Blessings and Freedoms to Truly Celebrate

Good morning!

America knows how to throw a party. This past weekend’s 250th anniversary saw ceremonies in all 50 states. New York’s harbor filled with a parade of sailing ships past the Statue of Liberty, Chicago lit up its Navy Pier, and Washington attempted the largest fireworks display in history: more than 850,000 pyrotechnic effects launched from 10 sites along the National Mall.

[BRIEF]

• There were challenges: Record triple-digit heat canceled parades in Philadelphia and Hartford; storms delayed Trump’s National Mall address by four hours and forced a mid-evening evacuation. Americans waited it out anyway.

It was refreshing to see God receive some credit for America’s blessings, and to see sincere gratitude. President Trump issued an inspiring proclamation celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He concluded:

Above all, we give thanks to Almighty God for His abundant blessings upon our land, praising Him without ceasing for the grace that has guided us through every trial and triumph.

In his speeches at Mount Rushmore Friday night and in D.C. Saturday night, President Trump thanked God repeatedly for America’s existence. He also gave an unapologetic account of how historically unique the nation’s blessings are:

At 250 years, America is the oldest republic on Earth. We are the freest people on Earth. We have the most righteous and enduring constitution on Earth. … And by the grace of God, the United States of America is the most successful, most accomplished, most exceptional nation ever to exist in human history. … As we give thanks for these extraordinary blessings, we remember that what we have created in this country is not the natural way of the world. It is not the norm. It is the exception. It is rare, it is priceless, and it is truly miraculous.

He did say “what we have created.” He tends to credit Americans for our national greatness even more than the God who truly gave us these exceptional blessings.

Still, it’s a stirring change from the dark, perverse view of American history that had been taking over before he entered politics.

• Just look at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s awful speech marking America’s 250th, condemning the nation for every sin past and present, mostly imagined.

It’s a stark reminder of how, as Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has showed, God saw America’s affliction and, as He once did for ancient Israel under King Jeroboam ii, decided to save this nation, temporarily, through Donald Trump.

• That is an act of mercy and generosity God has shown this country since its founding: prosperity, freedom of religion and speech, a Constitution built to restrain tyranny.
• That is the real headline this 250th.

The freedoms and blessings America has enjoyed, and still do, are ultimately not just for one people. They are the kinds of freedoms God wants and intends for people worldwide. They give us a foretaste of the World Tomorrow, prophesied plainly in Scripture.

I encourage you to read “Manifest Destiny,” from our newest Trumpet print edition. It beautifully describes these blessings not as a golden age for one nation, but for all people. The freedoms Americans just spent a weekend celebrating foreshadow the kind of liberty and abundance God intends for every nation on Earth, not just this one—the gifts He will bring the world once Christ returns to rule directly from Jerusalem.

Ex-Comptroller: $40 Trillion Debt Will Crush America

Former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker is warning that America’s nearly $40 trillion national debt could trigger a global depression if leaders fail to act. In an interview last week on Just the News, No Noise, Walker called for a constitutional amendment to limit federal debt as a percentage of the economy:

One of the things that we clearly have to have is we need a constitutional amendment, because only a constitutional amendment can bind the Congress to return to fiscal sanity and sustainability.

Walker, who served as comptroller general from 1998 to 2008, said Bill Clinton was America’s last fiscally responsible president. He noted that federal spending spiraled out of control after 2003.

America’s debt-to-gdp ratio now stands at 123 percent, and 19 percent of all federal tax revenue goes just to pay interest on the debt.

• Because the debt is growing two to three times faster than the economy, these numbers will get much worse unless the country changes course.

Walker outlined three concrete actions he believes President Donald Trump should take:

• Publicly endorse a constitutional amendment to limit debt as a percentage of the economy.
• Make clear he has no objection to states suing Congress for failing to control spending.
• Support the Fiscal Commission Act to create a bipartisan commission on fiscal reform.

Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again,” so allowing the debt to grow faster than the economy indefinitely is sinful. America needs a system where federal debt as a percentage of the economy is limited and politicians have concrete plans to pay back their loans. If the nation does not adopt such a system, the debt-to-gdp ratio will keep increasing until the nation declares bankruptcy.

Lithuanian Politicians Agree to Host Nukes

On Thursday, President Gitanas Nausėda announced that Lithuania’s political leaders had reached a “practically unanimous” agreement to end the country’s constitutional ban on nuclear weapons.

• The constitution also prohibits foreign military bases, yet Germany is stationing 5,000 troops in Rukla and Vilnius and is constructing a base in Rūdninkai, Lithuania.

As nato members, we have the right, the duty, and the desire to be full and equal members of nato. The primary means of deterrence is nuclear deterrence.
—Juozas Olekas, Lithuanian parliament speaker

Mushroom clouds on the horizon: The U.S. is discussing stationing more nuclear warheads in countries on nato’s eastern flank, the Financial Times reported in June.

• France has offered an alternative in which it guarantees nuclear protection to other European countries.
• Due to its proximity to Russia, Lithuania is a prime candidate for both, which triggered talks to end the ban.

The weapons that can erase humanity from Earth are once again in high demand. But while some hope to use them as deterrence, the Bible reveals that others will use them for world domination.

In World War ii, Lithuania sided with Germany, celebrated its advances, and joined the persecution and mass murder of Jews. Last year it welcomed Germany’s first foreign permanent military base since the Nazi regime. Could Lithuania’s quest for nukes assist Germany’s military ambitions once again?

In “Lithuania in Prophecy,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote:

Many people know nothing about Lithuania; they couldn’t even identify it on a map. Almost no one is paying attention, but some crucial, consequential history is repeating itself before our eyes in this little East European country.

History is repeating itself, but this time, even more than the 60 million lives lost in World War ii are at risk. For the first time in history, nuclear war makes the destruction of all mankind possible, as Jesus Christ warned in Matthew 24.

German Military Is Growing—But Not Fast Enough for Trump

German defense spending is booming, but it may still not be enough for President Donald Trump. Several recent stories highlight this massive turning point in Germany:

• Germany plans to borrow over $232 billion next year, according to a draft budget seen by Reuters. In the last year of the last government, it borrowed $57.7 billion. Military spending is the main reason for the explosion.
• German drone start-up Quantum Systems raised $1.2 billion in fresh funding on Thursday. Financial markets valued the company at around $8 billion. Last year, it was worth just $1 billion.
• Germany announced plans for another Arrow 3 missile defense site. This high-tech ballistic missile shield protects just two countries: Israel, its inventor, and Germany. Germany’s first battery is stationed near Berlin; this new one will be in Bavaria. It’s a step up for Germany’s military abilities and a powerful symbol of how much Israel trusts and empowers Germany.

Yet President Trump still seems disappointed with Germany’s military commitments.

• “The United States spends more money on nato than any other country, by far, to protect them,” he posted on Truth Social, complaining that Germany’s spending was “much lower” than America’s from 2014 to 2025.

He’s right, and European nations in nato could show much more gratitude for America’s protection over the past 77 years. But it also doesn’t account for the massive turnaround Germany has made.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded:

Germany is doubling its defense budget within four years. This is the greatest efforts we have ever made to strengthen our defense capabilities. In this respect, we have no reason to shy away from anyone.

President Trump’s post shows he is pushing Germany to rearm even faster.

Tomorrow, nato members will meet for a summit in Turkey, where President Trump will push for even more military spending.

“U.S. President Donald Trump keeps pushing Germany to rearm. It is as if he knows nothing about Germany’s history,” Mr. Flurry wrote last year. “World War ii ended only 80 years ago; that is rather recent history.” And yet the push continues. For where it will lead, see our article “Decades of Warnings About Germany.”

IN OTHER NEWS

Russia and China sharpen swords together: China’s secret training of Russian military forces last year was personally authorized by President Vladimir Putin’s defense minister and carried out with direct involvement of at least four senior generals from both nations, Reuters reported July 1. The training was intended to advance Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and helps lay the groundwork for deeper Russia-China military cooperation that biblical prophecy says will shake the world.

Ayatollah Ali Khamanei’s funeral began Friday and is still ongoing, with thousands of supporters in a funeral procession as of this morning. Further ceremonies are expected in the coming days in the Shiite holy city of Qom as well as holy sites in Iraq, before Khamenei is buried in Mashhad, the largest pilgrimage site in Iran.

UAE is likely aiding the DRC: The United Arab Emirates is likely giving military aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Critical Threats reported Thursday. The drc is in the midst of war and is looking for helpers. Growing Emirati support matches the trend that started mid-2025 when the two began signing mineral deals. The uae is pouring money into wars across Africa to increase its influence. Further involvement in the drc could intensify the power struggle.

The United States will stop supporting Somalia’s anti-terrorist mission next year, Reuters reported Thursday. Cited documents show the U.S. plans to disallow the United Nations from supporting the campaign, which is led by the Africa Union. The mission, including nearly 12,000 soldiers, has been essential to Somalia’s fight against terrorist group al-Shabaab. According to the Africa Union Commission, the decision carries “significant implications for the logistical sustainment, operational posture and financing of the mission.” It could help Iran gain control of this geographically vital nation.