We can judge every era by the degree to which we live up to the Declaration of Independence, or fall away from it.

This is the June 26, 2026, edition of “The Tea, Spilled by Morning Joe” newsletter. Subscribe hereto get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday through Friday.

“Under Trump, you guys have two outcomes that an election can be: Either we win or they cheated. That shit has to stop.”

— Bill Maher to Vice President JD Vance

GUEST ESSAY BY JON MEACHAM

There’s a difference between celebration and commemoration.

As we mark 250 years of American independence, I know a lot of people don’t feel like celebrating right now. But let’s think about this act of remembrance as a way of contemplating where the country began — and how we’ve arrived where we are.

It would have surprised the founders that it took this long to get here. They would have called this an era of extreme passion. In their vernacular, passion and reason were opposites.

As Alexander Hamilton wrote in “The Federalist Papers,” the point of the American constitutional experiment was to see whether a government could be formed by reason and deliberation rather than by force and accident. Could there be a civil society governed by a rule of law that did not depend on coercion, but could exist by our common assent? One where, by surrendering a few rights and liberties — I can’t just come grab whatever I want — we create the conditions to live lives of prosperity and purpose?

Take a deep breath. Remember that we are doing this in July because of the Declaration of Independence — a ferocious political moment in the development of the West. It’s linked to Magna Carta and the Glorious Revolution, to an entire transformation of the understanding that kings, popes, prelates, and princes would be in charge — and that we, instead, would determine our own destinies.

Let’s focus on that. And remember: We can judge every era by the degree to which we live up to the Declaration of Independence, or fall away from it.

DANGEROUS HEAT INDEX TO INTENSIFY ACROSS CENTRAL AND EASTERN U.S.

The heat wave is expected to last through the Fourth of July weekend.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

ON THIS DATE

On June 29, 2007, Apple released the first iPhone. The CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, was not impressed: “That is the most expensive phone in the world … it doesn’t have a keyboard, which makes it not a very good e-mail machine.”

WHAT THEY SAID

John Heilemann on Iran mocking Trump

“Iran’s actions suggest they don’t believe the president’s threats are going to come to pass. They understand that the president is operating according to a timetable, under the pressures of the midterm elections.”

Jonathan Martin on Democrats’ responses to Darializa Chevalier

“Both parties would rather focus on the other’s excesses. But you have to hold your own side accountable. Because if you don’t, the other party is going to jam you and tar your entire party.”

Jim Vandehei on the GOP following Trump

“There’s a real frustration with Trump. Republicans worry a lot about the base of the party turning on them as they take positions that just aren’t popular anymore. Little by little, they’re going to have to start thinking about their own survival.”

Skye Perryman on election manipulation

“The proposal would essentially enable the post office to refuse delivery of mail-in ballots to states that haven’t shared voter data. It’s completely unconstitutional. All of these plans the president has — they’re losing in court, before Republican-appointed and Democratic-appointed judges alike. There’s just no legal basis for what he’s trying to do.”

Roger Bennett on the World Cup

“It’s been a joy watching America fall in love with global football. But the other part of the story is the world falling in love with America. Scottish fans pouring into Boston, Norwegian fans being charmed by New York City, fans marveling at things we take for granted. For me, that is the legacy of this World Cup.”