Chapter 38
C APITOL H ILL
V ice President Chris Cates, who had been on the Hill for an impromptu push of the President’s priorities for the National Defense Authorization Act, stepped in front of a gaggle of reporters.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for gathering here on such a tragic afternoon. Just two days ago, on Monday, we witnessed the horrific loss of life as citizens, peacefully assembled, and law enforcement officers, there to safeguard that peace, were attacked in the streets outside the Vice President’s Residence.
Their deaths are a bracing reminder that this nation, our democracy, is under threat from all sides.
As we mourn those lost, we stand firm in our commitment to protect the values that make this country great—freedom, peace, and the safety of every American citizen. ”
Taking a moment to look into the cameras, Cates paused, and then hardening his tone, continued.
“Today, we find ourselves reeling from another violent and senseless attack—this time on a United States Secret Service motorcade transporting the Dutch and Norwegian delegations.
Let me be clear: This was an attack not just on foreign diplomats, but on American security itself.
These foreign delegations may have been here for a NATO Summit, but make no mistake—this attack was aimed directly at us, the American people.
“While we mourn the loss of life, we cannot ignore the reality that these attacks—both the barbarity we saw Monday and today’s act of violence—are a direct result of our government’s own failures.
For far too long, we have sent our men and women overseas to fight wars that do not concern us, pouring our resources into international commitments while neglecting the security of our own borders, our own citizens. ”
Cates paused again, visibly frustrated, his voice sharper.
“President Mitchell and I will not stand by while the entrenched powers in Washington continue to put the interests of foreign nations ahead of the safety and well-being of the American people. We cannot continue to expend our blood and treasure to be the world’s police force.
This attack today is just another wake-up call—a stark reminder that the globalist establishment’s agenda is a direct threat to everything We the People hold dear.
“I want to make one thing perfectly clear: America must come first. We must take control of our own destiny. We must secure our borders and ensure that any enemy who seeks to harm us, foreign or domestic, will pay the price for their actions.
“To those who would think that America is weak, or divided, or vulnerable: You’re wrong. To the enemies of this nation, whether they are terror groups, foreign governments, or the global elite: We will not back down.
“We are going to hunt down those responsible for both today’s attack and Monday’s. We will absolutely make sure they face justice. And we will leave no doubt that our number one priority is the safety of the American people.”
Looking once more directly into the cameras, Cates spoke firmly and closed with “This is America’s time. This is the moment where we choose to defend what is ours. No more apologies. No more distractions. This ends now. Thank you and God bless you.”
Sitting in his Senate office watching on TV, Bill Blackwood marveled at the Vice President’s remarks. They were strong and intelligent and struck exactly the right chord for the moment. On top of that, Cates appeared to have done it all off the cuff. With no notes and no teleprompter.
Talk about some impressive shit , Blackwood thought to himself. But will it play in Peoria?
Muting the TV, he opened a tab on his browser and surfed over to Chuck Coughlin’s site, where the podcaster was already dissecting the VP’s remarks for his millions of followers.
“All right folks,” Coughlin began, his neon American flag blazing behind him, “you just heard it—live, direct from Capitol Hill—Vice President Chris Cates addressing the nation in the wake of today’s tragic attack on a Secret Service motorcade transporting the Dutch and Norwegian delegations in town for the big NATO Summit on Friday.
And let me tell you, Cates didn’t mince words.
He didn’t hide behind political rhetoric or empty promises.
What we heard today was the kind of leadership America needs, and frankly, the kind we’ve been begging for.
“You could feel the weight in his words, couldn’t you?
The Vice President didn’t just speak about the attack in vague terms. He didn’t give us the same tired speeches about ‘thoughts and prayers’ and ‘strengthening alliances’ like we’re used to hearing from the establishment.
No. Cates made it clear that this wasn’t just an attack on foreign diplomats, this was an attack on America .
This was an attack on our borders, on our sovereignty, on our security.
And you know what? I’m glad he said it. Because someone had to. ”
Leaning in as if talking to a trusted friend, Coughlin said, “And let’s not forget, Cates didn’t stop there.
He laid it out for everyone to hear: These attacks, the loss of innocent lives—they are a wake-up call.
The chaos in our streets, the bloodshed, it’s all a symptom of a much bigger problem.
A broken system that has ignored the needs of the American people for far too long.
Cates has finally said what we’ve all known, what I’ve been telling you for years: America is under attack—from within and from abroad—and if we’re going to survive, it’s time to stop being the world’s police, to stop giving our hard-earned dollars away to other countries, and to stop apologizing for putting America first.
“I’ll tell you this—that speech? That wasn’t just a Vice President doing his job.
That was a leader stepping up and showing us the way forward.
You could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice—Cates is ready to make the hard calls.
He’s ready to put the globalists in their place and put the safety of the American people above all else.
And folks, let’s be honest, that’s the kind of leader this country desperately needs right now.
“And here’s the bottom line—President Mitchell?
He had his chance. He campaigned on the same platform, promising to put We the People first. Yet what has he done?
More of the same—empty speeches, global appeasement, and zero action.
He’s soft , folks. He’s soft on America’s security, soft on defeating the establishment, and soft on defending our interests.
And that’s why, as much as it hurts me to say it, President Mitchell must step aside.
He’s not the leader this country needs.”
Coughlin paused to let that sink in and then, with his voice more resolute, stated, “But Cates? He’s the real deal.
Cates is the man who’s not afraid to take the tough steps to put America first. He’s the one who’s going to stand up to the global elites and take our country back.
And let me tell you, folks, I’m not the only one who sees it.
People across this country are waking up to the fact that Vice President Cates is the leader we have been waiting for.
“Now, I want you to think about this—Cates just said it himself: No more apologies. No more distractions. This ends now . We can’t afford to wait any longer.
It’s time for America to take charge of its future again.
And I have to say, after hearing Cates today…
I believe we’re on the verge of something big. Something great .”
As his stirring and patriotic outro music faded in, Coughlin brought it all home. “My friends, we are entering a new chapter. And it looks like Chris Cates is going to be the one to lead us there. All I can say is buckle up, because this is just the beginning.
“And with that, it’s another three hours of Bunker Radio in the can. I’ll see you right back here tomorrow. Until then, remember—when you’re under attack, Chuck Coughlin has your back. And we are all, definitely , under attack. Stay safe, America.”
Closing the tab on his computer, Senator Blackwood smiled. That was more like it. That was what he had wanted from Coughlin—a resounding denunciation of President Mitchell and a rousing vote of confidence for Vice President Cates.
Combined with Cates’s fantastic remarks, that was going to help get people leaning even more in the right direction.
Then all America would need was one good push.