1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

Given the clear threat to democratic institutions posed by President-elect Trump's proposed Cabinet appointments, it is imperative to urge legislators to uphold their constitutional duty of advice and consent. The selection of partisan loyalists like Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and attempts to circumvent Senate confirmations raise serious alarms about the preservation of checks and balances. Equally concerning are the plans to purge non-partisan military leadership and install ideologues like Pete Hegseth at the Defense Department. These moves parallel tactics used by authoritarians abroad to consolidate power and undermine democratic guardrails. Preserving the integrity of key agencies like the DOJ, the intelligence community, and the armed forces is crucial to safeguarding the rule of law and civilian control of the military. As representatives sworn to defend the Constitution, you must view these developments with utmost gravity and vigilance. Failure to oppose such blatant power grabs would represent a dereliction of duty with profound consequences for the nation's democratic foundation.