Count Every Hero
@counteveryhero.org
We are veterans and citizens who believe our national security requires a strong democracy. Learn more at http://CountEveryHero.org
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
November 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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.
Trump has ‘blurred’ line between military and politics, ex-officers warn
Former leaders’ report cautions against politicizing armed forces as national guard deployments raise tensions in US
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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.
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.
The Perils of Politicizing the U.S. Military
counteveryhero.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
“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.
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...
November 17, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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
Former Nat. Sec. leaders file brief before SCOTUS on Chicago
The brief was filed after the federal government asked the Court to stay a lower court’s order temporarily prohibiting the deployment of the Guard to Chicago.
bit.ly
October 20, 2025 at 9:09 PM
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.
Update from Pooja Salhotra
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:57 PM
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
October 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
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.
October 6, 2025 at 7:45 PM
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...
Former Nat. Sec. leaders file amicus brief on DC deployments
The brief expresses concerns that the deployment of troops diverts the National Guard from its traditional missions and pose dangers to the public and military.
counteveryhero.org
September 16, 2025 at 5:26 PM
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...
counteveryhero.org
July 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
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.
June 17, 2025 at 9:05 PM
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...
counteveryhero.org
June 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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...
counteveryhero.org
June 13, 2025 at 1:39 AM
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...
counteveryhero.org
June 12, 2025 at 6:44 PM
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.”
“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.”
April 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
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.”
“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...
Opinion | We led the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force. Trump’s purge is dangerous.
Politicizing the military means Americans won’t get the protection they need.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 25, 2025 at 8:16 PM
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...
“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...
February 22, 2025 at 4:24 AM
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...
“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...
www.military.com/daily-news/o...
Punishing Military Officers for Political Reasons Endangers Our Troops and Threatens National Security
Recent actions taken against the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley are more than punitive measures taken against a single officer.
www.military.com
February 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
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...
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...
Former senior military leaders: Judge Griffin threatens votes of America’s troops | Opinion
Elected leaders should be making it easier for our deployed troops to vote, not suing to throw out the votes of service members. | Opinion
www.newsobserver.com
January 23, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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...
counteveryhero.org
January 14, 2025 at 10:22 PM
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...
counteveryhero.org
January 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
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...
Read our letter: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...
counteveryhero.org
January 14, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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...
Read our letter: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...