Yesterday was quite the day for headlines — from military shake-ups to foreign-policy gambles to federal agencies throwing elbows — and each story points to the same underlying truth: America desperately needs clarity, character, and courage from its leaders. Not perfection (only God has that résumé), but a steady moral compass in a moment when too many institutions feel adrift.

Take the Naval Academy firing. When the Commandant of Midshipmen was relieved after just a few months, it showed that accountability still exists, but also that something deeper is rattling the chain of command. Peace and order don’t grow from revolving-door leadership. Institutions responsible for shaping future officers need stability and integrity, not turbulence.

Then there’s the administration’s move to begin designating certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist organizations. Calling out extremist ideology isn’t intolerance. It’s honesty. Still, clarity requires precision. Treating every chapter the same would be like assuming every casserole at a church potluck is safe. (My stomach can attest otherwise.) Moral clarity is good; sloppy assumptions are not. Peace and security must be pursued with wisdom.

That point carries straight into the Ukraine peace proposal. Wanting an end to war is noble. Rushing a deal that pressures Ukraine to hand over territory or weaken its defenses? Not so noble. Real peace doesn’t reward aggression or force the victim to clean up the mess. A just peace must recognize who invaded whom and create security, not surrender.

And back at home, we’ve watched tensions rise over lawmakers telling troops to refuse “illegal orders.” Our military depends on discipline, clarity, and lawful authority. Encouraging soldiers to freelance their own interpretations during a crisis is a recipe for confusion. Yes, unlawful orders must be refused, but loose political rhetoric doesn’t help anyone. Our troops deserve guidance, not grandstanding.

Finally, the lawsuit accusing FHFA Director Bill Pulte of weaponizing mortgage data against political critics strikes at the heart of public trust. If true, it’s a grievous misuse of power; if untrue, transparency will sort it out. Either way, government cannot function if federal agencies act like partisan enforcers. Justice must be even-handed, not selective.

Across all these stories, one theme stands out: America needs leaders who pair strength with righteousness. President Trump, Congress, and our institutions carry enormous responsibility. The decisions they make — whether about war, national security, domestic oversight, or military discipline — only work when rooted in truth instead of political impulse.

We’re not called to be cynical. We’re called to be discerning. We can support strong action while insisting on just action. We can respect authority while demanding accountability. We can love our country without pretending its leaders are beyond correction on either side of the aisle.

In times like these, the prayer of Micah rings louder than ever: “Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.” A nation led that way would have far fewer scandals, far stronger institutions, and far more peace, the kind of peace that comes not from shortcuts, but from character.