Representative Buddy Carter

Un-Justice System

This week included a dark day in American history as we witnessed the political persecution of the presidential front-runner from the challenging party. In a Manhattan court, we all watched as the 45^th President of the United States of America was convicted on 34 counts in what was a complete kangaroo court.

Democrats’ hijacking of the justice system in the state of New York has led to a new-founded distrust for the judicial process and a mockery of America’s judicial system. It was a somber day indeed.

While our southern border remains wide open, for all to enter the country, and inflation remains a burden on the American taxpayer, President Biden, his Justice Department, and its proxies throughout the country are busy arresting the former president under false pretenses.

The guilty verdict is the result of a weaponized judicial system, utilized by partisan prosecutors and a biased judged in an unfair and convoluted process. Let me be clear, this is nothing more than a smoke screen, designed to distract Americans from what really matters. That is Joe Biden’s radical agenda and continuous policy failures.

Two numbers that are far more important than “34 counts” are “20%” and “7,800,000.” The former represents the average rise in inflation since Joe Biden took the Oval Office, and the latter illustrates the amount of illegal immigrant encounters at our southern border.

These numbers are unsustainable, and it is disheartening to say the very least, that Joe Biden seems more concerned with a political prosecution than he is with putting Americans first.

What these numbers represent is a White House in disarray, with priorities that are putting the American people last. For example, illicit fentanyl is pouring across our southern border, killing Americans at the rate of almost 200 Americans every day. 200 PER DAY. That is wholly unacceptable.

Rather than degrading faith in some of our most critical institutions, President Biden needs to immediately redirect his focus to solve the problems that matter to our country. Not arresting his leading political opponent. This is a failure to the highest degree, and I fear that this may only be the beginning.

To what ends will the Biden Administration and its woke followers go to advance an agenda that is not desired by the American people?

Accountability is coming. House Republicans will continue to deliver on our promises. We will continue to work towards unleashing the power of American energy, ensuring that we have a future that is free, a nation that is safe, an economy that is strong, and now more than ever, a government that is accountable.

This is our continued commitment to America.

buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are looking at the future of cryptocurrency in America.

From our nation's capitol

Saturday, May 25, 2024: Yesterday, I joined 10 other members of Congress on a CODEL (Congressional Delegation) trip to Africa led by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR). We left from Andrews Air Force Base (AFB) and arrived at Stuttgart Airport, Germany, at 8 a.m. Upon landing, we traveled to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) at Kelly Barracks in Stuttgart-Mohringen, Germany. AFRICOM is one of seven joint service geographical commands and is responsible for all U.S. military operations and activities to protect and advance U.S. national interests in Africa. Their mission is to use diplomacy, development, and defense to support partners in Africa and help prevent conflict and extremism. We spend the morning being briefed by the Commander of AFRICOM, General Michael Langley, U.S. Marine Corps, and his staff, on the situation in Africa and U.S. military concerns in the region. Among the many other areas covered are illegal fishing and logging, wildlife trafficking, and the mining and processing of critical minerals on the continent.

Rep. Carter with General Michael Langley and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)

Sunday, May 26, 2024: We depart Stuttgart Airport, Germany, this morning and head to Rwanda Kigali International Airport in what is supposed to be an 8-hour flight that turns into a 9-hour flight. As we are flying over Egypt, we get word from the cockpit that we have not been given permission to fly over Sudan and may have to re-route our trip. Evidently Egypt and Sudan are not communicating well these days and, although the trip was originally cleared, Sudan is refusing to grant us air space. We slow down significantly as we reach the Egypt-Sudan border but ultimately are forced to turn around for a short period of time before Sudan finally agrees to grant us air space. Our only other option would have been to fly over the Red Sea and, with the conflicts that exist there today, our Navy escort will have none of that. Unfortunately, because of the delay, we are unable to be greeted as planned by the President of Rwanda, but the U.S. Ambassador and other Rwandan officials are there to greet us. After dinner at the hotel, we head to bed as we have a very early morning tomorrow.

Rep. Carter on safari in the Serengeti

Monday, May 27, 2024: We’re up early and make the 3-hour drive from Kigali to the Volcanoes National Park and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Ellen DeGeneres Campus, a state-of-the-art educational and research facility committed to the conservation of gorillas in their natural habitats. Founded over five decades ago by the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey, the organization is headquartered in the U.S. in Atlanta and boasts an international team of 360 operating in three countries. The Ellen DeGeneres campus opened in 2022 and is open to the public every day where they can explore exhibits that tell the story of the 55+ years of gorilla conservation. Once at the campus, we head to the park where we experience Gorilla Trekking as we hike up a trail to where the mountain Gorillas habitat is located. This unbelievable experience of being so close to these majestic creatures is a testament to the work that has been done by this great organization. After this unforgettable experience, we head back to the Ellen campus where we have a tour of this phenomenal facility that keeps the work of Dian Fossey alive.

Rep. Carter on a Gorilla Trek

Tuesday, May 28, 2024: We’re still in Kigali, Rwanda, today and we head to the U.S. Embassy where we have a briefing from embassy officials bringing us up to date on issues in Rwanda such as the political scene, the economy, crime, trade, and relations with neighboring countries. Rwanda has experienced tremendous success since the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 that lasted from April 7^th through July 19^th during the Rwandan Civil War and resulted in the deaths of nearly 1 million citizens. As a result of its success, it is now one of the more advanced nations in Africa. Next, we head to a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Rwanda, Vincent Biruta, as we discuss U.S.-Rwanda relations as well as the relations of Rwanda with other countries. Rwanda is concerned primarily with the peace, security and stability of their country and wealth creation through development cooperation. Afterwards, we head to the Genocide Memorial where we have a tour, place a wreath on the mass grave of the victims and then each member of our group places a yellow rose on the mass grave of the victims from the embassy. Although it has been 30 years since the Genocide happened, the country is dedicated to never forgetting this awful time in their history nor allowing it to happen again. This was truly a moving experience for all of our delegation. Next, we head to the Rwandan Parliament where we meet with President Paul Kagame who has served in this role since 2000. President Kagame is a national hero as he was a commander of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RFP), the party that ended the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. Afterwards, we head to a local basket market, Irebe Baskets, to observe some of the beautiful work done by the local people before heading to Rwanda Trading Company where we have a tour of this coffee exporting company as well as a coffee tasting. Coffee is a major export of Rwanda and the coffee from this country is known and drank throughout the world.

Rep. Carter with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda

Wednesday, May 29, 2024: We’re up early and on our way to Rwanda Kigali International Airport and headed to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. Upon arrival, we are met by U.S. Embassy officials from Tanzania including Andy Allen, son of our colleague Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA), who is stationed here. Once at Kilimanjaro, we board prop planes to fly us near our destination in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before boarding trucks to take us on the hour drive to our destination overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest volcanic caldera in the world. The Crater is located near the Serengeti National Park and covers over 5,700 square miles and is home to the largest lion population in Africa. Upon arrival we are met by my good friend, Dave Barron, Chairman of the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF), and other conservation officials who give us a briefing regarding the area before heading to the crater for a tour.

Rep. Carter with Andy Allen in Tanzania

Thursday, May 30, 2024: We make the drive back to the prop planes this morning for a 1-hour flight South to the Serengeti Reserve in the Serengeti National Park, home of the great migration, encompassing nearly 15,000 square kilometers and referred to as the greatest wildlife destination on earth. Upon arrival, we are greeted by park rangers before loading up in trucks and driven to the Operations Center for a tour by Tanzanian officials. Anti-poaching policing is taken very seriously in this country and a great deal of resources are dedicated to these efforts. Afterwards, we take the 1-hour drive to our destination and, after getting settled, we have a field briefing from Tanzania Animal and Wildlife Authority (TAWA) officials followed by an operational drive.

Rep. Carter with anti-poaching agents

Friday, May 31, 2024: This morning, we had the chance to witness one of the wonders of the world as we are out in the field to witness tens of thousands of wildebeest, zebras and other animals involved in the great migration. Referred to as the circle of life, the animals migrate in a cyclical movement in a seasonal pattern, defined by rainfall and grass nutrients. It is indeed a fascinating site. After a great trip to the field, we’re back at our camp and meet with representatives from some of the private conservation groups that manage land adjacent to the park before meeting with Anti-Poaching Patrol members. Next, we head to the field with the Anti-Poaching Patrol for a field briefing on their countering wildlife trafficking programs and where they show us the equipment and methods used by the poachers to capture the animals.

Rep. Carter with Anti-Poaching Patrol agents

Saturday, June 1, 2024: We head back to the prop planes this morning and then to the Kilimanjaro International Airport where we meet with the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism for a debriefing before heading off on the long flight back home.

Rep. Carter on a Gorilla Trek