1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express my grave concern over former President Donald Trump's recent calls for the arrest of several Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan. These lawmakers, all military veterans, have been targeted by Trump for simply reminding service members of their constitutional duty to refuse unlawful orders. Trump's accusations of 'seditious behavior' and labeling these lawmakers as 'traitors' who should face trial are not only baseless but also dangerous to our democratic principles. His claim that their statements are punishable by death is particularly alarming and goes against the fundamental right of free speech protected by our Constitution. It's crucial to note that the lawmakers' video message was a reminder of existing military laws that require troops to obey only lawful orders. This is not sedition; it's a reaffirmation of the oath that all service members take to uphold the Constitution. Trump's reaction to this demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding—or willful misrepresentation—of both military law and the First Amendment. Furthermore, Trump's administration has recently brought charges against political opponents despite a lack of evidence. This pattern of behavior, coupled with his latest threats, suggests a dangerous trend towards authoritarianism that must be addressed immediately. I urge you to take immediate action to protect our democracy and the rule of law. Specifically, I request that you: 1. Initiate impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump for his threats against elected officials and his attempts to undermine democratic institutions. 2. Publicly condemn Trump's statements and reaffirm the right of lawmakers to remind military personnel of their constitutional duties. 3. Support legislation that strengthens protections for elected officials and military personnel who uphold their oaths to the Constitution. The integrity of our democracy and the safety of our elected officials are at stake. We cannot allow threats and intimidation to become normalized in our political discourse. Swift and decisive action is necessary to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated in our nation. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to address this threat to our democratic institutions.