1. United States
2. Kan.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to protect the First Amendment rights of elected officials and veterans who are being targeted by the Justice Department for exercising their constitutionally protected speech. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Representative Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania have announced they will refuse to sit for interviews with DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro regarding their participation in a November video. In that video, six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds warned service members that no one has to carry out orders that violate the law or Constitution. This is a factual statement about military law and the duty to refuse illegal orders. The Justice Department's investigation into this protected speech is deeply troubling. Senator Slotkin has informed Attorney General Pam Bondi that she will not legitimize this intimidation campaign based on a 90-second video. Representative Houlahan stated that this crosses a line when federal power is turned toward intimidating veterans and elected representatives for speaking the truth. Both lawmakers are correct that free speech is a right, not a favor the government can revoke. The situation has escalated beyond interviews. Senator Mark Kelly is now suing the Pentagon after officials moved to cut his retirement pay and reduce his rank for participating in the same video. A federal judge has already indicated the Pentagon may be violating Kelly's First Amendment rights. President Trump has accused these lawmakers of seditious behavior and suggested they should be put to death, which many view as an attempt to incite violence against elected officials. I urge you to publicly condemn this abuse of federal power and support legislation that protects the First Amendment rights of all Americans, including elected officials and veterans. The Justice Department should not be weaponized to silence constitutionally protected speech. Please stand up for the fundamental freedoms that define our democracy.