Matt Castelli

Today we’re launching New Democrats of New York (NDNY) - backing local executive leaders across NY who deliver results. Let’s make politics local again. newdemocratsofny.com

Five years ago this weekend, I wrote a piece for CNN about the women and men whose stars are etched into the marble Memorial Wall at CIA Headquarters, including the seven lost in the Khost attack in 2009. Their deaths had a profound impact on me and my counterterrorism career at CIA. They gave their lives in service to this country, and we honor them this Memorial Day. Much has changed since I wrote the piece. Kabul fell and 13 American service members were killed in the withdrawal. Our Afghan partners were left behind. The great war of our time ended in a way that undermined confidence in our nation’s leaders — confidence that has eroded even further as 15 more American troops have died, this time in a new war with Iran. But the 140 stars on the CIA Wall are still there, and the debt we owe the people behind them and every life lost in service to this country has not changed. This weekend is for the fallen — those who gave everything in service to our country, in uniform and out of it. I am re-sharing the 2021 article linked below, because the “Stars of Afghanistan” still deserve to be looked upon with gratitude and remembrance. cnn.com/2021/05/29/opi…

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible Moms, Grandmothers, Stepmoms, and Godmothers. Especially grateful to spend this one with my Mom - Happy Mother’s Day Ma!

I rallied with Democrats across NY this weekend at the Democratic Rural Conference. The DRC represents the majority of counties in NY (47/62) and is a vital force to helping elect Democrats to enhance economic prosperity and quality of life in local communities that need it most.

Our nation is not safe.

If you want to be part of bringing better government to New York — go to newdemocratsofny.com and click the donate button. Local is where better government starts.

I’ll leave online fights to others. Some people govern by social post. I prefer bill by bill, line by line. We're busy delivering results for Virginians. That's the job.

We declared values but failed to deliver value. That has to change. mattcastelli.substack.com/p/not-more-not…

Government isn’t broken because there is too much or too little of it. It’s broken because nobody is demanding better results from it. Better government is the governing philosophy Democrats should embrace and the people deserve. Not more. Not less. Better.

According to a senior administration official: Prior to locating the WSO (Weapons System Officer) and the US military’s daring rescue, the CIA first launched a deception campaign spreading word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration out of the country. While the Iranians were confused and uncertain of what was happening, the Agency used its unique, exquisite capabilities to search for -- and find -- the American airman. This was the ultimate "needle in a haystack," but in this case it was a brave American soul inside a mountain crevice, invisible but for CIA's capabilities. The CIA immediately shared the WSO’s exact location with the Pentagon and The White House. The President ordered an immediate rescue mission, which CENTCOM executed with boldness and precision, with CIA continuing to provide real time information.

As we wake up this weekend let’s remember that there is an American servicemember who might have survived a jet crash and spent all night alone hiding from Iranian forces searching for him. We must do all we can to rescue him.

God protect them.

The No. 1 overall seed is down DOUBLE DIGITS at the half to Siena 😱 #MarchMadness

It’s a great day to be a Saint. Let’s bust some brackets.

“The U.S. has scaled back on counterterrorism resources for years now, it’s something I’ve repeatedly warned against, as budgets are slashed, agencies are shuttered and personnel are moved to other priority areas for this current administration, including immigration enforcement. The threat is spiking at the same time that the country is woefully unprepared to deal with it,” Clarke told @thehill thehill.com/homenews/admin…

Ding, Ding. It’s why we launched New Democrats of New York (NDNY): a NY State PAC focused on supporting local Democratic executive leaders — county executives, mayors, supervisors, sheriffs, and DAs — who deliver results people can feel. newdemocratsofny.com

6 additional US service members have died and Hegseth is crying over chyrons. This is what happens when you select a TV host as SecDef.

“The bottom line: The next time your screen tells you America is broken, close it. Walk outside. Talk to your neighbor. Coach the team. Go to the town meeting. That's the real America — and it's a hell of a lot better than the one being manufactured for clicks, clout and cash.”

I was in a 2 hour briefing today on the Iran War. All the briefings are closed, because Trump can't defend this war in public. I obviously can't disclose classified info, but you deserve to know how incoherent and incomplete these war plans are. 1/ Here's what I can share:

It was great to welcome and introduce my friends @PatRyanUC and @AOC at their town hall event in Glens Falls last night. I am grateful to them for showing up to help lift the voices of the people of #NY21.

Imagine if Trump cared about lowering costs as much as he cares about bombs and ballrooms.