1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I’m writing today as a deeply concerned citizen, veteran, and patriot. We must stop pretending not to see what’s right in front of us. To borrow from a familiar saying: If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and serves the interests of the Kremlin like a duck... it’s probably a Russian asset. Senator Jeff Merkley recently laid out a compelling pattern of behavior that deserves urgent attention. From parroting Russian propaganda to cutting off critical aid to Ukraine, President Trump’s actions have repeatedly aligned with Vladimir Putin’s goals: He shared disinformation pushed by Russian state media. He smeared Ukraine's democratically elected President Zelenskyy by labeling him a dictator. He halted arms shipments that Ukraine desperately needed to defend itself from Russia’s brutal invasion. He undermined our European alliances and weakened NATO’s unified front against Russian aggression. He has called into question the legitimacy of U.S. intelligence on Russia's operations. And most chillingly, he shut down U.S. government efforts to counter Russian interference in our elections and institutions — effectively giving them a free pass. Senator Merkley asked, “What else could a Russian asset possibly do that Trump hasn't done?” And it’s a question every American should be asking themselves. This is not about partisanship — this is about national security. If any individual, especially a former president seeking to return to power, is acting in ways that consistently benefit a foreign adversary at the expense of our allies and democratic institutions, we need to stop shrugging it off. I urge you to speak up, hold hearings, and defend the integrity of our democracy. We can’t afford silence or complicity. As a veteran, I took an oath to defend this country from all enemies — foreign and domestic. That oath doesn’t expire, and neither should your duty to act. Thank you for your time and service.