Friend --

The deployment of the National Guard for political purposes crosses a line in our democratic society.

I say this as someone who proudly served for 20 years in the Air National Guard. My unit and I deployed overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan, and at home we assisted law enforcement with surveillance and intelligence in drug seizures. We served with honor, understanding our oath was to the Constitution—not to any politician, not to any administration.

I’m proud to have served with so many amazing people. I’m proud of my tours in theater, I’m proud of the work we did in getting drugs off the streets.  I’m proud of the oath I took.

The Trump Administration disrespects that oath when the Guard is used for political optics. And now, predictably, the Administration is threatening to deploy the Guard to cities like Chicago and Baltimore, labeling them “hellholes.”

Let’s be clear: for the Administration this isn’t about crime prevention or policy solutions. At Country First we want safe communities, and we support law enforcement always having the necessary tools and resources to serve and protect their community effectively.  But for the Administration, this is about something much deeper—and far more dangerous.

Once the precedent is set that a President can use the Guard whenever and wherever they want, there will always be a pretext to do it again. Today, it’s Chicago. Tomorrow, it could be any town, any state—red or blue—that a President deems needs “law and order.”

That is not strength. That is not patriotism. That is the slow erosion of the very freedoms I signed up to protect.

That’s why we must act—together. At Country First, we’re standing up, educating communities, and mobilizing people of goodwill across America to defend the ideals that make this nation strong.

When fear and force try to take the place of freedom and integrity, it’s up to all of us to be louder, stronger, and unwavering in our defense of democracy.

As a proud Guardsman, thank you for being on this mission with us.

Adam Kinzinger
https://www.country1st.com/

PS:  Recently, Country First released a first of its kind National Petition against Authoritarianism. If you haven't already, please sign.  If you have, please share with anyone you know who is ready to be part of a movement focused on making a real difference.