Common Defense

Common Defense is live! YouTube video by Common Defense

UPDATE: Our member Dana Briggs, the Air Force veteran who was thrown to the ground and arrested by ICE for peacefully protesting, has been RELEASED.

Watch the press conference to learn the truth about what happened. #NoWarOnOurStreets

Livestream Link: www.youtube.com/live/E5c9gDU...

Common Defense Condemns Trump & Hegseth’s Attacks on Diversity in the Military — Common Defense Veterans’ group Common Defense slams Trump and Pete Hegseth’s military gathering in Quantico, calling their attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion a dangerous threat to democracy, military readin...

In his failed Patton impersonation at the Quantico gathering, Pete Hegseth demanded a military loyal to a political cult, not the Constitution. That's a direct threat to our troops and our democracy.

Read our full statement on this dangerous rhetoric: commondefense.us/newsroom/com...

The difference is ACCOUNTABILITY.

The National Guard are our neighbors, part of the community they serve. ICE is being used like an unaccountable paramilitary force on our streets.

The distinction is critical. #KnowTheDifference

No War On Our Streets — Common Defense

Add Your Name:

commondefense.us/no-war-on-ou...

Donald Trump is unleashing masked federal agents and military troops into our neighborhoods — dragging people off the streets, terrorizing families, and treating American communities like occupied zones.

Congress has the power to stop this abuse of power.

Trump’s masked gestapo just shoved a Common Defense member and Air Force veteran to the ground and arrested him for peacefully protesting in Illinois.

The lawlessness of this regime must end — and he must be released immediately!

The Common Defense Political Director speaks into a megaphone during a protest in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs building. Behind him, people hold signs that read, "STAND FOR VETERANS STAND FOR UNIONS" and "FIGHTING FOR EMPLOYEES IS FIGHTING FOR VETERANS."

The Trump admin's war on workers hits the VA hard, ending bargaining for 350k staff (30% vets) and cutting 30k jobs. These staff shortages create "very unsafe" conditions for patients and staff alike.

This is a power grab, not reform, and it's a betrayal that leaves our nation's heroes behind.

Local opinion: When elected officials and public figures resort to doxxing and intimidation, we all lose We don’t need more finger-pointing and character assassination; we need leadership that builds bridges and prioritizes peace.

Doxxing isn't free speech, it's political violence. When elected officials use their platforms to harass and intimidate, they normalize the same dehumanization that fuels wars.

This is a betrayal of our democracy. Read combat vet Melissa Cordero's op-ed: tucson.com/opinion/colu...

A group of five people, including Common Defense members and allies from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, are seated around a polished wooden conference table in a lawmaker's office. They are in a serious discussion, advocating for the Love Lives On Act. The Common Defense logo is overlaid in the bottom right corner.

A diverse group of seven Common Defense members and allies from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors stand together for a group photo in a Capitol Hill hallway. They are smiling, standing in front of a door with a plaque for Representative Mary Gay Scanlon. The Common Defense logo is overlaid in the bottom center.

Love after loss shouldn't cost a surviving military spouse their earned benefits. It's that simple.

The bipartisan Love Lives On Act fixes this. We were on the Hill pushing for it. Tell your reps to pass this commonsense bill.

www.congress.gov/members/find...

Register to Vote/Check Registration | National Voter Registration Day If you’re looking to register to vote or check/update your voter registration, you’re in the right place! Not sure if you need to update your registration? Here’s a list of reasons to check your statu...

Democracy isn't guaranteed, it requires our work. As veterans, our duty is at the ballot box. It's our power to protect our freedoms and build a nation of "liberty and justice" for all.

Continue your service with us. Register to vote:
nationalvoterregistrationday.org/register-to-...

Common Defense Commends Bipartisan Effort After House Votes to Repeal Iraq War Authorization<br/> — Common Defense Veterans of Common Defense commend the bipartisan House repeal of Iraq War authorizations, a crucial step toward ending forever wars and preventing unchecked presidential war powers.

Whether you served in Iraq or not, all Americans deserve freedom from forever wars. For decades, unaccountable politicians used outdated authorizations as a blank check for conflict. The bipartisan House vote to repeal them is a historic step to reclaim our power.
commondefense.us/newsroom/hou...

Veterans Demand Trump, Political Leaders: Restore Calm & Common Ground After Charlie Kirk Shooting — Common Defense Veterans of Common Defense call on President Trump and all leaders to reject political violence, restore calm, and defend democracy after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

"Division isn’t strength—it’s surrender."

As veterans, we demand our leaders choose reconciliation over ruin following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Stop fanning the flames and start healing our nation, the stakes are too high.

Read our full statement: commondefense.us/newsroom/vet...

On 9/11, we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost and honor the sacrifices made. For many veterans, that day shaped our service. Now our mission evolves: building true security through justice and a strong democracy, not endless war. Our oath to a better future continues.

Texas is attacking abortion medication. The VA is weighing restrictions on vets' care. Veterans are fighting back — and we need you with us.

Join the fight for reproductive freedom 🔗 actionnetwork.org/petitions/pr...

YouTube video by Common Defense Common Defense Joins Lawmakers to Oppose VA's Proposed Abortion Ban

Our Political Director, Naveed Shah — a U.S. Army Veteran — joined House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39) and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to oppose the VA’s proposed abortion ban.

🔗 youtu.be/D4gFCRZnaXc

Judge rules Trump can't act as national police chief The president broke the law when he deployed troops to Los Angeles, Judge Charles Breyer ruled.

No president gets to turn the military on our own people. Judge Breyer reminded Trump of that fact today.

🔗 shorturl.at/y9b6r

At Common Defense, we recognize that the fight for justice extends beyond the workplace—it is deeply connected to the broader struggle for democracy, equity, and freedom. Today, we recommit ourselves to standing shoulder to shoulder with workers everywhere.

"Women are going to die," warns Army veteran & health researcher Caitlin Russell.

Trump's VA abortion ban has only the narrowest exception — putting veterans' lives at risk.

✍️ SIGN: Protect veterans' care 🔗 shorturl.at/ze0OU

#VANotForSale #ProtectAbortionAccess #DefendHealthcare

Over 400,000 women vets could lose care. We won't let the VA be weaponized.

Add your name to protect abortion access and defend veterans' healthcare 🔗 shorturl.at/ze0OU

'We Need to Terminate Treatment': VA Mental Health Providers Say They Are Under Pressure to Limit Care Veterans Affairs officials insist there are no caps on mental health care, but providers in multiple states disagree.

"The thing that's scary is we're going to get rid of people who need care, who are maintaining [stability] because they're in ongoing care," said one provider.

Don't cut the care we earned.

Read the full story 🔗 shorturl.at/ORdug

Not only are Trump and Hegseth disrespecting the years of service and sacrifice with firings like these, they are also actively harming our national defense.

They’re f*cking babies who hate when facts and accurate reports disagree with their fantasy worlds. #VetsAgainstTrump

Sec. Pete Hegseth ordered armed National Guard patrols in DC—reversing the Pentagon's earlier decision to keep them unarmed during Trump's crackdown.

Common Defense is demanding answers—and a reversal—before this reckless move ends in tragedy.

Read our full statement 🔗 shorturl.at/ueo2e

National Guard Members On DC Streets Will Be Armed, Military Says The Pentagon and the Army said last week that troops would not carry guns.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's order to arm National Guard troops in D.C. is a reckless escalation. Soldiers aren't trained for police work—this only increases the risk of violence. We need leaders who de-escalate, not turn our streets into war zones.

🔗 shorturl.at/cAfhA

Trump has vowed to eliminate mail-in ballots before the 2026 midterms. This is a direct attack on democracy—and on veterans, troops, and families who depend on them.

Read our full statement 🔗 shorturl.at/7Va7e

#ProtectOurVotes #CommonDefense

Screenshot of news headline from NBC News titled “How Trump’s move away from calls for a Ukraine ceasefire shifts him closer to Putin” with a photo of Trump and Putin

Trump is caving to Putin, “his friend Vladimir.” After all his big talk for peace, it’s clear he would rather sell out the Ukrainian people for a nice smile and handshake from his fellow authoritarian dictator. Shameful.

Governor Newsom is leading the charge to fight back against Trump's attempts to rig Texas' elections. California will introduce a new legislative package to protect fair representation and stop Trump's power grab. The time to act is now.

Veterans Affairs workers shouldn't be forced to rely on the whims of VA Secretary Doug Collins to have affordable healthcare. These working people stuck together and won their union contract.

We need your voice 🔗 shorturl.at/1WaTd

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins is breaking his promise to respect VA workers' collective bargaining rights. It's time to hold him—and other self-interested politicians—accountable!

🔗 shorturl.at/1WaTd

The DHS's attempt to recruit veterans for immigration enforcement betrays the values we swore to defend. We stand against these actions and urge fellow veterans to defend justice, fairness, and equality.

🔗 commondefense.us/join

🎧 Jose Vasquez, Executive Director at Common Defense, talks military career and his work leading the largest grassroots movement of veterans for progressive values on The Great Battlefield podcast.

🎙️ Listen now! shorturl.at/8jW5e