global 4.6
August 28, 2026 · Newsletter
Rutherford hasn't uttered a word...
“… Trump’s war on Iran has ‘driven the US military into a severe financial crisis’… the U.S. Navy, which is bearing the brunt of the operation, is transferring money from payroll to combat operations, creating shortfalls. Officials are covering that shortfall by raiding other accounts…” — Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American
Prices are skyrocketing for Florida families for a number of reasons, including Trump’s idiotic war with Iran and his illegal tariff policies which are taxes levied on U.S businesses and us — the American consumer.
Make no mistake, the rampant, and previously unimaginable, corruption by Trump, his family and his cronies are also leading factors to our escalating economic struggles.
And the corruption coming from the Pentagon is not only costing us more for gas and groceries, but is imperiling the lives of our military.
Reports that Trump’s war against Iran is “rapidly draining US navy budget”; “U.S. Patriot missile stocks in Europe are ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war”; and the “USS Abraham Lincoln’s record deployment highlights shortfalls of US military readiness” should compel Congress to act. [1] [2] [3]
But not this Congress. They are cowards and accomplices.
Worse, the corruption at the Pentagon is staggering:
The Pentagon has awarded contracts to “companies linked to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump” totaling $3.2 billion with another $3.1 billion in future contracts. [4]
The Pentagon also loaned $620 million to another company backed by Trump, Jr. [5]
Pete Hegseth is reportedly building a “Pentagon Troll Army” by hiring MAGA influencers to cheer him on. [6]
Then there’s Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s shocking and borderline criminal $93 billion shopping spree last year… “According to the government watchdog Open the Books, the former Fox News weekend host spent $98,329 on a ‘Steinway & Sons grand piano… an astronomical amount of shellfish, including $2 million for Alaskan king crab and $6.9 million worth of lobster tail… $15.1 million for ribeye steak (again, just in September), $124,000 for ice cream machines, and $139,224 on 272 orders of doughnuts…’” [7] [8]
Our do-nothing/no-town-hall-holding/insider-stock-trading Congressman John Rutherford sits on the House Committee on Appropriations and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, and he couldn’t be bothered.
Other than a tweet this summer bragging about his vote for the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act because it “cuts waste, fraud, and abuse” and “prohibits woke policies”, John Rutherford hasn’t said a word about Pentagon corruption.
And since President Trump lied us into a war, John Rutherford hasn’t said anything about that either.
Beyond proclaiming Trump’s war was “perfectly executed” on February 28, 2026, John Rutherford — the mighty, so very, very self-important Appropriations Committee man — hasn’t uttered a word publicly about the war.
Hasn’t uttered a word about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s corruption.
And not one word about the fate of the U.S. Navy, even though this district is home to thousands of Navy veterans and their families.
Unlike Rutherford, I want to be a representative who shows up, listens, and works for the people who sent her there.
And whether it’s Pete Hegseth or the Trump family or one of John Rutherford’s war-profiteering donors, we will investigate and hold them accountable for fraud and corruption.
Think like an engineer. Fight like a mom.
To win in November we must Grage Against the Machine! Volunteer… get your Rachel gear… and pitch in what you can: $5, $20, $50 or whatever you can spare will help us show John Rutherford the door!
In solidarity — Rachel Grage
PS — While Rutherford remains silent about sailors in harm’s way and the crippling cost of Trump’s war with Iran, he is very busy raking in donations from his war-profiteering contractor buddies. Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, BAE Systems — to name just a few (!) — are writing Rutherford large corporate checks to buy his loyalty. [9]
Rachel doesn’t take corporate PAC checks, so we are counting on you to help us fight back!
Trump’s war on Iran is rapidly draining US navy budget, documents and interviews reveal | The Guardian
Exclusive: US Patriot missile stocks in Europe are ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war, officials say | Associated Press
USS Abraham Lincoln’s record deployment highlights shortfalls of US military readiness | The Conversation
Trump’s Sons Bet Big on Defense Tech – Then the Pentagon Checks Arrived | yahoo!news
Trump Jr.-Backed Company Receives $620 Million Pentagon Loan | truthout
Pete Hegseth Is Building a Pentagon Troll Army | The Bulwark
Pete Hegseth Blew Billions on Fruit Basket Stands, Chairs, and Crab | The New Republic
Pentagon Should Focus on Defense Priorities, not Lavish Dinners, After Historic $93.4B “Use-It-or-Lose-It” September | OPENTHEBOOKS
The US Congress Is Now in the Pocket of the Arms Industry | Fair Observer