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
#VetsForDemocracy #VetsAgainstTrump
We’ve watched the video from Minneapolis: the claim that this woman weaponized her vehicle is false. We won’t let federal agents sow chaos and distrust in our streets while claiming to protect us.
January 7, 2026 at 7:07 PM
We’ve watched the video from Minneapolis: the claim that this woman weaponized her vehicle is false. We won’t let federal agents sow chaos and distrust in our streets while claiming to protect us.
Rank and benefits aren't gifts from politicians; they are earned through sacrifice. Hegseth's move to demote @captmarkkelly.bsky.social is a clear act of political retribution to send a message to every retired service member: Fall in line, or we’ll come for your pension.
We stand with the Captain.
We stand with the Captain.
January 6, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Rank and benefits aren't gifts from politicians; they are earned through sacrifice. Hegseth's move to demote @captmarkkelly.bsky.social is a clear act of political retribution to send a message to every retired service member: Fall in line, or we’ll come for your pension.
We stand with the Captain.
We stand with the Captain.
The Pentagon is using military benefits as a muzzle.
Senator Mark Kelly earned his rank and retirement through 25 years of service. Now Hegseth is stripping his pay for the "crime" of telling the truth: we have a duty to refuse illegal orders.
Sign to stop the retribution.
https://bit.ly/3KYYJtO
Senator Mark Kelly earned his rank and retirement through 25 years of service. Now Hegseth is stripping his pay for the "crime" of telling the truth: we have a duty to refuse illegal orders.
Sign to stop the retribution.
https://bit.ly/3KYYJtO
Common Defense Stands By Senator Kelly Amid Hegseth’s Threats of Demotion and Censure
Washington, DC – Common Defense, the nation’s largest grassroots organization of veterans and military families, stands in full support of Senator Mark Kelly in the face of vindictive efforts by Defen...
bit.ly
January 6, 2026 at 5:47 PM
The Pentagon is using military benefits as a muzzle.
Senator Mark Kelly earned his rank and retirement through 25 years of service. Now Hegseth is stripping his pay for the "crime" of telling the truth: we have a duty to refuse illegal orders.
Sign to stop the retribution.
https://bit.ly/3KYYJtO
Senator Mark Kelly earned his rank and retirement through 25 years of service. Now Hegseth is stripping his pay for the "crime" of telling the truth: we have a duty to refuse illegal orders.
Sign to stop the retribution.
https://bit.ly/3KYYJtO
The Guard is heading home.
Whether you swore an oath in uniform or you’re a neighbor who wants an apolitical military, we stood together against being used as props. Letters, community aid, and #NoKings protests proved that grassroots power is real.
Bravo Zulu to all!
https://bit.ly/49rZfZq
Whether you swore an oath in uniform or you’re a neighbor who wants an apolitical military, we stood together against being used as props. Letters, community aid, and #NoKings protests proved that grassroots power is real.
Bravo Zulu to all!
https://bit.ly/49rZfZq
Trump says he’s dropping push for National Guard in LA, other cities
President Trump says he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon.
bit.ly
January 5, 2026 at 9:49 PM
The Guard is heading home.
Whether you swore an oath in uniform or you’re a neighbor who wants an apolitical military, we stood together against being used as props. Letters, community aid, and #NoKings protests proved that grassroots power is real.
Bravo Zulu to all!
https://bit.ly/49rZfZq
Whether you swore an oath in uniform or you’re a neighbor who wants an apolitical military, we stood together against being used as props. Letters, community aid, and #NoKings protests proved that grassroots power is real.
Bravo Zulu to all!
https://bit.ly/49rZfZq
Last night, Trump bombed Venezuela and kidnapped President Maduro and his wife. This is regime change, plain and simple, the kind of reckless military action that has dragged the United States into decades of endless war.
Demand accountability now: commondefense.us/actions/dema...
Demand accountability now: commondefense.us/actions/dema...
January 3, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Last night, Trump bombed Venezuela and kidnapped President Maduro and his wife. This is regime change, plain and simple, the kind of reckless military action that has dragged the United States into decades of endless war.
Demand accountability now: commondefense.us/actions/dema...
Demand accountability now: commondefense.us/actions/dema...
Last night, Trump bombed Venezuela and kidnapped President Maduro and his wife. This is regime change, plain and simple, the kind of reckless military action that has dragged the United States into decades of endless war.
Demand accountability now: commondefense.us/actions/dema...
Demand accountability now: commondefense.us/actions/dema...
Demand Congress Take Action to Stop Trump’s New War
commondefense.us
January 3, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Last night, Trump bombed Venezuela and kidnapped President Maduro and his wife. This is regime change, plain and simple, the kind of reckless military action that has dragged the United States into decades of endless war.
Demand accountability now: commondefense.us/actions/dema...
Demand accountability now: commondefense.us/actions/dema...
2025 was a year of grassroots veteran power.
We connected 100+ military families to healthcare in NC and took the fight for institutional accountability to the national stage.
Veterans aren’t props; we are organizers. Join the movement as we head into 2026.
https://bit.ly/4jm8a2R
We connected 100+ military families to healthcare in NC and took the fight for institutional accountability to the national stage.
Veterans aren’t props; we are organizers. Join the movement as we head into 2026.
https://bit.ly/4jm8a2R
Common Defense Reflects on 2025: A Year Defending Democracy, Fighting the Rise of Authoritarianism, and Working to End Forever Wars
WASHINGTON – In 2025, Common Defense veterans showed what organized, grassroots movements can achieve in the face of darkness. Across the country, our members stepped up, proving that our oath does no...
bit.ly
January 1, 2026 at 8:11 PM
2025 was a year of grassroots veteran power.
We connected 100+ military families to healthcare in NC and took the fight for institutional accountability to the national stage.
Veterans aren’t props; we are organizers. Join the movement as we head into 2026.
https://bit.ly/4jm8a2R
We connected 100+ military families to healthcare in NC and took the fight for institutional accountability to the national stage.
Veterans aren’t props; we are organizers. Join the movement as we head into 2026.
https://bit.ly/4jm8a2R
SCOTUS got a spine this year as a Christmas present.
After bending over backwards to help Trump in decisions this year, the Supreme Court has finally delivered a win For The People and blocked Trump’s attempted military occupation of Chicago. #NoWarOnOurStreets
After bending over backwards to help Trump in decisions this year, the Supreme Court has finally delivered a win For The People and blocked Trump’s attempted military occupation of Chicago. #NoWarOnOurStreets
December 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
SCOTUS got a spine this year as a Christmas present.
After bending over backwards to help Trump in decisions this year, the Supreme Court has finally delivered a win For The People and blocked Trump’s attempted military occupation of Chicago. #NoWarOnOurStreets
After bending over backwards to help Trump in decisions this year, the Supreme Court has finally delivered a win For The People and blocked Trump’s attempted military occupation of Chicago. #NoWarOnOurStreets
Navy Sec John Phelan, pronounced "failing/flailing", unveiling the Trump-classless battleship tonight.
December 22, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Navy Sec John Phelan, pronounced "failing/flailing", unveiling the Trump-classless battleship tonight.
The path home from the frontlines is rarely a straight line.
Graham Platner’s journey from combat to the U.S. Senate is a story of service, struggle, and an enduring oath to our democracy.
Read how Platner is turning his experience into a fight for our shared future.
https://bit.ly/4ar4Scs
Graham Platner’s journey from combat to the U.S. Senate is a story of service, struggle, and an enduring oath to our democracy.
Read how Platner is turning his experience into a fight for our shared future.
https://bit.ly/4ar4Scs
How Graham Platner’s complicated past shapes his run for U.S. Senate
A war is being waged to define the combat veteran, oyster farmer and U.S. Senate candidate from Sullivan.
www.pressherald.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The path home from the frontlines is rarely a straight line.
Graham Platner’s journey from combat to the U.S. Senate is a story of service, struggle, and an enduring oath to our democracy.
Read how Platner is turning his experience into a fight for our shared future.
https://bit.ly/4ar4Scs
Graham Platner’s journey from combat to the U.S. Senate is a story of service, struggle, and an enduring oath to our democracy.
Read how Platner is turning his experience into a fight for our shared future.
https://bit.ly/4ar4Scs
In March, Rep. Mike Bost promised to have Veterans' backs "all the time" as a fellow Marine.
Now that the VA plans to eliminate 35,000 healthcare jobs, Chairman Bost says, "change can be a good thing," while veterans are already waiting 60 to 90 days for services in some regions.
Now that the VA plans to eliminate 35,000 healthcare jobs, Chairman Bost says, "change can be a good thing," while veterans are already waiting 60 to 90 days for services in some regions.
December 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
In March, Rep. Mike Bost promised to have Veterans' backs "all the time" as a fellow Marine.
Now that the VA plans to eliminate 35,000 healthcare jobs, Chairman Bost says, "change can be a good thing," while veterans are already waiting 60 to 90 days for services in some regions.
Now that the VA plans to eliminate 35,000 healthcare jobs, Chairman Bost says, "change can be a good thing," while veterans are already waiting 60 to 90 days for services in some regions.
The Hegseth Pentagon is FUBAR.
From risking troop safety to spreading "FAKE NEWS" his leadership has been a total mess. Even GOP Senators are forced to admit they don't trust him.
We knew on Day 1 he was not fit. The price of bad leadership is too high for our troops to pay.
https://bit.ly/48XCLPN
From risking troop safety to spreading "FAKE NEWS" his leadership has been a total mess. Even GOP Senators are forced to admit they don't trust him.
We knew on Day 1 he was not fit. The price of bad leadership is too high for our troops to pay.
https://bit.ly/48XCLPN
GOP senators, lacking confidence in Hegseth, say his future is Trump's call
Republican senators, who are growing increasingly exasperated with the proliferation of high-profile controversies at the Pentagon, are not expressing much confidence in Secretary Pete Hegseth's le...
thehill.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The Hegseth Pentagon is FUBAR.
From risking troop safety to spreading "FAKE NEWS" his leadership has been a total mess. Even GOP Senators are forced to admit they don't trust him.
We knew on Day 1 he was not fit. The price of bad leadership is too high for our troops to pay.
https://bit.ly/48XCLPN
From risking troop safety to spreading "FAKE NEWS" his leadership has been a total mess. Even GOP Senators are forced to admit they don't trust him.
We knew on Day 1 he was not fit. The price of bad leadership is too high for our troops to pay.
https://bit.ly/48XCLPN
DHS Secretary Kristi is a BLUE FALCON.
This is the core betrayal: You defend the country, and they throw you away. We refuse to let elites profit from our sacrifice.
https://bit.ly/490mFoB
This is the core betrayal: You defend the country, and they throw you away. We refuse to let elites profit from our sacrifice.
https://bit.ly/490mFoB
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confronted about veteran in contentious hearing over deportations
During a congressional hearing, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defending herself from Democrats who sharply questioned the Trump administration's hardline immigration actions.
bit.ly
December 16, 2025 at 6:08 PM
DHS Secretary Kristi is a BLUE FALCON.
This is the core betrayal: You defend the country, and they throw you away. We refuse to let elites profit from our sacrifice.
https://bit.ly/490mFoB
This is the core betrayal: You defend the country, and they throw you away. We refuse to let elites profit from our sacrifice.
https://bit.ly/490mFoB
In the Army-Navy game, we root for different teams, but our oath to the Constitution is the same. Join us in honoring our shared values and mission to serve. ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4oQ6UX6
December 13, 2025 at 4:12 PM
In the Army-Navy game, we root for different teams, but our oath to the Constitution is the same. Join us in honoring our shared values and mission to serve. ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4oQ6UX6
Watch this. Hypocrisy Fails Judicial Test.
@duckworth.senate.gov exposes the lie: Defunded police training dollars + illegal military deployments.
Courts have ruled the deployment basis "simply unreliable" & "unfettered to the facts".
Serve the Constitution, not a political narrative.
@duckworth.senate.gov exposes the lie: Defunded police training dollars + illegal military deployments.
Courts have ruled the deployment basis "simply unreliable" & "unfettered to the facts".
Serve the Constitution, not a political narrative.
December 11, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Watch this. Hypocrisy Fails Judicial Test.
@duckworth.senate.gov exposes the lie: Defunded police training dollars + illegal military deployments.
Courts have ruled the deployment basis "simply unreliable" & "unfettered to the facts".
Serve the Constitution, not a political narrative.
@duckworth.senate.gov exposes the lie: Defunded police training dollars + illegal military deployments.
Courts have ruled the deployment basis "simply unreliable" & "unfettered to the facts".
Serve the Constitution, not a political narrative.
Violation of Principles. When military service is reduced to "personal bidding" and troops are forced into non-mission roles, it undermines the military's apolitical nature.
Watch @duckworth.senate.gov dismantle the argument for abusing the National Guard.
The military serves the people.
Watch @duckworth.senate.gov dismantle the argument for abusing the National Guard.
The military serves the people.
December 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Violation of Principles. When military service is reduced to "personal bidding" and troops are forced into non-mission roles, it undermines the military's apolitical nature.
Watch @duckworth.senate.gov dismantle the argument for abusing the National Guard.
The military serves the people.
Watch @duckworth.senate.gov dismantle the argument for abusing the National Guard.
The military serves the people.
Hegseth is waging war on OUR troops.
Deadnaming Admiral Levine's portrait is a calculated, institutional betrayal.
They are sending a dangerous message: Your service is only valid if we approve of who you are.
STOP THE WAR ON OUR WARFIGHTERS.
https://bit.ly/4a6KRI5
Deadnaming Admiral Levine's portrait is a calculated, institutional betrayal.
They are sending a dangerous message: Your service is only valid if we approve of who you are.
STOP THE WAR ON OUR WARFIGHTERS.
https://bit.ly/4a6KRI5
Admiral Rachel Levine’s federal portrait gets deadnamed - Salon.com
The first openly transgender four-star official’s portrait was quietly altered by HHS, sparking criticism
bit.ly
December 9, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Hegseth is waging war on OUR troops.
Deadnaming Admiral Levine's portrait is a calculated, institutional betrayal.
They are sending a dangerous message: Your service is only valid if we approve of who you are.
STOP THE WAR ON OUR WARFIGHTERS.
https://bit.ly/4a6KRI5
Deadnaming Admiral Levine's portrait is a calculated, institutional betrayal.
They are sending a dangerous message: Your service is only valid if we approve of who you are.
STOP THE WAR ON OUR WARFIGHTERS.
https://bit.ly/4a6KRI5
Ret. Navy CPO Bill: Using "treason" against lawmakers who said, 'Do not obey illegal orders,' is flat out wrong.
That rhetoric endangers lives. By making them the "enemy of the people", the Commander-in-Chief is jeopardizing public safety.
We must protect constitutional principles.
That rhetoric endangers lives. By making them the "enemy of the people", the Commander-in-Chief is jeopardizing public safety.
We must protect constitutional principles.
December 9, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Ret. Navy CPO Bill: Using "treason" against lawmakers who said, 'Do not obey illegal orders,' is flat out wrong.
That rhetoric endangers lives. By making them the "enemy of the people", the Commander-in-Chief is jeopardizing public safety.
We must protect constitutional principles.
That rhetoric endangers lives. By making them the "enemy of the people", the Commander-in-Chief is jeopardizing public safety.
We must protect constitutional principles.
Traumatic Brain Injury is the signature wound of modern war. Yet research ignores the Special Ops troops most at risk.
Private equity won't fix this. There is no profit margin in treating long-term CTE.
The VA puts the mission above the money. Keep it public.
https://bit.ly/4rxqxFU
Private equity won't fix this. There is no profit margin in treating long-term CTE.
The VA puts the mission above the money. Keep it public.
https://bit.ly/4rxqxFU
TBI research neglects special operations forces, report says
There is limited research on traumatic brain injury among SOF, although the community faces a higher risk of TBI, according to a new Rand report.
www.militarytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Traumatic Brain Injury is the signature wound of modern war. Yet research ignores the Special Ops troops most at risk.
Private equity won't fix this. There is no profit margin in treating long-term CTE.
The VA puts the mission above the money. Keep it public.
https://bit.ly/4rxqxFU
Private equity won't fix this. There is no profit margin in treating long-term CTE.
The VA puts the mission above the money. Keep it public.
https://bit.ly/4rxqxFU
If we are at war, killing survivors is a war crime. If we aren't, it is murder.
Former JAGs confirm Hegseth’s orders violated the UCMJ either way.
This is why he fired the lawyers: To remove the guardrails. We stand with @duckworth.senate.gov. Accountability now.
#WarCrimes
https://bit.ly/4itpIts
Former JAGs confirm Hegseth’s orders violated the UCMJ either way.
This is why he fired the lawyers: To remove the guardrails. We stand with @duckworth.senate.gov. Accountability now.
#WarCrimes
https://bit.ly/4itpIts
Former JAGs say Hegseth, others may have committed war crimes
The group of ex-military lawyers published their memo after The Washington Post released a report on the alleged killing of survivors from a boat strike.
www.marinecorpstimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:11 PM
If we are at war, killing survivors is a war crime. If we aren't, it is murder.
Former JAGs confirm Hegseth’s orders violated the UCMJ either way.
This is why he fired the lawyers: To remove the guardrails. We stand with @duckworth.senate.gov. Accountability now.
#WarCrimes
https://bit.ly/4itpIts
Former JAGs confirm Hegseth’s orders violated the UCMJ either way.
This is why he fired the lawyers: To remove the guardrails. We stand with @duckworth.senate.gov. Accountability now.
#WarCrimes
https://bit.ly/4itpIts
When elected leaders asked about the legal basis for recent domestic deployments, they were called "seditious." When troops ask, they face silence.
This isn't how a democracy works. We need sworn testimony, not political theater. John Kamin explains in Stars and Stripes: https://bit.ly/4iEFNgd
This isn't how a democracy works. We need sworn testimony, not political theater. John Kamin explains in Stars and Stripes: https://bit.ly/4iEFNgd
Domestic deployment has been shrouded in secrecy. The Senate must demand answers.
www.stripes.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:48 PM
When elected leaders asked about the legal basis for recent domestic deployments, they were called "seditious." When troops ask, they face silence.
This isn't how a democracy works. We need sworn testimony, not political theater. John Kamin explains in Stars and Stripes: https://bit.ly/4iEFNgd
This isn't how a democracy works. We need sworn testimony, not political theater. John Kamin explains in Stars and Stripes: https://bit.ly/4iEFNgd
Hazing reports are rising in the ranks. Instead of fixing it, Secretary Hegseth wants to loosen the rules.
We have lost Marines to abuse, like Harry Lew and Raheel Siddiqui.
You don't build a lethal force by terrorizing your own unit. That isn't old school. It's DUMB.
https://bit.ly/4pe7y1J
We have lost Marines to abuse, like Harry Lew and Raheel Siddiqui.
You don't build a lethal force by terrorizing your own unit. That isn't old school. It's DUMB.
https://bit.ly/4pe7y1J
Hazing, bullying reports up as Hegseth pushes for rougher training
While hazing reports saw an upswing in 2024 after three years of steady decline, bullying complaints have been steadily increasing since 2020.
www.marinecorpstimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Hazing reports are rising in the ranks. Instead of fixing it, Secretary Hegseth wants to loosen the rules.
We have lost Marines to abuse, like Harry Lew and Raheel Siddiqui.
You don't build a lethal force by terrorizing your own unit. That isn't old school. It's DUMB.
https://bit.ly/4pe7y1J
We have lost Marines to abuse, like Harry Lew and Raheel Siddiqui.
You don't build a lethal force by terrorizing your own unit. That isn't old school. It's DUMB.
https://bit.ly/4pe7y1J
They are trying to gut our VA care to line the pockets of their billionaire buddies.
Heidi Dragneff breaks down the "deny, deny, deny" strategy being used to dismantle our benefits—and how we stop it.
Read her full warning and join us to take a stand against the cuts: https://bit.ly/4iAfmIn
Heidi Dragneff breaks down the "deny, deny, deny" strategy being used to dismantle our benefits—and how we stop it.
Read her full warning and join us to take a stand against the cuts: https://bit.ly/4iAfmIn
Working in Solidarity with Veterans
Navy veteran Heidi Dragneff explains how Common Defense rallies vets worried about health care cuts and attacks on the Constitution
grassrootsconnector.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
They are trying to gut our VA care to line the pockets of their billionaire buddies.
Heidi Dragneff breaks down the "deny, deny, deny" strategy being used to dismantle our benefits—and how we stop it.
Read her full warning and join us to take a stand against the cuts: https://bit.ly/4iAfmIn
Heidi Dragneff breaks down the "deny, deny, deny" strategy being used to dismantle our benefits—and how we stop it.
Read her full warning and join us to take a stand against the cuts: https://bit.ly/4iAfmIn