1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about recent actions by senior leadership that undermine the nonpartisan integrity and inclusivity of our military. Specifically: Domestic military gatherings where service members in uniform were prompted to jeer and boo elected officials—including President Biden and Governor Newsom—contravene long-standing norms of military political neutrality. The administration’s policy barring service by transgender individuals, resulting in the separation of officers like Col. Bree Fram, runs counter to the legal and ethical values of diversity and readiness. These developments threaten the core principle that our military defends the Constitution—not a party or political ideology. They also risk damaging morale, operational effectiveness, and international credibility. I respectfully urge you to: 1. Reinforce measures that maintain military political impartiality, including enforcing existing regulations (e.g., DoD Directive 1344.10). 2. Push for the reversal of policies excluding transgender personnel, restoring the service of qualified individuals like Col. Fram. 3. Conduct oversight hearings to evaluate the impacts of these policies on force readiness and military professionalism. Your leadership matters—our service members deserve to serve with honor, not as actors in partisan theater. I appreciate your attention to this critical issue and look forward to your response about steps you plan to take. Thank you for your service to our district and country.