JOHN,

I served for over 33 years in the United States Army on Active Duty and retired as a Major General. I deployed around the world in defense of our nation. I upheld my oath to support and defend the Constitution.

And in all my years of service I never thought that the President of the United States would use his power as Commander in Chief to impose Purity Boards to bend the Military to his will.

But now, with Trump set to retake office, that is the reality we face.

Trump aims to destroy the apolitical nature of the Military, purge our most seasoned and effective officers, and replace them with loyalists who will follow his every command — whether they are Constitutionally legal or not.

You can be sure that if I still served, Trump’s Purity Board would slate me for relief, to be replaced by someone who demonstrates fealty to Trump above all else.

I ask you to consider a three things as we approach Trump’s inauguration:

First, the Supreme Court of the United States granted Trump complete immunity for “official actions” as President. Something not granted to our Military. A chilling thought as Trump works to eliminate anyone who would stand in his way.

Second, Joseph Stalin purged the Soviet Army as he rose to power, eliminating career officers, professionals with experience and capability, for disloyalty. The Russian Army never recovered, and the effects continue to play out — most recently in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

And third, the Military exists as an apolitical servant of the Constitution above all else, to be guided by elected civilian leadership of all political stripes. This is essential to the stability of our nation. If senior ranks are loyal only to Trump, there is significant danger that they may not follow another leader after he leaves office (or if he refuses to do so).

We have to fight this with everything we have. But what tools are at our disposal as we work to resist Trump’s Purity Boards?

The first step is to speak with one united voice in opposition. The tough truth is that Trump has everything he needs to carry out his plans under his authority as Commander in Chief. But if we make this position politically untenable — if we cause him political damage, if we slow him down, if we convince others to take our side against him — we have a chance at stopping him.

I will not sit idly by as Trump readies a purge of good, decent, honorable leaders from the Military. We may not be able to stop him, but at the very least we will not be silent.

I need you with me.

Join me, join VoteVets, and join the thousands of others who have already added their voice to speak out against Trump’s Purity Boards and his purge of the United States Military. Add your name here, and then tell everyone you know that Trump is deadset on destroying our Military and making each of us less safe.

ADD YOUR VOICE

These next four years will not be easy. But together, we will do everything we can to defend our democracy.

Thank you for joining us.

Very respectfully,

Paul Eaton
Senior Advisor, VoteVets
Major General, U.S. Army, Retired

 

PAID FOR BY VOTEVETS, VOTEVETS.ORG, NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE

Use of military rank, job titles or photographs in uniform does not imply the endorsement of the Department of Defense, Departments of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or the Marines or Space Force.

This email was sent to [email protected] . Email is a very important way we communicate with supporters like you, but if you want to, you can unsubscribe here .