1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am reaching out today because of the alarming recognition that the U.S. has been placed on a human rights watch list due to democratic backsliding. This is not coming from partisan activists but from respected global watchdogs. It reinforces concerns I and many others have raised with your office regarding threats to constitutional rights, overreach of executive power, and the erosion of democratic norms. In previous outreach, I expressed concerns about policies that centralize power, restrict civil liberties, and undermine the rule of law. These concerns were largely dismissed, yet now they are being acknowledged on an international scale. This should be deeply troubling for any leader committed to upholding democracy, regardless of party. In this context, I am particularly concerned about growing discussions around invoking the Insurrection Act in ways that go far beyond its historical use. Deploying the military for domestic immigration enforcement, restricting public demonstrations, and labeling peaceful protests as insurrection would set a dangerous precedent. This is not speculation—Trump allies have openly discussed using the military against civilians. Given this, I urge you to clarify: • Do you support the use of the Insurrection Act for domestic immigration enforcement? • What safeguards will you put in place to ensure military power is not abused against American citizens? • How do you respond to the fact that the U.S. is now being flagged for democratic decline? This is not a partisan issue—it is about the fundamental principles of American democracy. I would appreciate a clear response addressing these concerns.