1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

As an alarmed constituent, I’m writing in support of the common-sense and important SUN Act (H.R. 4998) just introduced. This critical legislation, as stated in the bill, aims to increase transparency regarding National Guard deployments for urban policing, a matter of significant importance for our democracy and public safety. The SUN Act requires the Administration to provide detailed reports on National Guard deployments in urban areas, including their legal basis, goals, costs, and impacts. I’ve been alarmed about the completely inappropriate use of military forces in domestic law enforcement by the Trump Administration. Restoring balance and transparency is necessary to avoid further unlawful acts, and immoral actions, and risk to lives of innocent people that are entirely possible with these deployments. The bill's requirements for reporting on civilian interactions, local law enforcement perspectives, and potential interference with disaster response capabilities are particularly important. These elements will provide a real understanding of the impact of such deployments on our communities and the possible negative side-effects our overall emergency preparedness where the National Guard is sometimes employed. Furthermore, the SUN Act mandates a post-deployment briefing to Congress, ensuring ongoing oversight and accountability. This is especially critical given the concerns raised about the necessity of these deployments in light of low crime rates, and the contrasting lack of response to the Capitol insurrection. By supporting the SUN Act, you will be championing transparency, accountability, and the proper balance between public safety and civil liberties. Thank you.