‘Putin chose this war’

Like most Americans, at RAM, we're following with great concern the grave developments in Ukraine. We stand firmly on the side of democracy—and against autocracy, lawlessness, and belligerence, which threaten democracy everywhere. The events in Ukraine highlight the urgency of our mission here at home. Democracy worldwide is only as strong as it is in the U.S. Authoritarian thugs like Vladimir Putin feel empowered when our domestic divisions keep us mired in nonsense and diminish our national resolve. Debates over how best to respond to Putin’s aggression are fair; sympathizing with Putin to score cheap political points is not only weak, it's dangerous and un-American. This is a time for unity and purpose. We are proud to support the Renewers in Congress who understand that charge and resolutely defend democracy at home and abroad. —Olivia Troye, Chief Strategy Officer, Renew America Movement 

• Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to be first Black woman to sit on Supreme Court —CNN

• Three officers found guilty on federal charges in George Floyd’s killing —NBC News

• Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe to announce resignation, report says —2 News Oklahoma

• An effort to boot Madison Cawthorn off the ballot hit the skids on procedural grounds, thanks to redistricting —Politico

• CDC to loosen coronavirus mask guidelines as soon as Friday —The Washington Post

‘The fate of Ukraine depends only on Ukrainians’

On the day Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine, including heavy shelling in its capital city of Kyiv, Ukrainians stood firm. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “No one but ourselves will control our lives. We are on our land. The truth is on our side. It will not be possible to destroy our character.” With most of the Western world on its side, as well as some Russians, who protested Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the former Soviet republic, Ukraine's military stopped Russian invasion troops “in most directions” despite renewed missile strikes this morning, according to Zelensky. “The fights continue," he said. “Russia expects us to get tired, but we're not tired.” —Insider

• NATO responds. NATO leaders agreed today to immediately deploy elements of the alliance’s emergency military forces, adding troops and firepower to bolster defenses along its Eastern front. The unprecedented deployment is meant to deter Russia from moving beyond Ukraine and attacking NATO members—and to prepare forces to respond quickly should an attack occur. —Defense One

• Paying the piper. In the U.S., lawmakers sought to put politics aside in recognition of Putin’s indefensible act and its threat to the world order. With bipartisan encouragement, President Biden is expected to impose sanctions today on Russia, Putin himself, and his inner circle, aimed at imposing severe costs on the Russian economy. The latest round of sanctions are in addition to those previously imposed by the U.S. and its NATO allies earlier this week. —CNN

• Despicable. From social media to cable television to far-right podcasts, some Republicans—including Donald Trump—and conservative commentators defended Putin’s actions or outright praised the dictator. Russian disinformation lapped up and spread by anti-democracy forces in the West—accusations that Ukraine is the aggressor, is developing nuclear weapons, or is violating its borders—has reprehensibly helped Putin gain some moral support in the U.S. —ABC News

• What are the Renewers saying? Calling for harsh sanctions, Rep. Abigail Spanberger said, “We must be united in condemning Putin’s war, an act of aggression that serves only the irrational self-interest of one man.” Rep. Andy Kim said, “Today we must put politics aside, unite as a country and a globe against this despicable act of war. Must be unequivocal in standing with Ukrainian people. No one can take Putin’s side.” Rep. Josh Gottheimer added, “Putin must, and will, be met with strong and united opposition by the U.S. and our democratic allies.” Rep. Jared Golden was more specific, saying, “The Biden Administration should make clear that America will ensure Ukrainians have the resources they need to fight for their freedom.” And Rep. Elissa Slotkin challenged her colleagues in Congress: “We need to finalize a package of sanctions, grease the skids for more military aid to Ukraine, and make clear that, despite our differences, reasonable Democrats and Republicans are united in condemning Russia’s unwarranted aggression.” —Politico

MORE: Daniel Treisman: Putin isn't likely to stop here —CNN

Taylor: Russia has invaded the U.S., too 

“Whether or not Trump runs again, Moscow is gaining sustained influence over one of the two major U.S. political parties, a reality which poses a clear and present danger not just to NATO and Europe but to the United States itself. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to a country that hacks U.S. networks, invades Western allies, compromises American elections, steals national security secrets, poisons dissidents, gases civilians, and might even be using microwave devices to fry the brains of American diplomats, spies, and public officials, myself included. Let’s just call it what it is. The Russian propaganda invasion of the United States isn’t a conspiracy theory. It’s a full-blown crisis.” —Miles Taylor on Medium

Miles Taylor is the co-founder and executive director of the Renew America Movement and the former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security.

MORE: Fareed Zakaria: Putin is invading Ukraine because it’s a liberal democracy —The Washington Post

Lau: What about China?

“[T]he Chinese are happy to issue vague pro-Kremlin statements, slamming NATO and Washington, while grumbling about Western aggression and the dangers of new Cold War faultlines. But the fundamental geopolitical dynamics underlying Putin’s invasion of Ukraine are anathema to sovereignty-obsessed Beijing. The idea that a minority area or ethnic group could simply claim independence and be recognized by a sympathetic nuclear superpower is China’s nightmare, given that it is perennially worried about dissent in regions such as Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong. This is not the way Beijing wants international diplomacy to be conducted.” —Stuart Lau in Politico

Stuart Lau writes Politico’s “China Direct” newsletter exploring Europe’s diplomatic and commercial relationship with China. 

MORE: Is Taiwan vulnerable after Putin's Ukraine invasion? —The Atlantic

More trouble for Trump

The case against Donald Trump in Manhattan may be in doubt, but he faces a new investigation in Congress for taking 15 boxes of White House records to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida after leaving office last year. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform has requested documents from the National Archives and Records Administration related to the ex-president’s handling of White House records, including sensitive and even classified information. The panel will determine if Trump violated federal records laws and “determine what additional steps, including potential legislative reforms, may be needed to ensure the preservation of presidential records for the American people,” according to Rep. Carolyn Maloney, chair of the committee. —Associated Press

MORE: Lynn Schmidt: American presidents' history of historic preservation —St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Baggiano: Gerrymandering hinders freedom of speech

“Government officials who gerrymander deprive the public of the right and privilege to determine for itself what votes—what speech—and which voters—which speakers—are worthy of consideration in our election processes. When state government representatives gerrymander, they arrogate to themselves the right to predetermine for the public the worth of certain classes of voters in their states, on the basis of political party affiliation, race, ethnicity, wealth, etc. By design, gerrymandering devalues the worth of some voters and their votes in favor of other voters and their votes. Such ‘state action’ abridges the disfavored voters’ political expression, as solemnized in their ballots, in violation of the First Amendment’s free speech clause.” —Maurice Baggiano in Times Union

Maurice Baggiano is a legal author and member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.

MORE: North Carolina court imposes new district map, eliminating GOP edge —The New York Times

Felice: Can we restore trust in the government, democracy, and each other?

“Too many Americans now do not trust each other and consider the opposing political party ‘the enemy’ to be defeated at all cost. Too many now believe that when the opposition party wins an election it is the result of fraud. Our country is filled with attempts to overturn elections, block basic voting rights, and suppress votes. These ongoing attacks on American democracy undermine the welfare and security of our country.” —William Felice in Tampa Bay Times

William Felice is professor emeritus of political science at Eckerd College and the author of six books on human rights and international relations. 

MORE: Democracy declined worldwide in 2021, report finds —U.S. News & World Report

This month’s read is: “Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson” by Geoffrey C. Ward

If you love a good story about breaking barriers, “Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson” by Geoffrey C. Ward is for you! This month’s TL read came recommended, and it did not disappoint. Ward grabs the reader by the hand and brings them back in time to the height of the Jim Crow era, re-creating the story of the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson.

Nicknamed the Galveston Giant, Johnson came up as a boxer through sheer perseverance, and in 1908, he won the world title in boxing—a title usually reserved for white boxers. Throughout the book, Ward brings Johnson back to life and shares an unforgettable story of how the Galveston Giant changed the world of boxing because he wasn’t one to back down from a fight. I officially call this read a total knockout! —Mary Anna Mancuso, Renew America Movement National Spokeswoman

Have you read this? Share your thoughts with me on Twitter @MaryAnnaMancuso

Want to purchase this book? Click here.

Have a suggestion for our next monthly read? Send it my way: [email protected]

As I watch Russia barrel into Ukraine, leaving in its wake death, destruction, and fear, I can’t help but think of Ronald Reagan. The Gipper wasn’t perfect. I wasn’t fond of a lot of his economic policies. But he knew who the bad guys on the world stage were, and he wasn’t afraid to let them know it, and to let them know that America stands with the good guys. No matter what.

I can’t imagine what he would think of his Republican Party today, when GOP electeds and candidates, conservative media pundits, and others openly praise Vladimir Putin and defend this invasion (while at the same time blaming Joe Biden for it, which makes no sense at all). Like Reagan, Biden has his faults too, but at least we know where he stands, and so does the rest of the world. Thank God he is in office and not the former president at a time like this. I pray that he makes wise decisions on our behalf and in defense of the Ukrainian people. —Carole L., New York

The views expressed in "What's Your Take?" are submitted by readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff, the Renew America Movement, or the Stand Up Republic Foundation.