Email from Kansas Republican Party Kansas and National Political News, Opinions and a Few Giggles, too!       DEFENDING KANSAS SAVING AMERICA   DONATE VOLUNTEER   Trump47 Cabinet Takes Shape Key Cabinet and Advisor Picks President-elect Donald Trump has begun building his Cabinet and senior staff as he prepares to take office for a second term in January. This process involves filling leadership roles across 15 government agencies, appointing senior staff, and nominating individuals for positions that require Senate confirmation. Here’s a detailed overview of his selections so far: Cabinet Picks • Secretary of State: Marco Rubio Rubio, a sitting United Ststes Senator from Florida, known for his strong stances on China and Iran, is Trump’s choice for top diplomat, marking a dramatic turn from their rivalry during the 2016 GOP primaries. • Attorney General: Pam Bondi Former Florida Attorney General, Bondi is a staunch Trump ally, and has been tapped to lead the Justice Department with a focus on ending “weaponized government” and restoring public trust. Her appointment comes after Matt Gaetz suddenly withdrew his name from consideration. • Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth Hegseth, a former Fox News commentator and U.S. Army veteran, has been tapped to rebuild the United States Armed Forces by reshaping military policies and addressing diversity initiatives within the military. • Energy Secretary: Chris Wright CEO of Liberty Energy, Wright will also serve on a newly created Council of National Energy alongside Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for Interior Secretary. • Homeland Security Secretary: Kristi Noem The current South Dakota Governor, Noem will oversee immigration enforcement and border security in Trump’s second term. • Health and Human Services Secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Kennedy family, a prominent symbol of the Democrat dynasty of yesteryear, now plays a pivotal role in the Trump Cabinet. Fearless and unwavering, Kennedy stands at the human health forefront as a long-time, assertive critic of vaccines and processed foods, and as a dedicated environmental lawyer. His appointment in Trump’s administration is a harbinger of bi-partisan teamwork and the decisive and necessary overhaul of public health agencies that is long overdue. • Interior Secretary: Doug Burgum North Dakota Governor Burgum is committed to boosting U.S. oil production and achieving true energy independence. He will collaborate closely with the U.S. Energy Secretary to expedite oil leases and significantly increase drilling for oil and natural gas on public lands. This initiative is focused on preserving natural resources while positioning America as a leading net-energy exporter. • Transportation Secretary: Sean Duffy Former Congressman and television personality, Duffy will boldly address transportation policy and infrastructure development forward in a reasonable, appropriate and deliberatively cautious. • Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard The former Democratic Congresswoman and Iraq War veteran will lead intelligence operations, emphasizing a welcome break from party norms and fresh experienced eye on age-old challenges. • CIA Director: John Ratcliffe The former Director of National Intelligence returns to lead the CIA, focusing on transparency and public trust. Rebuilding the trust of the American people is paramount. It will take a lot of polishing to get the tarnish off the brand, but Ratcliffe is perfect for the job. • Environmental Protection Agency Director: Lee Zeldin Former New York Congressman Zeldin is expected to spearhead efforts to roll back environmental regulations and ease the bureaucratic red-tape nonsense. • FCC Chair: Brendan Carr FCC Commissioner Carr is set to take bold action by eliminating diversity and equity initiatives in telecommunications. Significant changes are on the horizon at the FCC. Prepare for the liberals to howl and wail as these reforms unfold. • United Nations Ambassador: Elise Stefanik Stefanik, a staunch Trump ally and New York Congresswoman, will boldly represent the U.S. at the United Nations. The world is on notice: a strong America is back. • Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee Former Arkansas Governor Huckabee takes on a key role during a critical period in U.S.-Israel relations. • Commerce Secretary: Howard Lutnick The CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald will manage trade and tariff policies central to Trump’s economic agenda. • Education Secretary: Linda McMahon The former SBA leader will boldly prioritize expanding school choice and parental engagement and involvement in education policy and classroom basics. • Veterans Affairs Secretary: Doug Collins Former Georgia Congressman and Air Force veteran Collins will lead overdue and necessary reforms at the VA. Notable Senior Staff Appointments • White House Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles Wiles becomes the first woman to hold this position, bringing extensive campaign experience to the role and a reputation for making the trains run on time. She is perfect for this role. • Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy: Stephen Miller Miller will continue crafting and forging Trump’s immigration policies to secure our borders and stem the torrent of illegal aliens strolling into America. • National Security Adviser: Mike Waltz The Florida Congressman and Green Beret veteran will guide U.S. foreign policy and military strategy. • Border Czar: Tom Homan Former ICE Director Homan will intensify immigration enforcement and border security measures. America’s borders will be closed and illegal aliens will be deported. Count on it. • White House Counsel: Bill McGinley McGinley will play a key role in legal strategies, focusing on election integrity and regulatory rollbacks. • Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy Musk and Ramaswamy will lead the difficult but fruitful efforts to shrink overall government, cut government spending and reduce regulations. Government contraction and cost saving measures are to always be the first thought. Summary President-elect Trump’s appointments reflect a mix of political loyalty and policy expertise, signaling a second term focused on conservative priorities, deregulation, and a hardline approach to governance. The confirmation process for these nominations is expected to be closely watched. America is back. America First. Always, America First.   Mike Brown, Chairman Kansas Republican Party Mike Brown has served as the Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party since February 2023. A 6th generation Kansan, Mike is a General Contractor in the Kansas City area and has been involved in Kansas Republican Party politics for nearly three decades. Mike and his wife, Kristi, have five grown children and live in Overland Park.     Bitcoin Explained: Kansas's Opportunity to Address National Debt and Secure Economic Future ~ by Thad Snider Dear Citizens and Leaders of Kansas, A Brief History of Bitcoin Bitcoin, created in 2009 by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, emerged in response to the financial crisis as a decentralized alternative to traditional monetary systems. The first ever Bitcoin transaction took place in 2010 when 10,000 bitcoins were traded for two pizzas, marking the beginning of Bitcoin's journey from an obscure digital token to a recognized asset class. Since then, Bitcoin has experienced significant fluctuations but has shown remarkable resilience, gaining acceptance from institutions, governments, and investors worldwide. Its growth has been paralleled by a community of developers, miners, and users committed to its vision of a financial system free from central control. What is Bitcoin and How Does it Work? Bitcoin is a digital currency that operates on a blockchain technology, which is essentially a distributed ledger enforced by a network of computers (nodes). Every transaction is publicly recorded but anonymized, providing both transparency and privacy. Here’s how it works in simple terms: • Transactions are broadcast to the network, verified by nodes, and collected into blocks • Mining involves solving complex mathematical problems to add these blocks to the blockchain, which not only records transactions but also mints new bitcoins as a reward, controlling inflation. This process is secured by cryptography, making Bitcoin transactions secure and irreversible The Benefits of Bitcoin as a Store of Value and Currency • Scarcity: With only 21 million bitcoins ever to be created, it has a set limit for distribution unlike other commodities (like gold) where more can be mined as needed or as demand dictates. • Decentralization: No single entity controls Bitcoin, limiting the risk of manipulation or seizure. • Global Accessibility: Anyone with internet access can use Bitcoin, promoting financial inclusion. • Protection Against Inflation: Its fixed supply makes it an inflation hedge, as its value cannot be diluted by excessive printing like fiat currencies. The US Dollar has declined in purchasing power by 96.4% since the inception of the Federal Reserve and the fiat banking system. Bitcoin vs. Other Cryptocurrencies vs. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) • Bitcoin is decentralized, with no single entity controlling it, offering privacy and resistance to censorship. Its proof-of-work consensus mechanism requires significant energy, providing network security. • Other Cryptocurrencies can vary widely. Some offer faster transactions or adopt different consensus mechanisms like proof-of-stake, which might be less energy-intensive but can centralize control. They range from closely following Bitcoin's model to introducing novel features, but many lack Bitcoin's security through hash power and widespread adoption. • Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are digital forms of a country's fiat currency issued by its central bank. Unlike Bitcoin, CBDCs are centralized, potentially allowing for direct control over transactions by governments or banks, including the ability to enforce negative interest rates or restrict spending, which raises privacy and freedom concerns. The Growing Threat of National Debt Our national debt will soon surpass $36 trillion, an amount that has seen exponential growth, especially in the last decades. This isn't just a number; it's a ticking time bomb for our economy and national security. Here's why: • Interest Payments: The interest on this debt is projected to exceed the defense budget in the coming years. Imagine, our nation might soon spend more on servicing debt than on defending our nation. This financial load not only strains our budget but also weakens our strategic position on the global stage. • Inflation's Role: As evidenced by the past 4 years, expansion of national debt often leads to inflation, as governments might print more money to cover deficits, devaluing the currency and increasing the cost of living for everyone. • Economic Vulnerability: High debt levels can make the economy vulnerable to shocks, reducing our ability to respond to crises or invest in future growth. Bitcoin: A Solution to the Debt Dilemma Bitcoin, born out of the 2008 Financial Crisis with its inception in 2009, wasn't just created to be another currency; it was designed to counteract the very economic vulnerabilities we now face: • Capped Supply: With only 21 million bitcoins to ever be mined, it offers a hedge against the inflationary pressures that come with increasing national debt. • Value Preservation: As fiat currencies lose value due to inflation, Bitcoin has historically shown potential to increase in value, providing a mechanism to preserve wealth over time. Bitcoin's Role in National and State Financial Strategy: • Hedge Against Inflation: By holding Bitcoin, both state and federal treasuries could protect against the erosion of purchasing power that inflation brings. For Kansas, this means safeguarding our state's financial reserves against the devaluation trend of the dollar. • Paying Down Debt: If Bitcoin were adopted as a treasury reserve asset, its potential for appreciation could be leveraged to generate revenue without taxing citizens further. Here's how: • Revenue Through Appreciation: As Bitcoin's value potentially rises, selling a portion could provide funds to pay down debt, reducing interest payments and freeing up budget for essential services or defense. • Encouraging Innovation: By embracing Bitcoin, Kansas could follow the lead of other states like Texas, Wyoming and Tennessee by fostering a tech-savvy environment and attracting blockchain businesses, which could contribute to the economy, indirectly helping with debt reduction through increased tax revenues from new industries. Corporate Success Stories: • MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Bet: Since adopting Bitcoin as a primary treasury reserve asset in 2020, MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, has seen its stock price surge over 900%. This bold strategy has not only protected the company's cash reserves from inflation but also significantly enhanced shareholder value, proving the viability of Bitcoin as a hedge and as a proof of concept for mass adoption by countries, states, companies and financial institutions. Bitcoin ETFs: A Testament to Mainstream Adoption The growth of Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) has been remarkable: • Unprecedented Growth: Bitcoin ETFs have seen inflows that surpass many traditional ETFs, indicating a strong institutional and retail investor interest in Bitcoin as a legitimate investment asset. In just 11 months, Bitcoin ETF’s have accumulated $80+ Billion whereas Gold ETF’s have $126+ Billion and have been around since November of 2004. • Institutional Endorsement: Major financial institutions are now offering Bitcoin-related financial products, reflecting a broader acceptance in the financial sector of Bitcoin's role in modern portfolios. Pension Funds Allocating to Bitcoin • Michigan's Initiative: The State of Michigan Pension Fund's decision to invest in Bitcoin ETFs is a pioneering move, suggesting that other pensions might follow suit, recognizing Bitcoin not only for its risk but also for its potential rewards. • Future Trends: This action could set a precedent, encouraging other pension funds to allocate a portion of their portfolios to cryptocurrencies for diversification and as an inflation hedge. International and Domestic Precedents: • El Salvador's Experiment: By adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, El Salvador not only aimed at financial inclusion but also at generating revenue through Bitcoin's potential growth, showcasing a real-world example of using cryptocurrency for national economic benefits. El Salvador also uses geothermal energy from its volcanoes to mine Bitcoin which monetizes their natural resources. • State Initiatives: Pennsylvania's House recently proposed to allocate 10% of its treasury to Bitcoin reflects a growing acknowledgment of its utility in financial strategy (FoxBusiness). Bitcoin, Energy, and Grid Stability: • Monetizing Excess Energy: Bitcoin mining can use excess renewable energy, providing an economic incentive and actual practical application for green energy development that isn’t reliant on state and federal subsidies to survive. This not only supports environmental goals but also stabilizes energy grids by providing a flexible load that can be adjusted based on energy availability. • Texas's Example: During recent winter storms, Bitcoin miners in Texas demonstrated how they could act as a buffer for the grid, preventing blackouts by scaling down operations when power was needed elsewhere, showcasing how Bitcoin mining can be integrated into energy management strategies (Satoshi Action Fund). Bitcoin as a Tool for National Security • Economic Independence: As suggested by Jason Lowrey in "SoftWar", Bitcoin could be seen as a 21st-century tool for financial sovereignty, reducing reliance on potentially adversarial foreign holders of U.S. debt. • Cybersecurity: The network's security through mining's energy consumption makes Bitcoin an asset in digital warfare, protecting against cyber threats that could otherwise destabilize our economic infrastructure. Support from Political Figures • Tennessee Senator Cynthia Lummis has been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin, recognizing its potential in both state and federal financial strategies. Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced her bill regarding Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset on July 31, 2024. • President Donald Trump has embraced Senator Lummis’s idea and made a campaign promise to acquire 1,000,000 Bitcoin to address national debt, which, while not fully detailed, signals a shift in political perception towards Bitcoin. Conclusion: Why Kansas Should Lead The adoption of Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset isn't just about following a trend; it's about strategic foresight. For Kansas, this means: • Economic Resilience: Protecting against inflation and potentially paying down state debt through Bitcoin's value appreciation. • Innovation Hub: Becoming a beacon for blockchain technology and renewable energy integration, drawing in investment and talent. • National Security: Contributing to a broader strategy of financial independence and cybersecurity at both state and national levels. The Satoshi Action Fund has already written legislation that it has open-sourced that Kansas legislators can use as a template for drafting a legal framework for Bitcoin adoption. Ignoring Bitcoin's potential could mean missing out on a significant tool for economic stabilization and growth. By embracing Bitcoin, Kansas could not only safeguard its own financial future but also play a pivotal role in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time: the national debt. Kansas should be on the forefront of this financial revolution and not just watch from the sidelines; let's lead in the new digital economy.     Thoughts from RNC Chairman Michael Whatley     Washington, D.C. Presidential Inauguration Ticket Request Form To request tickets for the Presidential Inauguration of Donald J. Trump, the 47th President of the United States CLICK HERE. The ceremony will occur on the West steps of the United States Capitol overlooking entire mall, across the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. 2025 60th Presidential Inauguration January 20, 2025 Swearing-In Ceremony (12 pm ET): The president-elect and vice president-elect will take the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol, located at the east end of the National Mall. The ceremony will be broadcast and livestreamed on numerous media outlets worldwide. Pass In Review: A long-standing inaugural tradition, the Pass In Review allows our military to recognize their new commander-in-chief. Presidential Escort (after 3 pm ET): The newly sworn-in president will be escorted from 15th Street to the White House on park land. Every branch of the U.S. military will be respresented in the escort, which will include performances by military bands. Weather: January weather in Washington, DC is similar to winter weather of Kansas. It may be nice or it may be snowy and/or frigid. Plan and dress accordingly as this event is outdoors with a million or so of your closest friends! 🇺🇸 🌻 Please Note: 1. By requesting an inauguration ticket you are not guaranteed a ticket(s). We do not know at this time how many tickets will be made available to KSGOP and make no representation or guarantee about tickets. 2. A separate form must be filled out for each persons individual request. 3. The KSGOP is not hosting an inauguration ball and we have no inside track to get tickets. Everyone is on their own for tickets to balls. 4. Hotel rooms are filling up fast and the price per night is very expensive. Keep in mind that a cheaper room further away may not end up being cheaper if you’re stuck in traffic and miss events! 5. When tickets become available to KSGOP we will notify those who will receive inauguration tickets and make arrangements for delivery. Make America Great Again!         2024 November 28 Thanksgiving Day December 1 Last Day to Submit KSGOP Loyalty Clause Complaints CLICK HERE December 24 Christmas Eve December 25 Christmas Day December 31 New Years Eve 2025 January 1 New Years Day January 20 Martin Luther King Day Presidential Swearing-In January 29 Kansas Day February 2 Groundhog Day February 3 National Carott Cake Day (Chairman Brown’s Favorite!) February 17 Presidents Day May 26 Memorial Day June 19 Juneteenth July 4 United States of America Independence Day October 13 Columbus Day November 11 Veterans Day November 27 Thanksgiving Day December 24 Christmas Eve December 25 Christmas Day December 31 New Year’s Eve Republican Standing Meetings Anderson County Republican Party Last Thursday every month 6 p.m. Garnett Pizza Hut 405 N. Maple Garnett, KS Wyandotte County Republican Party Last Tuesday every month 6:30 - 8 p.m. Harrington Event Center 218 Oak Street Bonner Springs, KS 66012 Wyandotte County Women’s GOP Second Tuesday every month 6:30 - 8 p.m. Harrington Event Center 218 Oak Street Bonner Springs, KS 66012     “Together, we will lead the Republican party back to the White House and we will lead our country back to safety, prosperity and peace.” ~ Donald Trump 45th President of the United States     ABOUT US | NEWS | TAKE ACTION | STORE   The Friday File Newsletter is published weekly and has a circulation of nearly 40,000. All product, communication and content of The Friday File is the exclusive and sole property of the publisher. All rights reserved. Paid for by the Kansas Republican Party, Inc. Mike Brown, Chairman Alan Townsend, Treasurer Not authorized or paid for by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Not created or paid for at public expense.     Kansas Republican Party, Inc. | P.O. 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