Bree Fram
@breefram.bsky.social
Rocket Scientist, Author, Leadership/Inclusion Speaker, Nerd, 🏳️⚧️
Freelance Constitutional Advocate
Former Colonel, United States Space Force
Former Host, Forged in Fire LGBTQ+ Leadership Podcast
Freelance Constitutional Advocate
Former Colonel, United States Space Force
Former Host, Forged in Fire LGBTQ+ Leadership Podcast
This week, Pete Hegseth visited Elon Musk at SpaceX’s launch base in Texas. Musk opened the public remarks by saying, “It's like we want to make Star Trek real, ok?” Hegseth agreed, “How about this? Star Trek, real.”
I have some thoughts on how wrong they are.
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
I have some thoughts on how wrong they are.
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
January 16, 2026 at 6:43 PM
This week, Pete Hegseth visited Elon Musk at SpaceX’s launch base in Texas. Musk opened the public remarks by saying, “It's like we want to make Star Trek real, ok?” Hegseth agreed, “How about this? Star Trek, real.”
I have some thoughts on how wrong they are.
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
I have some thoughts on how wrong they are.
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
This is horrifying. Another attack by the administration on the most vulnerable Americans.
"Nonprofits across red and blue states received the letters, which did not explain how their programs went against the administration’s priorities, Cunningham said."
wapo.st/4pHYLV7
"Nonprofits across red and blue states received the letters, which did not explain how their programs went against the administration’s priorities, Cunningham said."
wapo.st/4pHYLV7
Trump administration slashes grants for mental health, addiction
The extent of the SAMHSA cuts remains unclear but appear to broadly target more than 2,000 grants totaling nearly $2 billion.
wapo.st
January 15, 2026 at 2:45 AM
This is horrifying. Another attack by the administration on the most vulnerable Americans.
"Nonprofits across red and blue states received the letters, which did not explain how their programs went against the administration’s priorities, Cunningham said."
wapo.st/4pHYLV7
"Nonprofits across red and blue states received the letters, which did not explain how their programs went against the administration’s priorities, Cunningham said."
wapo.st/4pHYLV7
If you're looking for a sense of hope, it was palpable in this conversation.
"When asked what to do now, (Bree's) answer was disarmingly practical: do the boring things that make democracy work, and don’t comply in advance."
"When asked what to do now, (Bree's) answer was disarmingly practical: do the boring things that make democracy work, and don’t comply in advance."
The Daily Whatever Show, Jan 13: Bree Fram and Anne P. Mitchell, Esq.
Dana DuBois, Lawrence Winnerman, GenXy, and The Daily Whatever Show
www.genxy.io
January 14, 2026 at 6:29 PM
If you're looking for a sense of hope, it was palpable in this conversation.
"When asked what to do now, (Bree's) answer was disarmingly practical: do the boring things that make democracy work, and don’t comply in advance."
"When asked what to do now, (Bree's) answer was disarmingly practical: do the boring things that make democracy work, and don’t comply in advance."
This Atlantic article feels like an obituary to a government whose purpose was to serve the American people.
I was one of the fifty former federal workers profiled for the story.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
I was one of the fifty former federal workers profiled for the story.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
January 13, 2026 at 6:19 PM
This Atlantic article feels like an obituary to a government whose purpose was to serve the American people.
I was one of the fifty former federal workers profiled for the story.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
I was one of the fifty former federal workers profiled for the story.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
I'll be live for an interview on a wide range of topics at 10 Eastern today. Then for the second half of the show, Anne P. Mitchell, will be on to discuss the brand-new lawsuit Minnesota just filed against Kristi Noem and ICE.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
January 13, 2026 at 1:27 PM
I'll be live for an interview on a wide range of topics at 10 Eastern today. Then for the second half of the show, Anne P. Mitchell, will be on to discuss the brand-new lawsuit Minnesota just filed against Kristi Noem and ICE.
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
The latest attempt by this administration to line its own pockets while fleecing yours.
January 12, 2026 at 2:03 PM
The latest attempt by this administration to line its own pockets while fleecing yours.
Reposted by Bree Fram
Isn’t it weird how the whole “masks are tyranny” crowd from a few years ago is now fully in on masked secret police tyrants?
January 11, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Isn’t it weird how the whole “masks are tyranny” crowd from a few years ago is now fully in on masked secret police tyrants?
"Our uniforms are not coming off because we failed in our duty, but because we did it so well that the blazing starfire of what it represented could not be hidden away."
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
Gen. Stanley McChrystal presides over historic farewell for five transgender troops forced into retirement
"We’ve got to leverage every bit of talent that this nation has,” the retired general told trans troops with more than 20 years of service, forced out of the military by the Trump administration.
www.advocate.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:24 PM
"Our uniforms are not coming off because we failed in our duty, but because we did it so well that the blazing starfire of what it represented could not be hidden away."
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
Crackdowns Are Wrong—Unless We Do Them
January 11, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Crackdowns Are Wrong—Unless We Do Them
I’ve spent most of my adult life thinking about what security actually means. I often come back to the phrase “sense of security,” which really just means: I feel safe.
So, what happens when the institutions meant to keep us safe become a source of fear instead?
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
So, what happens when the institutions meant to keep us safe become a source of fear instead?
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
January 11, 2026 at 12:53 AM
I’ve spent most of my adult life thinking about what security actually means. I often come back to the phrase “sense of security,” which really just means: I feel safe.
So, what happens when the institutions meant to keep us safe become a source of fear instead?
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
So, what happens when the institutions meant to keep us safe become a source of fear instead?
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
This ceremony is unprecedented—not because our careers fell short, but because we shined so brightly in a military that cast us aside.
Tomorrow at 1PM Eastern. Watch live.
Tomorrow at 1PM Eastern. Watch live.
January 7, 2026 at 2:44 PM
This ceremony is unprecedented—not because our careers fell short, but because we shined so brightly in a military that cast us aside.
Tomorrow at 1PM Eastern. Watch live.
Tomorrow at 1PM Eastern. Watch live.
Women earned their place in combat with determination and results. Claiming otherwise isn’t about readiness, it’s about power, control, and macho posturing. At home or abroad, including striking Venezuela, the message is the same: the powerful can do whatever they choose.
www.npr.org/2026/01/06/n...
www.npr.org/2026/01/06/n...
Pentagon will begin review of 'effectiveness' of women in ground combat positions
The review, outlined in a Pentagon memo obtained by NPR, comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told admirals and generals in September that women must meet the "highest male standard."
www.npr.org
January 6, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Women earned their place in combat with determination and results. Claiming otherwise isn’t about readiness, it’s about power, control, and macho posturing. At home or abroad, including striking Venezuela, the message is the same: the powerful can do whatever they choose.
www.npr.org/2026/01/06/n...
www.npr.org/2026/01/06/n...
Today the Pentagon censured Senator Mark Kelly and moved to strip part of his earned military retirement benefits for stating the truth.
This administration is trying to convince Americans that truth is whatever it says it is—even when the evidence is plainly in front of us.
This administration is trying to convince Americans that truth is whatever it says it is—even when the evidence is plainly in front of us.
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Today the Pentagon censured Senator Mark Kelly and moved to strip part of his earned military retirement benefits for stating the truth.
This administration is trying to convince Americans that truth is whatever it says it is—even when the evidence is plainly in front of us.
This administration is trying to convince Americans that truth is whatever it says it is—even when the evidence is plainly in front of us.
New Year’s Eve. Last day in the military.
I wiped away the tears. Then I told jokes.
I know a thing or two about transition. Turns out laughter is a pretty good one. 🎤
substack.com/@breefram/no...
I wiped away the tears. Then I told jokes.
I know a thing or two about transition. Turns out laughter is a pretty good one. 🎤
substack.com/@breefram/no...
How I Ended My Military Career: Stand-Up
New Year’s Eve.
substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:54 PM
New Year’s Eve. Last day in the military.
I wiped away the tears. Then I told jokes.
I know a thing or two about transition. Turns out laughter is a pretty good one. 🎤
substack.com/@breefram/no...
I wiped away the tears. Then I told jokes.
I know a thing or two about transition. Turns out laughter is a pretty good one. 🎤
substack.com/@breefram/no...
I'm excited to be one of the emcees at the Women's Storytelling festival in Fairfax this year. Hope to see you there!
2026 Women's Storytelling Festival
March 19 - 22, 2026
In Fairfax City, VA as well as online
$35 Virtual Tickets and $55 In-Person Passes here:
bettersaidthandone.org/wsf-tickets/
2026 Women's Storytelling Festival
March 19 - 22, 2026
In Fairfax City, VA as well as online
$35 Virtual Tickets and $55 In-Person Passes here:
bettersaidthandone.org/wsf-tickets/
January 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM
I'm excited to be one of the emcees at the Women's Storytelling festival in Fairfax this year. Hope to see you there!
2026 Women's Storytelling Festival
March 19 - 22, 2026
In Fairfax City, VA as well as online
$35 Virtual Tickets and $55 In-Person Passes here:
bettersaidthandone.org/wsf-tickets/
2026 Women's Storytelling Festival
March 19 - 22, 2026
In Fairfax City, VA as well as online
$35 Virtual Tickets and $55 In-Person Passes here:
bettersaidthandone.org/wsf-tickets/
Action Without Wisdom Is Not Strength:
Venezuela and the Doctrine of Spectacle Over Strategy
Note: I wrote this article before the press conference where everything said by Trump, Rubio and Hegseth illustrates these points.
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
Venezuela and the Doctrine of Spectacle Over Strategy
Note: I wrote this article before the press conference where everything said by Trump, Rubio and Hegseth illustrates these points.
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
January 3, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Action Without Wisdom Is Not Strength:
Venezuela and the Doctrine of Spectacle Over Strategy
Note: I wrote this article before the press conference where everything said by Trump, Rubio and Hegseth illustrates these points.
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
Venezuela and the Doctrine of Spectacle Over Strategy
Note: I wrote this article before the press conference where everything said by Trump, Rubio and Hegseth illustrates these points.
open.substack.com/pub/breefram...
In 2025, the Trump Administration struck us down.
In 2026…
In 2026…
January 1, 2026 at 5:32 PM
In 2025, the Trump Administration struck us down.
In 2026…
In 2026…
Today is the last day I have the honor and privilege of serving in the military.
I spent a lot of time thinking about what moment best captures my service. What could possibly sum it all up?
For me, it’s this single picture from my time as a commander.
I spent a lot of time thinking about what moment best captures my service. What could possibly sum it all up?
For me, it’s this single picture from my time as a commander.
December 31, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Today is the last day I have the honor and privilege of serving in the military.
I spent a lot of time thinking about what moment best captures my service. What could possibly sum it all up?
For me, it’s this single picture from my time as a commander.
I spent a lot of time thinking about what moment best captures my service. What could possibly sum it all up?
For me, it’s this single picture from my time as a commander.
They served.
They led.
They made the force stronger.
These are heroes—not because of who they are, but because of how they served. They are just a few who stepped forward to defend all Americans.
They were trained to lead—and they will continue to serve.
They are not the last.
They led.
They made the force stronger.
These are heroes—not because of who they are, but because of how they served. They are just a few who stepped forward to defend all Americans.
They were trained to lead—and they will continue to serve.
They are not the last.
December 26, 2025 at 10:07 PM
They served.
They led.
They made the force stronger.
These are heroes—not because of who they are, but because of how they served. They are just a few who stepped forward to defend all Americans.
They were trained to lead—and they will continue to serve.
They are not the last.
They led.
They made the force stronger.
These are heroes—not because of who they are, but because of how they served. They are just a few who stepped forward to defend all Americans.
They were trained to lead—and they will continue to serve.
They are not the last.
I took my daughter grocery shopping today and said, "these ducks look like footballs, should we get one to play catch?"
She said, "Only if I can decorate it with whipped cream."
I couldn't resist. "Don't you mean duckorate it?"
She hit me with a nearby stick of pepperoni.
She said, "Only if I can decorate it with whipped cream."
I couldn't resist. "Don't you mean duckorate it?"
She hit me with a nearby stick of pepperoni.
December 21, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I took my daughter grocery shopping today and said, "these ducks look like footballs, should we get one to play catch?"
She said, "Only if I can decorate it with whipped cream."
I couldn't resist. "Don't you mean duckorate it?"
She hit me with a nearby stick of pepperoni.
She said, "Only if I can decorate it with whipped cream."
I couldn't resist. "Don't you mean duckorate it?"
She hit me with a nearby stick of pepperoni.
I just had my “Final Out” with the military. It's the thing that’s supposed to be the last step before you ride off into the sunset.
Mine was a 90-second phone call. Two questions. My answers were: “No, I don’t,” and “Yes, I did.”
I can't wait to share what's next with you.
Mine was a 90-second phone call. Two questions. My answers were: “No, I don’t,” and “Yes, I did.”
I can't wait to share what's next with you.
December 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I just had my “Final Out” with the military. It's the thing that’s supposed to be the last step before you ride off into the sunset.
Mine was a 90-second phone call. Two questions. My answers were: “No, I don’t,” and “Yes, I did.”
I can't wait to share what's next with you.
Mine was a 90-second phone call. Two questions. My answers were: “No, I don’t,” and “Yes, I did.”
I can't wait to share what's next with you.
There are a lot of things I'd like to say about this that would have to wait a few weeks. So, for now, I'll just ask a question: In what world does this make sense?
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/b...
Trump’s social media business is merging with a nuclear fusion company | CNN Business
Truth Social parent company Trump Media & Technology Group announced a deal on Thursday to merge with nuclear fusion company TAE Technologies.
www.cnn.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
There are a lot of things I'd like to say about this that would have to wait a few weeks. So, for now, I'll just ask a question: In what world does this make sense?
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/b...
The Department of Defense just changed all my records to say “male.”
But here’s the thing: a database entry does not define me.
But here’s the thing: a database entry does not define me.
December 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
The Department of Defense just changed all my records to say “male.”
But here’s the thing: a database entry does not define me.
But here’s the thing: a database entry does not define me.
Whether traveling to exotic locations or finding them in your backyard, I'm reminded how lucky we are to live on this beautiful spaceship. Even in a wildly turbulent year, there’s still so much to give thanks for.
Photo: Burke Lake Park, Fairfax County Park Authority, S. Patton
Photo: Burke Lake Park, Fairfax County Park Authority, S. Patton
November 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Whether traveling to exotic locations or finding them in your backyard, I'm reminded how lucky we are to live on this beautiful spaceship. Even in a wildly turbulent year, there’s still so much to give thanks for.
Photo: Burke Lake Park, Fairfax County Park Authority, S. Patton
Photo: Burke Lake Park, Fairfax County Park Authority, S. Patton