To: GOP Leaders

Trump is unfit to lead our nation

It becomes clearer each day that Donald Trump represents not only a serious national security threat to our nation, but to our most basic American values.

I cannot support anyone who fails to recognize the real threat that a Trump administration would pose to our country’s safety, both domestically and internationally. Will you join me in voting against Donald Trump and any candidate—whether at the national, state, or local level—who fails to publicly disavow him?

Why is this important?

As a wounded combat veteran, I know firsthand the life-and-death importance of real leadership, which is why I'm compelled to act now.

We've all had that moment where it became clear just how unfit Trump is to lead our nation. For myself it was his insensitive and disrespectful comment that he “always wanted” a Purple Heart — the medal you earn for being wounded in combat, and the same medal I earned 12 years ago while carrying out a mission in Iraq.

There are so many reasons we can’t trust Trump to lead the world’s most powerful military.

On the use of nuclear weapons, Trump has said “we need unpredictability,” and that he sees no problem in letting more countries develop nuclear capabilities. Speaking with a foreign policy expert about the U.S. nuclear arsenal, Trump reportedly asked, “If we have them, why can’t we use them?”

Trump won’t commit to protecting our NATO allies, has asked Russia to conduct cyber attacks against the United States, and has even claimed that President Obama is "the founder of ISIS."

Trump has consistently dishonored the men and women who have worn our nation's uniform. He has repeatedly attacked the Khans, a Gold Star family who lost their son in Iraq. He mocked Senator John McCain for his experiences as a P.O.W., lied about donations he raised for veterans' charitable organizations, and accused Iraq veterans of stealing reconstruction funds. He even claimed, “I know more about ISIS than the generals do. Believe me.”

This combination of hubris and inexperience prompted 50 national security experts who served Republican presidents to write a letter warning that Trump, if elected, "would be the most reckless President in American history.”

Finally, I cannot tolerate Trump’s unending bigotry. He has consistently insulted women, Muslims, immigrants, and so many other Americans, many of whom (unlike Trump) have donned a military uniform and served our country. We have one of the most diverse armed forces in the world, and our troops deserve a commander in chief who respects and honors their service.

We cannot afford to be silent when our fellow veterans and service members are being slandered and the safety of our nation is at risk. Join me in telling political leaders at every level that they must disavow Trump now, and if they fail to do so, that they will not have our support in November.