Retired 4-star officers and service secretaries warn of the risks of eroding trust between our civilian and military leaders, and the public. As new pressures, from domestic deployments to politicized rhetoric, threaten to pull the military into partisan conflict, our democracy hangs in the balance.

America’s strength depends on an apolitical military. That principle is under strain—and requires urgent attention. Members of CountEveryHero.org speak out about the escalating dangers of politicizing the military in a new video. Watch and share their message:

NEW: Members of CountEveryHero.org highlight the need to preserve our 250-year tradition of an apolitical military that serves all Americans. Watch and share their message:

A politicized military erodes bipartisan trust, undermines civilian control, and risks long-term damage to an institution essential to our democracy. Read our latest paper authored by retired four-star general and flag officers who have led at the highest levels. https://bit.ly/4o1S4w4

America’s strength depends on an apolitical military. New analysis from members of Count Every Hero warns that politicized deployments and abrupt removals of senior leaders are eroding trust, readiness, and national security.

“Even the perception of politicization undermines confidence…” A new report authored by retired four-star general and flag officers shows how partisan use of troops, military symbols, and sudden leader removals endanger the military's apolitical nature.

Today, we released a new paper on the urgent risks of politicizing the U.S. military. Our armed forces have remained apolitical, professional, and subordinate to civilian authority for over two centuries. That norm is under strain—and requires renewed attention. counteveryhero.org/letter_docum...

NEW: Today, nine frmr service secretaries + retired four-star admirals & generals filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court warning that deploying National Guard troops in Chicago would add to a dangerous trend of politicizing the military. bit.ly/4hkEZfy

ICYMI the New York Times covered our federal court brief in Illinois challenging the administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. We’re urging the court to consider the dangerous politicization of the military.

Nine former service secretaries + retired four-star admirals and generals filed a brief in federal court in Illinois today challenging the administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago as a dangerous trend of politicizing the military, and militarizing society. 🔗 bit.ly/48gA25b

On Sunday, a Trump-appointed judge blocked the admin from federalizing & deploying Nat Guard troops from any state to Portland. Yet, Def Sec Hegseth authorized 400 TX Guard to deploy to Portland & Chicago on the same day, escalating the admin's clash with courts and Blue states.

The DC deployment of troops risks further politicizing our military + militarizing American streets, said a grp of retired service secretaries, 4-star admirals & generals in a brief filed by Protect Democracy United. The DC AG has sued over the deployment. counteveryhero.org/letter_docum...

Today, we joined nonpartisan veterans and military families organizations to urge NH Gov Kelly Ayotte to veto a bill that imposes burdensome new voting requirements on military service members, their families, vets, the disabled, and senior citizens. 🔗 the letter: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

No matter the ruling from today’s CA National Guard hearing, it will likely be appealed and it will not decide on the merits of the case: whether deployment of troops in Los Angeles was lawful. That decision will come later. What remains true either way is that domestic deployment can be dangerous.

Yesterday, members of Count Every Hero filed a new amicus brief in the 9th Circuit following the federal government's appeal of the district court’s order to return the CA National Guard to the governor’s command and control. A hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

BREAKING: Emergency order enjoins federal deployment of California National Guard. Domestic deployment poses serious risks to national security and should be a last resort. Members of Count Every Hero joined an amicus brief explaining the danger: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

Last night, former Army & Navy secretaries and retired four-star admirals & generals – including members of Count Every Hero – filed an amicus brief in California highlighting the national security risks arising from the deployment of U.S. military forces in L.A. counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

Members of CEH on NC Supreme Court decision: “NC service members & their families must be allowed to exercise their basic right as citizens to vote in the state supreme court election.” Changing the rules months later is “not how we do right by our men and women in uniform.”

Trump and Hegseth’s purge of top military leaders without cause weakens national security, disrupts the chain of command, and chills honest military advice. Politicizing the military makes America less safe at a time of global instability. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Members of Count Every Hero on tonight’s military firings: “The abrupt dismissal of general and flag officers without clear justification will disrupt the chain of command, diminish morale, and exacerbate the challenges facing our military at a time of...

Punitive actions against ret. Gen. Milley & Adm. Fagan (and a reported external board to review active-duty four-stars) undermine civil-military relations and threaten the military’s apolitical integrity, write five former service secretaries and flag officers. www.military.com/daily-news/o...

Four Count Every Hero co-chairs defend the votes of overseas service members as a NC judicial candidate seeks to throw out thousands of their ballots in an attempt to challenge his recent election loss: www.newsobserver.com/opinion/arti...

Thank you #SenateArmedServicesCommittee for including our letter about the importance of protecting the apolitical nature of the military & our national security in today’s confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense. Read our letter: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

1/ In addition, our National Working Group released a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security regarding Governor Kristi Noem's nomination as DHS Secretary. The concern: ensuring the National Guard's readiness and nonpartisan integrity. Read the letter: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

1/ We sent a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee regarding the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense stressing that protecting the apolitical nature of the U.S. military and our national security is paramount. Read our letter: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...