Common Defense
@commondefense.bsky.social
43K followers 460 following 270 posts
The nation's largest grassroots membership organization of Progressive Veterans. 🇺🇸 #VetsForDemocracy #VetsForClimate #VetsAgainstTrump
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commondefense.bsky.social
Every service member deserves to know their family will be taken care of. But the MAGA regime is holding military paychecks hostage for leverage, leaving millions of families worried about rent and groceries. It's a shameful dereliction of duty.
www.newsweek.com/military-pay...
Mike Johnson rejects bill for US military pay as shutdown continues
Johnson said the House has already acted by passing a stopgap spending bill that would have kept the government funded through Nov. 21.
www.newsweek.com
commondefense.bsky.social
The regime is injecting "blatant propaganda" into the VA, politicizing our service to attack their opponents. This dangerous tactic erodes public trust in the institutions we all rely on. Veterans are speaking out against it.

apnews.com/article/trum...
commondefense.bsky.social
UPDATE: Our member Dana Briggs, the Air Force veteran who was thrown to the ground and arrested by ICE for peacefully protesting, has been RELEASED.

Watch the press conference to learn the truth about what happened. #NoWarOnOurStreets

Livestream Link: www.youtube.com/live/E5c9gDU...
Common Defense is live!
YouTube video by Common Defense
www.youtube.com
commondefense.bsky.social
The difference is ACCOUNTABILITY.

The National Guard are our neighbors, part of the community they serve. ICE is being used like an unaccountable paramilitary force on our streets.

The distinction is critical. #KnowTheDifference
unite4vets.bsky.social
Do you know the difference between the National Guard and ICE? The National Guard are your neighbors. They are members of your community. When deployed, they are there to help the community, not harm them.
commondefense.bsky.social
Donald Trump is unleashing masked federal agents and military troops into our neighborhoods — dragging people off the streets, terrorizing families, and treating American communities like occupied zones.

Congress has the power to stop this abuse of power.
commondefense.bsky.social
Trump’s masked gestapo just shoved a Common Defense member and Air Force veteran to the ground and arrested him for peacefully protesting in Illinois.

The lawlessness of this regime must end — and he must be released immediately!
noturtlesoup17.bsky.social
As agents retreated back to the facility grounds, a protester was knocked to the ground and arrested.
commondefense.bsky.social
The Trump admin's war on workers hits the VA hard, ending bargaining for 350k staff (30% vets) and cutting 30k jobs. These staff shortages create "very unsafe" conditions for patients and staff alike.

This is a power grab, not reform, and it's a betrayal that leaves our nation's heroes behind.
The Common Defense Political Director speaks into a megaphone during a protest in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs building. Behind him, people hold signs that read, "STAND FOR VETERANS STAND FOR UNIONS" and "FIGHTING FOR EMPLOYEES IS FIGHTING FOR VETERANS."
commondefense.bsky.social
Doxxing isn't free speech, it's political violence. When elected officials use their platforms to harass and intimidate, they normalize the same dehumanization that fuels wars.

This is a betrayal of our democracy. Read combat vet Melissa Cordero's op-ed: tucson.com/opinion/colu...
Local opinion: When elected officials and public figures resort to doxxing and intimidation, we all lose
We don’t need more finger-pointing and character assassination; we need leadership that builds bridges and prioritizes peace.
tucson.com
commondefense.bsky.social
Love after loss shouldn't cost a surviving military spouse their earned benefits. It's that simple.

The bipartisan Love Lives On Act fixes this. We were on the Hill pushing for it. Tell your reps to pass this commonsense bill.

www.congress.gov/members/find...
A group of five people, including Common Defense members and allies from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, are seated around a polished wooden conference table in a lawmaker's office. They are in a serious discussion, advocating for the Love Lives On Act. The Common Defense logo is overlaid in the bottom right corner. A diverse group of seven Common Defense members and allies from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors stand together for a group photo in a Capitol Hill hallway. They are smiling, standing in front of a door with a plaque for Representative Mary Gay Scanlon. The Common Defense logo is overlaid in the bottom center.
commondefense.bsky.social
Whether you served in Iraq or not, all Americans deserve freedom from forever wars. For decades, unaccountable politicians used outdated authorizations as a blank check for conflict. The bipartisan House vote to repeal them is a historic step to reclaim our power.
commondefense.us/newsroom/hou...
Common Defense Commends Bipartisan Effort After House Votes to Repeal Iraq War Authorization<br/> — Common Defense
Veterans of Common Defense commend the bipartisan House repeal of Iraq War authorizations, a crucial step toward ending forever wars and preventing unchecked presidential war powers.
commondefense.us
commondefense.bsky.social
"Division isn’t strength—it’s surrender."

As veterans, we demand our leaders choose reconciliation over ruin following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Stop fanning the flames and start healing our nation, the stakes are too high.

Read our full statement: commondefense.us/newsroom/vet...
Veterans Demand Trump, Political Leaders: Restore Calm & Common Ground After Charlie Kirk Shooting — Common Defense
Veterans of Common Defense call on President Trump and all leaders to reject political violence, restore calm, and defend democracy after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
commondefense.us
commondefense.bsky.social
On 9/11, we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost and honor the sacrifices made. For many veterans, that day shaped our service. Now our mission evolves: building true security through justice and a strong democracy, not endless war. Our oath to a better future continues.
commondefense.bsky.social
Texas is attacking abortion medication. The VA is weighing restrictions on vets' care. Veterans are fighting back — and we need you with us.

Join the fight for reproductive freedom 🔗 actionnetwork.org/petitions/pr...
commondefense.bsky.social
Our Political Director, Naveed Shah — a U.S. Army Veteran — joined House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39) and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to oppose the VA’s proposed abortion ban.

🔗 youtu.be/D4gFCRZnaXc
Common Defense Joins Lawmakers to Oppose VA's Proposed Abortion Ban
YouTube video by Common Defense
youtu.be