Count Every Hero

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: bit.ly/4s4vXYs

WATCH: Members of CountEveryHero.org released a series of videos highlighting the challenges facing civilian-military relations, the politicization of the military, and our current moment as a country. Get all three videos here: bit.ly/3OxbWuX

Retired 4-star officers & service secretaries warn of the risks of eroding trust between our civilian & military leaders. 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:

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

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. theguardian.com/us-news/2025/n…

“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. counteveryhero.org/letter_documen…

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. counteveryhero.org/letter_documen…

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

We just released a new paper on the urgent risks of politicizing the U.S. military. Our armed forces have remained apolitical, professional, & subordinate to civilian authority for over 2 centuries. That norm is under strain—and requires renewed attention. counteveryhero.org/letter_documen…

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

Read the 7th Circuit ruling: bit.ly/47gACOl And our amicus: bit.ly/48Ad4Gu

The 7th Circuit rejected the President’s argument that he can simply declare that a “rebellion” is occurring . . . when in fact, the evidence shows protests clearly protected by the First Amendment.

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. nytimes.com/live/2025/10/0…

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/upl…

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