President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce the annual U.S.-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise after it began.
Trump gave three reasons in his direct Sunday statement. He said the drills cost too much, send a hostile signal to North Korea and could disrupt his relationship with Kim Jong Un. He also criticized South Korea for declining his request to join what he called the denuclearization of Iran.
The exercise began Monday as planned, according to South Korea’s Defense Ministry. It is scheduled for 11 days and includes 18,000 South Korean troops. Live-fire drills, precision targeting, river crossings and the movement of prepositioned equipment were on the program.
North Korea resumed ballistic missile testing days before Trump’s order. The timing sharpens the tradeoff. Cutting drills may lower costs and reduce one source of tension. It can also reduce the practice that allied forces use to find communication, command and logistics failures before a real emergency.
United States Forces Korea describes Ulchi Freedom Shield as combined, joint and interagency training designed to strengthen the alliance’s defense posture. Trump’s order does not cancel the exercise. The two governments have not publicly identified which events will be reduced.
The Associated Press report confirms the planned troop count and field training. The next measure of the policy is operational: what disappears from the schedule, what remains and whether North Korea answers with restraint.
Jones Act Waiver Opens U.S. Shipping to Foreign Vessels
A 90-day waiver extension effective today lets approved foreign vessels carry oil, fertilizer and some agricultural cargo between U.S. ports. The Pentagon will approve voyages case by case.
Ordinarily, the Jones Act reserves domestic waterborne cargo for vessels that meet U.S. build, ownership, flag and crew rules. The Maritime Administration explains the domestic-shipping requirements. The current waiver is limited relief, not repeal.
Foreign tanker capacity can move energy and farm inputs when eligible U.S. ships are scarce or expensive. Jones Act supporters argue that domestic requirements preserve American maritime jobs, shipyards and sealift capacity. The Cato Institute’s waiver tracker counted 45 approved voyages before this extension and argues that the restrictions raise transport costs.
The new extension puts the tradeoff back on deck. A shipping rule defended in the name of national resilience is being suspended so foreign ships can keep critical goods moving inside the United States.
Missouri Watch
John Combest’s Sunday roundup points to Missouri’s renewed Amendment 3 campaign. Voters will decide the measure on November 3.
The Secretary of State’s official ballot page says a yes vote would repeal the reproductive-rights amendment approved in 2024. It would replace that language with abortion restrictions containing exceptions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies and rape or incest during the first trimester. It also restricts gender-transition procedures for minors.
The News Tribune reports that Her Health, Her Future says the measure protects unborn life and minors. Planned Parenthood Great Plains says lawmakers are trying to reverse the 2024 vote and restrict personal medical decisions. Missouri voters will get the final word again.
From the 4Liberty Network
In a July 28 Wake Up America conversation, Austin Petersen asked Judge Andrew Napolitano what happens when a pardon recipient invokes the Fifth Amendment.
Napolitano argued that accepting a pardon removes the privilege for conduct covered by it because prosecution for that conduct is no longer possible. That is his legal analysis, not a reported court ruling in Anthony Fauci’s case.
Going Viral
The Babylon Bee goes back to Eden for its latest culture joke. After watching Adam attempt life alone for two minutes, God decides the man is going to need a helper.
What to watch next
Watch for a U.S. or South Korean breakdown of the exercise cuts, any North Korean response, and the first voyage approvals under the extended Jones Act waiver. In Missouri, the November Amendment 3 campaign now has the field.
Leave a Reply