Pray for the people of Ukraine. Last night the world watched as war broke out between Ukraine and Russia. As happens in today’s world, many of us first learned of the war’s beginning while monitoring social media. One interesting aspect of reactions that immediately came forth was the generally unified response coming from both sides of the political aisle through statements and tweets issued by politicians and public figures.

The U.N. Security Council held a last-minute meeting chaired by Russia, proving once again what a sick joke the Security Council is, allowing the worst of its members to chair the group. Ukraine pleaded for support and Russia denied that it is to blame for its own invasion. As the tweets began showing up on Twitter from journalists covering the story in Ukraine, the hot takes began in response.

A colleague’s tweet caught my attention as I worked last night. A CNN reporter heard explosions and put on his body armor as he speculated that the war was beginning.

Here's Chance hastily putting the body armor pic.twitter.com/XRfndvyExr

— Nicholas Fondacaro 🇺🇦 (@NickFondacaro) February 24, 2022

Politicians began weighing in with their support for Ukraine, as you would expect, except for Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) who was busy trying to dunk on Republicans.

Kyiv and Kharkiv are being bombed. The largest invasion on our planet since WW2. Republicans are rooting for the Russians. God be with Ukraine and democracy.

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) February 24, 2022

It didn’t go well for him. That wasn’t the only tweet he posted with that opinion. Weirdly, he has retweeted himself and has the tweet from last night at the top of his Twitter page as I write this on Thursday morning. He’s proud of himself. Swalwell is not to be taken seriously by anyone. This dim bulb sits on the House Intelligence Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Amy Curtis spoke for many of us:

Don’t you have some Chinese spy to bang? https://t.co/3VUJDtAzh8

— Amy “Ice Shanty Hoe” Curtis (@RantyAmyCurtis) February 24, 2022

This is just so deeply embarrassing and unserious, Eric. I can't think of a time when a party deserved power in Washington less than you guys do now.

— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) February 24, 2022

The Democrats are completely in charge in Washington but Swalwell puts the blame for this on Republicans instead of Putin. The only person to blame for the actions on the ground in Ukraine is Putin. Period. Putin has been broadcasting his intentions for months and because he is a dictatorial madman, he is carrying forth on his agenda to put the former Soviet Union back together. Does anyone think if he is successful in this war that he will stop with Ukraine? He’s unhinged enough to invade a neighboring country which will likely be a NATO member. Poland is taking in Ukranians who can get there – will Putin seek revenge for their act of compassion?

This is just so deeply embarrassing and unserious, Eric. I can't think of a time when a party deserved power in Washington less than you guys do now.

— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) February 24, 2022

Biden issued a statement as the Russian invasion began.

“The prayers of the world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces,” President Biden said in a White House statement. “President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.”

The prayers of the world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. https://t.co/Q7eUJ0CG3k

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2022

He did ok with that. It is hard to imagine such an attack by Putin if we had a more robust voice in the White House, though. The days of Reagan’s famous motto of peace through strength are long gone after Americans have become fatigued after involvement in two recent wars overseas, both of which the U.S. lost. Even Roosevelt’s “Speak softly and carry a big stick” is no longer applicable. Putin smells weakness even in the United States and is emboldened to make his move. He isn’t stopping after a “minor invasion” as Biden originally gave him to go-ahead to do, Putin wants the entire country.

Some Republicans called for stronger actions from Biden, though he has been clear that he will not send American troops into Ukraine. Instead he is positioning them in countries outside of Ukraine.

We pray for the people of Ukraine as they defend against Putin’s attempt to rebuild the old Soviet Union. Biden must stand up to Putin and immediately levy severe sanctions against Russia — starting with removal from the SWIFT banking system.

The USA stands with Ukraine. 🇺🇸 🇺🇦

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) February 24, 2022

Pelosi stroked Biden for his “forceful leadership”.

An attack on Ukraine is an attack on democracy.

I applaud @POTUS for his forceful leadership in imposing the first tranche of swift & severe sanctions to counter Russian aggression.

The U.S. & our allies stand together in our unwavering support of the Ukrainian people. pic.twitter.com/bOzkeWMpk9

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 24, 2022

The best tweet came from Mitt Romney, now completely vindicated for his remarks in 2012. As Jazz wrote this morning, Romney pointed out that everyone saw this coming, or should have seen it coming.

pic.twitter.com/1sVNk4RiJa

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 24, 2022

Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons and the U.S., the U.K. and Russia guaranteed Ukraine’s security in a 1994 agreement known as the Budapest Memorandum. At the time, Ukraine had the third largest nuclear arsenal. Now Ukraine feels betrayed.

Biden will deliver an address today. Let’s hope he comes prepared to strongly condemn Putin and put in place severe sanctions against Russia. Putin is assaulting democracy in the world. He has to be stopped.