John, I went on CNN to talk about Senator Mark Kelly and why what’s happening to him should alarm every American who believes in the Constitution.

After Mark Kelly appeared in a video with me and several of our colleagues reaffirming a basic constitutional truth and the law—that no service member is required to follow an illegal order—the Trump Administration Pentagon moved to demote his retired rank and slash his military retirement pay.

That’s not discipline. That’s intimidation.

When Mark, our colleagues, and I released that video in November, Trump responded the only way he knows how: with threats. He called for us to be arrested, jailed, even hanged—simply for stating the law and defending the Constitution.

That tells you everything you need to know about his respect for democracy.

I took an oath to the Constitution in the Navy. I took it again when I was elected to Congress. That oath doesn’t expire—and I won’t let Donald Trump or his political enforcers bully me into silence. That’s what standing up to Trump looks like right now, and if you’re with me, donate today to help me continue fighting back and defending our democracy →

This fight isn’t just about Mark or me. It’s about what Donald Trump and his allies are trying to do to anyone who dares to stand up to them.

They’re sending a message to retired service members everywhere: speak out, and they’ll come after your rank, your pension, your livelihood.

They’re sending a message that if you stand up, tell the truth, and defend the Constitution, they’ll try to silence you through fear and retaliation.

I refuse to accept that. I won’t be intimidated—not for a single second.

I will always uphold my oath, and I will never stop doing my job for the good people of Pennsylvania. Stand with me in this fight to defend our democracy and our Constitution by chipping in now →

Thank you,

Chris