1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am deeply alarmed by the escalating rhetoric from Secretary Hegseth and President Trump regarding the role of our military. When a defense secretary demands ideological loyalty from officers and talks of using U.S. troops to patrol American cities, we are entering dangerous territory. These are not abstract concerns. They mirror authoritarian behavior in countries where democracy has failed, not flourished. Texas leaders must draw a clear line. The National Guard cannot be manipulated to serve political agendas or silence dissent. If federal forces are deployed unlawfully in our cities, legal challenges must follow immediately. Our elected officials should speak out clearly and publicly that Texas will uphold the principle of civilian control over the military and reject any effort to turn our armed forces into a political weapon. We are watching these developments with growing unease. Misusing the military for domestic political ends is not just reckless. It erodes trust in one of our most respected institutions. I ask you to act swiftly and clearly to protect the rights of Texans and the foundation of our democracy.