Washington suddenly seems to be rediscovering the concepts of truth, justice, and responsibility. And honestly? It’s about time. For a town that couldn’t find its own moral compass with a GPS, a map, and three tour guides, we’ll take the progress where we can get it.

President Trump’s administration has been busy trying to broker peace in the Middle East — from UN resolutions on Gaza to high-profile meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Now, I’m the first to cheer strong diplomacy. But even strong diplomacy needs a conscience. Downplaying U.S. intelligence on the Khashoggi killing wasn’t one of the administration’s best moral moments. Strategic realism matters, yes, but righteousness matters, too. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus said (Matthew 5:9). He didn’t say, “Blessed are the dealmakers who forget what justice is.” Peace without truth is like decaf coffee: it might look right, but it won’t wake anybody up.

At the same time, diplomacy is being used to spotlight something the world has ignored far too long: the brutal persecution of Christians in Nigeria. And this time, the messenger is… Nicki Minaj. Yeah, I didn’t have that on my 2025 bingo card either. But if God can use a donkey in Numbers 22, He can certainly use a rap mogul in heels. Persecuted believers deserve a voice — any voice — calling attention to their suffering. Just let’s stay cautious with the word “genocide” unless the facts truly support it. Christian advocacy must be rooted in truth, not emotional headlines.

Back home, Congress has been having its own moral awakening. Representative Chuy García tried to slip his preferred successor into his seat by announcing his retirement after the filing deadline passed. Politically clever? Yes. Morally upright? Not even close. A bipartisan House resolution smacked that behavior down, and rightly so. If we’re going to lecture the world about democracy, we probably shouldn’t treat our own elections like a surprise party only one person gets invited to.

Then comes the case of Stacey Plaskett and her eyebrow-raising text messages with Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing. Now, texting Epstein is never a good look. Texting Epstein during official oversight? Deeply questionable. Congress has a duty to investigate, but it must also avoid using scandal as a political chew toy. Justice without due process becomes vengeance.

Speaking of Epstein, Congress did something that should have happened years ago: they passed a bill requiring the release of the Epstein files. Sunlight is disinfectant, and the Epstein saga is one of the moldiest corners of American public life. The powerful have evaded scrutiny for too long on both sides of the aisle. Romans 2:11 reminds us: “For there is no respect of persons with God.” If God isn’t impressed by billionaires, bureaucrats, or former presidents, neither should we be.

When you zoom out, all these stories have one thread in common: America is crying out for truth and integrity. Not the polished, slogan-tested versions, but real, durable, sometimes uncomfortable honesty. Whether it’s foreign policy, domestic politics, religious liberty, or government transparency, the country is reminding its leaders of something they too often forget: power is a responsibility, not a license to look the other way.

My hope and prayer is that this season of accountability isn’t just a phase like skinny jeans or TikTok dances. Christians are called to “seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17). Those aren’t suggestions. They’re commands.

So, here’s the challenge for Washington. Republicans, Democrats, diplomats, celebrities, and the occasional rap superstar included: keep telling the truth. Keep shining light in dark places. Keep choosing accountability over convenience.