An Open Letter to Former President Trump

Dear Mr. President,

Over the past three and a half years the military community has experienced a marked absence in principled leadership from the very top. Not only in the cultural changes that have occurred through the ranks, but in the most strategic decisions that impact service members, their families and the Nation.

The most notable defense blunder of the current administration was the horrific withdrawal from Afghanistan. While more concern was placed with enforcing ineffective and damaging COVID policies at home, the administration and senior leaders led an unplanned and impulsive exit, plagued with poor leadership, costing the lives unnecessarily of thirteen service members. We will not allow their names to be forgotten or the inexcusable failure that led to their deaths:

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas
Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, Calif.
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah
Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tenn.
Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, Calif.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyo.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, Calif.
Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Mass.
Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Ind.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Mo.
Navy Hospital Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio
Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Neb.
 

During your past term in office the military community experienced sound decisions that harnessed the power of diplomacy and deterrence through strength that led to no new wars or global conflicts. The US military stands ready to defend America wherever and whenever needed as a show of strength or in the rigor of action, however it is demoralizing and inappropriate to consistently use the military without clear strategy, focused objectives or the full power of American diplomacy. The current administration lacks all three and as a result the Nation is now facing serious conflicts in Israel and Ukraine with growing threats in Iran and China. Additionally, the open border policies of the Biden-Harris term have brought increased violence into our own nation, a threat of which military members and their families are not immune. We have confidence a Trump-Vance administration will restore order to our international affairs, proper use of the military and bring stability to inside our own borders.

Instead of focusing on the necessary innovation and development of the force, the current administration has chosen to focus on DEI initiatives, renaming military installations, enforcing damaging COVID-era mandates and creating a massive social engineering experiment at the cost of our readiness, our troops and our military families. We see poorly managed budgets, a lack of strategic vision, government waste, a health crisis, low recruiting numbers and even unnecessary deaths, particularly in the military aviation sector. The military deserves world class training, the best leaders, trustworthy healthcare and a warfighting environment that can deter and fight to win, if needed, in the next conflict. We trust this is the future you will lead towards in your second term.

Like all Americans, military families have been deeply impacted by the lower quality of life ushered in through Biden-Harris policies. Inflation and the housing accessibility crisis has caused many families to suffer financially, particularly when often moving on military orders to new areas of the country. We continue to see a decline in the quality and accessibility of military healthcare, the long term impacts of COVID-era mandates and policies, lack of innovative school choice options for military children, a decrease in access to base services, lack of quality of on base housing in many locations, and diminished benefits adaptations for service members on remote assignments, such as recruiting duty. The policies you champion that benefit all American families such as tax cuts, school choice, “MAHA” initiatives and less bureaucracy will also greatly elevate the families of service members. In your last term you granted a pay raise – one of the biggest in decades – to our military men and women. You fought for our vets with reforms to the VA. You repealed the Widows Tax that Gold Star spouses fought to achieve for more than 40 years. You signed an Executive Order enhancing noncompetitive civil service appointments of military spouses. You signed another Executive Order for improvement of license portability for relocated military spouses. We know this is just the beginning of what your administration can achieve in a second term.

Like you, President Trump, we are fiercely loyal to our God, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen serving our country. Your patriotism and love for America inspires us. We will sleep better at night knowing that you will stop at nothing to protect the Constitution and those who defend it. We stand tall with you and give you our full endorsement for 47th President of the United States.

Sincerely,

Conservative Military Spouses, Veterans, and Families