Common Defense

We fixed the signage at the Pentagon.

Real leaders show up. Peter Hegseth is playing hide-and-seek to avoid @duckworth.senate.gov

If you're going to deploy troops into American cities, you'd better be brave enough to explain why to the Senate. We are demanding answers.

Bomb threats made against Congressman Chris Deluzio’s Carnegie, Beaver County offices Congressman Chris Deluzio’s offices have been targeted with bomb threats.

Common Defense condemns all political violence.

Context: Veterans in Congress reminded troops of their Oath & UCMJ. They were told it was "punishable by DEATH." Now, Rep. Deluzio faces bomb threats, following the President's demand for death.

We will not be intimidated.

https://bit.ly/48cODNu

Coast Guard disputes claim new guidelines no longer consider swastikas hate symbols The Coast Guard said suggestions it no longer prohibits extremist imagery like swastikas are ‘categorically false’

The USCG "disputes" plans to soften hate symbol bans—but only after alarm bells rang.

Lene, our Deputy Director, told @Independent: "It almost feels like they’re trying to pick the wrongest opinion you could possibly have and decide to die on that hill."

https://bit.ly/3XaCMug

US troops should be alarmed at Trump’s strikes on alleged drug boats Opinion: The author of this op-ed argues the recent strikes on alleged drug boats create a precedent that gives an advantage to America's near-peer adversaries.

A DoD employee blew the whistle: Trump's 'war' on cartels is "patently illegal" & "nonsense".

Service members are being given unlawful orders AND, we are handing China the "lawfare" precedent they need to take Taiwan.

This is a stunt, not a mission.
#UnlawfulOrders

https://bit.ly/4ifAfsf

Hegseth’s style counters military’s history as engine of social change Professors of military history say Hegseth’s actions — and plans for more — are a reversal of the role the American military has often played.

Hegseth's war on "woke" is an attack on our own military history.

The military has consistently led the way in inclusion before the civilian world.

This was never for politics. It was for readiness.

Hegseth's division is the real threat to the force.

#MilitaryHistory

https://bit.ly/4oN6Kk2

Experts: Full nuclear weapons tests would backfire on US Experts agreed if the U.S. resumed full nuclear weapons tests, other nations would do the same — giving them a chance to catch up on nuclear knowledge.

The Trump plan to restart nuke tests isn't just reckless, it's a wasteful BOONDOGGLE.

Experts say it could cost over $1 BILLION to get "rusty" old facilities ready for tests we don't even need.

That money would be pulled from existing programs, impacting our readiness.
https://bit.ly/4i3dW93

‘All for nothing’: Air Force trans troops sue over revoked retirement Seventeen transgender service members filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for revoking the opportunity for early retirement.

"How do I receive retirement orders signed by the Secretary of the Air Force if they were prematurely given out?"

Master Sgt. Ireland is one of 17 troops suing the Trump admin for revoking their signed retirement orders.

Pete Hegseth & the admin must be held accountable.

https://bit.ly/49Yq35b

Illustrated by Veterans, we're honoring leaders who shaped our fight for justice with our Veteran Patron Saints Series.

Meet the first two:
• Harriet Tubman: Union Army scout & abolitionist
• César Chávez: Navy vet & labor icon

Show the world what we stand for.

https://bit.ly/4oWzdnm

Colombia to suspend intelligence sharing with US over boat strikes Colombia's president has ordered security forces to stop sharing intelligence with the U.S. until it stops striking suspected drug trafficking boats.

"He may have been carrying fish, or he may have been carrying cocaine, but he had not been sentenced to death." Colombian President Petro.

Now, he is halting intel sharing & calling for a war crimes investigation.

This is the chaos of an undeclared war.

https://bit.ly/44dQNee

Rally for Our Veterans — Tucson VA, Nov 8 Join Common Defense AZ and VetsFWD for the first stop of the Vet Deployment Caravan in Tucson! We'll rally at the VA Hospital to stand with veterans and demand an end to veteran deportation. Show up, ...

ARIZONA: Veterans are mobilizing to defend our communities.

Join Common Defense for the Rally de las Rosas to stand against mass deportations, ICE raids, and anti-DEI policies.

📍 PHOENIX: Nov 20 | Arizona State Capitol

https://bit.ly/47VLvp9

ARIZONA: Veterans are mobilizing to defend our communities.

Join Common Defense for the Rally de las Rosas to stand against mass deportations, ICE raids, and anti-DEI policies.

📍 PHOENIX: Nov 20 | Arizona State Capitol

https://bit.ly/47VLvp9

A group of individuals standing in front of a large mural that reads "VICTORY Means a Little More Here" on a brick wall, located in Fayetteville, Cumberland County. The scene includes a table with information and several pedestrians nearby.

A barber wearing a cap provides a haircut to a customer.

Two individuals staffing an informational booth under a tent, both wearing a 'Common Defense' shirt, both smiling and engaging with visitors.

A person wearing a VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) cap and polo shirt salutes, standing partially obscured by a foreground element.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone at our Fayetteville resource event. We were proud to be joined by allied orgs & volunteers to provide free haircuts, food, and resources to veterans & neighbors. This is community.

#CommonDefense #FayettevilleNC #Veterans #MilitaryFamilies #Community #VetsSayNo

Just want to give a massive shout-out to our organizers in Pittsburgh and Arizona.

They spent their weekend bringing vets and allies together, having the real conversations that build lasting power.

This is the hard, essential work of democracy, and it's incredible to see. This is how we win.

Trump threatens to send ‘more than the National Guard’ into US cities: ‘He desperately wants to seem strong’ Trump escalated threats to send troops to U.S. cities, telling military troops that he is prepared to send "more than the National Guard."

Trump is again threatening to use the military against Americans, vowing to send "more than the National Guard".

As our organizer, Ed, told TheGrio: "It's all a game to him... He has no idea what it means to put your life on the line... and it's evident in everything that he's doing."

#Veterans

Stephen Miller Scores Free Military House in ‘Trump Green Zone’ The White House aide now joins a growing list of Trump cabinet secretaries who have also moved into military homes.

The admin does believe in subsidized housing for wealthy aides like Stephen Miller.

He's taking a military home during a supply shortfall, while our ED, Jose Vasquez, notes that "service members are lining up at food banks."

This is a choice. And it's wrong.
https://bit.ly/4hLhj4z

Veterans Stand Down & Town Hall – Norfolk, VA Join us for a community-led event supporting homeless and at-risk veterans. Access on-site housing, medical, mental health, benefits, legal, and employment services — plus personal care items and loca...

Norfolk Vets & Allies:

This Veterans Day (11/11), join us at Afterglow Brewing for a Stand Down, featuring critical services for at-risk veterans (housing, medical, benefits), followed by a Town Hall to protect the VA.

Action, not words.

#Norfolk #Veterans #VeteransDay https://bit.ly/4nJnTK2

Veterans Condemn Failed Senate Vote Blocking Trump’s Unauthorized Strikes on Venezuela WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the Senate voted on a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to block Donald Trump’s unauthorized military strikes off the coast of Latin America. This vote should have been a...

The Senate failed to pass a War Powers Resolution to block unauthorized strikes, ignoring 8,000+ letters from our members.

This is a reckless attempt to manufacture war. It's how forever wars start.

We condemn this failure. No president should start a war alone.

https://bit.ly/4nGhSxy

Rally for Our Veterans — Tucson VA, Nov 8 Join Common Defense AZ and VetsFWD for the first stop of the Vet Deployment Caravan in Tucson! We'll rally at the VA Hospital to stand with veterans and demand an end to veteran deportation. Show up, ...

ARIZONA: We are mobilizing to defend our communities.

Join us for 2 major rallies to stand against mass deportations, ICE raids, and anti-DEI policies.

📍 TUCSON Nov 8 | Tucson VA Hospital
📍 PHOENIX Nov 20 | Arizona State Capitol

RSVP for full details on both events.

https://bit.ly/4qCineY

Tougher voting rule for Americans overseas — including military members — halted by federal court The ruling blocks the part of an executive order that required documented proof of citizenship to register in federal elections.

VICTORY: A federal court blocked an unconstitutional attack on military voters.

The order forced overseas troops to mail sensitive documents just to register.

However, the threat isn't over: The same order also allows states to reject ballots due to mail delays.

https://bit.ly/3LqFBVa

We proudly announce a 100% victory rate for our endorsed candidates. When Common Defense organizes, we win.

Congrats to Gov-Elects Abigail Spanberger (VA) & Mikie Sherrill (NJ), Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani (NYC), & Councilman-Elect Shaun McMillan (NC).

Volunteers: You made this happen. Bravo Zulu.

Need for support grows in military communities as shutdown anxiety builds Troops are getting their Nov. 1 paychecks, but the Treasury secretary said they will start going without pay by Nov. 15 if the shutdown continues.

Military families are at food banks as troops work without pay during the shutdown.

The admin promised low grocery prices. Doesn't matter if you're not getting paid.

A total failure of leadership.

Please support your local food bank if you can.

https://bit.ly/4i0NwVH

National Guard mission in DC extended into 2026 The extension keeps hundreds of National Guard personnel stationed in Washington, D.C. through at least February.

The mission for 2,300 National Guard troops in D.C. has been extended AGAIN, now keeping them there through the holidays, without a plan to feed them.

D.C.'s own AG is suing to end the "deployment" and have them home with family

This is not a serious mission.

https://bit.ly/437a6Wo

Rally for Our Veterans — Tucson VA, Nov 8 Join Common Defense AZ and VetsFWD for the first stop of the Vet Deployment Caravan in Tucson! We'll rally at the VA Hospital to stand with veterans and demand an end to veteran deportation. Show up, ...

ARIZONA: We are mobilizing to defend our communities.

Join us for 2 major rallies to stand against mass deportations, ICE raids, and anti-DEI policies.

📍 TUCSON Nov 8 | Tucson VA Hospital
📍 PHOENIX Nov 20 | Arizona State Capitol

RSVP for full details on both events.

https://bit.ly/4qCineY

Army 3-star general retires early from Pentagon role as shake-ups continue A senior Army general is retiring from his Pentagon role after less than 18 months, while an Admiral was moved out of an R&D position.

This administration preaches "lethality," but what they want is loyalty.

Lt. Gen. McGee is the latest to be forced into early retirement, reportedly for clashing with Hegseth.

Hollowing out experienced leadership for political loyalty is a direct threat to our readiness.
https://bit.ly/4363VBP

Hegseth announces Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group heading to Latin America Deployment of a carrier group marks a major escalation of U.S. forces in a region that has already seen an unusually large military buildup.

As powerful as the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is, all of its weaponry cannot stop a single drug overdose.

So why send a carrier group (~4,500 personnel) to join 6,000+ troops in a major escalation?

It won't stop the crisis Big Pharma created; the real culprits are in boardrooms.

Common Defense Veterans Slams Guard Expansion As SNAP Cuts Loom — Common Defense Common Defense condemns plans to deploy 23,000 troops as SNAP cuts loom, urging food aid for working families and 1.2M veterans—not militarized streets.

Over 1.2 million veterans rely on SNAP. Yet the admin is cutting their food aid while deploying 23,000 troops to police US streets.

This is a DISGRACEFUL misplacement of priorities.

As these cuts hit, please support your local food bank.

#Veterans #SNAP #Volunteer

Read our full statement:

Common Defense Urges Senate to Pass Guard VA Benefits Act — Common Defense Common Defense’s SVAC statement pushes back on VA disability narratives and urges Guard VA Benefits Act to stop predatory claims firms targeting veterans.

Stop blaming veterans.

They aren't "swamping" the VA; they're accessing benefits they earned. The real problem is predatory claims sharks scamming them.

We just told the Senate to pass the #GuardVABenefitsAct to stop these grifters.

Read our full statement: https://bit.ly/435WF92

Common Defense endorses U.S. Army veteran Shaun McMillan for Fayetteville City Council, D8. A 2024 graduate of our Veterans Organizing Institute, Shaun is a proven, service-driven leader. He is steady under pressure, accountable to his neighbors, and the leader Fayetteville deserves.

Navy launches review of Marines’ and sailors’ personal social media posts The Department of the Navy will be reviewing whether sailors’ and Marines’ social media posts have been “misaligned” with official guidance.

A warning to all active-duty Sailors and Marines: DO NOT LIKE OR SHARE THIS POST.

SecNav Phelan just announced a review of all personal social media for "misaligned" posts.

The message is clear: If you disagree with this admin, you are a target.

https://bit.ly/47tn6H7

Revealed: Pentagon orders states’ national guards to form ‘quick reaction forces’ for ‘crowd control’ Pentagon memo details plan to train over 20,000 national guard members across the US to carry out Trump’s order on subduing civil unrest

Deploying troops to US cities without an emergency is an abuse of power.

These actions local control & erode public trust.

The Guard is for disasters, not intimidating citizens who dislike the President.

Demand accountability from state leaders.

@votevets.org
https://bit.ly/47ORe0U