reveal-Trump-Firings-Have-Cost-Maryland-Nearly-25,000-Federal-Jobs-in-2025,-with-10,300-Federal-Jobs-Lo.aspx.
Smith, Ben. “Maryland’s Governor on Life under DOGE.” Semafor, March 14, 2025.
https://www.semafor.com/article/03/14/2025/marylands-governor-wes-moore-on-life-under-doge-elon-musk.
Wes Moore (Governor of Maryland). Interview with author, September 9, 2025.
Jonny Dorsey (deputy chief of staff to Wes Moore). Interview with author, June 21, 2025.
Shepherd, Katie. “Maryland Will Save $326 M by Moving State Workers to Downtown Baltimore.” The Washington Post, June 6, 2025.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/06/06/moore-maryland-cuts-phones-car Abell, Jeff. “Combatting Government Waste, Critics Complain Maryland Falls Short.” WBFF. February 24, 2025.
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/city-in-crisis/combatting-government-waste-critics-complain-maryland-falls-short.
Daniels, Keith. “Maryland’s Government Efficiency Initiative Faces Scrutiny as Progress Seems Stalled.” WBFF, April 18, 2025.
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/marylands-government-efficiency-initiative-faces-scrutiny-as-progress-seems-stalled.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Governor Moore Announces Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Projected Long-Term Taxpayer Savings under Government Modernization Initiative.” Accessed June 6, 2025.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-announces-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-in-projected-longterm-taxpayer-savings-under-government-modernizat.aspx.
Cox, Kiana, and Carrie Blazina. “Black and White Americans Are Far Apart in Their Views of Reparations for Slavery.” Pew Research Center, November 28, 2022.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/11/28/black-and-white-americans-are-far-apart-in-their-views-of-reparations-for-slavery/.
Ford, William J. “Moore Joins with Dignitaries at Wreath Laying Ceremony before Inauguration as State’s First Black Governor.” Maryland Matters, January 18, 2023.
https://marylandmatters.org/2023/01/18/moore-joins-with-dignitaries-at-wreath-laying-ceremony-before-inauguration-ceremony-as-states-first-black-governor/.
Moore, Wes. “Inaugural Address.” January 18, 2023.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/speeches/pages/governor-wes-moore-inaugural-address.aspx.
Author visit to Governor’s Office. September 3, 2025.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York: One World, 2011. Pages 120-121.
Maryland General Assembly. House Bill 1422 (2025 Regular Session).
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/hb/hb1422f.pdf.
Witte, Brian. “Maryland Lawmakers Approve Measure to Study Reparations for Slavery.” Associated Press, April 2, 2025.
https://apnews.com/article/slavery-reparations-maryland-wes-moore-2daea88df55e5f4b0053b124b042e145.
Moore, Wes. “Juneteenth Announcement.” June 19, 2023.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/speeches/pages/Juneteenth-Announcement.aspx
Abello, Oscar Perry. “Baltimore Reckons With Its Legacy of Redlining.” Next City, November 22, 2017.
https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/baltimore-reckons-legacy-redlining.
“Transcript: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on ‘Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.’” CBS News, September 15, 2024.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wes-moore-maryland-governor-face-the-nation-transcript-09-15-2024/.
Ford, William J. “Legislature Overrides Moore’s Veto, Approves Creation of Reparations Commission.” Maryland Matters, December 16, 2025.
https://marylandmatters.org/2025/12/16/legislature-overrides-moores-veto-approves-creation-of-reparations-commission/.
Wes Moore (Governor of Maryland). Interview with author, Sept 9, 2026.
Cox, Erin. “Wes Moore, the Nation’s Lone Black Governor, Vetoes Bill to Study Reparations.” The Washington Post, May 16, 2025.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/05/16/wes-moore-reparations-vetoe-maryland/.
Governor of Maryland. Vetoed Bills and Messages from the Governor of Maryland, 2025 Session.
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/LegisLegal/2025rs-Veto-Guide.pdf.
Office of Governor Wes Moore. “Governor Moore Announces Additional Action to Close Maryland’s Racial Wealth Gap by Promoting Just Community Investment and Expanding Cannabis Pardons.” June 19, 2025.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-announces-additional-action-to-close-maryland%E2%80%99s-racial-wealth-gap-by-promoting-just-community-investment-and.aspx.
National Black Justice Coalition. “NBJC Responds to Governor Wes Moore’s Veto of Maryland Reparations Commission Bill.” May 20, 2025.
https://nbjc.org/nbjc-responds-to-governor-wes-moores-veto-of-maryland-reparations-commission-bill/.
Condon, Christine, William J. Ford, and Bryan P. Sears. “Moore to Veto Reparations Bill, One of a List of Measures He Will Reject.” Maryland Matters, May 16, 2025.
https://marylandmatters.org/2025/05/16/moore-to-veto-reparations-bill-one-of-a-list-of-measures-he-will-reject/.
Ford, William J. “Maryland Legislators Say They Will Override Governor’s Veto, Reinstate Reparations Commission Bill.” News From The States, May 23, 2025.
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/maryland-legislators-say-they-will-override-governors-veto-reinstate-reparations-commission.
Glueck, Katie. “Wes Moore and Tim Walz Go to a Fish Fry and Spatter 2028 Gossip Everywhere.” The New York Times, May 31, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/31/us/politics/wes-moore-tim-walz-south-carolina-democrats.html.
“Harriet Tubman.” National Women’s History Museum. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/harriet-tubman.
Moore, Wes. Wes Moore: I’m Running for Re-Election. Wes Moore for Maryland, September 9, 2025. Video. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_MRBcQCmEo.
Joy Moore (mother). Communication with author, December 4, 2025.
Back to top

Chapter 6: Congressman Dan Crenshaw

Dan Crenshaw (then Representative from Texas’s Second District). Communication with author, January 12, 2026.
Constable, Pamela, and Sayed Salahuddin. “Afghan Forces Withdraw from Key District in Embattled Helmand Province.” The Washington Post, March 23, 2017.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/taliban-forces-seize-strategic-district-in-embattled-helmand-province/2017/03/23/6564c6ce-0fa3-11e7-9b0d-d27c98455440_story.html.
Walsh, Declan, and Audrey Gillan. “Sangin Troop Withdrawal: Four Years in Hell, and Taliban Remain Undefeated.” The Guardian, July 6, 2010.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/jul/06/sangin-troop-withdrawal-taliban-undefeated.
Spencer, John. “Urban Warfare Project Case Study #1: Battle of Stalingrad.” Modern War Institute.” June 28, 2021.
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/urban-warfare-project-case-study-1-battle-of-stalingrad/.
Kirk-Wade, Esme, Georgina Sturge, and Claire Mills. Afghanistan Statistics: UK Deaths, Casualties, Mission Costs and Refugees. Research Briefing CBP 9298. House of Commons Library, December 9, 2024.
https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9298/CBP-9298.pdf.
Dan Crenshaw (then Representative from Texas’s Second District). Interview with author, August 15, 2026.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 19.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Pages. 19-20.
Tara Crenshaw (wife of Dan). Interview with author, May 13, 2025.
“Admiral John T. Blake ’71.” Msgr. McClancy Memorial High School. Accessed February 1, 2026.
https://msgrmcclancy.org/admiral-john-t-blake/.
Blackman, Jeremy. “Crenshaw Beats Democrat Litton in Congressional District 2.” Houston Chronicle, November 7, 2018.
https://www.chron.com/politics/texas/article/CD-2-Burst-13369032.php.
Wallace, Jeremy. “Youth Movement in Texas Congressional Delegation.” Associated Press, January 3, 2019.
https://apnews.com/article/texas-houston-dan-crenshaw-congress-ted-poe-3216ececa2f2418a9e2e1554f1aa9563.
DeSilver, Drew. “Millennials, Gen X Increase Their Ranks in the House, Especially among Democrats.” Pew Research Center, November 21, 2018.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/11/21/millennials-gen-x-increase-their-ranks-in-the-house-especially-among-democrats/.
Crenshaw, Dan. “Remarks to Newly-Elected Members of Congress.” Harvard Kennedy School, Boston, December 9, 2024.
Sue Walden (Crenshaw campaign manager). Interview with author, April 24, 2025.
Scherer, By Jasper. “Texas’ Crenshaw Mocked by ‘Saturday Night Live’ for Eye Patch.” Houston Chronicle, November 4, 2018.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Texas-Crenshaw-mocked-by-Saturday-Night-Live-for-13361758.php.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 4.
Crenshaw, Dan. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C001120.
Jim Crenshaw (father). Interview with author, August 18, 2025.
Jim Crenshaw (father). Interview with author, August 20, 2025.
Frangoul, Anmar. “Europe’s Oil Capital Turns to Clean, Green Hydrogen Buses.” CNBC, October 20, 2017.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/20/europes-oil-capital-turns-to-clean-green-hydrogen-buses.html.
MaryLee Wintersteen (Crenshaw family friend). Interview with author, August 14, 2025.
Jim Crenshaw (father of Dan). Communication with author, February 2, 2026.
“Taxotere: What to Expect, Side Effects, and More.” BreastCancer.org. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.breastcancer.org/drugs/taxotere.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 22.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 12.
“Rogue Warrior (Rogue Warrior, #1).” Goodreads. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/302424.Rogue_Warrior.
Marcinko, Richard, and John Weisman. Option Delta: Rogue Warrior. New York: Atria, January 1, 1999. Page 155.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 66.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 66; 70.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 35.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 186.
“BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) Training.” NavySEALs.com. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://navyseals.com/nsw/bud-s-basic-underwater-demolition-seal-training/.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 179.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 73.
Crenshaw, Dan. Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve, April 7, 2020. Page 184.
Tara Crenshaw (wife). Interview with author, August 14, 2025.
“Military Freefall.” The United States Army Test and Evaluation Command. Accessed January 31, 2026.
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U.S. Army, 11th Airborne Division. “Northern Warfare Training Center.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
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“Episode 423 – Dan Crenshaw – Insider Trading, Public Threats, Silencing Speech, and Questioning Faith.” Cleared Hot Podcast, January 2, 2026.
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Crenshaw, Dan. “Opinion: Dan Crenshaw: Why Guys like Me Go to Places like Syria.” The Washington Post, December 21, 2018.
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Crenshaw, Dan, host. “The Truth About Exorcisms from a Real Exorcist,” with Father Vincent Lampert. Hold These Truths. Podcast audio. Apple Podcasts. December 9 2023.
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Lincoln, Ross A. “Tucker Carlson Tells Viewers ‘Keep a List’ of Republicans Who Criticized His False Claims About Jan. 6 (Video).” TheWrap, March 7, 2023.
https://www.thewrap.com/tucker-carlson-tells-viewers-keep-a-list-of-republicans-who-criticized-his-false-claims-about-jan-6-video/.
Mastrangelo, Dominick. “Tucker Carlson: McCarthy ‘Sounds in Private like an MSNBC Contributor.’” The Hill, April 27, 2022.
https://thehill.com/homenews/3467373-tucker-carlson-mccarthy-sounds-in-private-like-an-msnbc-contributor/.
Slisco, Aila. “Tucker Carlson Says Trump Indicted Because He Opposes ‘Neocon War Agenda.’” Newsweek, June 13, 2023.
https://www.newsweek.com/tucker-carlson-says-trump-indicted-because-he-opposes-neocon-war-agenda-1806452.
Pellish, Aaron. “Cruz, Carlson Go for Round 2 of Their Podcast-Based Feud.” POLITICO, June 20, 2025.
https://www.POLITICO.com/news/2025/06/20/ted-cruz-tucker-carlson-iran-fight-00415813.
Carlson, Tucker (@TuckerCarlson). “What the hell is going on in the US Senate?” X (formerly Twitter), November 9, 2024, 3:20 PM.
https://x.com/TuckerCarlson/status/1855344652422951054?s=20.
Marantz, Andrew. “The Tucker Carlson Road Show.” The New Yorker, November 1, 2024.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/11/11/the-tucker-carlson-road-show.
Bauder, David. “Fox’s Carlson Criticized for Saying Democrats Hate America.” Associated Press, July 7, 2020.
https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-us-news-racial-injustice-entertainment-tucker-carlson-76e2893f2397eb61f9bbe61c4941c729.
“House Roll Call Vote 86.” U.S. House of Representatives. March 13, 2024.
https://www.congress.gov/votes/house/118-2/86.
Thorbecke, Catherine. “TikTok Says It Has 150 Million US Users amid Renewed Calls for a Ban.” CNN, March 21, 2023.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/21/tech/tiktok-150-million-us-users.
Congressman Dan Crenshaw. “Crenshaw Backs House Bill to Protect Americans’ Data from Communist China and Other Rogue Nations.” March 13, 2024.
https://crenshaw.house.gov/2024/3/crenshaw-backs-house-bill-to-protect-americans-data-from-communist-china-and-other-rogue-nations.
Carlson, Tucker, host. “Senator Rand Paul.” Tucker Carlson Podcast. Podcast audio. Apple Podcasts. March 14, 2024.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/senator-rand-paul/id1719657632?i=1000649233171.
Crenshaw, Dan (@DanCrenshawTX.) “This is who Tucker is: a click-chaser…” X (formerly Twitter), April 10, 2024, 10:48 AM.
https://x.com/DanCrenshawTX/status/1778072554625720715?s=20.
Crowley, Matthew, and Louis Jacobson. “Is Today’s Congress the Least Productive of Our Lifetime?” Politifact, April 3, 2024.
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/apr/03/donna-brazile/is-the-current-congress-the-least-productive-of-ou/.
Karni, Annie. “After Early Primary Victories, Republicans in Congress Fall in Line Behind Trump.” U.S. The New York Times, January 24, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/24/us/politics/republicans-congress-endorse-trump.html.
Crenshaw, Dan (@DanCrenshawTX). “VOTE FOR TRUMP IN NOVEMBER…” X (formerly Twitter), June 5, 2024, 9:38 a.m.
https://x.com/DanCrenshawTX/status/1798348676999286823.
Goldmacher, Shane, and Lisa Lerer. “Donald Trump Wins Presidency.” The New York Times, November 6, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/politics/trump-wins-presidency.html.
Pazzanese, Christina. “What to Expect When You’re Elected.” Harvard Gazette. December 18, 2024. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/12/what-to-expect-when-youre-elected/
“Tucker’s Brutal Takedown of Fake Conservative Dan Crenshaw.” Tucker Carlson Network. February 25, 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KPYFOUu8BA.
Mazza, Ed. “Rep. Dan Crenshaw Says He’d ‘F**king Kill’ Tucker Carlson If They Ever Met.” HuffPost, February 24, 2025.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dan-crenshaw-tucker-carlson-threat_n_67bd359be4b0f4e8df29bb6c.
“Rep. Crenshaw responds after being caught on hot mic.” FOX 26 Houston, March 2, 2025.
https://www.fox26houston.com/video/1601627.
Amos, Jaden. “Rep. Crenshaw Says He’d ‘Kill’ Tucker Carlson in Hot Mic Moment.” Axios, February 25, 2025.
https://www.axios.com/2025/02/25/dan-crenshaw-tucker-carlson-kill.
Birenbaum, Gabby. “State Rep. Steve Toth to Challenge Congressman Dan Crenshaw in Republican Primary.” The Texas Tribune, July 15, 2025.
https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/15/steve-toth-dan-crenshaw-texas-republican-primary-congress/.
“Ex-Amazon Employee Says Work Experience Is Now a Liability, Announces Congressional Bid – CNBC TV18.” CNBCTV18, January 28, 2026.
https://www.cnbctv18.com/world/ex%e2%80%91amazon-employee-says-work-experience-is-now-a-liability-announces-congressional-bid-19835246.htm.
“Etwop For Congress.” Etwop For Congress. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.martinetwop.com.
“Texas State Rep. Steve Toth – Biography.” LegiStorm. Accessed January 31, 2026.
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“Meet Steve Toth.” Toth for Congress. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://stevetothforcongress.com/meet-steve-toth/.
Carlson, Tucker, host. “Everything You Should Know About Dan Crenshaw, How He Got Rich & Why He’s So in Love With Ukraine.” Tucker Carlson Podcast, October 6, 2025.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-you-should-know-about-dan-crenshaw-how-he/id1719657632?i=1000730456551.
Birenbaum, Gabby. “Anti-Islam Rhetoric Takes over Texas GOP Primaries.” The Texas Tribune, January 26, 2026.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/26/texas-republicans-sharia-law-anti-muslim-rhetoric/.
Steve Toth for Congress. “First Television Ad Going Up. Dan Crenshaw Is Wrong on Unchecked Immigration.” Facebook Reel, January 6, 2026.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/4172296496420217/.
Alamo Freedom Fighters PAC. “Frauditude” Campaign Mailer. Dublin, OH: Alamo Freedom Fighters PAC, 2026.
“Nearly 80% of Eligible Voters Don’t Participate in Primaries.” Bipartisan Policy Center. March 7, 2023.
https://bipartisanpolicy.org/press-release/voters-dont-participate-primaries/.
Dan Crenshaw (then Congressman for Texas’s Second District). Interview with author, January 11, 2026.
Back to top

Chapter 7: Congressman Seth Moulton

Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Interview with author, January 16, 2026.
Kruse, Michael. “Generals Love Him. Top Democrats Despise Him. Can He Be President Anyway?.” POLITICO Magazine, July 28, 2017.
https://www.POLITICO.com/magazine/story/2017/07/28/seth-moulton-congressman-run-president-2020-profile-215428/.
Filkins, Dexter. “James Mattis, a Warrior in Washington.” The New Yorker, May 22, 2017.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/29/james-mattis-a-warrior-in-washington
U.S. Central Command. “James Mattis.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.centcom.mil/ABOUT-US/LEADERSHIP/Bio-Article-View/Article/904780/james-mattis/.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Communication with author, January, 18, 2026.
Bush, George W. “President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat.” The White House, October 7, 2002.
https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/10/20021007-8.html.
Gordon, Michael R., and Judith Miller. “Threats and Responses: The Iraqis; U.S. Says Hussein Intensifies Quest for A-Bomb Parts.” The New York Times, September 8, 2002.
https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/08/world/threats-responses-iraqis-us-says-hussein-intensifies-quest-for-bomb-parts.html
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Interview with author, April 30, 2025.
“Ground Assault Moves Into Iraq.” Associated Press, March 20, 2003.
https://www.ksl.com/article/103448/ground-assault-moves-into-iraq.
“ The Opening Gambit.” 11th Marines OIF I. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.11thmarinesoif1.com/the-opening-gambit
“A Proven Trac Record: AAV Retired After 50 Years of Service.” Marine Corps Association, December 15, 2025.
https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/a-proven-trac-record-aav-retired-after-50-years-of-service/.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Communication with author, January 19, 2026.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Communication with author, January 6, 2026.
DePalma, Anthony. “A Nation at War: An Overview: April 9, 2003; Joy in Baghdad, Arab Consternation and the Mystery of Saddam Hussein.” The New York Times, April 10, 2003.
https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/10/world/nation-war-overview-april-9-2003-joy-baghdad-arab-consternation-mystery-saddam.html.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Interview with author, May 20, 2025.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Communication with author, Feburary 1, 2025.
Dowd, Will. “Marblehead Chronicles: The Hannah and the American Navy.” Marblehead Current, January 11, 2024.
https://marbleheadcurrent.org/2024/01/11/marblehead-chronicles-the-hannah-and-the-american-navy/.
Kayata, Erin. “On the Market: A Waterfront Marblehead Mansion with Olmsted-Designed Gardens.” Boston Magazine, July 18, 2023.
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/property/2023/07/18/marblehead-mansion/.
“Marblehead.” New England Boating. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://newenglandboating.com/destinations/massachusetts/marblehead/.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Communication with author, January 7, 2026.
“History.” Andover | An Independent and Inclusive Coed Boarding High School. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.andover.edu/about/history
“Alumni.” Andover | An Independent and Inclusive Coed Boarding High School. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.andover.edu/our-community/alumni.
“Harvard Physics Nobel Laureates.” Department of Physics, Harvard University. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.physics.harvard.edu/nobel.
“Morning Prayers.” The Memorial Church, Harvard University. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://memorialchurch.harvard.edu/morningprayers.
McFadden, Robert D. “Rev. Peter J. Gomes Is Dead at 68; A Leading Voice Against Intolerance.” The New York Times, March 1, 2011.
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/us/02gomes.html.
“History.” The Memorial Church, Harvard University. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://memorialchurch.harvard.edu/history-0.
Blackwell, Jeffrey. “Memorial Church Commemorates 100th Anniversary of End of WWI.” Harvard Gazette, November 6, 2018.
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/11/memorial-church-commemorates-100th-anniversary-of-end-of-wwi/.
Karas, Phyllis. “How the Moultons Made Peace with the War.” Boston Magazine, January 28, 2008.
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/2008/01/28/how-the-moultons-made-peace-with-the-war/.
Moulton, Seth W. ’01. “Achieving Greatness.” Undergraduate English address, Harvard University. Courtesy of Seth Moulton.
“War Profiles: Seth W. Moulton ’01, 2nd Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps.” The Harvard Crimson, June 5, 2003.
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2003/6/5/war-profiles-seth-w-moulton-01/.
Cushman, Steve. “Marching to the ‘Sound of the Guns’—More Marines Deploy to Afghanistan.” 1st Marine Division, October 21, 2008.
https://www.1stmardiv.marines.mil/News/Article/Article/541885/marching-to-the-sound-of-the-guns-more-marines-deploy-to-afghanistan/.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Communication with author, January 6, 2025.
Robinson, Walter V. “Seth Moulton Underplays Military Service.” The Boston Globe, October 17, 2014.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/10/17/moulton-underplays-military-service/lY9FfmOrviwL2LAFHr61dO/story.html.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Interview with author, July 11, 2025.
U.S. Department of Defense. “Retired General John F. Kelly.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.war.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/602724/retired-general-john-f-kelly/.
John Kelly (former White House chief of staff and Assistant Division Commander of First Marines). Communication with author, January 30, 2026.
Moulton, Seth. “Seth Moulton for Congress: Why I’m Running.” YouTube, July 8, 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGPrEGbhcEk.
Rubin, Elizabeth. “Fern Holland’s War.” The New York Times, September 19, 2004.
https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/19/magazine/fern-hollands-war.html.
“Fern Holland International Affairs Fellowship.” Office of Congressman Seth Moulton. Accessed January 31, 2026.
http://moulton.house.gov/fern-holland-international-affairs-fellowship.
Packer, George. “Caught in the Crossfire.” The New Yorker, May 2004.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/05/17/caught-in-the-crossfire.
Spinner, Jackie, and Karl Vick. “U.S. and Iraqi Troops Push Into Fallujah.” The Washington Post, November 8, 2004.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2004/11/09/us-and-iraqi-troops-push-into-fallujah/36bb5d91-e2dc-4899-a261-782e061d36ff/.
Kozlowski, Francis X. “An Najaf.” Marine Corps University, August 2004. PDF.
https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/AN%20NAJAF.pdf.
Epatko, Larisa. “Najaf Dispatch: Inside the Imam Ali Shrine.” PBS NewsHour, September 1, 2010.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/najafs-imam-ali-shrine.
Council on Foreign Relations. “Muqtada al-Sadr.” Last updated May 16, 2008.
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounders/muqtada-al-sadr.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Wadi al-Salam Cemetery in Najaf.” Submitted January 24, 2011.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5578/.
Guinness World Records. “Largest Cemetery.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/69153-largest-cemetery.html.
Jackson, Patrick. “Najaf’s Hallowed Cemetery.” BBC News, August 12, 2004.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3716143.stm.
Watts, Kyle. “The Battle for Najaf, Part 1: Assaulting the ‘Valley of Peace.’” Marine Corps Association, July 25, 2024.
https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/the-battle-for-najaf-part-1-assaulting-the-valley-of-peace/.
Camp, Dick. Battle for the City of the Dead: In the Shadow of the Golden Dome, Najaf. Zenith Press, March 28, 2011.
U.S. Marine Corps. “Moulton Bronze Star.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/1336509-moultonbronzestar/.
“Marine Lance Cpl. Larry L. Wells.” Military Times. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-lance-cpl-larry-l-wells/296506.
Lutyens, Elizabeth. “Fierce Patriot: Ann Gildroy Builds Trust in Iraq.” Nashoba Brooks Bulletin, Fall/Winter 2008.
https://elizabethlutyenseditor.com/wp-content/uploads/FW08-Bulletin_FiercePatriot.pdf.
Filkins, Dexter. “General Principles.” The New Yorker, December 9, 2012.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/12/17/general-principles.
Dehghanpisheh, Babak. “Brainiac Brigade.” Newsweek, September 15, 2007.
https://www.newsweek.com/brainiac-brigade-99883.
Gordon, Michael R. “The Last Battle.” Magazine. The New York Times, August 3, 2008.
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/magazine/03IRAQ-t.html.
David Petraeus (KKR partner/Moulton’s commander in Iraq). Interview with author, January 7, 2026.
“Patriotism and Perseverance.” Permian Basin Oil and Gas Magazine, September 9, 2019.
https://pboilandgasmagazine.com/patriotism-and-perseverance/.
“David Gergen.” Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.belfercenter.org/person/david-gergen.
U.S. Department of the Army and U.S. Marine Corps. The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual. Konecky & Konecky, 2007.
U.S. Army. “Army Marks 10th Anniversary of Troop Surge in Iraq.” April 27, 2017.
https://www.army.mil/article/186745/army_marks_10th_anniversary_of_troop_surge_in_iraq.
David Petraeus (KKR partner/Moulton’s commander in Iraq). Communication with author, January 18, 2026.
Gordon, Michael R., and Thom Shanker. “Bush to Name a New General to Oversee Iraq.” The New York Times, January 5, 2007.
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/05/world/africa/05iht-web.0104baghdad.4108021.html.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Interview with author, January 21, 2026.
Garrels, Anne. “Commitment to Iraqi People Drives Trio of Marines.” NPR, October 24, 2007.
https://www.npr.org/2007/10/24/15600609/commitment-to-iraqi-people-drives-trio-of-marines.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Communication with author, January 14, 2026.
“2007 Was Deadliest Year for U.S. Troops in Iraq.” Associated Press, December 31, 2007.
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22451069.
“Iraq—U.S. Withdrawal and the Rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).” Encyclopaedia Britannica, last updated January 30, 2026.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Iraq/U-S-withdrawal-and-the-rise-of-the-Islamic-State-in-Iraq-and-the-Levant-ISIL.
“Timeline: The Rise, Spread, and Fall of the Islamic State.” Wilson Center, October 28, 2019.
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-the-rise-spread-and-fall-the-islamic-state.
“About Us.” New Politics. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.newpolitics.org/about.
“Emily Cherniack.” New Politics. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.newpolitics.org/team/emily-cherniack.
Moulton, Seth. “Biography.” Office of Congressman Seth Moulton, March 3, 2025.
http://moulton.house.gov/about/biography.
“Rep. Tierney’s Wife To Plead Guilty To Tax Charges.” Associated Press, October 6, 2010.
https://www.wbur.org/news/2010/10/06/tierney-wife.
Massachusetts.” The New York Times. Accessed January 31, 2026.
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Bresnahan, John. “Tierney Scrambles to Save House Career.” POLITICO, July 29, 2012.
https://www.POLITICO.com/story/2012/07/tierney-scrambles-to-save-house-career-079097
“John F. Tierney.” Massachusetts Election Statistics. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://electionstats.state.ma.us/candidates/view/John-F-Tierney.
Weiner, Rachel. “Seth Moulton Will Challenge John Tierney in Primary.” The Washington Post, July 8, 2013.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/07/08/seth-moulton-will-challenge-john-tierney-in-primary/.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Communication with author, January, 8, 2026.
“Congressional Candidate Seth Moulton Faces Uphill Climb.” WBUR News, May 13, 2014.
https://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2014/05/13/congress-seth-moulton.
“Political Newcomer Moulton Wins with 26-Year-Old First-Time Campaign Manager.” Boston 25 News, November 5, 2014.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/politics/political-newcomer-moulton-wins-with-26yearold-first-time-campaign-manager-1/142631176/.
Jeff Phaneuf (Moulton campaign manager). Interview with author, January 14, 2026.
“6th District: Emerson Poll: Tierney, Moulton in Dead Heat.” Wicked Local, September 5, 2014.
https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/chronicle-transcript/2014/09/05/6th-district-emerson-poll-tierney/36527488007/.
“2014 U.S. House Democratic Primary, 6th Congressional District.” Massachusetts Election Statistics. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/125587/
LeBlanc, Steve. “In Stunning Defeat, Incumbent U.S. Rep. Tierney Loses To Newcomer Moulton.” WBUR News, September 9, 2014.
https://www.wbur.org/news/2014/09/09/in-stunning-defeat-incumbent-u-s-rep-tierney-loses-to-newcomer-moulton.
Martin, Liam. “Moulton Lands Historic Victory against Tierney.” WCBV News, September 9, 2014.
https://www.wcvb.com/article/moulton-lands-historic-victory-against-tierney/8044394.
Ebbert, Stephanie. “Moulton Seeks Rare Upset of Fellow Democrat Tierney.” The Boston Globe, May 12, 20214.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/11/marine-veteran-seth-moulton-wages-insurgent-campaign-against-fellow-democrat-john-tierney/3RdZyq5hE0o8QicDcNGVQO/story.html.
Seelye, Katharine Q., and Jess Bidgood. “Veteran Democrat Faces Hurdles to Re-Election.” The New York Times, September 7, 2014.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/08/us/politics/john-f-tierney-faces-hurdles-to-re-election.html.
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https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/126121/.
Wong, Kristina. “Lawmakers Launch Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus.” The Hill, March 19, 2015.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/policy-strategy/236234-lawmakers-announce-post-9-11-veterans-caucus/.
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https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4352.
“Find Legislators.” Center for Effective Lawmaking. Accessed January 31, 2026.
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Craig Volden (founder and co-director of the Center for Effective Lawmaking). Communication with author, January 29, 2026.
Flegenheimer, Matt, and Michael Barbaro. “Donald Trump Is Elected President in Stunning Repudiation of the Establishment.” The New York Times, November 9, 2016.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-president.html.
Dovere, Edward-Isaac. “Democrats in the Wilderness.” POLITICO Magazine, January/February 2017.
https://www.POLITICO.com/magazine/story/2017/01/democrats-trump-administration-wilderness-comeback-revival-214650.
Herndon, Astead. “Moulton Aims to Build Network of Military Veterans Running for House Seats.” The Boston Globe, February 8, 2018.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2018/02/08/moulton-building-network-military-veterans-running-for-house-seats/DMIHTI5apTk2GCy5BUyTrI/story.html.
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Cullen, Kevin. “Two Candidates, Marines Alike, Sense New Call to Service.” The Boston Globe, September 7, 2014.
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Mallon, Maggie. “Mikie Sherrill Once Flew Helicopter Missions in the Navy—Now She’s Running for Congress.” Glamour, September 1, 2017.
https://www.glamour.com/story/mikie-sherrill-running-for-congress
Murray, Stephanie. “Moulton Bids to Redirect Dems, Reshape Congress by Electing Vets.” Lowell Sun, August 10, 2017.
https://www.lowellsun.com/ci_31208766/moulton-bids-redirect-dems-reshape-congress-by-electing/.
Manning, Jennifer E. Membership of the 115th Congress: A Profile. Congressional Research Service, December 20, 2018.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R44762.
Davis, Julie Hirschfeld. “‘Message of Change’: 16 Rebel Democrats Vow to Oppose Pelosi.” The New York Times, November 19, 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/19/us/politics/nancy-pelosi-house-democrats.html.
Davis, Julie Hirschfeld. “Ringleader of Democratic Rebels Softens Tone on Pelosi.” The New York Times, November 26, 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/26/us/politics/pelosi-democrats-house-rules.html.
Bade, Rachael Bade, Heather Caygle, and John Bresnahan. “‘We Were Shocked as Sh–’: How Pelosi Crushed the Dem Rebels.” POLITICO, December 13, 2018.
https://www.POLITICO.com/story/2018/12/13/nancy-pelosi-speakership-1063494.
DeBonis, Mike. “‘I Know the Ropes’: Pelosi Makes Her Case for Leader as Democrats Chase House Majority.” The Washington Post, November 5, 2018.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/i-know-the-ropes-pelosi-makes-her-case-for-leader-as-democrats-chase-house-majority/2018/11/05/dc87df0e-df98-11e8-b732-3c72cbf131f2_story.html.
Axios. “Democrats Won the House with the Largest Margin of Victory in History.” Axios, November 27, 2018.
https://www.axios.com/2018/11/27/democrats-won-the-house-with-the-largest-margin-of-victory-in-history-1543327211.
Serve America PAC. “Rep. Moulton Relaunches Serve America PAC.” January 15, 2020.
https://serveamericapac.com/release-11520.
“Democrat Mikie Sherrill Sworn in as New Jersey’s 57th Governor.” Associated Press, January 20, 2026.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/20/politics/mikie-sherrill-new-jersey-governor.
“Abigail Spanberger Becomes Virginia’s 1st Female Governor in Historic Inauguration.” Associated Press, January 17, 2026.
https://www.POLITICO.com/news/2026/01/17/abigail-spanberger-becomes-virginias-1st-female-governor-in-historic-inauguration-00735529.
Ferris, Sarah. “The Former Marine Who Holds Democrats’ Trumpiest District.” POLITICO, May 11, 2021.
https://www.POLITICO.com/news/2021/05/11/jared-golden-maine-democrats-trump-486559.
Cappelletti, Joey. “Democrat Elissa Slotkin Wins Michigan’s Open Senate Seat, Defeating the GOP’s Mike Rogers.” Associated Press. November 6, 2024.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democrat-elissa-slotkin-wins-michigans-open-senate-seat-defeating-the-gops-mike-rogers.
Mikie Sherrill (Governor-elect of New Jersey). Communication with author, January 9, 2026.
Jared Golden (then Representative for Maine’s Second District). Communication with author, January 9, 2026.
Congressional Research Service. “Electing the Speaker of the House of Representatives: Frequently Asked Questions.” CRS Report R44243. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R44243.
U.S. General Services Administration. “Order of Presidential Succession.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.usa.gov/presidential-succession.
Nilsen, Ella. “Why Nancy Pelosi Is Still Confident She’ll Become House Speaker.” Vox, November 9, 2018.
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/9/18075344/nancy-pelosi-house-speaker-democrats-2018-midterms.
Ball, Molly. “Nancy Pelosi Doesn’t Care What You Think of Her. And She Isn’t Going Anywhere.” Time, September 6, 2018.
https://time.com/magazine/us/5388333/september-17th-2018-vol-192-no-11-u-s/.
Sánchez, Linda. “Committees and Caucuses.” Office of Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, January 3, 2023.
http://lindasanchez.house.gov/about-linda/committees-and-caucuses.
Robillard, Kevin. “Rep. Seth Moulton Faces Friendly Fire Back Home For Opposing Pelosi.” HuffPost, November 20, 2018.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rep-seth-moulton-opposing-nancy-pelosi_n_5bf37a6ee4b0376c9e681223.
Buell, Spencer. “Seth Moulton Faces Critics of His Anti-Pelosi Plans at a Town Hall.” Boston Magazine, November 20, 2018.
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2018/11/20/seth-moulton-pelosi-town-hall/.
Scher, Bill. “The Pathetic Pelosi Putsch.” POLITICO Magazine, November 26, 2018.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/11/26/speaker-nancy-pelosi-revolt-seth-moulton-222686/
Brooks, Anthony. “Moulton Insists There Are Enough Democrats To Block Pelosi From Becoming Speaker.” WBUR News, November 27, 2018.
https://www.wbur.org/news/2018/11/27/moulton-pelosi-leadership-fight.
Bresnahan, John. “Marcia Fudge Vouched for Man Now Accused of Killing Ex-Wife.” POLITICO. November 20, 2018.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/20/fudge-letter-criminal-case-1008215.
O’Keefe, Ed, Rebecca Kaplan, and Bo Erickson. “Nancy Pelosi Holdouts Negotiating Deal to Limit Her Term as House Speaker.” CBS News, December 11, 2018.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nancy-pelosi-holdouts-negotiating-deal-to-limit-term-as-house-speaker/.
DeBonis, Mike, and Robert Costa. “‘Her Skills Are Real’: How Pelosi Put down a Democratic Rebellion in Bid for Speaker.” The Washington Post, December 13, 2018.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/her-skills-are-real-how-pelosi-put-down-a-democratic-rebellion-in-bid-for-speaker/2018/12/13/27bbc7c6-fefa-11e8-ad40-cdfd0e0dd65a_story.html.
Walsh, Deirdre, and Susan Davis. “Speaker Pelosi Says She Will Step down as Party Leader after Two Decades at the Top.” NPR, November 17, 2022.
https://www.npr.org/2022/11/17/1133397685/house-speaker-pelosi-step-down.
“For Country Caucus Members.” Office of Representative Jared Golden. Accessed February 1, 2026.
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https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2661.
Stewart, Chris. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/S001192.
Office of Congressman Seth Moulton. “Moulton, Stewart Introduce Bill to Designate ‘9-8-8’ for Suicide Hotline Dialing Code.” August 20, 2019.
http://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/moulton-stewart-introduce-bill-designate-9-8-8-suicide-hotline-dialing-code.
Office of Congressman Seth Moulton. “Moulton’s National Global War on Terrorism Memorial Bill Passes in the House.” July 28, 2017.
http://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/moultons-national-global-war-terrorism-memorial-bill-passes-house.
Seth Moulton (then Representative for Massachusetts’s Sixth District). Interview with author, February 7, 2026.
Merica, Dan. “Rep. Seth Moulton announces 2020 presidential run.” CNN, April 22, 2019.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/22/politics/seth-moulton-2020-campaign-announcement
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O’Connell, Jonathan. “Obama to Open Post-Presidency Office in World Wildlife Fund Headquarters.” The Washington Post, December 12, 2016.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/digger/wp/2016/12/12/obama-to-open-post-presidency-office-in-world-wildlife-fund-headquarters/.
Dovere, Edward-Isaac. “Inside Obama’s Secret Meetings with 2020 Contenders.” POLITICO. June 11, 2018.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/11/obama-2020-elections-sanders-warren-635165.
Thompson, Alex. “Seth Moulton Discloses PTSD, Unveils Military Mental Health Proposal.” POLITICO, May 28, 2019.
https://www.POLITICO.com/story/2019/05/28/seth-moulton-ptsd-mental-health-1345848.
Stevens, Matt. “Seth Moulton Joins 2020 Race for President.” The New York Times, April 22, 2019.
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Sganga, Nicole. “Seth Moulton to Roll out Proposal for Revamped National Service Program.” CBS News, May 19, 2019.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/seth-moulton-roll-outs-proposal-for-revamped-national-service-program/.
Struyk, Ryan, and Will Cadigan. “Moulton on Iraqi Boy: ‘I’ll Remember His Face until the Day That I Die.’” CNN, June 2, 2019.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/02/politics/moulton-iraqi-boy-post-traumatic-stress.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/us/politics/seth-moulton-2020-drop-out.html.
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“Roadside Bombing Kills 10 Marines in Fallujah.” PBS News, December 2, 2005.
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David Berger (then Commandant of the Marine Corps). Interview with author, July 16, 2025.
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Smeltz, Dina, and Emily Sullivan. “U.S. Public Supports Withdrawal from Afghanistan.” Global Affairs, August 9, 2021.
https://globalaffairs.org/commentary/blogs/us-public-supports-withdrawal-afghanistan.
Cooper, Helene, Eric Schmitt, and David E. Sanger. “Debating Exit From Afghanistan, Biden Rejected Generals’ Views.” The New York Times, April 17, 2021.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/17/us/politics/biden-afghanistan-withdrawal.html.
Kelly, Nataly. “Interpreters’ Accomplishments Fail to Translate into Visas.” The New York Times (At War blog), February 14, 2013.
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Bezhan, Frud, and Mustafa Sarwar. “‘The Taliban Will Kill Us’: Afghans Who Helped Foreign Forces at Risk of Reprisals After Withdrawal.” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, June 16, 2021.
https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-interpreters-fear-taliban-reprisals/31310429.html.
Lewis, Celia. “Faculty Profile: Meet Mohammed Harba.” The Phillipian, May 23, 2008.
https://phillipian.net/2008/05/23/faculty-profile-meet-mohammed-harba/.
Bruno, Andorra. Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Programs. Congressional Research Service, January 15, 2025.
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Editorial Board. “Don’t Abandon America’s Afghan Helpers.” The New York Times, April 29, 2016.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/29/opinion/dont-abandon-americas-afghan-helpers.html.
Office of Congressman Seth Moulton. “Moulton’s Advocacy Key to Extending Program for Afghan Allies.” November 30, 2016.
http://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/moultons-advocacy-key-extending-program-afghan-allies.
Read, Russ. “‘A Life-Saving Process’: New Visas Will Help Rescue Afghans Who Put Their Lives on the Line for US Troops.” Washington Examiner, December 12, 2019.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/1551727/a-life-saving-process-new-visas-will-help-rescue-afghans-who-put-their-lives-on-the-line-for-us-troops/.
Desiderio, Andrew, and Lara Seligman ‘Complete Disaster’: Inside the Biden Team’s Chaotic Bid to Evacuate Afghan Interpreters.” POLITICO, July 30, 2021.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/30/biden-evacuate-afghan-interpreters-501773.
“Defense Department Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request.” C-SPAN, June 23, 2021.
https://www.c-span.org/program/house-committee/defense-department-fiscal-year-2022-budget-request/595051.
Hall, Tom, Malarie Pinkard-Pierre, and Rob Sivak. “With Taliban’s Takeover, a New Drive to Rescue West’s Afghan Partners.” WYPR, August 19, 2021.
https://www.wypr.org/show/midday/2021-08-19/with-talibans-takeover-a-new-drive-to-rescue-wests-afghan-partners.
CNBC Television. “U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton on Afghanistan Withdrawal: We Need Contingency Plans for Taliban Takeover.” YouTube, July 8, 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMk5stlGPZI.
Moulton, Seth. “Floor Speech on Afghan Special Immigrant Visas.” Facebook, July 22, 2021.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=391988115624697.
Fox, Lauren, Jeremy Herb, and Annie Grayer. “Democrats Grapple with Afghanistan Fallout after Biden Administration Ignored Their Previous Warnings.” CNN, August 16, 2021.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/politics/democratic-reaction-biden-afghanistan.
Seir, Ahmad, Rahim Faiez, Tameem Akhgar, and Jon Gambrell. “Taliban Sweep into Afghan Capital after Government Collapses.” Associated Press, August 15, 2021.
https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-bagram-e1ed33fe0c665ee67ba132c51b8e32a5.
Seligman, Lara, Andrew Desiderio and Quint Forgey. “Biden Sticks to Aug. 31 Withdrawal from Afghanistan.” POLITICO, August 24, 2021.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/24/biden-sticks-to-aug-31-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-506758.
Kessben TV. “Footage from Kabul Airport Shows Afghans Chasing U.S. Air Force Plane During Evacuation.” Facebook, August 16, 2021.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4061171947341507.
Parkinson, Joe, Ava Sasani, and Drew Hinshaw. “Afghanistan’s Falling Man: The 17-Year-Old Soccer Star Who Plunged From a U.S. Military Jet.” Wall Street Journal, August 24, 2021.
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/afghanistans-falling-man-the-17-year-old-soccer-star-who-plunged-from-a-u-s-military-jet-11629834591.
Moore, Mark, and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon. “Taliban Takes Control of Presidential Palace, Poses for Pictures Inside.” New York Post, August 15, 2021.
https://nypost.com/2021/08/15/taliban-assumes-control-of-afghanistan-reports/.
The Independent. “Afghanistan: Smoke Seen Rising in Kabul as U.S. Embassy Destroys Sensitive Documents.” YouTube, August 15, 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSvlZhHRIrI.
“Why Is the Taliban’s Kabul Victory Being Compared to the Fall of Saigon?” BBC News, August 16, 2021.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58234884.
Çam, Deniz. “Meet The Michigan Congressman—And Billionaire’s Son—Who Voted To Impeach Trump.” Forbes, January 16, 2021.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/denizcam/2021/01/16/peter-meijer-michigan-congressman-and-billionaires-son-who-voted-to-impeach-trump/.
U.S. Congress. H.R. 3513, Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2021. 117th Cong., May 25, 2021.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3513. Edmondson, Catie. “Two House Members Secretly Flew to Kabul on an Unauthorized Oversight Mission.” The New York Times, August 24, 2021.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/24/world/asia/moulton-meijer-kabul-trip.html.
Walker, Hunter. “‘A Total F*cking Disaster’: Inside Seth Moulton’s Secret Trip to Kabul.” New York, August 26, 2021.
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/inside-seth-moulton-secret-kabul-trip.html.
Peter Meijer (former Representative for Michigan’s Third District). Interview with author, July 23, 2025.
Peter Meijer (former Representative for Michigan’s Third District). Communication with author, January 27, 2026.
Geoff Ball (Naval Academy LEAD Division Staff Director, at HKIA during evacuation). Interview with author, July 9, 2025.
Office of Congressman Seth Moulton. “Joint Statement from Representatives Seth Moulton and Peter Meijer on Their Recent Visit to Kabul, Afghanistan.” August 24, 2021.
http://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/joint-statement-representatives-seth-moulton-and-peter-meijer-their-recent. Linskey, Annie, Tyler Pager, John Hudson, and Sean Sullivan. “Two Congress Members Make Unauthorized Trip to Kabul amid Evacuation Efforts.” The Washington Post, August 24, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress-kabul-trip-evacuation/2021/08/24/77f7673a-0501-11ec-a266-7c7fe02fa374_story.html.
Schmitt, Eric, and Helene Cooper. “Lone ISIS Bomber Carried Out Attack at Kabul Airport, Pentagon Says.” The New York Times, February 4, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/us/politics/kabul-airport-attack-report.html.
Johnson, Glen. “Rep. Seth Moulton Recalls Visit to Abbey Gate Two Days before Kabul Attack.” Axios, August 27, 2021.
https://www.axios.com/2021/08/27/moulton-visit-abbey-gate-kabul.
Just, Rachel Louise. “‘They Sacrificed Their Lives’: Rep. Meijer Talks Kabul Attack after Unannounced Visit.” WWMT, August 27, 2021.
https://wwmt.com/news/state/they-sacrificed-their-lives-rep-meijer-talks-kabul-attack-after-unannounced-visit.
U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Manpower Data Center. “Conflict Casualties.” Defense Casualty Analysis System. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/app/conflictCasualties.
House, Billy. “Trump Wins Republican Trifecta as GOP Retains House Majority.” Bloomberg, November 13, 2024.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-13/republicans-keep-control-of-us-house-in-power-sweep.
Tomlinson, Hugh. “The Two Sentences That Doomed Kamala Harris’s Campaign.” November 15, 2024.
https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/kamala-harris-trans-gender-democrat-election-campaign-kvzqz9d6c.
Balk, Tim. “The Democrat Picking a Fight With His Party Over Transgender Rights.” The New York Times, November 16, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/16/us/politics/democrats-transgender-rights-moulton.html.
Rummler, Orion. “House Republicans Advance Sweeping Anti-Trans Bills Ahead of Holiday Break.” The 19th, December 17, 2025.
https://19thnews.org/2025/12/congress-trans-health-care-ban/.
Human Rights Campaign. “Human Rights Campaign Endorses Massachusetts Champions of Equality.” July 2020.
https://www.hrc.org/news/human-rights-campaign-endorses-massachusetts-champions-of-equality.
Moulton, Seth. “Trump’s Military Transgender Ban.” YouTube, August 17, 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEwCuux5rKs. Mason, Amelia. “Backlash Brews over Moulton’s Comments on Trans Athletes.” November 8, 2024.
https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/11/08/backlash-brews-over-moultons-comments-on-trans-athletes.
Walker, Jackson. “Protesters Descend on Democratic Congressman’s Office over Transgender Comments.” WBMA, November 18, 2024.
https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/protesters-descend-on-democratic-congressmans-office-over-transgender-comments-seth-moulton-salem-massachusetts-lgbt-rights-salem-city-councilor-elect-kyle-davis.
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https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-1/.
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https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT1Y2024.B01003?q=MA+CD06+population+ACS&t=Population+Total&g=500XX00US2506.
Hatfield, Jenn. “The Changing Face of Congress in 7 Charts.” Pew Research Center, March 3, 2025.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/03/the-changing-face-of-congress-in-7-charts/.
Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Terms of Service for Members of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress. January 6, 2026. PDF.
https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/Terms_of_Service.pdf.
Abutaleb, Yasmeen. “Democrats Look Primed to Win the House, but a Wave Might Be Harder.” The Washington Post, January 5, 2026.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/05/democrats-gerrymandering-house-trump-midterms/.
Heitshusen, Valerie. Committee Types and Roles. Congressional Research Service, November 25, 2025.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/98-241.
U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Armed Services. “Subcommittees.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
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Greene, Michael. Rules Governing House Committee and Subcommittee Assignment Procedures. Congressional Research Service, August 14, 2025.
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Manning, Jennifer E. Membership of the 119th Congress: A Profile. Congressional Research Service, August 4, 2025.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48535.
Wong, Scott, and Joe Murphy. “24 Members of Congress Are 80 or Older. More than Half Are Running for Re-Election.” NBC, January 15, 2026.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/congress-oldest-members-run-reelection-80s-rcna249479.
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https://www.congress.gov/committees.
Gross, Samantha J. “Ed Markey Defends Choice to Run for Third Term at Age 80 as Debate over Senator Age Limits Simmers.” The Boston Globe, October 30, 2025.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/30/metro/ed-markey-reelection-senate-2026/.
Markey, Edward J. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M000133.
Moulton, Seth. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001196
“Former Presidential Adviser Assesses State of the Nation.” C-SPAN, August 19, 2023.
https://archive.org/details/CSPAN_20230819_054300_Fmr._Presidential_Adviser_Assesses_State_of_the_Nation.
“U.S. Senate.” USA.gov. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.usa.gov/agencies/u-s-senate.
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“Endorsements.” Ed Markey. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.edmarkey.com/endorsements/.
“Edward Markey, Financial Summary.” Federal Election Commission. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S4MA00028/.
Sganga, Nicole, and Eleanor Watson. “A Kennedy is a Kennedy”: Joe Kennedy III launches Senate challenge.” CBS News, September 21, 2019.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joseph-kennedy-iii-launches-united-states-senate-challenge-to-ed-markey-2019-09-21/.
Murray, Stephanie. “Why Joe Kennedy’s Senate Campaign Flopped.” POLITICO, September 2, 2020.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/02/joe-kennedy-senate-campaign-failed-408033.
“Live: Massachusetts State Primary Election Results 2020.” The New York Times, last updated September 3, 2020.
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Manchester, Julia, Julia Mueller, and Caroline Vakil. “Democrats Face Growing Calls for Generational Change.” The Hill, April 20, 2025.
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Russell, Jenna. “Rep. Seth Moulton Announces Run for Senator Markey’s Seat in Massachusetts.” The New York Times, October 15, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/us/politics/seth-moulton-edward-markey-massachusetts.html.
Phaneuf, Jeff. “Seth Moulton for Massachusetts.” LinkedIn. Accessed January 31, 2026.
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Seth for Massachusetts. “Lesson.” YouTube, October 15, 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZURjoN0jM0.
Back to top

Chapter 8: Congressman John James

“Summer 2008 Historical Weather at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.” WeatherSpark. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://weatherspark.com/h/s/149636/2008/1/Historical-Weather-Summer-2008-at-Joint-Base-Balad-Iraq.
John James (then Representative for Michigan’s Tenth District). Interview with author, Nov 19, 2025.
John James (then Representative for Michigan’s Tenth District). Communication with author, Jan 15, 2026.
“Picking a Thermal Color Palette.” FLIR. April 14, 2021.
https://www.flir.com/discover/industrial/picking-a-thermal-color-palette/.
John James (then Representative for Michigan’s Tenth District). Communication with author, Jan 13, 2026.
Spencer, John. “Stealing the Enemy’s Urban Advantage: The Battle of Sadr City.” Modern War Institute, January 31, 2019.
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/stealing-enemys-urban-advantage-battle-sadr-city.
John James (then Representative for Michigan’s Tenth District). Communication with author, Jan 19, 2026.
John James (then Representative for Michigan’s Tenth District). Interview with author, Nov 12, 2025.
“MVSU Facts.” Mississippi Valley State University. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://admissions.mvsu.edu/mvsu-facts.
Lorron James (brother). Communication with author, Jan 12, 2026.
“MSU Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Holmes’ Admission.” Mississippi State University, July 2025.
http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2025/07/msu-celebrates-60th-anniversary-holmes-admission.
Sharon James (mother of John). Communication with author, February 3, 2026.
John James (then Representative for Michigan’s Tenth District). Communication with author, Jan 20, 2026.
James, John. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed January 31, 2026.
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Lorron James (brother). Interview with author, Jan 9, 2026.
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American Bridge PAC. “John James’ Decade-Long Record of Attacking Reproductive Rights.” January 22, 2026.
https://www.americanbridgepac.org/john-james-decade-long-record-of-attacking-reproductive-rights/.
Reich, Greta. “Detroit Mayor Launches Independent 2026 Run for Michigan Governor.” POLITICO, December 4, 2024.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/04/michigan-governor-detroit-mayor-00192602.
Hendrickson, Clara. “Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, Announces Run for Michigan Governor.” Detroit Free Press. January 22, 2025.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/01/22/jocelyn-benson-runs-for-michigan-governor/77873117007/.
LaPlante, Brad, and Tim Skubick. “New Poll Shows Tie in Michigan Governor’s Race, GOP Concerned about Voter Enthusiasm.” WLNS, January 15, 2026.
https://www.wlns.com/skubick/benson-james-lead-poll/.
Millman, Andrew, and Kaanita Iyer. “Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Clean Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ahead of Memorial Day.” CNN, May 25, 2023.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/25/politics/bipartisan-lawmakers-vietnam-veterans-memorial.
CBS Evening News. “Congressmen Clean Vietnam Memorial to Honor Fallen.” YouTube video, May 23, 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7L5FCgwlvp4.
Mervis, Jeffrey. “One of Indiana’s New Congressmen Is a Vietnam Veteran, a Farmer … and a Scientist.” Science, January 31, 2019.
https://www.science.org/content/article/one-indiana-s-new-congressmen-vietnam-veteran-farmer-and-scientist.
Tapper, Jake. “Who Will You Think About on Memorial Day?” CNN, clip distributed by With Honor Action, YouTube video, June 14, 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNPGIJHjt20.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. “2025 Name Additions and Status Changes on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.” May 26, 2025.
https://www.vvmf.org/News/2025-Name-Additions-and-Status-Changes-on-the-Vietnam-Veterans-Memorial/.
Office of Congressman Pat Ryan. “About.” January 3, 2021.
https://patryan.house.gov/about.
W.F. Hogan Funeral Home. “Obituary Information for Major Benjamin J. Recla.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.wfhoganfuneralhome.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=22987734.
H.R. 8025 (118th Congress): Blast Overpressure Safety Act — Cosponsors. U.S. Congress. Introduced April 16, 2024.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8025/cosponsors.
H.R. 733 (118th Congress): Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2023 — Cosponsors. U.S. Congress. Introduced February 1, 2023.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/733/cosponsors.
Office of Congressman John James. “Congressman James Introduces Bipartisan Veterans’ Apprenticeship Bill.” June 6, 2023.
https://james.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=61.
Back to top

Chapter 9: Congressman Don Bacon

U.S. Air Force. “Brigadier General Donald J. Bacon.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108659/donald-j-bacon/.
Dave Delmonaco (lieutenant in Don’s squadron). Interview with author, November 3, 2025.
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Interview with author, December 4, 2024.
Joint Service Committee on Military Justice. Manual for Courts-Martial, United States: Part IV—Punitive Articles. U.S. Department of Defense. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://jsc.defense.gov/Portals/99/Documents/PART%20IV%20-%20PUNITIVE%20ARTICLES.pdf.
U.S. Air Force. “EC-130H Compass Call.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104550/ec-130h-compass-call/
Bacon, Don. “Rep. Don Bacon Instagram Photos and Videos.” Instagram. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.instagram.com/repdonbacon/.
Barry Barksdale (Don’s Air Force commander). Interview with author, February 6, 2026.
Pat Flood (Air Force colleague and deputy chief of staff to Don). Interview with author, February 6, 2025.
The Lugar Center. “Our Work.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-Bipartisan-Index.html
U.S. Bureau of the Census. 1970 Census of Population and Housing: Illinois. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_il1-02.pdf.
National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. Downtown Momence Historic District. April 11, 2006. Archived November 26, 2016. Internet Archive (Wayback Machine).
https://web.archive.org/web/20161126064215/http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/pdfs/223418.pdf
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Interview with author, Feb 7, 2025.
Jim Bacon (brother). Interview with author, October 17, 2025.
The New York Times. “Company News; Catalogue Plant To Close.” January 29, 1993.
https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/29/business/company-news-catalogue-plant-to-close.html.
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Interview with author, September 17, 2025.
Provost, Lee. “Momence Native Elected Congressman.” Daily Journal, November 23, 2016. Archived December 11, 2020. Internet Archive (Wayback Machine).
https://web.archive.org/web/20201211051224/https://www.daily-journal.com/news/local/momence-native-elected-congressman-in-nebraska/article_db9b032f-7cdb-565e-8d4b-871f37f469e9.html.
Bill Bacon (uncle). Interview with author, September 30, 2025.
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Communication with author, December 31, 2025.
Mahtesian, Charlie. “The 2018 Race That Could Settle the Democrats’ Civil War.” POLITICO Magazine, November 3, 2018.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/11/03/kara-eastman-nebraska-democrats-2018-elections-222185/
Northwestern Classic. Summer 2005. Northwestern College.
https://assets.nwciowa.edu/classic/public/content/pdf/summer-2005.pdf.
Angie Bacon (wife). Interview with author, Oct. 4, 2025.
Brown’s Chicken Illinois. “Our Heritage.” September 2023.
https://brownschicken.com/about-us/.
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Communication with author, December 29, 2025.
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Interview with author, September 17, 2025.
“Assignment: Qatar.” Air Force Magazine, October 1996.
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/PDF/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/1996/October%201996/1096qatar.pdf.
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Interview with author, Sept. 17, 2025
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Communication with author, Dec. 31, 2025.
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Interview with author, Dec. 4, 2024.
Tysver, Robynn. “Don Bacon Is a ‘Fresh Face’ in Politics but Hardly a Political Neophyte.” Omaha World-Herald, April 26, 2016.
https://omaha.com/news/state_and_regional/article_f78b4e23-4707-5de9-abc8-1bb5208abf61.html.
Mark Dreiling (Don campaign manager and chief of staff). Interview with author, February 6, 2025.
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. “Terry, Lee Raymond.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/T000459.
Laing, Keith. “Rep. Terry Apologizes for GM Hearing Ignition Joke.” The Hill, April 2, 2014.
https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/202433-rep-terry-apologize-for-ignition-joke-during-gm/.
Kim, Clare. “GOP Rep Won’t Donate Paycheck: He Needs to Pay for His ‘Nice House.’” NBC News, October 4, 2013.
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna53190157.
“Nebraska Election Results 2014.” The New York Times, last updated December 17, 2014.
http://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/primaries/nebraska.
Wilson, Reid. “Read In: Clean Sweep Edition.” The Washington Post, November 5, 2014.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2014/11/05/read-in-clean-sweep-edition/.
National Defense PAC. “National Defense PAC (NDPAC) Endorses Don Bacon.” LinkedIn Pulse. August 25, 2016.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/national-defense-pac-ndpac-endorses-don-bacon-don-bacon.
Gerlock, Grant. “Republican Don Bacon to Challenge Democrat Brad Ashford in Second District.” Nebraska Public Media, May 11, 2016.
https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/republican-don-bacon-to-challenge-democrat-brad-ashford-in-second-district/.
Don Bacon for Congress. “Everybody Loves Bacon.” YouTube video, April 23, 2016.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fTAXMwhnfI.
The New York Times. “Nebraska Primary Election Results 2016.” U.S. September 29, 2016.
http://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/primaries/nebraska.
Martin, Jonathan. “Some in G.O.P. Who Deserted Donald Trump Over Lewd Tape Are Returning.” The New York Times, October 12, 2016.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/13/us/politics/gop-reaction-donald-trump.html.
Pathé, Simone “Internal Poll: Nebraska’s Brad Ashford Leads in GOP District.” Roll Call, September 21. 2016.
https://rollcall.com/2016/09/21/internal-poll-nebraskas-brad-ashford-leads-in-gop-district/.
Congressional Leadership Fund. “CLF Launches Two Ads: ‘Lost’ and ‘Fast and Loose’ Against Brad Ashford.” November 1, 2016.
https://congressionalleadershipfund.org/clf-launches-two-ads-lost-fast-loose-brad-ashford/.
Don Bacon. “Setting the Record Straight: Social Security & Medicare.” LinkedIn Pulse. October 19, 2016.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/letter-my-fellow-nebraskans-don-bacon.
Kiernan Park-Egan. Atlas of U.S. Presidential Election Results by Congressional District (interactive ArcGIS Instant App map), maintained on Google Sites. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/minimalist/index.html?appid=fa9c111d9beb4ce3a6f4c684d 59bdfce. Based on project hosted at
https://sites.google.com/view/presidentialbycongressionaldis/election-results.
“Nebraska U.S. House 2nd District Results: Don Bacon Wins.” The New York Times, August 1, 2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/nebraska-house-district-2-ashford-bacon.
Pat Flood (Air Force colleague and deputy chief of staff to Don). Interview with author, December 1, 2025.
Zapotosky, Matt. “Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Third Travel Ban.” The Washington Post, October 17, 2017.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/federal-judge-blocks-trumps-third-travel-ban/2017/10/17/e73293fc-ae90-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html.
Colliver, Victoria. “Republicans Face Anger over Obamacare Repeal during Town Halls.” POLITICO, February 4, 2017.
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/republicans-obamacare-repeal-town-halls-234651.
Problem Solvers Caucus. “Caucus Members.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
http://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/caucus-members.
Problem Solvers Caucus. “About.” Accessed February 2, 2026.
http://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/about.
Panetta, Jimmy, Don Bacon, Chrissy Houlahan, and Michael Waltz. “Opinion | Veterans Can Restore Trust in Congress. That’s Why We Created a New Caucus.” The Washington Post, March 19, 2019.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/veterans-can-restore-trust-in-congress-thats-why-we-created-a-new-caucus/2019/03/19/f5b88cd4-4a5b-11e9-b79a-961983b7e0cd_story.html.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (CHIP IN).” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.cfm.va.gov/realproperty/CHIP_IN.asp.
Morton, Joseph. “Obama Signs Law for $136 Million VA Facility in Omaha.” Omaha World- Herald, December 19, 2016.
https://omaha.com/livewellnebraska/article_dadfb57a-b790-5b91-b63b-7f3af2ff9e96.html.
U.S. House of Representatives. CHIP IN for Vets Act of 2016, H.R. 5099, 114th Cong. (2016). Introduced April 28, 2016.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5099.
White House, Office of the Press Secretary. “Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 710, H.R. 875, H.R. 960, H.R. 1150, H.R. 2726, H.R. 3218, H.R. 3784, H.R. 3842, H.R. 4352, H.R. 4465, H.R. 4618, H.R. 4680, H.R. 4887, H.R. 4939, H.R. 5015, H.R. 5065, H.R. 5099, H.R. 5150.” December 16, 2016.
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/12/16/statement-press-secretary-hr-710-hr-875-hr-960-hr-1150-hr-2726-hr-3218.
“Bacon Endorsed by Former Rival, Democrat Brad Ashford.” Associated Press. October 8, 2020.
https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-brad-ashford-b9c9bc1d1214559b6cef2f9afc6c6073.
Keval Sojitara (congressional staffer for Don). Interview with author, February 6, 2025.
Fitch, Bradford. “The Best Bosses in an Unusual Work Environment: Capitol Hill.” The Fulcrum, July 10, 2024.
https://thefulcrum.us/ethics-leadership/best-bosses-in-congress.
Martin, Jonathan, and Maggie Haberman. “Fear and Loyalty: How Donald Trump Took Over the Republican Party.” The New York Times, December 21, 2019.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/21/us/politics/trump-impeachment-republicans.html.
Isenstadt, Alex, and Kevin Robillard. “Flake Announces Retirement as He Denounces Trump.” POLITICO, October 24, 2017.
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/24/flake-retiring-after-2018-244114.
Alafriz, Olivia. “Trump Knocks Bitter Enemy Romney as the Senator Lays out Plans to Retire.” POLITICO, September 13, 2023.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/13/trump-celebrates-romneys-2024-retirement-announcement-00115697.
Martin, Jonathan. “Liz Cheney Is Defeated by Trump-Backed Harriet Hageman in Wyoming.” The New York Times, August 16, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/16/us/politics/harriet-hageman-liz-cheney-wyoming.html.
Mutnick, Ally, Olivia Beavers, and Quint Forgey. “Kinzinger Retiring from Congress, Vows ‘Broader Fight Nationwide’ Against Trumpism.” October 29, 2021.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/29/rep-adam-kinzinger-wont-seek-reelection-next-year-517599.
Vockrodt, Steve. “Rep. Don Bacon on Jan. 6 Storming of Capitol: “What Happened That Day Was Wrong.” Nebraska Public Media, January 6, 2022.
https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/rep-don-bacon-on-jan-6-storming-of-capitol-what-happened-that-day-was-wrong/.
Stevens, Harry, et al. “How Members of Congress Voted on Counting the Electoral College Vote.” Washington Post, January 7, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2021/politics/congress-electoral-college-count-tracker/.
Mastre, Brian. “Nebraska Congressman Bacon Defends Vote to Create Jan. 6 Commission.” WOWT, May 20, 2021.
https://www.wowt.com/2021/05/20/nebraska-congressman-bacon-defends-vote-to-create-jan-6-commission/.
U.S. House of Representatives. Office of the Clerk. “Roll Call Vote No. 369 on H.R. 3684, 117th Cong., 1st sess.” November 2021.
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2021369.
U.S. House of Representatives. Office of the Clerk. “Roll Call Vote No. 513 on H.R. 8404, 117th Cong., 2nd sess.” December 2022.
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022513.
U.S. House of Representatives. Respect for Marriage Act, H.R. 8404, 117th Cong. (2022). Introduced July 18, 2022.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8404.
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Interview with author, February 7, 2025.
U.S. Representative Don Bacon. “Rep. Don Bacon ‘Mad as Hell,’ Questions DoD Leadership at HASC Hearing on Afghanistan.” YouTube video, October 1, 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjAkj4l76A4.
Rahman, Khaleda. “Trump Urges Primary Fights Against GOP ‘RINOs, Sellouts, and Known Losers.’” Newsweek, November 14, 2021.
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-urges-primary-campaigns-against-gop-rinos-sellouts-known-losers-1649038.
Greenwood, Max. “Trump Again Asks for GOP Challenger to Bacon.” The Hill, January 3, 2022.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/588048-trump-again-asks-for-gop-challenger-to-bacon/.
Sanderford, Aaron. “Rep. Bacon Draws GOP Challenger Who Moonlights as Darth Vader.” Nebraska Examiner, February 9, 2022.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/09/bacon-draws-gop-challenger-who-moonlights-as-darth-vader/.
Sanderford, Aaron. “Bacon Loses Lone GOP Primary Challenger, Gains Another in Omaha-Area House Race Nebraska Examiner, February 28, 2022.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/28/bacon-loses-lone-gop-primary-challenger-gains-another-in-omaha-area-house-race/.
Sanderford, Aaron. “Trump Rallies for Herbster, Defends Fortenberry and Attacks Bacon, Sasse Nebraska Examiner, May 1, 2022.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/01/trump-rallies-for-herbster-defends-fortenberry-and-attacks-bacon-sasse/.
Trump, Donald J. “Remarks at a ‘Save America’ Rally in Greenwood, Nebraska.” May 21, 2022. American Presidency Project.
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-save-america-rally-greenwood-nebraska.
Tully-Mcmanus, Katherine. “The Looming Leadership Shakeup.” POLITICO, November 7, 2022.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/huddle/2022/11/07/the-looming-leadership-shakeup-00065343.
Carney, Jordan. “What Headwinds? Dems Still Trying to Cook Don Bacon in Nebraska.” POLITICO, November 6, 2022.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/06/don-bacon-nebraska-democrats-midterms-00065253.
“Nebraska Second Congressional District Primary Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated May 13, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/05/10/us/elections/results-nebraska-us-house-district-2.html.
“Nebraska Second Congressional District Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated December 5, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-nebraska-us-house-district-2.html.
Karni, Annie. “McCarthy Wins Speakership on 15th Vote After Concessions to Hard Right.” The New York Times, January 6, 2023.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/06/us/politics/house-speaker-vote-mccarthy.html.
Mascaro, Lisa, and Farnoush Amiri. “Speaker McCarthy Ousted in Historic House Vote, as Scramble Begins for a Republican Leader.” Associated Press. October 3, 2023.
https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555.
Murphy, Joe, and Catherine Allen. “How Long Was the House without a Speaker?” NBC News, October 13, 2023.
https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/speaker-of-the-house-time-tracker-rcna120179.
Wong, Scott, Sahil Kapur, Rebecca Kaplan, and Ryan Nobles “Republicans Nominate Scalise as next Speaker, But a Fight Still Remains.” NBC News, October 11, 2023.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/scalise-jordan-republicans-nominate-speaker-rcna119452.
Mascaro, Lisa, Kevin Freking, and Farnoush Amiri. “Republicans Nominate Jim Jordan for House Speaker, Putting Job within the Trump Ally’s Reach.” Associated Press, October 13, 2023.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/republicans-nominate-jim-jordan-for-house-speaker-putting-job-within-the-trump-allys-reach.
Wong, Scott, Garrett Haake, Sahil Kapur, and Kristen Welker. “Hardball Tactics by Jim Jordan Allies Backfiring in House Speaker’s Race.” NBC News, October 18, 2023.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/hardball-tactics-jim-jordan-allies-backfiring-house-speakers-race-rcna121121.
Mark Dreiling (Don campaign manager and chief of staff). Communication with author, January 7, 2026.
“Listen: Terrifying Voicemail Left for GOP Lawmaker’s Wife over Jim Jordan Vote. CNN, October 19, 2023.
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/10/19/tapper-voicemail-threat-phone-call-jim-jordan-vpx.cnn.
Washington Post. “Jim Jordan Loses First Speaker Vote – 10/17 (Full Live Stream).” YouTube video, October 17, 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTP0M9Yc4tw.
Weiss, Laura, Mary Ellen McIntire, and Aidan Quigley. “Jordan Falls Short on Speaker Election First Ballot.” Roll Call, October 17, 2023.
https://rollcall.com/2023/10/17/jordan-falls-short-on-speaker-election-first-ballot/.
Don Bacon (then Congressman for Nebraska’s Second District). Communication with author, December 5, 2025.
Mascaro, Lisa, Farnoush Amiri, Stephen Groves, and Kevin Freking. “House Republicans Drop Jim Jordan as Their Nominee for Speaker, Stumbling Back to Square One.” Associated Press. October 20, 2023.
https://apnews.com/article/speaker-jordan-republican-mchenry-2e32f930b4fb83a4fcae2171c9e1c055.
Foran, Clare, Haley Talbot, Sam Fossum, Morgan Rimmer, and Kristin Wilson. “Trump Ally Mike Johnson Elected House Speaker Three Weeks after McCarthy Ouster.” CNN, October 25, 2023.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/25/politics/house-speaker-vote-republicans.
Bade, Rachael. “Revenge of the Squishes.” POLITICO, October 18, 2023.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/18/jim-jordan-centrist-rebellion-house-speaker-00122171.
Sarpy County Republican Party. Resolution of Censure for Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon. April 4, 2024.
https://htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/bacon-censure-resolution-adopted-4-4-2024-6611aef619688.pdf.
Sanderford, Aaron. “Douglas County GOP Central Committee Flips Endorsements to Dan Frei and John Glen Weaver. Nebraska Examiner, April 24, 2024.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/24/douglas-county-gop-central-committee-flips-endorsements-to-dan-frei-and-john-glen-weaver/.
Arena, Kassidy. “District 2 Republican candidates earn several opposing endorsements.” Nebraska Public Media, April 22, 2024.
https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/es/news/news-articles/district-2-republican-candidates-earn-several-opposing-endorsements/.
Sanderford, Aaron. “Nebraska GOP Fight with Delegation Spills Over into Its Endorsements.” Nebraska Examiner, January 27, 2024.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/27/nebraska-gop-fight-with-delegation-spills-over-into-its-endorsements/.
Sanderford, Aaron. “Bacon Pushes Back on County GOP Endorsement Talk with Some of His Own.” Nebraska Examiner, April 22, 2024.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/22/bacon-pushes-back-on-county-gop-endorsement-talk-with-some-of-his-own/.
Hutzler, Alexandra. “Trump Takes Dark Rhetoric to New Level in Final Weeks of 2024 Campaign: Analysis.” ABC News, September 30, 2024.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-takes-dark-rhetoric-new-level-final-weeks/story?id=114360594.
Seitz-Wald, Alex, and Megan Lebowitz. “Kamala Harris Calls Trump a ‘Fascist’ as She Argues He’s ‘Dangerous’ and Unfit for Office.” NBC News, October 23, 2024.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/kamala-harris-calls-trump-fascist-argues-dangerous-unfit-office-rcna176713.
Sanderford, Aaron. “Bacon Tells Partisans He Will Back Trump If Former President Wins GOP Nomination.” Nebraska Examiner, January 24, 2024.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/24/bacon-tells-partisans-he-will-back-trump-if-former-president-wins-gop-nomination/.
“Nebraska 2nd Congressional District Primary Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated June 13, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/14/us/elections/results-nebraska-us-house-2-primary.html.
Trump, Donald J. (@realDonaldTrump). “Congressman Don Bacon is a tremendous advocate…” Truth Social, September 17, 2024, 9:06 p.m.
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113155874104220001.
“Nebraska Second District Presidential Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated December 5, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-nebraska-president-district-2.html.
“Nebraska Second Congressional District Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated December 2, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-nebraska-us-house-2.html.
Karni, Annie. “Breaking With Trump, Bacon Says He Won’t Follow His Party ‘Off the Cliff.’” The New York Times, June 8, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/politics/breaking-with-trump-bacon-says-he-wont-follow-his-party-off-the-cliff.html.
Aitken, Peter. “Lone Republican Votes against Bill Renaming Gulf of Mexico.” Newsweek, May 8, 2025.
https://www.newsweek.com/lone-republican-votes-bill-renaming-gulf-mexico-2069712.
Bacon, Don. “Opinion: I’m a Midwestern Republican. Gutting AmeriCorps Hurts America.” The Washington Post, May 1, 2025.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/05/01/americorps-musk-service/.
Hauslohner, Abigail. “In Pro-Military Nebraska, a Lawmaker’s Stand over Hegseth Tests the GOP.” The Washington Post, May 19, 2025.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/19/don-bacon-pete-hegseth-signalgate/.
Goldberg, Jeffrey. “The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans.” The Atlantic, March 24, 2025.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-administration-accidentally-texted-me-its-war-plans/682151/.
Schifrin, Nick, and Dan Sagalyn. “Hegseth’s Signal Chat Put U.S. Personnel at Risk, Pentagon Watchdog Finds.” PBS News, December 3, 2025.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/hegseths-signal-chat-put-u-s-personnel-at-risk-pentagon-watchdog-finds.
Bade, Rachael. “‘An Amateur Person’: GOP Rep. Bacon Says Hegseth Should Go.” April 21, 2025.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/21/don-bacon-recommends-firing-hegseth-00301057.
Keenan, Jack. “Rep. Don Bacon Shares Takeaways from First Visit to Ukraine.” KETV, September 20, 2024.
https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-congressman-don-bacon-ukraine-visit-takeaways/62302817.
Groves, Stephen, and Mary Clare Jalonick. “To Pass Ukraine Aid, ‘Reagan Republican’ Leaders in Congress Navigated a Party Transformed by Trump.” Associated Press. April 24, 2024.
https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-aid-congress-republicans-trump-johnson-mcconnell-4cb76cfdefc38f35c1bda2ac8915b179.
Liptak, Kevin, Jeff Zeleny, Kaitlan Collins, and Kit Maher. “Trump, Vance Castigate Zelensky in Tense Oval Office Meeting.” CNN, February 28, 2025.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/politics/trump-zelensky-vance-oval-office.
Pelley, Scott. “Alliance between the U.S. and Ukraine Shaken after Trump-Zelenskyy Clash.” CBS News, March 2, 2025.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-ukraine-alliance-shaken-after-trump-zelenskyy-clash-60-minutes-transcript/.
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump). “H.R. MCMASTER IS A WEAK AND TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE LOSER!” Truth Social, March 2, 2025, 9:19 PM.
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114096103832487629.
Liewer, Steve. “Don Bacon is ‘man in the wilderness’ as GOP critic of Donald Trump on Ukraine.” Omaha World-Herald. March 16, 2025.
https://omaha.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_6158774e-0039-11f0-ab34-43cf876cfb60.html
Kennedy, John F. Profiles in Courage. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006.
Page 174.
Office of U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. “Bacon to Retire at End of 119th Congress.” June 30, 2025.
https://bacon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2709.
Baker, Peter, Simon J. Levien, and Michael Gold. “Shooting at Trump Rally Comes at Volatile Time in American History.” The New York Times, July 14, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/14/us/politics/trump-assassination-attempt-wounded.html.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota. “Vance Boelter Indicted for the Murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the Shootings of John and Yvette Hoffman, and the Attempted Shooting of Hope Hoffman.” July 15, 2025.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/vance-boelter-indicted-murders-melissa-and-mark-hortman-shootings-john-and-yvette-0.
“Rep. Don Bacon Won’t Seek Reelection in 2026, Citing Desire for Family Time.” KMTV, June 27, 2025.
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/nebraska-congressman-don-bacon-wont-seek-re-election-according-to-reports.
Shane III, Leo. “Military Quality of Life a Key Focus of Congress in 2024.” Military Times, December 29, 2023.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2023/12/29/military-quality-of-life-a-key-focus-of-congress-in-2024/.
GovTrack.us. “Congressional Report Cards, 2024.” Accessed January 2026.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2024.
Center for Effective Lawmaking. “Highlights from the New 117th Congress Legislative Effectiveness Scores.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://thelawmakers.org/legislative-effectiveness-scores/highlights-from-the-new-117th-congress-legislative-effectiveness-scores. Center for Effective Lawmaking. “Highlights from the New 118th Congress Legislative Effectiveness Scores.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://thelawmakers.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/118th_highlights_FINAL_03_24_2025.pdf.
Salinas II, Juan. “Another Democrat Joins Nebraska’s 2nd District U.S. House Primary.” Nebraska Examiner, September 18, 2025.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/18/another-democrat-joins-nebraskas-2nd-district-u-s-house-primary/.
Salinas II, Juan. “Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom Running for Congress in Nebraska’s 2nd District.” Nebraska Examiner, July 7, 2025.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/?p=31451.
Hilu, Charles. “Is Don Bacon a ‘Rebel Republican’?” The Dispatch, April 15, 2025.
https://thedispatch.com/article/is-don-bacon-a-rebel-republican/.
Crampton, Liz. “Spanberger Is Poised to Win Big in Virginia. But National Democrats Could Drag Her Down.” POLITICO, June 1, 2025.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/01/spanberger-va-opening-00377093.
Nieto-Munoz, Sophie. “Democrat Holds 8-Point Lead in NJ Governor’s Race, New Poll Says.” New Jersey Monitor. September 17, 2025.
https://newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/democrat-holds-8-point-lead-in-nj-governors-race-new-poll-says/.
Mellman, Mark. “Trump Has Gone Too Far — and Americans Are Noticing.” The Hill, April 2, 2025.
https://thehill.com/opinion/5227009-trump-executive-orders/.
Don Bacon (@DonJBacon). “70% of Americans agree with me on this. Why don’t you go back to Siberia.” X (formerly Twitter), January 14, 2026, 10:12 PM.
https://x.com/DonJBacon/status/2011637513513803974?s=20
Oleszek, Mark J. Discharge Procedure in the House. CRS Report R45920. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, January 26, 2023.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45920.
Hill, Meredith Lee, and Mia McCarthy. “Frustrated Republicans Move to Force Obamacare Vote as Warnings Mount about the Midterms.” POLITICO, December 10, 2025.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/10/frustrated-republicans-move-to-force-obamacare-vote-as-warnings-mount-about-the-midterms-00685423.
Ortiz, Aimee, Hannah Ziegler, and Yan Zhuang. “What We Know About Maduro’s Capture and the Fallout.” The New York Times, January 3, 2026.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/world/americas/venezuela-maduro-capture-trump.html.
Office of U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. “Bacon Issues Statement on Venezuela Strikes and Capture of Nicolás Maduro.” January 2026.
https://bacon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2844.
Rogerson, Riley. “Will Congress Stand Up for Itself This Year? Some Republicans Hope So.” NOTUS, January 5, 2026.
https://www.notus.org/congress/congressional-authority-war-powers-discharge-petitions-trump.
Office of Congressman Don Bacon. “Bacon, Gallego, Murkowski, and Khanna Introduce Sense of Congress Affirming the United States’ Partnership with Denmark and Greenland.” January 15, 2026.
https://bacon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2850.
Doody, Ben. “Rep. Don Bacon Says House Could Impeach Trump If U.S. Invades Greenland.” Omaha World-Herald, January 14, 2026.
https://omaha.com/news/local/government-politics/article_bdf0d63a-d6e8-43b5-bb3e-086928a8edfe.html.
Back to top

Chapter 10: Congressman Jared Golden

Jared Golden (then Representative from Maine’s Second District). Interview with author, June 4, 2025.
“Marine Pfc. Daniel B. McClenney.” Military Times. Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-pfc-daniel-b-mcclenney/262999.
Collins, Steve. “Jared Golden: From Combat to Candidate for Congress.” Lewiston Sun Journal, September 9, 2018.
https://www.sunjournal.com/2018/09/09/jared-golden-from-combat-to-candidate-for-congress/.
Jared Golden (then Representative from Maine’s Second District). Interview with author, July 22, 2025.
Joe and Jeanine Golden (Jared’s parents). Interview with author, July 10, 2025.
JC Knight (Marine infantryman with Jared). Interview with author, July 9, 2025.
Carlson, Genevieve. “Public Ivy Schools and Little Ivies.” BestColleges, July 9, 2025.
https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/public-ivy-schools-and-little-ivies/.
Long, Robert. “Susan Collins Joins Intelligence Committee, Leaves Homeland Security in New Assignments.” Bangor Daily News, January 3, 2013.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2013/01/03/news/susan-collins-joins-intelligence-committee-leaves-homeland-security-in-new-assignments/.
LaFlamme, Mark. “Sen. Margaret Craven, 6-Term Democrat from Lewiston, Announces Retirement.” Bangor Daily News, February 13, 2014.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2014/02/13/politics/sen-craven-announces-her-retirement/.
“Rep. Nate Libby Announces Candidacy for Senate District 21.” Maine Progressives Warehouse, February 17, 2014.
https://maineprogressiveswarehouse.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/rep-nate-libby-announces-candidacy-for-senate-district-21/.
“Maine House District 60.” Lewiston Sun Journal, October 28, 2014.
https://www.sunjournal.com/2014/10/28/maine-house-district-60/.
Dumain, Emma, and Emily Cahn, “Why 3 House Republicans Voted Against Repealing Obamacare.” Roll Call, February 3, 2015.
https://rollcall.com/2015/02/03/why-3-house-republicans-voted-against-repealing-obamacare-updated/.
“Rep. Bruce Poliquin Votes for Republican Health Care Bill.” Associated Press, May 4, 2017.
https://apnews.com/general-news-2bfbbed546e84d43a6b01d695142105c.
Office of Senator Susan Collins. “Sen. Collins’ Statement on Health Care Vote.” July 27, 2017.
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/sen-collins-statement-health-care-vote.
Naylor, Brian. “This Maine District Went For Obama, Then Trump. Now It’s A Toss-Up.” GBH, October 31, 2018.
https://www.wgbh.org/news/national/2018-10-31/this-maine-district-went-for-obama-then-trump-now-its-a-toss-up.
Ferris, Sarah. “The Former Marine Who Holds Democrats’ Trumpiest District.” POLITICO, May 11, 2021.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/11/jared-golden-maine-democrats-trump-486559.
Pathé, Simone. “Maine’s Bruce Poliquin Loses in Ranked-Choice Voting.” Roll Call, November 15, 2018.
https://rollcall.com/2018/11/15/maines-bruce-poliquin-loses-in-ranked-choice-voting/.
Wright, Patty. “Golden Wins Democratic Nomination For Second Congressional District Seat.” Maine Public, June 21, 2018.
https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2018-06-21/golden-wins-democratic-nomination-for-second-congressional-district-seat.
Collins, Steve. “New Attack Ad in Heated 2nd District Race Takes Jared Golden to Task for His Tattoos.” The Portland Press Herald, August 27, 2018.
https://www.pressherald.com/2018/08/27/republican-tv-ad-targeting-poliquins-democratic-opponent-focuses-on-his-tattoos/.
Miller, Kevin. “Guns Emerge as Top Issue in 2nd Congressional District Race.” Maine Public, October 29, 2024.
https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2024-10-29/guns-emerge-as-top-issue-in-2nd-congressional-district-race.
Seelye, Katharine Q. “Maine Adopts Ranked-Choice Voting. What Is It, and How Will It Work?” The New York Times, December 3, 2016.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/03/us/maine-ranked-choice-voting.html.
Mistler, Steve and Domenico Montanaro. “Ranked-Choice Voting Delivers Democrats A House Seat.” NPR, November 15, 2018.
https://www.npr.org/2018/11/15/668296045/ranked-choice-voting-delivers-another-victory-to-house-democrats.
Mistler, Steve. “Bruce Poliquin Concedes 2nd District Race To Jared Golden.” Maine Public, December 26, 2018.
https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2018-12-26/bruce-poliquin-concedes-2nd-district-race-to-jared-golden.
“Gov. Paul LePage Writes ‘Stolen Election’ As He Signs Off On Maine’s First Ranked Choice Vote.” CBS Boston, December 28, 2018.
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/maine-ranked-choice-election-governor-paul-lepage-stolen-election/.
Mistler, Steve. “Golden Wins Nation’s First Ranked-Choice Voting Runoff For A Congressional Seat.” Maine Public, November 15, 2018.
https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2018-11-15/golden-wins-nations-first-ranked-choice-voting-runoff-for-a-congressional-seat.
Berman, Russell. “The Democrat Who’s Not That Worried About Trump.” The Atlantic, September 4, 2024.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/09/jared-golden-maine-trump-harris/679698/.
Weil, Gordon L. “Jared Golden, an Unusual Democrat, in Crucial Rerun of His 2018 Race against Bruce Poliquin.” The Maine Monitor, May 22, 2022.
https://themainemonitor.org/jared-golden-an-unusual-democrat-in-crucial-rerun-of-his-2018-race-against-bruce-poliquin/.
“New Rep. Golden of Maine Votes against Pelosi for Speaker.” Associated Press, January 3, 2019.
https://apnews.com/5bac043f592344be8d2f00ebc98ae70b.
Office of Representative Jared Golden. “Golden’s Bill to Restore Federal Workers’ Collective Bargaining Rights Passes House in Bipartisan 231–195 Vote.” December 11, 2025.
https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-s-bill-to-restore-federal-workers-collective-bargaining-rights-passes-house-in-bipartisan-231-195-vote.
Office of Representative Jared Golden. “Golden Statement on the 53rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade.” January 22, 2026.
https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-the-53rd-anniversary-of-roe-v-wade.
Office of Representative Jared Golden. “Golden Votes to Protect LGBTQ Mainers, Helps Pass Equality Act.” February 25, 2021.
https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-protect-lgbtq-mainers-helps-pass-equality-act.
The Lugar Center. “Bipartisan Index.” Accessed January 31, 2026.
https://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-Bipartisan-Index.html.
Shear, Michael D. “White House Tried to ‘Lock Down’ Ukraine Call Records, Whistle-Blower Says.” The New York Times, September 26, 2019.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/whistleblower-complaint-released.html.
Whittle, Patrick. “Jared Golden on Splitting His Impeachment Vote: ‘I Voted My Heart.’” Associated Press, December 19, 2019.
https://www.pressherald.com/2019/12/19/jared-golden-on-splitting-his-impeachment-vote-i-voted-by-heart/.
Office of Representative Jared Golden. “Golden Statement on Vote Against Nearly $1.9 Trillion Legislative Package.” March 10, 2021.
http://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-vote-against-nearly-19-trillion-legislative-package.
Leary, Matt. “Jared Golden Casts Lone Democratic Vote Against Pandemic Relief Package.” Maine Public, March 10, 2021.
https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2021-03-10/jared-golden-casts-lone-democratic-vote-against-pandemic-relief-package.
Office of Jared Golden. “Golden Statement on H.R. 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.” March 3, 2021.
http://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-hr-1280-george-floyd-justice-policing-act.
Office of Jared Golden. “Golden Announces Opposition to Biden Administration Move to Forgive Student Debt for Borrowers Making up to $125,000.” August 24, 2022.
http://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-announces-opposition-to-biden-administration-move-to-forgive-student-debt-for-borrowers-making-up-to-125000.
Golden, Jared. “Jared Golden: Build Back Better Bill Needs More Work to Get My Vote.” Centralmaine.com, October 7, 2021.
https://www.centralmaine.com/2021/10/07/jared-golden-build-back-better-bill-needs-more-work-to-get-my-vote/.
Jared Golden (then Representative for Maine’s Second District). Communication with author, January 11, 2026.
Golden, Jared. “Why I’m Voting Yes Today for the Inflation Reduction Act.” Medium, August 12, 2022.
https://repgolden.medium.com/why-im-voting-yes-today-for-the-inflation-reduction-act-1a777b4be126.
Duggan, Emma, and Andrew Rice. “Police Identify 2 AR-Style Rifles, Handgun as Weapons Linked to Lewiston Mass Shooting.” The Portland Press Herald, October 30, 2023.
https://www.pressherald.com/2023/10/30/state-police-identify-1-of-3-guns-linked-to-lewiston-shootings/.
Bleiberg, Jake, Patrick Whittle, Holly Ramer, and David Sharp. “Lewiston Seeks Answers, Begins Healing Journey after Mass Shooting Suspect Is Found Dead.” Associated Press, October 28, 2023.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/lewiston-seeks-answers-begins-healing-journey-after-mass-shooting-suspect-is-found-dead.
Helsel, Phil, and Dennis Romero. “Lewiston Mass Shooting Suspect Found Dead in Maine, Officials Say.” NBC News, October 27, 2023.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suspect-maine-mass-shooting-dead-senior-law-enforcement-sources-say-rcna122409.
Bidgood, Jess. “How the Lewiston Mass Shooting Changed Rep. Golden’s Mind on Assault Weapons.” The Boston Globe, October 28, 2023.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/28/nation/mass-shooting-changed-congressmans-mind-assault-weapons-will-it-change-his-state/
Golden, Jared. “Dear Mainer.” Dear Mainer, Substack newsletter, October 29, 2023.
https://jaredgolden.substack.com/p/dear-mainer.
Lippman, David. “Yes, Maine Has High Gun Ownership, Low Firearm Death Rate.” WUSA9, October 26, 2023.
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/verify/maine-has-high-gun-ownership-low-firearm-death-rate-fact-check-2023/65-8055a657-30ee-420a-8c60-4a6115d3ab19.
Collins, Steve. “Jared Golden Opposes Democratic Bid to Expand Gun Background Checks.” Lewiston Sun Journal, February 26, 2019.
https://www.sunjournal.com/2019/02/26/jared-golden-opposes-democratic-bid-to-expand-gun-background-checks/.
Office of Jared Golden. “Golden Statement on Votes Against House Firearm Legislation.” March 11, 2021.
http://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-votes-against-house-firearm-legislation.
“Jared Golden Votes against Bill Banning Certain Semi Automatic Weapons.” Bangor Daily News, July 30, 2022.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2022/07/30/news/nation/jared-golden-semi-automatic-gun-ban-vote/.
Ganley, Shaun. “Rep. Golden Calls on Congress to Ban Assault Rifles.” WMTW, October 27, 2023.
https://www.wmtw.com/article/how-president-biden-maines-us-senators-are-responding-to-mass-shootings/45656300.
Shepherd, Michael. “Jared Golden Opposes Janet Mills’ Gun Reform Package.” Bangor Daily News, February 23, 2024.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/02/23/politics/state-politics/jared-golden-against-janet-mills-gun-reform-joam40zk0w/.
Shepherd, Michael. “Austin Theriault Wins NRA’s Endorsement after Jared Golden’s Gun Shift.” Bangor Daily News, September 9, 2024.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/09/09/politics/elections/austin-theriault-wins-nra-endorsement-joam40zk0w/.
Poulin, Craig. “Opinion: Jared Golden Was Brave to Change His Mind on Assault Weapons after Lewiston Shooting.” Bangor Daily News, October 17, 2024.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/10/17/opinion/opinion-contributor/jared-golden-was-brave-to-change-his-mind-on-assault-weapons-after-lewiston-shooting/.
O’Hara, Frank. “Maine Compass: Rep. Jared Golden Makes Courageous Stand on Guns.” Centralmaine.com, October 31, 2023.
https://www.centralmaine.com/2023/10/31/maine-compass-rep-jared-golden-makes-courageous-stand-on-guns/.
“Maine Second Congressional District Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated December 10, 2022.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-maine-us-house-district-2.html.
“Maine Election Results.” The New York Times, last updated December 30, 2024.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-maine.html.
Office of Jared Golden. “Golden Statement on Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Rule Vote.” November 6, 2021.
http://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-passage-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill-rule-vote.
Office of Jared Golden. “Accomplishments.” Office of Representative Jared Golden, Accessed February 1, 2026.
http://golden.house.gov/accomplishments-0.
Jared Golden (then Representative for Maine’s Second District). Communication with author, Jan 6, 2026.
Jared Golden (then Representative for Maine’s Second District). Interview with author, November 25, 2025.
Hirschkorn, Phil. “Prosecutor: Mainer Kyle Fitzsimons Used Bow as a Spear to Assault Officer during Capitol Riot.” WMTW, August 16, 2022.
https://www.wmtw.com/article/kyle-fitzsimons-trail-day-1/40912608.
Alfaro, Mariana, and Marianna Sotomayor. “Maine Democrat Won’t Run Again for House, Blames Threats, Toxic Politics.” The Washington Post, November 5, 2025.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/05/jared-golden-reelection-2026-maine/.
Roarty, Alex. “Matt Dunlap Launches Primary against Moderate Jared Golden.” In The Maine Monitor. October 6, 2025.
https://www.notus.org/2026-election/maine-state-auditor-matt-dunlap-primary-challenge-jared-golden
Yee, Curtis, Michael Warren, Nell Clark, and Sam Burdette. “Longest Government Shutdown in US History Ends after 43 Days, as Trump Signs Funding Bill.” Associated Press, November 12, 2025.
https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-11-12-2025.
Solender, Andrew. “House Democrat Rages against His Own Party on the Government Shutdown.” Axios, October 1, 2025.
https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-democrats-jared-golden.
Walsh, Joe. “Democrats Win Key Governor’s Races in New Jersey and Virginia as Party Tries to Snap Its Post-Trump Slump.” CBS News, November 5, 2025.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sherrill-spanberger-ciattarelli-earle-sears-virginia-new-jersey-governor-trump/.
Golden, Jared. “Jared Golden: I Won’t Seek Reelection. Here’s Why.” Bangor Daily News, November 5, 2025.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/05/opinion/opinion-contributor/jared-golden-why-i-wont-seek-reelection-column/.
Micaela, Daniella. “Post Quoting NRCC Spokesperson on Jared Golden’s Exit.” X (formerly Twitter), November 5, 2025.
https://x.com/DaniellaMicaela/status/1986167142509613419
Gonzales, Nathan L. “Maine 2: Open Seat Shifts Toward Republicans.” Inside Elections, November 5, 2025.
https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/maine-2-open-seat-shifts-toward-republicans.
Track AIPAC (@TrackAIPAC). “Jared Golden is an Israel First genocide enabler. Good riddance.” X (formerly Twitter), November 5, 2025, 6:15 PM.
https://x.com/TrackAIPAC/status/1986210865927135314?s=20.
Auchincloss, Jake. “With Jared Golden’s Exit, a Wake-up Call for Democrats.” The Boston Globe. November 10, 2025.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/10/opinion/jared-golden-maine-blue-dog-democrats-congress/.
“Not Invited to the Party Primary: Independent Voters and the Problem with Closed Primaries.” Unite America Institute. February 2024.
https://www.uniteamericainstitute.org/research/not-invited-to-the-party-primary-independent-voters-and-the-problem-with-closed-primaries.
Office of Representative Jared Golden. “Golden Leads Bipartisan Group in Bold Fight for Election Reform and Integrity.” July 26, 2024.
http://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-leads-bipartisan-group-in-bold-fight-for-election-reform-integrity.
Wang, Jackie. “They’re Ready to Leave Congress. But First, They Have New Year’s Plans.” Roll Call, December 17, 2025.
https://rollcall.com/2025/12/17/leaving-congress-but-first-new-years-resolutions/.
Back to top

Epilogue

Stone, Oliver. Platoon. Screenplay. Accessed February 3, 2026.
https://archive.org/details/PlatoonScreenplayByOliverStone.
Eric M Campbell. “The Only Thing That Can Kill Barnes Is Barnes.” YouTube video, August 4, 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vntVLVmO7B8.
Diamond, Jared. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Peter Bell, “Public Trust in Government: 1958-2025,” Pew Research Center, December 4, 2025.
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/12/04/public-trust-in-government-1958-2025/.
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University, 2025.
https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/reports/files/Harvard_JCHS_The_State_of_the_Nations_Housing_2025.pdf.
Thornton, Miquéla V. “Americans Are More Worried About Health-Care Costs Than Gas or Groceries.” Bloomberg.Com, January 29, 2026.
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