Hey John, it’s Mark.

We all remember what happened five years ago this month. Donald Trump sent a mob to the Capitol to steal an election.

He had just lost an election, fair and square, and he didn’t like the result. So he decided he was going to try to silence the voices of 81 million people.

It was one of the darkest days in the history of our country, but we made it through.

Now he’s back, five years later, and it’s the same scheme. His Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is trying to silence me as we speak. He thinks he can make an example out of me, and intimidate others into staying quiet.

But here’s the thing: Americans really like freedom of speech. You sign an oath to defend it when you join the military. Trying to silence people into compliance is just about the most un-American thing you can do. Period.

There is nothing Trump or Hegseth or anybody in that administration can do to shut me up. I am going to keep fighting for our people, our democracy, and our Constitution.

We’re not going to let him win. Not a chance. So, five years on from January 6th, I want you to take this to heart: Do not be afraid. Do not be silent. Speak out.

We’re going to get through this the same way we did back then: together.

Thank you.

Mark