Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

King Charles urges checks on executive power as Trump hosts royal visit
The Washington Post ^ | April 28, 2026 9:49 p.m. EDT | Michael Birnbaum

Posted on 04/29/2026 2:17:20 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

In a speech to Congress, the monarch avoided naming the president but highlighted democratic norms, Ukraine and Western unity.

King Charles III urged Americans and Britons to draw on their shared heritage to defend democratic values, including checks on executive power, as he exhorted U.S. lawmakers to address global problems collectively in an era of unusually sharp divisions.

In the course of his first state visit to the United States as monarch, Charles stayed scrupulously nonpartisan over the course of a 28-minute address to a joint meeting of Congress. But he promoted what he described as centuries of common interests, including in areas where President Donald Trump has sought a sharp break from U.S. precedent in his drive to reshape American society and governance.

The U.S. and Britain should defend Ukraine, Charles said. An independent judiciary should deliver impartial justice. Diverse societies make countries strong. Societies must protect the natural world. And the U.S. and Europe should “ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”

Charles is officially barred from engaging in politics and mentioned no political leader in his speech. The vision of the American role in the world that he outlined, however, stood in stark contrast to that of Trump, who has declared that migration weakens societies, used executive orders to bypass Congress, attacked judges who rule against him, questioned the scientific consensus on climate change and declared his desire to wind down support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion. The speech came on the day the Justice Department brought a new indictment against former FBI director James B. Comey, a longtime Trump target.

As the king spoke, the White House posted an image of Trump and Charles on X, calling it “TWO KINGS,” with a crown emoji.

Drawing repeated bipartisan standing ovations from...

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS:
Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you,

Jim


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last
Cheeky little wanker, isn't he?
1 posted on 04/29/2026 2:17:20 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum
Diverse societies make countries strong.

Pulled that out of his poofter arse, didn't he? Guess he never heard of Japan or China. Meanwhile England has gone to crap.

2 posted on 04/29/2026 2:27:51 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Chuck doesn’t know his ass from his elbow


3 posted on 04/29/2026 2:30:38 AM PDT by albie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sirius Lee
"Diverse societies make countries strong."

He probably still believes in the tooth fairy as well. Maybe his imaginary friends play golf with biden's.
4 posted on 04/29/2026 2:40:21 AM PDT by clearcarbon (Fraudulent elections have consequences.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Sirius Lee
Diverse societies make countries strong.

Is that why England will arrest you for verbalizing opinions that differ from those that are approved by the state? Is that why Europe has many centuries long tradition of war among its various nation states?

Diversity only works when people share common core values - including love of country, a work ethic, and a desire to assimilate into the general society.

5 posted on 04/29/2026 2:49:03 AM PDT by neverevergiveup
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: neverevergiveup

See also:

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4376845/posts


6 posted on 04/29/2026 2:51:32 AM PDT by neverevergiveup
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: neverevergiveup

The west imports people that practice an intolerant religion that believes it is a sin to assimilate and instead to conquer us!


7 posted on 04/29/2026 2:58:36 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Sirius Lee; neverevergiveup; clearcarbon; albie; E. Pluribus Unum
Diverse societies make countries strong.

You're all assuming Charles wrote his speech. Or that he even had a choice in what to say.

British monarchs are figureheads. Their speeches are written by others and heavily vetted by the government before approved for public reading.

I'm sure this speech reflects Starmer's government more than the monarchy. The latter has probably long forgotten what it is to have an opinion.

8 posted on 04/29/2026 3:01:18 AM PDT by Angelino97
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum
This fool will arrest you for saying things he doesn't like and his country is being taking over by immigrants, yet he has the nerve to insult Trump on executive power and “diversity”.
9 posted on 04/29/2026 3:09:01 AM PDT by Vision (“Our Democracy” means "Our Slush Fund." The Left is hate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum
WEAK & UNRELIABLE: ‘This is not a functioning country right now’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IBG8S58rB8

10 posted on 04/29/2026 3:18:28 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Living testimony to the fraility of hereditary monoarchy.


11 posted on 04/29/2026 3:48:31 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets ( Thorough planning and careful preparation is no substitute for wishful thinking. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sirius Lee

“Diverse societies make countries strong”

Whenever I see or hear that phrase I’m reminded of Teddy Roosevelt’s thoughts on immigration. Immigration/diversity is only a strength if there is full assimilation .


12 posted on 04/29/2026 3:48:38 AM PDT by Rlsau1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Vision

That fool is a mere figurehead, and he has long since exhausted whatever reserve of respect and alligance he ever commanded. Canada may be the only country on earth that gives a feather or fig what his royal high ass thinks.


13 posted on 04/29/2026 3:50:47 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets ( Thorough planning and careful preparation is no substitute for wishful thinking. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

a very expensive mascot


14 posted on 04/29/2026 3:55:35 AM PDT by joshua c
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Actual King joins No Kings protest.


15 posted on 04/29/2026 4:20:38 AM PDT by Kleon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Irony - the last time a king overrode the Parliament was in 1708..he’s literally a figurehead with no brains in the head.


16 posted on 04/29/2026 5:32:09 AM PDT by trebb (So many fools - so little time...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

This is a case where I agree with No Kings. Go home pansy and worry about your muslim countrymen.


17 posted on 04/29/2026 5:36:46 AM PDT by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Was that an umbrella that Camilla was holding when she came out on the balcony during the military tribute yesterday?


18 posted on 04/29/2026 5:50:50 AM PDT by nikos1121
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: clearcarbon

Then Charles, old chap, you will be in favor of the Falklands return to Argentina


19 posted on 04/29/2026 5:52:15 AM PDT by nikos1121
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

The King is getting a little uppity. We are not his subjects.


20 posted on 04/29/2026 5:56:38 AM PDT by healy61
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson