1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

The recent firing of senior military leaders like Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., Adm. Lisa Franchetti, and others by President Trump is deeply concerning and poses grave risks to our national security. These dismissals seem politically motivated, signaling that failure to demonstrate personal loyalty to the president could result in retribution even after decades of honorable service. This threatens to undermine the military's fundamental ethos of providing candid advice without fear of reprisal. It risks creating an environment where service members may hesitate to refuse unlawful orders, speak truth to power, or call out abuses - decisions that could have catastrophic consequences on the battlefield. Our military's strength lies in its apolitical, merit-based promotion system that attracts the best talent regardless of background. Perceived politicization and punishment for dissent will deter qualified Americans from serving and deprive us of future capable leaders. For the security of our nation and the 2 million troops who risk their lives, we must safeguard the integrity of our officer corps. Military officers must remain free to offer their best professional military judgment without concerns over career retaliation from any administration. I urge you to take action to protect this vital principle and preserve the operational readiness of our armed forces.