On January 6, 2021, a mob stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the presidential election, leaving five people dead and more than 130 police officers injured.
In the days and weeks since that horrifying attack, the politicians who supported the insurrection, along with the right-wing media who fueled it, have attempted to re-write history and obscure the true horror of the event. But at Veterans for Responsible Leadership (VFRL), we will not forget what happened that day and we will hold those politicians and media outlets responsible for their part in the violence.
We will…
In the post-election period, VFRL will be relaying critical election & post-election information, organizing, and activism — follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date. For direct access to critical information, reporting resources (see something / say something), and organizing and activism, VFRL has compiled these resources.
For critical post election information:
- Election Results & News on Vote Count Progress:
- FiveThirtyEight
- Associated Press — apnews.com/hub/election-2020
- Live Universal Awareness Map— real-time info and mapping of protests, conflicts, violence, and more — usprotests.liveuamap.com.
- Monitor planned Protect the Results events — protecttheresults.com
To report:
- Election-related malfeasance (poll worker intimidation, election…
On Tuesday the 27th and Wednesday the 28th, a mobile media truck with messages from VFRL and The Lincoln Project to Donald Trump and American voters is headed to DC. The truck will be cruising NW DC, the National Mall, Navy Yard, Capitol Hill and surrounding areas featuring the image above as well as this message for the Super Spreader in Chief:
History:
- “The Afghan Interpreters (Full-length)” VICE News, 16 July 2014, Watch time: 35 min
- “No One Left Behind” 501(c)(3) non profit organization for US wartime allies
Recent Research:
- “Troubled Visa Program for Afghan Interpreters May Do ‘More Harm Than Good,’ Study Finds” Military.com, 7 April 2021, Read time: 7 min
- “The Costs of Working with Americans in Afghanistan: The United States’ Broken Special Immigrant Visa Process” Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, 5 April 2021, Read time: 45 min
Recent US Government Response, Updates:
Democracy requires voter engagement. At Veterans for Responsible Leadership, we believe public officials have a responsibility to maximize voter participation, and should work to make it easier for all citizens to vote.
The right to vote is core to American democracy and one of the most sacred ideals members of the armed forces pledge their lives to defend. Maximizing voter participation is the only way to ensure elected officials are reflective of and responsive to the communities they represent. …
It’s been a productive few months at VFRL. Following the inauguration of Joe Biden, we all breathed a collective sigh of relief as the chapter was closed on Donald Trump’s term and the immediate threat to the peaceful transfer of power abated. For those of us paying close attention, sadly, the January 6th insurrection was shocking but not altogether surprising. …
This post is updated as new endorsements are made. Read our Statement on 2020 Endorsements here.
October 11 Update — This first slate comprises incumbent veterans of the US military, DOD and intelligence services. These Senators and Congresspeople represent the best of leadership and service to our nation. VFRL is proud to endorse each of them for reelection.
Senator Gary Peters — Michigan, US Senate
Congressman Anthony Brown — MD-4, US House
Congressman Chip Coldiron — IN-3, US House
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan — PA-6, US House
Congressman Ted Lieu — CA-33, US House
Congresswoman Elaine Luria — VA-2, US House
At VFRL, we’ve been recommending On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, by Timothy Snyder as required reading for these times. Between now and the election, we’re posting a discussion of each lesson every day or two. You can find the full list here, updated regularly.
1 — Do not obey in advance
When enough people conform — or fail to resist — would-be authoritarians learn what they can get away with. Anticipatory obedience teaches them how far they can go, and it is often further than they believed. Do not adapt. Do not normalize.
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Trump and his…
For the first time since its founding in 2017, VFRL will endorse a broad slate of candidates across Federal and State offices in an election cycle. As an organization committed to nonpartisanship, but at the same time dedicated to defeating Trumpism, this process has not been without its challenges. A threshold criterion for VFRL’s endorsement is simple and binary: has the candidate stood up for our democratic institutions, the rule of law, and America’s standing in the world by denouncing President Trump and the threats his reckless, divisive, immoral, and often unconstitutional rhetoric and actions pose to our nation? As…
Veterans for Responsible Leadership (VFRL) is a fully inclusive, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to uphold the integrity of American democracy from those who seek to undermine and subvert its institutions, the rule of law, and electoral system for personal or political advantage. We, like our military, hold a broad spectrum of political views. Yet we set aside those differences to defend the institutional and ideological foundations that underpin our nations’ open and inclusive political arena. Between now and November, we will use our voice and influence to keep Trump from being re-elected. After November, we will help heal our…
Veterans for Responsible Leadership
Upholding our Constitutional oaths & supporting American democracy and the rule of law. Taking to task those who don’t, regardless of party or position.
