Posted originally on Jul 31, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

QUESTION: Mr. Armstrong, is the US in the hands of the Neocons all over again? Trump’s threats against countries buying Russian oil seem to violate international law, and Congress’s imposition of 500% tariffs for noncompliance with Trump’s demand appears to be fulfilling your computer forecast. Would you comment on this 500% tariffs bill?

FK

ANSWER: The two Neocons Senators who belong in prison for hate crimes in any other country, Lindsey Graham (R‑SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D‑CT), who introduced this bill for a sweeping 500% tariff on countries buying Russian oil/gas. This bill has not yet passed. Unfortunately, this is a measure gaining significant support. This is the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, which would authorize such steep tariffs on countries that continue buying Russian energy products. It has 84 co-sponsors, and it indeed proposes a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, or petrochemicals—even if those goods are otherwise unrelated. President Trump has publicly endorsed the bill, while retaining a waiver provision—meaning he could choose whether to apply or exempt countries if the bill is passed.

This is yet another nail in the coffin of destroying Western Civilization. As I explained, sanctions are always the tool of the Neocons that makes them feel powerful and all warm and fuzzy inside. As I mentioned, they imposed sanctions on Cuba in 1960, as Castro was a horrible communist leader. Well, he dies, and the sanctions are still there to this day. I am sure Trump’s 180-degree turn is transforming him into an economic dictator threatening the world economically, which is putting a big grin on Liz Cheney’s face.

Trump is now following the Neocon Rule Book. Threaten your opponent, call him hateful names, and do not talk to ensure there will be no possibility of peace. I am shocked at Trump’s 180 turn. He may think he can intimidate Putin, but he is DEAD WRONG! Worst yet, imposing sanctions on Russia is one thing. Now, threatening actions against anyone who buys energy or used shoes from Russia can be sanctioned up to the proposed 500%.

The sanctions of removing Russia from the SWIFT system were a red flag to the world. The US is becoming a dictator to the world. If you do not comply with the demands of the US, they will remove you from the SWIFT system, and you will be isolated from the world economy. They led to BRICS, especially after the Biden Administration threatened China that it would be removed if it helped Russia. Thus, BRICS was born from that geopolitical threat, and they destroyed the world economy. The dollar can no longer be used as a weapon.

Trump wants to destroy BRICS and protect the dollar’s role in the world economy, which is a joke. You cannot threaten countries that they must comply with US demands and expect them to follow you over the edge. BRICS was created in response to these strong-arm tactics of the Neocons. They are in charge of US foreign policy, and Liz Cheney is popping the champagne – they have Trump following their rule book.

Though the Neocon bill has bipartisan support because there are Neocons on both sides of the aisle, thanks to this strong sponsorship from two ruthless, un-American Neocons, this is a significant threat to international security. This bill has not yet passed Congress, and any person in Congress who votes for it should be dragged out of Congress, kicking and screaming, for they do not represent the people. Moreover, there is also a broad package requiring congressional approval for new tariffs—the Trade Review Act of 2025 (S.1272)—that is also under consideration. It faces opposition from the White House, which has threatened a veto.

Parallel to the legislative process, courts are examining whether Trump’s existing tariffs—imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—were lawful. A May 28, 2025, ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade struck down these tariffs, though enforcement is paused pending appeal. Then on July 31, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is currently reviewing the legality of President Trump’s tariffs, with judges expressing skepticism about his authority to impose them without congressional approval. A ruling is expected soon, which could have significant implications for trade policy and presidential powers. This could go to the Supreme Court.

The legal argument before the panel of 11 members of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington was stunning. Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to circumvent Congress’s power to levy tariffs was, in fact, I believe, illegal. Neal Katyal, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, argued that Trump’s citation of a statute that doesn’t even mention tariffs to launch an unprecedented trade war was a “breathtaking claim to power that no president has asserted in 200 years.”

A majority of the panel from both camps, Democratic and Republican, expressed varying levels of skepticism about Trump’s position. Any decision will likely take weeks and would almost certainly be stayed to give the US Supreme Court time to consider a request for review. I believe this is in part behind the pending legislation to grant this authority that Trump has usurped.

The NEOCON of the 17th Century was King Louis XIV, who waged endless wars, bankrupted France, and only on his deathbed did he finally lament: “I have been too fond of war.” It is hard to get into their head to come up woth some logical explanation of their thought process.

Here is Lindsey Graham talking about just killing Russians and how that puts such a smile on his face. This is, I believe, a psychopath. There is just no explanation for what has caused his deep-seated hatred of the Russian people. They care nothing for human life or all the people who must die to carry out their objectives. That includes our troops who die on the battlefield to put that smile on Graham’s face, along with Cheney’s.

Categories:Rule of LawNeoconsTrade War