Dear Members of the United States Military,
You wear the uniform of the greatest fighting force in the world, bound by an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That oath is sacred. It binds you not to a person, not to a political party, but to an ideal, the idea that America can and must strive to be a nation of liberty, justice, and democracy.
Today, that oath is under siege.
The revelations about Donald Trump’s contempt for the armed forces, the very people who safeguard this nation, are not surprising but remain deeply disturbing. This is a man who dodged the draft with a lie about “bone spurs” while others fought and died in Vietnam. A man who called those who served and sacrificed “suckers” and “losers.” A man who openly disrespected Gold Star families, belittled war heroes, and viewed the military not as protectors of the Constitution but as props in his photo ops and tools for his ego.
And yet, some among you still support him. Some among you would march behind a man who has spent his entire life betraying everything you swore to defend. This isn’t just disappointing, it’s dangerous.
The reports of his plans to use the military to execute illegal and immoral orders, such as detaining civilians, attacking neighboring countries, or consolidating power, should alarm every patriot in uniform. These are not the orders of a commander-in-chief committed to the Constitution; they are the commands of a would-be dictator.
Let me be clear: Following unlawful orders is not loyalty. Blind obedience to a man is not patriotism. True loyalty, true patriotism, means standing for the values that make this country worth fighting for. It means saying “no” when power tries to use you as a weapon against the very people you are sworn to protect.
If you are asked to turn your weapons on civilians, to invade without cause, to build camps for political dissidents, refuse. Such orders would not only be illegal but also betray everything the United States stands for. Remember, you are not just soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. You are defenders of democracy, of freedom, of the Constitution itself.
To those who still believe in the oath you took: stand firm. Speak up. Be the voice of reason and the line of defense against tyranny. If you see something wrong, report it. If you are ordered to act unjustly, refuse. You have the power to shape the course of history, to ensure that the military remains a force for good and not a tool of oppression.
And to those who would sell out their country to follow a demagogue: consider what you’re doing. Ask yourself what kind of legacy you want to leave. Do you want to be remembered as the generation that let democracy die, or as the ones who stood up when it mattered most?
The world is watching. History is watching. And the Constitution you swore to uphold is waiting to see if you will defend it.
Do not betray your oath. Do not betray your country.
Sincerely,
R.L. Lawrence