The tragic death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom forces us to confront a difficult national conversation. As we mourn a citizen-soldier lost in a domestic deployment, we must ask profound questions about the missions we assign and the sacrifices we ask of them. Her legacy demands nothing less.

Our hearts are broken by the devastating shooting of National Guard members the day before Thanksgiving. What should have been a peaceful holiday of gratitude turned tragic. Our entire community stands with the wounded soldiers and their families, holding them in our thoughts and prayers.

Our citizen-soldiers are not a standing army to be used in political disputes. This mission was a mistake. We are tired of having our spouses used as pawns. They should never have been on those streets. Our family's sacrifice is not for this.

Let's be blunt: A good leader would never be threatened by their subordinates following the law. Trump's tantrum isn't about politics; it's a preview. He's telling our troops, "My word is above the law." That's the opposite of everything our military family signed up to defend. #IllegalOrders

"Juggling moves while building lives and careers" – hits home. I've lost count of the resumes I've tailored, the interviews I've nailed, only to have to start over after the next PCS. Supporting military spouses means investing in our professional futures, not just thanking us for our patience.

Our military families are the backbone of the force. It means fighting for a living wage so they aren't on food stamps. It means ensuring access to healthcare that won't bankrupt us. It means housing programs that actually work. It means supporting our families while we're deployed and long after.

They'll thank us for our service while deporting veterans who served this country. The ACLU's work to bring deported veterans home is some of the most important advocacy happening today. We must support all who served, regardless of their place of birth. #BringThemHome www.aclu.org/news/civil-l...