The Chamberlain Network

Whether it's gerrymandering, or the DOJ trying to access voter roll data - we are seeing the Voting Rights Act's provisions being challenged in real time. The VRA was meant to give all Americans a say in government. Undoing its protections is a violation of the spirit of the law.

This week we will celebrate the passage of the Voting Rights Act, and its impact on our nation. The sacrifices of countless Americans before us made this law possible and gave us all a voice in our American experiment. Now more than ever, we need to remember the value of the VRA.

Veterans sign-on letter opposing deployment of Marines to ICE operations in FL (This open letter was drafted by USMC veteran Alex McCoy, based in Orlando, who is organizing this effort. The goal is to submit it as a Letter to the Editor in Florida newspapers, and send it to loca...

If you’re a veteran in Florida, this is your moment to speak up.

Add your name.

Stand with those who still take the oath seriously—and still believe in the rule of law.

Sign here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

“We were trained for combat—to fight in wars, not to police American communities.”

That’s what hundreds of veterans are saying—clearly, calmly, together.

We swore an oath to protect our fellow citizens, not intimidate them.
www.flvetsletter.com

‘Marines train for war:’ Veterans blast deployment of military to assist ICE in Florida Local veterans are speaking out against the deployment of 200 Marines to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Florida. Over 200 veterans have signed an open letter opposing the use of th...

What’s happening in Florida is a warning sign.
Marines and NG troops sent to “support” ICE raids across the state.

This isn’t disaster relief. It’s not wartime. It’s a political stunt that blurs the line between civil society and military force.

www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2...

This is what service looks like. Over 400 Florida veterans standing together against the misuse of our military for immigration raids."

"We wore the uniform to protect the Constitution, not to police our neighbors."

The Chamberlain Project - Blue Star Families Home » The Chamberlain Project The Chamberlain Project In partnership with higher education institutions and Blue Star Families, The Chamberlain Project supports retiring officers as they transition t...

We believe in a democracy where disagreements are settled peacefully.

That’s why we created the United Pledge for Peace—because political violence has no place here.

If you believe that too, sign on:
thechamberlainproject.org/pledge

Veterans know bullies and would be tyrants when we see them:

You don’t defend democracy by threatening your neighbors.

You defend it by standing up, speaking out, and making sure everyone gets a say—without fear.

That’s the deal. And we don’t break the deal.

Our elected officials represent us. Targeting them isn’t just violence—it’s an attack on the entire political community that chose them.

Violence says: “I don’t care what the people chose.”
It’s a rejection of consent, of community, of America’s core promise.

Tragically last month, Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, were shot dead in a politically motivated home attack; lawmakers in neighboring residences were also targeted.

Lawmakers Want More Security as Threats and Attacks Mount House Speaker Mike Johnson said leaders are “looking at all avenues” to counter new risks.

In 2024, Congress logged nearly 9,500 threats—a steep jump from ~8,000 the year before—and roughly 2.5× higher than 2017.

Florida Congresswoman Rep. Kat Cammack received 53 death threats in just two weeks, after a story about her in the WSJ

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

US lawmakers balance security and openness as threats of political violence rise Elected officials and law enforcement are starting to take threats more seriously in wake of political assassinations

Elected officials across the country are facing a rising tide of threats and intimidation.

These aren't just attacks on individuals—they're attacks on us. On our shared democracy.

This from @theguardian.com lays out the danger:

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Battle Buddies — #AfghanEvac

Afghan allies stood with us under fire.
Now they face ICE agents in courtrooms.
They will not stand alone.

Veterans across the country are standing up to support allies as they go through their immigration processes.Sign up today.

https://bit.ly/4nF9Uq1

Supreme Court keeps a pause for now on a ruling that weakens the Voting Rights Act The Supreme Court has extended a pause, for now, on a lower court ruling that struck down a key tool for protecting minority voters under the Voting Rights Act in seven states.

We all believe in a democracy where every vote counts.

Right now, courts are putting that in jeopardy—not with voter suppression laws, but by stripping away the tools to challenge them.

Pay attention. Speak up. Because democracy isn’t self-enforcing.

www.npr.org/2025/07/24/n...

These rulings threaten the guardrails that keep our civic highway open.

If private enforcement disappears, all of us drive on a road with no brakes.

Our shared values—equal voice, community trust, rule of law—are under strain.

Democracy isn’t optional. Without private enforcement:

Only the federal government can challenge discrimination, leaving local communities with no legal recourse.

For decades, courts have heard these cases. The 8th Circuit rulings fly in the face of decades of precedence and tosses aside established doctrine.

For decades, Section 2 and 208 cases have been litigated under established precedent—this is how private parties could challenge unfair voting laws.

More than 90 percent of VRA cases are brought by individuals. These cases have been vital to protecting free and fair elections.

Undeterred, this Monday, July 28th, in Arkansas United, it said there is no private right of action for enforcement of §208 (assistance for voters with disabilities or language needs).

In the Turtle Mountain Band case, the 8th Circuit ruled citizens can’t use §1983 to enforce §2 claims about map-based racial discrimination.

Last Friday, July 24th, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the 8th Circuit's ruling.

Supreme Court keeps a pause for now on a ruling that weakens the Voting Rights Act The Supreme Court has extended a pause, for now, on a lower court ruling that struck down a key tool for protecting minority voters under the Voting Rights Act in seven states.

Two cases from the 8th Circuit threaten to dramatically limit the Voting Rights Act.

At stake: §2 (through a §1983 claim) and §208 of the VRA.

In 2022, overturning decades of precedence, 8th Cir. said §2 contained no private right of action.

🧵
www.npr.org/2025/07/24/n...

‘Marines train for war:’ Veterans blast deployment of military to assist ICE in Florida Local veterans are speaking out against the deployment of 200 Marines to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Florida. Over 200 veterans have signed an open letter opposing the use of th...

“The U.S. military is for fighting America’s enemies. If we’re using them here, the implication is that Americans are enemies.”

– Marine veteran Alexander McCoy

200+ vets are speaking out against Marines being deployed for ICE ops in Florida

www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2...

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: July 2025 Plankholders Call. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Want to get more involved in our work here at The Chamberlain Network? In our inaugural year we are hosting monthly leadership calls for our plank holders – those founding members of our community who...

Happening in 1 hour: TCN’s monthly Plankholders Call.

This is where vets who still believe in service—to country, to community, to democracy—show up to plan, connect, and act.

6PM ET. Still time to join us.
zoom.us/meeting/regi...

The Senate Armed Services Committee included a Right to Repair provision in its NDAA. The R2R provision is a step toward improved military readiness, service member safety, and fiscal responsibility. Now it is the House’s turn to support the measure.

https://bit.ly/458E2S8

Why the US military wants troops to be able to fix their own stuff The US military is pushing for troops to repair their own equipment, reducing contractor reliance that can at times be a significant hindrance.

Some DoD equipment contracts have provisions only allowing repairs by contractors and limit the data and IP that can be shared with troops for repairs. These restrictions are problematic for troops needing urgent repairs, and drive up spending.

https://bit.ly/4lExIsx

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: July 2025 Plankholders Call. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Want to get more involved in our work here at The Chamberlain Network? In our inaugural year we are hosting monthly leadership calls for our plank holders – those founding members of our community who...

Don’t just talk about defending democracy. Take action.

Join a force that multiplies your impact—linking your voice, your values, and your drive to a network built for this fight.

Our monthly member call is tomorrow, 7/24. 6pm ET.

Register with the link.

See you there.
zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Opposing Military Detention for Immigrants — The Chamberlain Network

TCN stands against the misuse of our military -- whether it’s immigration enforcement or protest suppression.

We defend American values: civilian control, military professionalism, and human dignity.

Feel the same? Join us, and speak out.
www.chamberlainnetwork.us/military-imm...

2,000 National Guard troops expected to be called up to assist at ICE detention facilities, sources say | CNN Politics Roughly 2,000 National Guard troops across multiple states are expected to be mobilized to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement at detention facilities, according to a US official and a source fam...

2,000 National Guard troops to be mobilized to assist at ICE detention facilities.

This isn’t national defense.
It’s political theater.
A cruel, inhumane play, in which service members, who serve the nation, not a party, are forced to play a role.

www.cnn.com/2025/07/22/p...

Battle Buddies — #AfghanEvac

Afghan allies stood with us under fire.
Now they face ICE agents in courtrooms.
They will not stand alone.

Veterans across the country are standing up to support allies as they go through their immigration processes.Sign up today.

https://bit.ly/4nF9Uq1

Senate's VA Spending Bill Seeks Assurance Staff Cuts Won't Hinder Veterans' Care The language in the Senate's version of the fiscal 2026 VA appropriations bill offers a mild, but notable bipartisan rebuke of staffing cuts at the VA, which have been pared down but are still expected to eliminate about 30,000 jobs.

On today's date, July 21st, 1930, the Veterans Administration was established. The goal: to make good on Lincoln's promise in his second inaugural, "to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan."
https://bit.ly/4m5duYz