{beacon} Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story  12 former aides say Biden has prioritized politics over ‘fair policymaking’ on Gaza Twelve U.S. government employees who resigned in protest of President Biden’s handling of Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip are accusing the administration of prioritizing politics over “fair policymaking.”  © Leo Correa, Associated Press The dozen signatories on a joint statement represent a wide spectrum of government staff, including former employees of the State Department, Department of Interior and White House, as well as former military officers. They resigned in protest at different times over the nine months of Israel’s war against Hamas following the U.S.-designated terrorist group’s Oct. 7 attack.    “Both our individual and common experiences demonstrate an Administration that has prioritized politics over just and fair policymaking; profit over national security; falsehoods over facts; directives over debate; ideology over experience, and special interest over the equal enforcement of the law,” they wrote.   “The impact of these injustices has resulted in tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian lives taken, reflecting a clear picture to the world of whose lives matter, and whose lives simply do not to United States policy makers. As members of the United States Government, each of us witnessed this abrogation of American values, leading us to resign.”   The twelve wrote that they have “grave concerns with current U.S. policy towards the crisis in Gaza, and U.S. policies and practices towards Palestine and Israel more broadly.”    The statement lays out six policy recommendations for the administration to implement, calling for the U.S. to “faithfully execute the law” related to American weapons deliveries to Israel.    “The Administration is currently willfully violating multiple U.S. laws and attempting to deny or distort facts, use loopholes, or manipulate processes to ensure a continuous flow of lethal weapons to Israel,” the statement reads.   The signatories call for the U.S. to exert all leverage to bring fighting to a halt, secure the release of Israeli hostages from Hamas and the release of Palestinian minors in Israeli jails; surge humanitarian support to Gaza; support of self-determination for the Palestinian people and “an end to military occupation and settlements, including in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.”   Read the full report at TheHill.com.   Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Tomorrow, July 4, is a federal holiday with no defense newsletter. We'll be back Friday.    Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future:   Biden praises Civil War soldiers, Medal of Honor recipients for ‘heroic deeds’ President Biden on Wednesday posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to two Civil War-era soldiers whom he lauded for defending America and the values it was founded upon. Biden, speaking from the White House, praised Pvt. Philip G. Shadrach and Pvt. George D. Wilson for an April 12, 1862, mission behind Confederate lines. “Their heroic deeds went unacknowledged for over a century, but time did not erase their valor,” …  Full Story   Taiwan says China seized fishing boat under new protocol Taiwanese officials said Wednesday that China seized one of their fishing boats this week under a new protocol that allows the Chinese coast guard to take vessels that operate under its maritime borders. Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said China has stepped up its patrols since a regulation went into effect in June authorizing it to seize vessels for up to 60 days in waters considered by Beijing to be under …  Full Story   Zelensky challenges Trump to release plan to end Ukraine war with Russia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is challenging former President Trump to release a plan for ending the ongoing war with Russia. “If Trump knows how to finish this war, he should tell us today,” Zelensky said in a Bloomberg Television interview on Wednesday. “If there are risks to Ukrainian independence, if we lose statehood — we want to be ready for this, we want to know.” Zelensky said in the interview that he was “potentially …  Full Story   Confidence in Zelensky drops in Europe, ‘warms’ for Putin in some places: Pew Global confidence in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to do the right thing has declined across a broad grouping of countries, including in Europe, according to a Pew survey published Tuesday.  The findings contrast with a slight improvement in global opinion toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, in particular among young people, although overall confidence in the Russian leader remains low.  The Pew survey …  Full Story   On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  NATO will hosts its annual summit in Washington next week at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, July 9-11.   In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Live updates: Supreme Court rules Trump has presumptive criminal immunity for official acts In a monumental decision Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that former presidents enjoy a presumption of criminal immunity for official acts while in the White House, handing a win to former President Trump. The move is likely to delay Trump’s federal election subversion case in Washington, D.C. … Full Story   On Tap Tomorrow  Events in and around the defense world:  The National Archives will hold a celebration of the 248th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, with the presentation of colors by the Continental Color Guard, singing of the national anthem, performance by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, and Fife and Drum Corps and a a reading of the Declaration of Independence by historical reenactors, at 9 a.m. The National Park Service will hold it National Independence Day Parade, featuring a fife and drum corps, marching bands, floats, military units, giant balloons, and equestrian and drill teams, at 11:45 a.m. The National Park Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Department of the Army, the Boeing Company, American Airlines, and PBS will host the traditional annual event: “A Capitol Fourth Concert,” at 8 p.m.   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: Air Force Ospreys in Japan resume flight ops (Military Times) Here's what Biden and Trump actually did for veterans as president (Military.com)   Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Haley jabs Stephanopoulos over exchange on Biden not finishing term Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley on Tuesday took a swipe at ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, who dismissed her suggestion last year … Read more As president teeters, Jill Biden faces a critical juncture She’s served more than three years as first lady, but after President Biden’s stunningly shaky debate performance and subsequent calls … Read more   Opinions in The Hill  Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: America’s shrinking military is a cultural crisis How Ukraine can create a credible deterrent against Russia outside of NATO Vets deserve better than confusion on defense funding and VA staffing     You're all caught up. See you Friday!