Common Defense
banner
commondefense.bsky.social
Common Defense
@commondefense.bsky.social
Continuing our service. The largest grassroots Veteran community. Fighting for a country that works for ALL of us. We organize. We vote. We win. Join us → https://commondefense.us/

#VetsForDemocracy #VetsAgainstTrump
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.
November 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
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
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."
thegrio.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
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
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.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 4:11 PM
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 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...
actionnetwork.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:54 PM
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
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...
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 3:53 PM
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
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, ...
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
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
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.
www.stripes.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
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.
November 6, 2025 at 12:05 AM
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
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.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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
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.
bit.ly
November 4, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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
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, ...
bit.ly
November 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
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
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.
bit.ly
November 1, 2025 at 5:18 PM
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.
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.
www.stripes.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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 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.
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 5:18 PM
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 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.
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 4:04 PM
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.
October 30, 2025 at 7:51 PM
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
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.
taskandpurpose.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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
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
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:07 PM
For New Jersey Governor, we are endorsing Navy veteran Mikie Sherrill.

Service before self is a core value for us, not a slogan. Mikie Sherrill has lived it, first as a Navy pilot, and now as a member of Congress.

She brings a veteran's integrity to public service. We're proud to stand with her.
October 28, 2025 at 9:05 PM
For Governor of Virginia, we endorse Abigail Spanberger.

As veterans, we judge leaders by their actions, not just words. Spanberger has a proven record. She stood with us to pass the PACT Act, delivering critical care to veterans.

That's real integrity. She is the leader Virginia needs.
October 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The Real Gouge: Peter Hegseth tackles the real threat in the Indo-Pacific: Service members with shaving waivers.

https://bit.ly/4ohv3X2
Hegseth won’t meet troops with beards during South Korea trip
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has cracked down on shaving waivers since taking charge of the Pentagon in January.
bit.ly
October 28, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Authentic leadership is not its soundbites, it’s service & doing the work.

Common Defense is proud to endorse Zohran Mamdani for NYC Mayor.

He's a proven fighter for working families, as our ED Jose Vasquez said, "embodies the values we veterans swore to defend: justice, equality, and democracy."
October 27, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Right on cue, Sen. Graham (who's never met a war he didn't like) is pushing "land strikes."

This is mission creep.

They're using the overdose crisis as a pretext for war. You don't end addiction with bombs; you end it by holding Big Pharma accountable.

cbsn.ws/47J1qrM
Sen. Lindsey Graham says land strikes in Venezuela are a "real possibility"
As the U.S. has conducted air strikes on Venezuelan boats the Trump administration has accused of carrying drugs and cartel members, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham told "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that land strikes in Venezuela are a "real possibility," adding that "President Trump told me yesterday that he plans to brief members of Congress when he gets back from Asia about future potential military operations against Venezuela and Colombia."
cbsn.ws
October 27, 2025 at 7:47 PM
The Admin's unauthorized strikes have killed dozens. We call it 'political theater,' not a 'drug war.' We refuse to let service members pay.

Congress hasn't authorized this.

Tell them to act now:
actionnetwork.org/letters/vete...
Veterans to Senate: Halt the Illegal Strikes Now
The Administration is launching unauthorized military strikes in the Caribbean and the Pacific and deploying an aircraft carrier to Latin America — all without congressional approval and without tr...
actionnetwork.org
October 25, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Iraq vet Ethan to Rolling Stone: "This admin is taking the U.S. down a road to authoritarianism."

Our Afghan vet organizer Jermaine added: "We're here representing normal people." We're vets. When freedoms are threatened, we stand up.

www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
America Is 'Worth Fighting For' Say Protesters at 'No Kings' Rally
In the largest protests against Trump's administration and policies to date, participants express fear and loathing at America’s political trajectory.
www.rollingstone.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:58 PM