Veterans Condemn Trump's Violent Political Rhetoric Aimed at Fmr. Representative Liz Cheney
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 01, 2024
Veterans Condemn Trump's Violent Political Rhetoric Aimed at Fmr. Representative Liz Cheney
PHOENIX, AZ – The veterans of Common Defense strongly condemn Donald Trump’s violent and dangerous rhetoric targeting Liz Cheney. These comments alluding to a firing squad for a fellow American and former politician are outrageous and should rightly be condemned by ALL Americans. We have already seen too much violence within our electoral process and we must not normalize any of this. Violent and vitriolic rhetoric only serves to undermine the democratic principles that veterans like ourselves fought to protect. We saw how this type of rhetoric leads to real world consequences in the attempted assassination of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords in the very same state where Trump made these despicable comments. As veterans, as Americans, we say this must end and Trump is clearly unfit for the office he seeks.
All Americans, no matter our political beliefs, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, deserve to be safe and feel safe from violence. No one should have to fear being shot while attending an event, going to class, places of worship, political rallies, LGBTQ+ bars, or anywhere else. There is no place for political violence in our country. When politicians push violent rhetoric it makes us all unsafe.
Earlier this year our organization began partnering with Veterans for Responsible Leadership coming together from across the political spectrum because we understand our oaths to this country did not expire when we took off the uniform. In May our coalition launched a simple pledge: honor the 2024 election results and unequivocally reject the use of violence as a political tool. Unfortunately, former President Trump and MAGA Republicans have so far rejected that pledge and are instead fueling hate and the potential for violence with comments like Trump made last night.
Joanna Sweatt, USMC veteran and Organizing Director for Common Defense: “As a Marine Corps veteran, a woman, and the National Organizing Director of Common Defense, I am deeply disturbed by the recent violent rhetoric directed at Liz Cheney. For any leader—especially a presidential candidate—to use language that targets a woman with threats is not only reprehensible but also fuels a culture of hostility that women in leadership face every day. This behavior is dangerous, particularly in a time when violence against women in politics and public life is on the rise.”
As veterans, we know the value of strength and resilience, but we also know that these are best shown through respect, not by bullying or inciting violence. Common Defense stands firmly against this erosion of civility, particularly when it comes to targeting women. We expect any leader who aspires to represent this country to model honor and respect—not to stoop to personal attacks that endanger lives and undermine our democracy. We call on every citizen to reject this dangerous rhetoric and to stand up for a democracy where all voices, including women’s, are heard and respected without fear.
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Common Defense Civic Engagement is a grassroots, veteran-led organization that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.