global 4.6
September 22, 2026 · Newsletter
John Rutherford is a coward.
Last week there was a firehose of terrifying and shocking news stories surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI):
An AI safety researcher claimed major AI labs like Anthropic and OpenAI are “gambling with our lives” and the people building this tech believe it could kill all humans by the end of the decade. [1]
An AI “hallucination” almost triggered an armed conflict between the United States and China when a U.S. intelligence report — generated with the help of an AI chatbot — falsely claimed a Chinese cargo vessel was carrying nuclear weapons components. [2]
Iranian-linked Houthi rebels managed to bypass strict safety guardrails on Anthropic’s AI model, Claude, attempting to use it to target U.S. Navy warships with guided rockets in the Middle East. [3]
And, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the unconstitutional war in Iran, violations of the law of armed conflict, Caribbean “double tap” boat strikes, and mishandling classified information. [4]
Because Massie introduced the measure as a privileged resolution, House rules would require a chamber-wide vote within two days.
So, with reports AI billionaires are “gambling with our lives” and impeachment charges against the Secretary of Defense during wartime, one would think Congress might actually take some action.
Nope. The Republicans adjourned and went on vacation.
Dereliction of Duty? Cowardice? Yes, and yes.
So, after all this, imagine our surprise when we ran into our insider-stock-trading war-profiteering Congressman, John Rutherford, at a Hispanic heritage event in Jacksonville.
Rutherford notoriously refuses to hold town halls and never debates, but we decided to ask him to debate anyway.
His response? “No.”
When pressed as to why, he said, “because I don’t have to.”
Watch Rutherford refuse to debate here.
Folks, for the Republicans to flee DC instead of taking up AI regulations and the impeachment of Pete Hegseth was the very definition of cowardice.
Telling us he doesn’t have to debate us shows that John Rutherford is an entitled and arrogant coward.
It is way past time for our local media to hold John Rutherford accountable.
Where is Rutherford’s AI plan?
We have an AI plan that reigns in data centers and sets up robust AI guardrails. Does Rutherford?
Rutherford was recently in a closed-door meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance. Several GOP lawmakers were disappointed there was no discussion on AI and described the Vance meeting a “pretty typical rah-rah political speech.”
Rutherford however called the Vance meeting “very encouraging” and said Republicans are “on a good path, in a good spot right now from the messaging and the financing.” [5]
Houthi rebels are using Claude AI to try and target U.S. sailors and Rutherford thinks we’re “on a good path.”
We have 42 days until we must hold John Rutherford accountable at the ballot box for his cowardice. He is too arrogant and self-important to debate us and we can no longer count on the local media to hold him to account.
We must do this. Let’s show John Rutherford the door! Volunteer or donate — $5, $10, $25, or whatever you can today!
In solidarity — Rachel Grage
Anthropic researcher says more than 10% chance AI “could kill all humans”| CBS News
Exclusive: US military had close call after using AI for false intelligence report, sources say | CNN
Users in Houthi-held Yemen tried to develop advanced weapons with AI, Anthropic says | Associated Press
Republican Congressman Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth | Time