1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand immediate action to evacuate thousands of Americans stranded in the Middle East following military operations in Iran. President Trump recently admitted there was no evacuation plan in place before the bombing began, stating only that the situation "happened all very quickly." This lack of planning has left American citizens abandoned in a war zone with U.S. embassies warning them they are on their own. The State Department has urged Americans in 14 countries to find commercial transportation to evacuate, an impossible task given the chaos created by these military operations. These are not tourists caught in an unexpected natural disaster. These are Americans who were given no warning before their government launched attacks that put them in immediate danger. The administration's failure to plan for their safety before initiating military action is unconscionable. Politicians from both parties, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Andy Kim, and Senator Chris Murphy, have criticized this lack of planning. Their concerns reflect what should be a bipartisan priority: protecting American lives. Six U.S. soldiers have already been killed and 18 seriously injured in this conflict. We cannot allow civilian casualties to mount because of inadequate preparation. I urge you to demand the administration immediately deploy military and diplomatic resources to evacuate stranded Americans. This should include military transport where commercial options are unavailable, coordination with allied nations for safe passage, and clear communication about evacuation routes and timelines. Congress must also investigate how military operations proceeded without basic contingency planning for American citizens in the region. These Americans deserve better than being told to fend for themselves after their government's actions put them at risk. I expect you to prioritize their safe return and hold the administration accountable for this dangerous failure of planning.