Letters from an American

Heather Cox Richardson
  • 4.9 (6K)
  • Politics
  • Updated Daily

Heather Cox Richardson's narrated newsletter about the history behind today's politics. heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

  1. The MOU Ignites a Firestorm

    6h ago

    The MOU Ignites a Firestorm

    June 17, 2026 The details of the 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran are revealed, It has a lot of firm language, most of it seemingly granting Iran everything it wanted, The MOU commits the US and its “allies” to stop military operations on all fronts, The US will terminate sanctions against Iran and lift the blockade of Iranian ports, Iran will use “best efforts” to support safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Language suggesting Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon does not include a process to enforce the promise, The war against Iran has cost lives and treasure for the US, Iran, and other countries around the world, Iran is claiming victory, while the US has come away with nothing, Trump seems prepared to blame J. D. Vance if the MOU doesn't work out, MAGA supporters of the Iran War are furious about the "deal," Trump dines at Versailles, and, in an awkward historical twist, signs the MOU while there. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    12 min
  2. Covering Up

    1d ago

    Covering Up

    June 16, 2026 Only 16% of Americans think the UFC Fight at the White House was appropriate, Kash Patel announces that the FBI had foiled a plot to attack the UFC fight, seemingly rushing to announce information that the Secret Service did not plan to leak, The Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are launching an investigation into Patel’s alleged misuses of FBI funds, A case against the Broadview Six, Chicago protestors charged with interfering with federal agents, has fallen apart, A similar charge is being leveled in Minnesota, claiming that 15 protesters conspired to impede or injure federal offers during the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, Details of Trump’s “deal” with Iran are emerging, and it appears that sanctions will be waived to allow oil sales, although the administration is trying to explain this away, The White House has approved millions of dollars of taxpayer money to pay for Trump’s ballroom, and that seems to have been the intention from the start. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson  Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    10 min
  3. Testing the Limits

    2d ago

    Testing the Limits

    Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min
  4. One of the Highest Moral Lessons

    3d ago

    One of the Highest Moral Lessons

    June 14, 2026 On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army, The Battles of Lexington and Concord had made it clear that the British government endangered American liberties, Congress then named Virginia planter George Washington as its commander-in-chief, Defending the country without creating a military that could be used to repress the people was a challenge, The army was overlooked by Congress and funds were not available for food or supplies for the militiamen encamped at Valley Forge, PA, When France signed a treaty with the American states in February 1778, they lent money, material, and men to the cause of American independence, The Treaty of Paris formally ended the war in September 1783, and Congress disbanded the army, Washington stepped aside from military leadership, addressing Congress in December, Painter John Trumbull called his retirement one of the highest moral lessons ever given to the world.   Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    10 min
  5. A Trump Stunt

    4d ago

    A Trump Stunt

    June 13, 2026 The head of the Kennedy Center certified to the court that the Center and its board have complied with the order to remove Trump’s name from the building,  They have not removed the tarp installed over the Center's portico, The Kennedy Center spokesperson said that the board was evaluating legal options, UFC fighters held a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial in advance of the cage fight planned for the White House on Trump’s birthday, The fighters were given the US military’s highest ceremonial formation as they walked down the steps of the Memorial, Stunts were performed on the South Lawn of the White House, Trump posted multiple images of himself on social media, The UFC fighters will enter the ring from the Oval Office and the whole thing will be carried live - for a fee.  Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min
  6. Unlawful Government Action

    5d ago

    Unlawful Government Action

    June 12, 2026 Today was the deadline for removing Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center, The DOJ asked for a stay, but Judge Christopher Cooper ruled against them, The Kennedy Center board then filed an emergency appeal, alleging that the board would strip all funding unless Trump’s name remains on the building, The Washington National Opera has filed a suit claiming they are owed $17 million of the money Trump says now belongs to the Kennedy Center, Trump has seized funds appropriated for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Federal agencies and the UFC are putting at least $60 million toward the White House cage fight scheduled for Trump’s 80th birthday, Trump brags about the gilding of the horse sculptures by the Lincoln Memorial, The sculptures and Trump's proposed arch echo Victor Orbán’s use of architecture and memorials as symbols, Before day's end, the appeals court denied the motion to stay the removal of Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center and the removal was underway overnight. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    11 min
  7. Signs of Frustration

    5d ago

    Signs of Frustration

    June 11, 2026 Trump began the day threatening to strike Iran and to take Kharg Island, Trump has not gotten congressional approval for continuing action in Iran, Fox News hosts are urging Trump to increase US military involvement in Iran, claiming a decisive win will be swift, Trump compares Iran to Venezuela, The US appears to be controlling Venezuela’s oil exports, but there is no transparency around the arrangement and Democrats have sent a formal request for an audit, The mood at the White House is reported to be angry and Trump is pushing his demands for military funding, the passage of the SAVE America Act, and installation of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, Republicans joined Democrats to reject a measure to extend FISA, Then Trump pulled back, reversing the plan to strike Iran, and nominating Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    14 min
  8. Trying to Rewrite the Story

    Jun 11

    Trying to Rewrite the Story

    June 10, 2026 Inflation in May hit its highest level since early 2023, Trump seems unconcerned - revising the story by suggesting that the hit to the economy was strategic, Trump is also rewriting the history of the war that he started in Iran, Reporters in the NY Times have brought Jeffrey Epstein back into the news, suggesting panic in the White House, JD Vance has pressed to have Tim Walz and Keith Ellison of Minnesota investigated for fraud, An Iranian drone downed a US helicopter, Tump has launched new airstrikes against Iran, Oil prices jumped with the news of the strikes, Trump is pressuring the Republicans to provide additional funding for the military and to pass the SAVE American bill. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ- Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    12 min
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About

Heather Cox Richardson's narrated newsletter about the history behind today's politics. heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Heather Cox Richardson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    800
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Heather Cox Richardson
  • Show Website
    Letters from an American

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