Lindsey Graham

July 28 (UPI) — The former director of Project 2025 Paul Dans announced Monday he is going to run for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina.

Dans, who designed Project 2025, will now launch a GOP primary challenge against Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was first elected in 2002 and has been since re-elected three times.

Speaking with The Post and Courier, he said he will officially announce his candidacy on July 30 in Charleston, S.C., at the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon museum.

Dans had served as a senior adviser in the U.S. Office of Community Planning and Development at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, then at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, during the first Trump administration before leaving government to join the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, where he helped manage Project 2025.

Trump had been linked to Project 2025 but publicly distanced himself from the plan. However, his administration has carried out some policies outlined in the strategy and contributors have been hired to his adminsitration.

Dans left the Heritage Foundation in July of 2024 “over differences in the strategic direction of Project 2025,” according to a November 2024 press release. There had been some media reports that his departure may have been related to accusations of harassment, but the same release states any concerns Heritage held toward Dans “did not involve any issues with his integrity or inappropriate/offensive behavior towards women.”

The crowd of Republicans seeking to push out Graham also includes former South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who announced a campaign for U.S. Senate earlier this month.

July 24 (UPI) — U.S. Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, are calling for a special counsel to investigate allegations against former President Barack Obama.

The senators said they want the truth about Obama’s alleged “manipulation” before the 2016 election.

“For the good of the country, Senator @JohnCornyn and I urge Attorney General (Pam) Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate the extent to which former President Obama, his staff and administration officials manipulated the U.S. national security apparatus for a political outcome,” Graham posted on X.

A special counsel is someone brought from outside to investigate independently.

“As we have supported in the past, appointing an independent special counsel would do the country a tremendous service in this case,” Fox News reported Graham and Cornyn said.

This call comes one day after Director of Homeland Security Tulsi Gabbard released a second formerly classified document alleging wrongdoing by Obama. The Department of Justice created a “strike force” to investigate the evidence.

The document cast doubts on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire to help Trump beat Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. It backed up the argument that Russia wanted to interfere in the election.

It was part of a House Intelligence Committee report from Sept. 18, 2020, when Republicans controlled the House. Though it doesn’t dispute that Moscow interfered in the election, it shows the Obama administration’s handling of Russian activity.

Last week, Gabbard released a document that accused Obama and his Cabinet of manufacturing an intelligence report to falsely accuse Russia of acting to ensure Trump defeated Clinton during the 2016 election.

Obama’s team responded to last week’s report.

“Nothing in that document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes,” Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said in a prepared statement on Tuesday.

“These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.”

“With every piece of information that gets released, it becomes more evident that the entire Russia collusion hoax was created by the Obama administration to subvert the will of the American people,” Graham and Cornyn said.

Trump earlier in the day accused Obama of “trying to lead a coup” with Hillary Clinton.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., on Friday to discuss U.S. support for Ukraine and sanctions pressure on Russia. The senators are participating in the Ukraine Recovery Conference and in the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. Their participation marked the first time representatives of the United States attended a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. Photo via Ukrainian Presidential Press Office | License Photo

July 11 (UPI) — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on Friday.

The meeting, called the Coalition of the Willing, also was attended by U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg.

Zelenskyy said that strengthening Ukraine’s air defense is a top priority.

Ukrainian intelligence says Russia plans to launch attacks with up to 1,000 drones at a time. Ukraine’s defense against these attacks are interceptor drones, but there must be more investment in their production, according to a statement from Zelensky. He also said Ukraine is ready to purchase a large defense package from the United States.

To prevent Russia’s ongoing attacks, Zelensky said there needs to be more sanctions against Russia. Graham and Blumenthal discussed a bill they are sponsoring that addresses that.

“We also touched on the bill introduced by Senators Graham and Blumenthal regarding additional restrictive measures against Russia and those supporting its war effort,” Zelensky said on X. “Without a doubt, this is exactly the kind of leverage that can bring peace closer and make sure diplomacy is not empty.”

Blumenthal added that other nations at the conference were supportive of the bill.

“Deeply inspired & energized by strong solidarity among European heads of state — hearing from Sen. Graham & me about our Russia Sanctions bill at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome,” he said on X. “Powerful commitment to Ukraine’s cause & our legislation.”

He hinted that the sanctions would hurt Russia-supporting nations.

“Momentum building for our Russia Sanctions bill, shown by repeated statements of support from heads of state in Rome at the Ukraine Recovery Conference,” he tweeted. “Bone crushing sanctions should help halt China, India & Brazil from fueling Russia’s war machine by buying its oil & gas.”

In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks, launching record numbers of drones at Kyiv and other civilian targets. The United States has begun sending arms to Ukraine after a pause.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference is a two-day event focused on building political and private-sector support for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

June 25 (UPI) — White House budget director Russell Vought on Wednesday urged U.S. senators to approve the Trump administration’s proposed cuts of $8.3 billion in foreign assistance and $1.1 billion for public broadcasting.

Vought testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The cuts, which are from the Department of Government Efficiency, are a tiny fraction of the nearly $7 trillion the federal government spends each year

The House last week voted 214-212 to advance the request that reduces funds for the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has largely been dismantled, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which helps to fund NPR and PBS.

Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate. A simple majority is needed for passage.

A group of protesters disrupted the meeting, saying “Vought’s Cuts Kill,” and “Vought Lies, People Die!”

Capitol Police officers forcibly removed some protesters from the room, with at least one hitting his head on the floor.

During his opening remarks, Vought touted the cuts as part of Trump’s “steadfast commitment to cutting wasteful federal spending antithetical to American interests.”

“Most Americans would be shocked and appalled to learn that their tax dollars, money they thought was going to medical care, was actually going to far-left activism, population control and sex workers,” Vought said. “To be clear, no lifesaving treatment will be impacted by this rescissions package.”

If Congress approves the cuts, the AIDS program would lose $400 million, and another $500 million would be stripped from global health programs that support child and maternal health, AIDS care and prevention of infectious diseases.

Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the proposed cuts.

“There’s no way that President Trump’s administration would allow such wasteful and questionable spending,” Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, told Vought.

“So, I am puzzled why you would be cutting funds that the president signed in March as part of the continuing resolution.”

Trump signed legislation in March to keep the government open through September.

Vought responded the costs are “largely multiyear funding,” and that “there is some expiring funds with regard to fiscal year ’25, but the way that this was structured was to find the waste.

“We are $37 trillion in national debt,” Vought said. “Our view is to see, when we look at these programs, can we do it cheaper, as evidenced by what we find, and then to reflect that, with some savings to the taxpayer.”

Collins also questioned the administration’s proposed cuts targeting the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR.

“These are not only the right thing to do for humanitarian reasons, but they’re incredible instruments of soft power,” she said. That includes “lifesaving multivitamins for pregnant mothers and the food supplement that’s used for malnourished children.”

Collins held up a packet of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food used to treat malnutrition in babies and young children.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, the Republican serving South Carolina, said he was surprised that millions of dollars were being spent to support abortions and gender care under PEPFAR. The AIDS-fighting program has been credited for saving millions of lives since President George W. Bush launched it more than 20 years ago.

Graham said he would approve the measure though he backs the program.

“And to my Democratic colleagues: There is a consequence to this crap,” Graham said. “The first thing I thought about: How is PEPFAR fraud, waste and abuse? Well, I had no idea there was one dollar spent like this.”

GOP members in the House and Senate have voiced concerns about the potential impact cuts would have on local stations and rural radio.

“We have Native American radio stations in South Dakota. They get their funding through NPR,” Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said during the hearing. “Ninety-some percent of what they use.”

The director called PBS and NPR “radical far-left networks,” and “there is no longer any excuse for tax dollars to subsidize” them.

June 11 (UPI) — The proposed Department of Defense budget puts “America first” while addressing Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine fielded questions during a more than 2-hour hearing regarding the proposed $961.6 billion DOD budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

The Defense Department is improving pay, housing, healthcare and other services to improve the quality of life for military members and their families, Hegseth told committee members.

“This budget puts America first and gives our warriors what they need,” he said during his opening statement.

The proposed budget request also would “end four years of chronic underinvestment in our military by the Biden administration,” Hegseth added.

Russia and the Ukraine war

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., opened the hearing with questions about the Ukraine War, including who is the aggressor and preferred outcomes.

Hegseth said Russia is the aggressor and China would prefer to keep the conflict going as long as possible to distract from its moves in the Indo-Pacific region.

Europe needs to do more to defend its territory against Russian aggression, Hegseth said, and the United States must remain strategic in its handling of the war while addressing matters in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., cited ongoing Russian aggression against civilian targets in Ukraine as evidence that Russia has no intention of ending the war there.

The 2026 budget request eliminates aid to Ukraine, while senators are working to impose more sanctions on Russia, Coons said.

“What message do you think it sends” when Russia “attacks civilian centers in Ukraine and the United States does not send additional air defense and interceptors to Ukraine?” Coons asked.

Hegseth said arms are still flowing to Ukraine, but other NATO allies are not doing enough to end the war.

“You’re not a real coalition, you’re not a real defense alliance, unless you have real defense capability and real armies that can bring those to bear,” Hegseth said.

“That’s a reality that Europe is waking up to quickly,” he added, “and we’re glad.”

Coons said the United States should not negotiate a cease-fire in Ukraine “at any cost” and instead should continue supporting Ukraine to achieve an enduring peace.

“Putin will only stop when we stop him,” Coons said. “The best way to stop him is through a stronger NATO.”

Chinese military threats and Hegseth’s DOD leadership

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said China has more than 400 warships and is rapidly expanding its fleet versus 293 ships for the United States.

She asked why the Defense Department only seeks funding to build two submarines and an ocean surveillance ship, plus some destroyers.

Hegseth said the 2026 budget request reflects a 13% increase for investing in national defense over the current fiscal year.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., then questioned Hegseth’s leadership.

“I am repeatedly hearing that your policy and personnel changes at the Pentagon are only undermining [and] not strengthening our military’s preparedness to protect our country,” Murray said.

She accused Hegseth of using the military to police areas in the United States, including sending the National Guard and Marines to California to use against “peaceful protesters.”

Murray then asked Hegseth if the Defense Department would continue to fire shipbuilders, which he denied it has done.

“We are investing historically in our shipbuilding defense industrial base and workforce and ships in this budget,” Hegseth said.

Murray said the Navy is firing shipbuilder staff in the state of Washington and accused it of asking welders if they ever donated to the Democratic Party.

Hegseth said no welders are subject to litmus tests to work on naval projects and denied that political questions are asked.

Iranian, Russian, Chinese and North Korean coalition

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked Hegseth and Caine if the world is underestimating Iran’s intent to “kill all the Jews,” including using a nuclear weapon against Israel if Iran had one.

Caine said Iran would use one to pressure Israel but doesn’t know if Iran would use it to “wipe out Israel.”

Hegseth said a radical cleric in Iran would use one to wipe out Israel.

“They’re going to use a nuclear weapon if they get it,” Graham said.

He also asked if China intends to “take Taiwan by force if necessary.”

Hegseth said the DOD doesn’t know that China has made the decision to do so.

Caine suggested China might use military force against Taiwan, and the United States needs to prepare for it.

Coons said China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are aligned and pose the greatest threat to world peace since the Cold War.

He cited Ukraine as an example of the future of warfare, but said the Department of Defense is “internally divided” and operating on a continuing resolution for the first time.

The current state within the Defense Department “cannot continue,” Coons added.

Next-generation fighter and collaborative drones are planned

The Defense Department also wants to spend $4 billion during the 2026 fiscal year to develop the F-47 fighter and “collaborative combat” drone aircraft, according to DefenseScoop.

The $4 billion request is just part of the 2026 budget request, but the amount of the entire proposed budget has not been released.

The Air Force wants to spend $3.5 billion on the F-47 fighter project, which would give it a fighter capable of exceeding Mach 2 with a range of more than 1,000 nautical miles.

The current F-22 and F-35A fighter jets have top speeds of greater than Mach 2 and Mach 1.6 and ranges of 590 and 670 nautical miles, respectively.

The Air Force wants to buy up to 185 F-47 fighters during the program’s duration.

The Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program would promote the development of next-generation drone aircraft that are capable of flying with the manned F-47 and other next-generation fighters.