June 4, 2020
Dear Republican Senator;
You and a majority of your Republican colleagues have chosen to remain silent about former Defense Secretary James Mattis' criticisms of Donald Trump's character, competence, and soul.
As I’m sure you can imagine, thinking voters wonder whether you're silent because you're afraid of Donald Trump or because you don't agree with Secretary Mattis.
It is reasonable for Americans of all political persuasions to want to be represented by honorable men and women who put courage ahead of political expedience.
So this is your opportunity to prove your constituents, your friends, your family, your colleagues, and yourself that your silence is not driven by fear of Trump but is driven by honest disagreements with James Mattis.
Please tell us about your honest disagreements by answering the following basic questions:
- Do you not agree with James Mattis that "Equal Justice Under Law is a wholesome and unifying demand that we should all get behind?"
- Do you not agree with Mattis that current protests are defined by "tens of thousands of people of conscience, insisting that we live up to our values?"
- Do you not agree with Mattis that Bill Barr ordered troops to violate the Constitutional rights of fellow citizens to enable Donald Trump to pose for a "bizarre photo op"?
- Do you not agree with Mattis when he said, "We need to unite around a common purpose? And it starts by guaranteeing that all of us are equal before the law"?
- Do you not agree with Mattis that Donald Trump "does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try"?
- Do you not agree with Mattis that "We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution. At the same time, we must remember Lincoln's 'better angels,' and listen to them as we work to unite"?
- Last but not least, do you not agree with Secretary Mattis that "Only by adopting a new path—which means, in truth, returning to the original path of our founding ideals—will we again be a country admired and respected at home and abroad"?
If you're not afraid to speak, and you do agree, why not prove that you have the courage it takes to stand up for the truths so eloquently articulated by James Mattis.
He is, after all, a true American hero.
Are you?