Politics Chat, February 17, 2026

Marco Rubio’s speech at the Munich Security Conference; the post–World War II order of democracy, trade, and alliances; Europe’s pivot toward self-defense and new partnerships without the U.S.; economic slowdown signals tied to tariffs and immigration crackdowns; farm policy fallout and agricultural sector instability; Trump family self-dealing via trademarks, crypto, and prediction markets; the SAVE Act and 2026 voter-suppression efforts; Kristi Noem backlash and DHS turmoil; FCC pressure on CBS over James Talarico; Epstein files blowback and fractures inside MAGA; an opportunity for a new Christian voice; and carrying your torch.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/y26XxXhTIQg?si=W07gLai1wzeI4OoOGet full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe