Count Every Hero

A conceptual graphic divided into two sections. The top section is tan and contains the heading "KNOW THE FACTS" followed by the question "WHAT IS POLITICIZATION OF THE MILITARY?" in a large, dark blue serif font. The bottom section is white and provides the following definition: "The actual or perceived use of military personnel, authority, or resources to advance partisan political goals or narratives rather than to defend the nation or uphold constitutional principles." The graphic concludes with a dark blue footer displaying the "COUNT EVERY HERO" logo in white and gold.

An informational graphic with a dark blue background titled "Pressures Threatening Military Neutrality and Public Trust". The main content features a list of four concerns, each preceded by a yellow square icon containing a dark blue "X": Domestic deployments drifting into routine use Growing pressure on candid, professional military advice Sudden removals of senior leaders and legal advisors Military symbols used in partisan settings At the bottom, there is a call to action in white text that reads, "Here’s how to stop the slide" accompanied by a yellow arrow pointing to the right.

An informational graphic with a tan background titled "Recommendations for Preserving an Apolitical Military". The main content consists of a list of five key points, each preceded by a yellow square icon containing a white star: Reaffirm the value of independent military advice Strengthen transparency and oversight around deployments Clarify the limits on domestic military use Protect legal and advisory independence Educate the public about the military’s role The graphic features a dark blue footer with the text "COUNT EVERY HERO" in white and gold lettering.

CountEveryHero.org released a paper on the urgent risks of politicizing the U.S. military. The norm of an apolitical, professional armed forces, subordinate to civilian authority is under strain—and requires renewed attention. Read the analysis: https://bit.ly/4s4vXYs

National Security Leaders Speak Out About The Dangers Facing Our Democracy and Military - YouTube To highlight the challenges facing civil-military relations, the politicization of the military, and our current moment as a country, members of Count Every ...

Members of CountEveryHero.org released videos highlighting the challenges facing civilian-military relations, the politicization of the military, and our current moment as a country.

They outline concerns, our shared responsibilities, and the importance of standing up for what’s right. Watch ⬇️

Retired 4-star officers and service secretaries warn of the risks of eroding trust between our civilian and military leaders, and the public. As new pressures, from domestic deployments to politicized rhetoric, threaten to pull the military into partisan conflict, our democracy hangs in the balance.

America’s strength depends on an apolitical military. That principle is under strain—and requires urgent attention. Members of CountEveryHero.org speak out about the escalating dangers of politicizing the military in a new video. Watch and share their message:

NEW: Members of CountEveryHero.org highlight the need to preserve our 250-year tradition of an apolitical military that serves all Americans. Watch and share their message:

“Public trust in the military is not guaranteed: Even the perception of politicization weakens confidence and strains readiness." Quote from The Perils of Politicizing the U.S. Military, Count Every Hero

A politicized military erodes bipartisan trust, undermines civilian control, and risks long-term damage to an institution essential to our democracy. Read our latest paper authored by retired four-star general and flag officers who have led at the highest levels. https://bit.ly/4o1S4w4

Trump has ‘blurred’ line between military and politics, ex-officers warn Former leaders’ report cautions against politicizing armed forces as national guard deployments raise tensions in US

America’s strength depends on an apolitical military. New analysis from members of Count Every Hero warns that politicized deployments and abrupt removals of senior leaders are eroding trust, readiness, and national security.

The Perils of Politicizing the U.S. Military

“Even the perception of politicization undermines confidence…”

A new report authored by retired four-star general and flag officers shows how partisan use of troops, military symbols, and sudden leader removals endanger the military's apolitical nature.

The Perils of Politicizing the U.S. Military

This analysis is authored by retired four-star general and flag officers who have led at the highest levels.

Their message is clear: safeguarding an apolitical military is essential to national security.

Carousel Graphic Frame 1 Header: Pressures Threatening Military Neutrality and Public Trust Domestic deployments drifting into routine use Growing pressure on candid, professional military advice Sudden removals of senior leaders and legal advisors Military symbols used in partisan settings Here is how to stop the slide. →

Carousel Graphic Frame 2 Header: Recommendations for Preserving an Apolitical Military Reaffirming the value of independent, professional military advice Strengthen transparency and oversight around deployments Clarify the limits on domestic military use Protect legal and advisory independence Increasing transparency around deployments and personnel actions Educate the public about the military’s role

The paper lays out the core pressures threatening the military’ political neutrality and concrete steps to protect an apolitical military:

“Public trust in the military is not guaranteed: Even the perception of politicization weakens confidence and strains readiness." Quote from The Perils of Politicizing the U.S. Military, Count Every Hero

Public trust in the U.S. military remains high—but it can erode quickly. Recent years have brought new pressures, from domestic deployments to politicized rhetoric, that risk pulling the military into partisan conflict.

Read the full white paper: The Perils of Politicizing the U.S. Military

Today, we released a new paper on the urgent risks of politicizing the U.S. military. Our armed forces have remained apolitical, professional, and subordinate to civilian authority for over two centuries. That norm is under strain—and requires renewed attention. counteveryhero.org/letter_docum...

The brief also urges the consideration of domestic deployments only as a last resort to avoid adding additional tension to politically fraught situations on the ground. To read the brief, visit 🔗 bit.ly/4hqGzgi

These retired national security leaders urge SCOTUS to consider the risks posed by repeated domestic deployments to the public, the Guard’s mission readiness, and members of the Guard itself.

NEW: Today, nine frmr service secretaries + retired four-star admirals & generals filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court warning that deploying National Guard troops in Chicago would add to a dangerous trend of politicizing the military. bit.ly/4hkEZfy

Update from Pooja Salhotra

ICYMI the New York Times covered our federal court brief in Illinois challenging the administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. We’re urging the court to consider the dangerous politicization of the military.

To date, thousands of troops have been deployed in at least five American communities over the objection of local leaders, with the promise of more. These rising domestic deployments run afoul of our history and traditions.

Read the brief: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

“Over the short period of only the past several months, the Administration has abandoned the American tradition against domestic deployment of the military, embracing instead what the District Court of Oregon described as ‘martial law,’” they wrote. “The Administration has suggested it plans to use United States cities as ‘training grounds’ for the military, turning our troops on the ‘enemy within’ – the very people they have proudly sworn to protect, with their own lives if necessary. Thousands of troops have been deployed in at least five such communities over the objection of local leaders, with the promise of more.”

Nine former service secretaries + retired four-star admirals and generals filed a brief in federal court in Illinois today challenging the administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago as a dangerous trend of politicizing the military, and militarizing society. 🔗 bit.ly/48gA25b

Courts, elected leaders, and the public should judge these deployments with these principles in mind. As the number of politicized domestic deployments increases, risks that the public will lose trust in the military, its readiness will suffer, and our national security will be degraded only rises.

Count Every Hero is opposed to deploying the National Guard over state and local objections in all but the most extreme circumstances. Such deployments could “escalate conflicts that should be resolved through the political process.” bit.ly/3VRSVny

Former service secretaries + retired admirals & generals have noted the risk of such deployments outside of situations “where state and local officials openly defied court orders or refused to protect citizens exercising their constitutional rights.” bit.ly/42sJoqV

Illinois sues Trump over National Guard deployment The lawsuit comes hours after a federal judge in Oregon barred Trump from deploying federalized members of any National Guard troops under Trump's command to Oregon.

Today, Illinois sued the administration to block the administration’s planned deployment of National Guard forces to Chicago over the objections of local and state officials. “We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s invasion,” said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. bit.ly/4mRwHgy

MEMORANDUM FOR THE ADJUTANT GENERAL, TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD THROUGH: THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS Subject: Calling Members of the Texas National Guard into Federal Service

On Sunday, a Trump-appointed judge blocked the admin from federalizing & deploying Nat Guard troops from any state to Portland. Yet, Def Sec Hegseth authorized 400 TX Guard to deploy to Portland & Chicago on the same day, escalating the admin's clash with courts and Blue states.

To read the brief, visit 🔗 counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

The impact is felt beyond DC, in communities where many of the deployed live. “Most Guard members have families and civilian lives that they put on hold when deployed, and employers who may grow frustrated by frequent, months-long absences on politically controversial missions.”

As Guard morale dips & public grows less supportive of the campaign, the “proliferation of domestic deployments of the National Guard for missions outside their core duties also threatens the long-term readiness of the Guard & the U.S. military,” wrote the retired natsec leaders.

The DC deployment of troops risks further politicizing our military + militarizing American streets, said a grp of retired service secretaries, 4-star admirals & generals in a brief filed by Protect Democracy United. The DC AG has sued over the deployment. counteveryhero.org/letter_docum...

The letter was signed by the nonpartisan organizations @counteveryhero.org‬, Secure Families Initiative, @chamberlainvets.bsky.social‬, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans for All Voters, and Secure Democracy USA. Read the letter here: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

We “urge you to veto this bill and instead work toward solutions that respect the service and dignity of all Granite Staters – especially those who have given the most for our country or face the greatest barriers to the ballot box.”

“SB 287 will make it more difficult for military and overseas voters to cast a ballot,” the coalition wrote, noting that the bill would also “weaken local election integrity and place new costly burdens on municipal clerks.”