Washington, DC, June 5, 2026 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is deeply concerned by President Trump’s reported selection of Bill Pulte to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence, a move that appears inconsistent with the qualifications Congress established for this role under 50 USC 3023. Public reporting indicates Mr. Pulte lacks the national security and intelligence experience expected of the nation’s senior intelligence official.

“America’s intelligence professionals serve the Constitution, not a political agenda,” said NSL4A member and former Executive Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, James F. McIlmail. “The President is entitled to advisers who share his policy views, but intelligence must remain objective, professional, and protected from political manipulation. The DNI’s job is not to tell any President what he wants to hear; it is to ensure the nation’s leaders receive the truth, even when that truth is inconvenient.”

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NSL4A is further troubled by reports that he has used his current government position to pursue investigations of perceived political adversaries. The DNI has access to some of the nation’s most sensitive intelligence—including sources, methods, collection priorities, and information shared by foreign partners—and any perception that such authority could be politicized or misused for retaliation would undermine public trust, damage allied relationships, and weaken national security.

McIlmail added, “America’s intelligence professionals, service members, diplomats, allies, and citizens deserve leaders who are loyal to the Constitution and to the security of the United States.”

Members of National Security Leaders for America are available for interviews on this issue.

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About National Security Leaders for America

National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan network of over 1,500 senior national security professionals—retired admirals, generals, senior enlisted leaders, intelligence officers, diplomats, and civilian service officials—from across the political spectrum who are united in defense of American democracy. Founded in 2021, NSL4A is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for democratic values, institutions, and leaders who uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Our members offer expert, real-world insights on the national security implications of election integrity, civil-military relations, and democratic resilience.

Media Contact: CommDirector@nsl4a.org

Washington, DC, June 02, 2026 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) stands firmly in support of a military promotion system built on merit, readiness, professionalism, and mission effectiveness.

Recent reporting that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth blocked the promotion of multiple Navy officers who had already been selected by senior Navy leaders for advancement to flag rank raises grave concerns. If accurate, these actions represent a direct threat to the integrity of a promotion system that must remain grounded in performance, qualifications, leadership, character, and service to the nation—not ideology, personal preference, race, gender, or political loyalty.

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“America’s armed forces depend on the confidence of those who serve that advancement is earned through demonstrated ability and proven performance. That confidence is essential to morale, retention, readiness, and the trust between civilian leadership and the uniformed military,” said Retired Navy Rear Admiral Michael Smith, Founder and President of NSL4A. “No service member should be promoted because of race or gender. No service member should be denied promotion because of race or gender. The standard must be the same for all: competence, character, leadership, and the ability to meet the demands of service.”

For more than a decade, qualified women have served successfully in combat occupations and units across the Armed Forces, meeting the same rigorous standards required of every service member. Their service has demonstrated what military leaders have long understood: capability is determined by performance and professionalism, not by gender. Likewise, officers of every race and background have led with distinction in war, crisis, and peace. To exclude or sideline qualified officers because they do not fit a political narrative is not meritocracy. It is discrimination by another name.

NSL4A condemns any action by the Secretary of Defense that politicizes military promotions, undermines established selection processes, or substitutes ideological screening for professional military judgment. Civilian control of the military is a constitutional principle, but it is not a license to turn promotion lists into political instruments. The Secretary of Defense has a responsibility to strengthen the force, not to weaken confidence in its fairness, professionalism, and apolitical character.

Congress has a constitutional role in confirming senior military officers and an obligation to ensure that the promotion process remains free from discrimination and political manipulation. We call on Congress to conduct rigorous oversight, demand transparency from the Department of Defense, and ensure that nominations and promotions for general and flag officers remain based on merit, qualifications, performance, and the needs of the nation.

America’s military is strongest when every qualified individual willing to serve has the opportunity to advance based on demonstrated excellence. Preserving a fair, apolitical, merit-based promotion system is not only a matter of equal opportunity. It is a matter of national security.

A ready force is a capable force. A capable force is a merit-based force. America cannot afford to move backward.

Members of National Security Leaders for America are available for interviews on this issue.

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About National Security Leaders for America

National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan network of over 1,500 senior national security professionals—retired admirals, generals, senior enlisted leaders, intelligence officers, diplomats, and civilian service officials—from across the political spectrum who are united in defense of American democracy. Founded in 2021, NSL4A is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for democratic values, institutions, and leaders who uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Our members offer expert, real-world insights on the national security implications of election integrity, civil-military relations, and democratic resilience.

Media Contact: CommDirector@nsl4a.org

Washington, DC, May 25, 2026 In observance of Memorial Day, National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) issued the following statement:

They came from every generation, every region, every background, and every walk of life. They served in uniform, took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, and made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of a nation still striving to live up to its highest ideals.

Those we honor did not serve a party, a person, or a political movement. They served the Constitution. They served the idea that the United States is strongest when power is accountable, the rule of law is respected, civil-military norms are protected, and public service is rooted in duty rather than personal loyalty.

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That responsibility weighs heavily at a time when many of the principles generations of Americans fought to defend are being tested. NSL4A has spoken out when actions by public officials threaten constitutional checks and balances, undermine democratic institutions, politicize military service, target public servants, weaken alliances, or disregard the needs of service members, veterans, military families, and the communities that support them.

We do so not as a partisan act, but as a continuation of service.

The oath does not expire when the uniform comes off. For many of us, continued service means using our experience to defend the institutions, norms, and values that make America secure. It means speaking clearly when democratic guardrails are weakened. It means standing with those who serve, those who have served, and the families who bear the burdens of that service. It means insisting that national security begins with fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law.

On this Memorial Day, we remember the fallen with humility and gratitude. We honor their sacrifice not only with words, but with a renewed commitment to the country they served — a country defined by constitutional democracy, accountable leadership, and the enduring promise of liberty under law.

May we prove worthy of their sacrifice.

About National Security Leaders for America

National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan network of over 1,500 senior national security professionals—retired admirals, generals, senior enlisted leaders, intelligence officers, diplomats, and civilian service officials—from across the political spectrum who are united in defense of American democracy. Founded in 2021, NSL4A is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for democratic values, institutions, and leaders who uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Our members offer expert, real-world insights on the national security implications of election integrity, civil-military relations, and democratic resilience.

Media Contact: CommDirector@nsl4a.org

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Washington, DC, National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) today announced the launch of a new public campaign defending the First Amendment rights of retired military personnel, featuring retired members of NSL4A speaking directly about the constitutional, civic, and civil-military stakes raised by recent government action against Senator Mark Kelly. The campaign begins as NSL4A has filed an amicus brief in Kelly v. Hegseth, a case with significant implications for the free speech rights of retired service members.

The campaign, called “We Served. We Can Speak.”,will feature short-form videos created by military retirees from varied backgrounds and services, each speaking as private citizens and members of NSL4A about why the government’s attempt to punish a retiree for protected public speech threatens more than one individual. NSL4A says the case has created growing concern among retired military personnel that administrative action could be used to chill lawful public expression by those who no longer serve on active duty but continue to contribute to public life.

“At stake here is not simply one retiree or one case,” said Retired Navy Rear Admiral Michael Smith, Founder and President of NSL4A. “If administrative action can be used to threaten a retired service member’s rank or pension because of protected speech, the effect will be felt far beyond Captain Kelly. It will cause others to hesitate, self-censor, and withdraw from the public square at the very moment the country most needs informed, experienced voices.”

NSL4A’s campaign is designed to highlight the constitutional and civil-military implications of the case, while keeping the focus on enduring principles rather than personalities or party. Across the video series, retired military members will reinforce several core themes: that obeying lawful orders and refusing unlawful orders are foundational military ethics; that silencing experienced retirees harms public debate and national security decision-making; that this is a nonpartisan issue of rights, norms, and democratic accountability; and that punishing principled speech risks undermining public trust, recruiting, retention, and long-term readiness.

The organization’s newly filed amicus brief argues that the government’s position in Kelly v. Hegseth is contrary to long-standing Department of Defense policy, recognizing that retired service members who are not on extended active-duty recall retain substantially greater First Amendment freedom than active-duty personnel. NSL4A further argues that the government’s actions have already had a real chilling effect on retired military voices, including among its own membership.

That concern is not theoretical. In a declaration filed in support of NSL4A’s amicus brief, Rear Admiral Smith describes numerous examples of retired military personnel who have altered remarks, postponed public events, limited media appearances, deleted public commentary, or refrained from speaking openly for fear of retaliation against their retirement status, benefits, or standing.

For NSL4A, that chilling effect strikes at the heart of its mission. The organization relies on the public engagement of retired military and civilian national security leaders to educate the public, provide nonpartisan expertise, and strengthen democratic discourse on matters of national security and constitutional governance. When those voices are deterred from speaking, NSL4A argues, the public loses access to valuable expertise, and the nation’s democratic culture is weakened.

The campaign will roll out in phases across digital platforms and will feature individual videos from retired military members, along with compiled segments timed to key milestones in the case and broader public discussion. Through those voices, NSL4A intends to make clear that protecting the speech rights of retirees is not a partisan cause, but a defense of constitutional liberty, professional military ethics, and the longstanding principle that those who have served the nation do not forfeit their rights as citizens.

Visit the We Served. We Can Speak. Campaign Page

Voices of Experience offers timely analysis and seasoned insight from national security leaders committed to defending American democracy. Join us for clarity, expertise, and guidance through today’s complex national and global challenges. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan coalition of over 1,400 former senior military, diplomatic, and national security officials committed to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of U.S. national security. Protecting the Constitution remains the mission, preserving America’s promise for future generations.

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Washington, DC, National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) has filed an amicus brief in Kelly v. Hegseth, urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to uphold the First Amendment rights of retired military personnel and reject the government’s effort to subject retirees’ public speech to the same restrictions applied to active-duty service members.

NSL4A’s brief argues that long-standing Department of Defense policy recognizes that retired service members who are not on extended active-duty recall retain substantially greater freedom to engage in public and political speech than those currently serving on active duty. The brief further warns that the government’s position in this case threatens not only Captain Mark Kelly, but retired military personnel across the country who have earned the right to participate fully in public life as citizens.

The filing also details how the actions taken against Captain Kelly have already had a chilling effect on retired service members, including NSL4A members, who now fear that speaking publicly could place their retirement rank, benefits, or standing at risk. According to the declaration submitted by Rear Admiral Michael Smith, retired officers and enlisted leaders have altered speeches, postponed public events, deleted social media posts, limited media engagement, and refrained from commenting on public issues out of concern that they, too, could face retaliation.

That chilling effect cuts directly against NSL4A’s mission. As a nonpartisan network of more than 1,500 former military and civilian national security leaders, including more than 800 retired military members, NSL4A works to educate the public, provide informed national security expertise, and amplify the voices of experienced leaders in defense of democratic norms, constitutional freedoms, and nonpartisan service. When retired military members are intimidated into silence, the public loses access to informed perspectives that are essential to democratic debate.

NSL4A believes the Constitution does not permit the government to penalize retired military personnel for protected speech simply because that speech is critical of those in power. Its amicus brief asks the Court to affirm the district court’s decision and make clear that retired service members remain protected by the First Amendment.

Voices of Experience offers timely analysis and seasoned insight from national security leaders committed to defending American democracy. Join us for clarity, expertise, and guidance through today’s complex national and global challenges. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan coalition of over 1,400 former senior military, diplomatic, and national security officials committed to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of U.S. national security. Protecting the Constitution remains the mission, preserving America’s promise for future generations.

Washington, DC, April 2, 2026 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is deeply concerned by reporting from The New York Times, later corroborated by NPR and other outlets, that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth intervened to remove four qualified Army officers from a vetted promotion list despite objections from senior Army leadership, raising serious concerns about an unusual break from established promotion practice.

The strength of the U.S. military depends on a promotion system that is professional, merit-based, and insulated from political or ideological interference. General and flag officer promotions are meant to reflect performance, judgment, leadership, and the considered recommendations of the chain of command. When a vetted list is altered in a way that appears to override established military judgment, it raises serious concerns about fairness, trust, and the integrity of the system itself.

Any action that creates the appearance that officers are being singled out because of race, gender, or perceived politics is harmful to good order, morale, and readiness. Service members must have confidence that advancement is earned through demonstrated performance and service to the mission, not shaped by bias or partisan agendas. That confidence is essential to maintaining an apolitical military and sustaining the trust of those who serve.

NSL4A urges the Department of Defense and Congress to provide full transparency regarding any deviation from normal promotion procedures and to ensure that the integrity of the military promotion system is protected. Preserving military professionalism and public trust requires accountability, fairness, and adherence to established institutional standards.

Voices of Experience offers timely analysis and seasoned insight from national security leaders committed to defending American democracy. Join us for clarity, expertise, and guidance through today’s complex national and global challenges. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan coalition of over 1,400 former senior military, diplomatic, and national security officials committed to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of U.S. national security. Protecting the Constitution remains the mission, preserving America’s promise for future generations.

Washington, DC, March 13, 2026 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) announced today that it has sent a letter to the officials responsible for overseeing elections in every state and U.S. territory, urging them to safeguard ballot access for military, diplomatic, intelligence, and other overseas Americans covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

In the letter, NSL4A emphasizes that many Americans serving overseas or away from their voting residence depend on timely ballot notification and reliable absentee voting processes, including delivery through USPS, Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, Diplomatic Post Office, embassy pouch, fax, email, internet, or express courier. The letter notes that delays caused by late-breaking changes to voting districts, voting requirements, ballot formatting, or mail delivery can jeopardize whether those ballots are counted. 

NSL4A called on election officials to commit to accessible voting solutions for national security professionals from their states who are stationed elsewhere and requested a written response identifying each jurisdiction’s UOCAVA point of contact and current plans to ensure all covered voters can participate in the 2026 midterm elections. 

“Americans serving our nation overseas, at sea, in embassies, and far from home should never have to wonder whether their vote will count,” said retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, U.S. Navy, Founder and President of NSL4A. “These men and women defend our democracy every day. The least we can do is ensure that every state and territory has clear, reliable, and accessible systems in place so they can fully exercise the constitutional right they serve to protect.”

NSL4A stated that protecting the franchise for military personnel, intelligence professionals, diplomats, embedded U.S. contractors, and their eligible family members is not a partisan issue, but a democratic obligation rooted in fairness, representation, and respect for public service. The organization stressed that many of its own members cast remote ballots throughout their careers and have seen firsthand how administrative obstacles can prevent ballots from being counted.

Voices of Experience offers timely analysis and seasoned insight from national security leaders committed to defending American democracy. Join us for clarity, expertise, and guidance through today’s complex national and global challenges. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan coalition of over 1,400 former senior military, diplomatic, and national security officials committed to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of U.S. national security. Protecting the Constitution remains the mission, preserving America’s promise for future generations.

The National Security Leaders for America is a group of over 1,400 senior national security professionals who are united in defense of American democracy. We write to express our support for overseas U.S. citizens who have the right to vote in accordance with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

Our national security professionals include military personnel, intelligence and diplomatic personnel, embedded US contractors, and their family members, either overseas or stationed away from their voting residence within the United States and its territories. They rely on early notification of ballot availability, via USPS mail, the Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, or Diplomatic Post Office, U.S. embassy diplomatic pouch, electronically via Fax, e-mail, or Internet, or by Express courier. Late-breaking changes to voting districts, voting requirements, and ballot formatting cause significant delays, as can mail delays.

These dedicated individuals have made immense sacrifices to serve our nation, and it is our sacred duty to ensure their voices are heard in our democratic process without barriers or discrimination that make it harder or impossible to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

We, the National Security Leaders for America, respectfully request that your office commit to accessible voting solutions for our national security professionals from your state who are stationed elsewhere. Voting is a fundamental keystone for our democracy for all Americans, but perhaps even more so a cherished right for those standing guard for our country. Most of us have cast remote ballots for our entire career, either from overseas or away from our local voting district, and have seen firsthand how difficulties can result in our ballots not being counted. We must honor the dedication of those who have served and also to those who have given their last full measure of devotion to maintain this right and reaffirm our commitment to a truly representative democracy.

We would appreciate a written response identifying your UOCAVA point of contact and your current plans to ensure all voters covered by UOVAVA are able to participate in this year’s midterm elections.

Please send this information to James Mcilmail at jim.mcilmail@nsl4a.org.

Sincerely,

Michael E. Smith Rear Admiral, USN (Ret)

Founder and President, National Security Leaders for America

Voices of Experience offers timely analysis and seasoned insight from national security leaders committed to defending American democracy. Join us for clarity, expertise, and guidance through today’s complex national and global challenges. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan coalition of over 1,400 former senior military, diplomatic, and national security officials committed to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of U.S. national security. Protecting the Constitution remains the mission, preserving America’s promise for future generations.

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Washington, DC, March 6, 2026 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) expresses unwavering support for the United States service members who are executing this operation with discipline, professionalism, and courage. Those American servicemembers who sacrificed their lives in Iranian attacks in Kuwait and their families deserve our deepest condolences and utmost respect.

Still, we are deeply concerned by the political and legal justification for initiating Operation Epic Fury and by the strategic, constitutional, and diplomatic consequences now unfolding. We urge Congress to assert its role in America’s warmaking decisions and demand from the Administration a clear explanation of the legal authority claimed for initiating hostilities; the strategic objectives and desired end state; and the scope and anticipated duration of Operation Epic Fury.

“The men and women of our Armed Forces are successfully executing their mission with extraordinary professionalism under dangerous conditions,” said retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, Founder and President of NSL4A. “We mourn those killed in Kuwait and stand firmly with their families. Our service members carry out lawful orders with honor. Civilian leaders bear responsibility for ensuring those orders are grounded in clear strategy, lawful authority, and a defined end state—so that sacrifice is never asked without necessity, accountability, and purpose. NSL4A’s concerns do not stem from the courage and competence of our warfighters, but from the lack of clarity from their civilian leadership.”

While NSL4A recognizes Iran’s long and unforgivable record of supporting terrorist organizations and using their proxies to kill U.S. citizens, attack U.S. interests, and destabilize regional partners, we strongly believe the United States is strongest—and most secure—when it employs force within constitutional guardrails, with strategic discipline, and with a credible diplomatic plan to prevent escalation.

NSL4A calls on the Administration to address several key concerns that have arisen since Operation Epic Fury began, including:

• Why have public justifications for this operation evolved, raising urgent questions about the legality, objective, scope, and the intended end state?

• When will Congress authorize Operation Epic Fury, establishing a core guardrail designed to prevent open-ended conflict and ensure democratic accountability?

• Did civilian leaders adequately anticipate escalation risks and ensure adequate force protection and contingency planning were in place prior to initiating hostilities?

• Was the State Department fully informed, prepared, and funded to fulfill its duty to protect and evacuate American citizens caught in the region as our government commenced military operations?

Retired Ambassador Elizabeth McKune, former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar and NSL4A member, stated, “When military action begins, the burden on our diplomats rises immediately and dramatically. Embassies must have the personnel, funding, and logistical capacity to support Americans in harm’s way. If U.S. citizens faced delayed assistance or inadequate evacuation support, it is a warning sign that our diplomatic infrastructure has been weakened at the worst possible time and our embassies likely received inadequate warning to properly prepare.”

McKune added that “History has taught us that no army can succeed without clear objectives, and political leadership’s shifting public rationales for the war imply we do not have one. That is an unacceptable and unnecessary risk for our servicemen and women and for our diplomats overseas.”

NSL4A further calls on the Administration to explain its escalation-control measures, force protection posture, and plans to protect and assist Americans in the region—including evacuation contingencies. Congress must fulfill its constitutional responsibilities by holding prompt oversight hearings and demanding the Administration’s legal rationale and strategic plan. It must reassert its role in authorizing—or limiting—continued hostilities to ensure accountability and restore essential democratic guardrails.

“The strength of the United States lies not only in military power, but in the constitutional order that governs its use. Decisions of war and peace must be lawful, strategically coherent, and accountable to the American people,” said Smith.

NSL4A will continue to monitor developments and will issue further statements as more verified facts become available.

Washington, DC, — National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) recognizes that America’s national security strength depends on fully leveraging our nation’s talent. Women and minorities have made vital contributions to our military and intelligence community, earning their positions through the same rigorous standards of performance and professionalism required of all service members.

Inclusion and merit are not opposing values. Women and minority leaders have earned their advancement through demonstrated capability, and evidence consistently shows that diverse leadership strengthens decision-making and institutional resilience. Policies that marginalize or exclude these qualified professionals weaken our strategic effectiveness and undermine the credibility of our national security enterprise.

NSL4A supports leadership practices grounded in performance, professionalism, and constitutional values—rejecting any approach that would narrow our talent pool through exclusionary ideology. Strengthen public confidence in our national security institutions by ensuring civilian and military leaders reflect the breadth of talent, experience, and perspectives across the nation they serve. A capable, trusted, and mission-ready military requires that we draw upon the full strength of the American people.

Voices of Experience offers timely analysis and seasoned insight from national security leaders committed to defending American democracy. Join us for clarity, expertise, and guidance through today’s complex national and global challenges. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan coalition of over 1,400 former senior military, diplomatic, and national security officials committed to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of U.S. national security. Protecting the Constitution remains the mission, preserving America’s promise for future generations.

Washington, DC, — National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) expresses deep concern over President Trump’s public threats to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota and the Department of Defense’s decision to place active-duty Army forces from Alaska on prepare-to-deploy status for possible domestic operations.

The Insurrection Act is an extraordinary and rarely used authority. It exists as a last resort—intended only for situations in which state and local governments are incapable of maintaining order and all civilian remedies have been exhausted.

“The Insurrection Act is not a tool for managing political dissent. Using—or threatening to use—the U.S. military against Americans exercising their First Amendment rights is an extreme step that risks lasting damage to civil-military relations and to our democracy itself,” said retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, founder and President of NSL4A. “Using federal troops in a domestic law-enforcement role represents a profound escalation with serious constitutional, legal, and civil-military implications.”

The American military is trained to defend the nation against foreign threats—not to police political dissent at home. Even the preparation to deploy active-duty forces signals a troubling willingness to blur the long-standing boundary between civilian governance and military power.

History and precedent demand restraint. When military force is introduced into domestic political disputes, public trust erodes—both in civilian leadership and in the armed forces themselves. Such actions risk normalizing the use of military power to manage civil unrest, rather than addressing underlying issues through lawful civilian authorities, dialogue, and de-escalation.

NSL4A urges federal officials to step back from inflammatory rhetoric and extraordinary measures, and to reaffirm their commitment to constitutional norms, civilian control grounded in law, and the protection of fundamental rights. Preserving democratic legitimacy requires restraint, transparency, and fidelity to the rule of law—especially in moments of political tension.

Voices of Experience offers timely analysis and seasoned insight from national security leaders committed to defending American democracy. Join us for clarity, expertise, and guidance through today’s complex national and global challenges. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan coalition of over 1,400 former senior military, diplomatic, and national security officials committed to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of U.S. national security. Protecting the Constitution remains the mission, preserving America’s promise for future generations.

Washington, DC, — National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) today affirms its support for Senator Mark Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy Captain and a sitting member of the United States Senate, who has filed a suit for injunctive relief and a declaratory judgment, claiming that the Department of Defense is trying to censure him by threatening to revisit his retired rank and pay based on his public statements and legislative activity. As reflected in Senator Kelly’s filed complaint, these actions raise serious constitutional, statutory, and due-process concerns that merit careful judicial review.

“Military service personnel have no less First Amendment rights when they take off their uniforms than any other citizen, except perhaps under very limited circumstances proscribed in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The actions being taken against Senator Kelly are not under the UCMJ, but are being handled in an administrative process potentially subject to abuse,” said retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, founder and President of NSL4A. “Retired officers swore an oath to the Constitution of the United States—an oath that does not expire with retirement, nor yield to political pressure.”

At issue is not partisan politics. At issue is whether the Executive Branch may use military administrative mechanisms to punish a Member of Congress—and a retired officer—for speech and oversight activity that fall squarely within the First Amendment and the Article I responsibilities of the Legislative Branch.

As NSL4A stated on November 25, 2025, the obligation of U.S. service members to follow lawful orders and refuse unlawful ones is a bedrock principle of American civil–military law, grounded in the Constitution and reinforced through military training, statute, and long-standing practice.

The use of censure and retirement-grade review through an administrative process raises fundamental questions of fairness, due process, proportionality, and constitutional balance. Such actions risk chilling lawful expression, weakening congressional oversight of the armed forces, and eroding the long-standing norm of an apolitical military subordinate to civilian constitutional authority.

We therefore call for restraint by all parties, respect for constitutional boundaries, and deference to the judicial process now underway. The strength of the United States has always rested not only on its military power, but also on its commitment to constitutional governance, civilian oversight, and the protection of fundamental freedoms—even, and especially, when those freedoms are exercised by critics.

NSL4A stands with Senator Kelly in defense of those principles.

Voices of Experience offers timely analysis and seasoned insight from national security leaders committed to defending American democracy. Join us for clarity, expertise, and guidance through today’s complex national and global challenges. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan coalition of over 1,400 former senior military, diplomatic, and national security officials committed to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of U.S. national security. Protecting the Constitution remains the mission, preserving America’s promise for future generations.

Washington, DC - National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) today announced the submission of an amicus curiae brief to the United States Supreme Court in Watson v. Republican National Committee, a case addressing whether states may count absentee ballots cast by Election Day but received shortly thereafter.

NSL4A’s brief urges the Court to reverse a Fifth Circuit decision that would invalidate Mississippi’s statute allowing timely-cast ballots to be counted as long as they were received within five days of Election Day, as well as similar laws of a majority of the states designed to protect the meaningful voting rights of U.S. service members, diplomats, and other citizens serving overseas. The brief argues that such laws are firmly grounded in constitutional authority, historical precedent, and Congress’s repeated recognition that rigid ballot-receipt deadlines unfairly disenfranchise Americans serving abroad, and that such laws should be left to the states.

“For generations, our nation has recognized a simple truth: any citizen willing to risk his or her life or serve in a diplomatic post overseas for the United States deserves, at the very least, the ability to vote in our elections and have that vote counted,” said retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, founder and President of NSL4A. “Anyone who leaves behind their home, family, and daily life to serve overseas should never be penalized for that sacrifice. Counting ballots that are cast on time but delayed by the realities of overseas service isn’t a loophole—it’s a commitment to the very democratic values our service members defend.”

“This isn’t about politics or favoring one party over another,” said NSL4A Member, retired Air Force Major General John Barry, a registered Republican. “This is about basic American rights and freedoms. If you are an American citizen serving our nation, you get to vote in our elections. Period.”

NSL4A’s brief draws on extensive historical evidence showing that states have long extended ballot-receipt deadlines during times of war and overseas service—from the War of 1812 and the Civil War through World War II and into the modern era. Congress itself has twice imposed federal ballot-receipt deadlines, only to repeal them after recognizing that they disenfranchised millions of military voters.

NSL4A filed the brief in support of Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson, a Republican, and emphasized that the Constitution’s Elections Clause permits states to determine the manner of elections unless Congress clearly says otherwise—and that no current federal law prohibits states from counting timely cast ballots received after

NSL4A brings a unique perspective to issues at the intersection of national security and democratic governance. Many of its members have firsthand experience voting from combat zones and remote overseas postings and understand the logistical barriers that can delay ballot delivery despite a voter’s timely effort.

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Voices of Experience offers timely analysis and seasoned insight from national security leaders committed to defending American democracy. Join us for clarity, expertise, and guidance through today’s complex national and global challenges. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan coalition of over 1,400 former senior military, diplomatic, and national security officials committed to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of U.S. national security. Protecting the Constitution remains the mission, preserving America’s promise for future generations.

Washington, DC, — National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is deeply concerned by the United States’ military operations on Venezuelan territory, including strikes, the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and subsequent statements from the Administration outlining the scope and intent of U.S. involvement. While President Maduro undermined democracy in his own country and caused immense suffering among the Venezuelan people, his forcible removal without Congressional authority undermines our own Constitution and risks plunging the U.S. into a war without a clear objective, strategy, or exit plan.

NSL4A calls upon Congress to demand answers from the Administration on two fundamental questions, namely “under what legal authority did the United States commit these strikes?” and “what is the objective and strategy for Venezuela?” If it does not receive satisfactory actions, Congress should deny the Administration authority to pursue further action.

“The use of military force by the United States must be firmly grounded in constitutional authority, consistent with international law, and guided by clearly defined objectives,” said NSL4A president and founder, retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith. “This mission did not secure Congressional authorization, and we have yet to hear the Administration’s desired outcome or its strategy for achieving that outcome.”

While President Maduro is rightly condemned by the U.S., its allies, and the international community for leading a regime that undermines democratic institutions, represses political opponents, and violates human rights in Venezuela, this alone does not give the United States the authority to take unilateral military action. Based on statements by President Trump, the Secretary of Defense, and publicly available information, serious questions of legality and authority remain unanswered.

Lack of Clear Legal Authority

The Administration has not clearly articulated the legal authority under which it used military force against Venezuela. Under U.S. law, criminal activity, including drug trafficking, does not constitute an armed attack and does not, by itself, justify the use of military force against a sovereign state. Absent a clear act of self-defense, use of force against another nation’s territory without a Congressional declaration of war raises profound concerns under U.S. law.

Congressional Authorization and Oversight

The U.S. Constitution assigns Congress the authority to declare war and to oversee the use of military force. The Administration’s statements that this was a law enforcement action supported by the military do not provide adequate legal grounds under U.S. law. What’s more, Congressional leaders were not briefed in advance of this action nor provided sufficient information to exercise their constitutional responsibilities.

Any military operation that risks escalation, prolonged involvement, or sustained presence abroad must be subject to meaningful congressional oversight. That requirement is not optional—it is foundational to democratic governance and civilian control of the military.

Call for Transparency

NSL4A calls on the Administration to provide Congress and the American people with a full and transparent accounting of:

• The legal authority relied upon for the use of force in Venezuela, and the legal basis for using the military to capture the Venezuelan president

• The likelihood of additional military operations or deployments, including the commitment of ground troops.

• The intended scope, objectives, and duration of U.S. involvement, including a detailed plan for how the United States will oversee Venezuela and promote a return to democracy

“Narcotics trafficking is a threat, and the United States government has a duty to protect Americans from it,” said Retired Navy Rear Admiral Michael Smith, NSL4A Founder and President. “We fully support the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard in their lawful missions to detect, intercept, and board vessels suspected of smuggling drugs. These missions, conducted in accordance with established maritime law and congressional authorization, reflect the professionalism and moral integrity of our maritime services. They are also effective, seizing hundreds of thousands of pounds of narcotics every year.”

“These strikes did nothing to keep Americans from dying from fentanyl,” said NSL4A member Rear Adm. William “Bill” Baumgartner (USCG, Ret.), former Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District that oversaw drug-interdiction operations. “With this indiscriminate military action, we not only killed the occupants without due process or confirmed hostile intent, but we also destroyed any evidence, eliminated the possibility of gathering intelligence from them, frustrated our international allies in combating the flow of illegal drugs, and we have abandoned the frameworks we’ve developed over the last 50 years to approach this legally.”

Recent reports of internal dissent—culminating in the early retirement of Admiral Holsey, Commander of U.S. Southern Command—underscore growing concern within the ranks about the legality and morality of these operations. When senior officers feel compelled to step down rather than preside over unlawful actions, it should alarm every American who values civilian control and accountability under law.

Smith added, “America’s strength has never rested on the exercise of raw power, but on the moral authority that comes from adhering to the principles we defend.”

“These strikes appear to be acts of war conducted outside the bounds of the Constitution— eroding the rule of law, damaging America’s global standing, and risking implicating our servicemembers in potential war crimes for carrying out unlawful orders,” stated Baumgartner, adding “The only thing we know with reasonable certainty is that these boats were not carrying fentanyl bound for the United States, as virtually none of the fentanyl on America’s streets comes from Venezuela, and the destroyed boats were hundreds of miles from America’s shores.”

NSL4A urges Congress to reassert its constitutional authority to demand effective counternarcotics operations, stop further violations of the law, and prevent our Armed Forces from being misused.

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In a moment that should alarm every American who values public safety, constitutional governance, and civilian control of the military, Mr. Trump reportedly said:

“We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military.”

This statement is not merely inappropriate—it is profoundly un-American. The suggestion that American cities and their residents be used as live training environments for armed forces is a direct affront to the Constitution, the Posse Comitatus Act, and the foundational principles of civil-military relations in our Republic.

“The U.S. military is trained to fight and win the nation’s wars—not to patrol American neighborhoods, intimidate civilians, or serve partisan political aims,” said NSL4A founder and President retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, “To even propose such a use of force betrays a dangerous disregard for the rule of law and the democratic norms that separate our military from domestic law enforcement functions.”

“Further,” Smith continued, “such ‘training’ deployments would put American civilians at risk of injury or worse. Training is where members of the armed forces can learn from mistakes. In an active, urban environment, such mistakes will harm the very people our men and women in uniform sign up to protect.”

Members of NSL4A—including retired military leaders, ambassadors, intelligence professionals, and foreign service officers—have served in regions around the world where governments used armed forces to “quell” dissent and control civilian populations. We have seen firsthand how such tactics erode national security, fracture civil society, and destroy public trust in both government and the military. We will not stand silent while these same authoritarian approaches are proposed for use here at home.

NSL4A also condemned delivering these remarks to a gathering of top generals and flag officers—raising serious questions about efforts to politicize the military and compel its leadership to adopt partisan loyalties or tolerate unconstitutional directives.

We state clearly:

• U.S. cities are not training grounds.

• The American people are not the enemy.

• And the Armed Forces of the United States must never be used as tools of domestic repression.

NSL4A urges every military leader—active or retired—to reaffirm their oath to the Constitution and reject any attempt to blur the lines between national defense and domestic political enforcement. We implore Congress and the American public to remain vigilant against such dangerous proposals and to defend the institutions that safeguard our liberty.

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“Let us be clear: deploying troops into American cities must be grounded in law, not driven by political considerations,” said NSL4A President and founder, retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith. “Federalizing the National Guard over a governor’s objection is only permitted under narrow legal conditions—namely, in response to a rebellion, an invasion, or when civilian authorities are demonstrably unable to enforce the law. That threshold has not been met in Portland. The Guard is meant to protect Americans in true emergencies, not to serve as a tool of domestic enforcement absent lawful justification.”

“The Administration’s actions in Portland and elsewhere lead to a false sense that having troops patrolling our city streets is normal, when, in fact, it is totally contrary to our Constitutional order,” said Admiral Smith. “It is an incremental devaluation of our civil society and threatens increased federal and even military control of civilian functions as well as pulling the Guard away from essential training and preparedness, weakening military readiness, and undermining the fundamental democratic principle that separates military force from domestic governance.”

This action is not only dangerous. It is ineffective.

The National Guard is not a presidential police force. Its members are citizen-soldiers, trained to respond to real emergencies—natural disasters, national defense—not to patrol neighborhoods or project federal power. Their presence on city streets does not reduce crime. It suppresses speech, chills dissent, and fosters fear among the very communities they are sworn to protect.

NSL4A veterans have seen the harm caused when uniformed troops operate among civilians abroad. Using those tactics at home treats our citizens as enemies, not fellow Americans.

And above all, this action is legally unsound.

The authority cited—Title 10 U.S. Code § 12406—applies only in rare and extreme cases of rebellion, invasion, or when civilian law enforcement is truly unable to function. That is not the case in Portland. Invoking it now defies both the letter and spirit of the law and exposes Guard members to legal jeopardy under the Posse Comitatus Act—a felony offense.

NSL4A urges Congress, the courts, governors, and military leaders to reject this misuse of military force. We call on all Americans to stand firm in defense of democratic norms. Our streets need real public safety solutions—not soldiers. Our democracy is protected not by boots on sidewalks, but by leaders who uphold the rule of law and know when to say no.

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“Demanding journalists adhere across the board to state edicts about what may - or may not - be reported to the public does not project strength. To the contrary, it betrays unsettling insecurities about the legality and effectiveness of Pentagon actions, plans and priorities,” said NSL4A President and Founder retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, noting “Our membership includes many former senior Department of Defense political appointees, as well as general and flag officers; we know how frustrating it can be when plans get out before they’re ready. We know how crucial it is to protect classified information and material, especially when its release could put sources and methods at risk. But the idea that only state sanctioned information is all that can ever be reported to the public flies in the face of the crucial role journalism plays in ensuring our armed forces are accountable to the American people. ”

Retired Rear Admiral Tom Jurkowsky, former Chief of Navy Information, stated that “Journalists at the Pentagon play a critical role, and Secretary Hegseth is being shortsighted in demanding journalists make this pledge. The public has a right and a responsibility to understand what the military is doing in their name, and that is not possible without an aggressive, sometimes adversarial press.”

Former speech writer for the Secretary of the Navy Neal Urwitz noted, “the press subjects the Pentagon’s work and plans to scrutiny that ultimately makes those plans stronger or even prevents the worst plans from ever being implemented.”

NSL4A supports active engagement between members of the media and department officials. A healthy relationship between the fourth estate and Pentagon officials is essential to communicating critical information about American national security to the public and has, in rare circumstances, uncovered unacceptable activities that might have otherwise remained hidden.

“From the Pentagon papers to the abuses at Abu Ghraib, the press plays an essential role in rooting out illegal activities, waste, and fraud,” said Jurkowsky.

Undermining the role of journalists as a watchdog undermines law, good order, and military readiness.

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Americans do not settle our political disagreements with violence. We argue, we organize, and we vote. No one has the right to use violence to achieve political ends. We are all Americans, and even when we disagree, we must stand together.

The attack on Mr. Kirk is not an isolated incident. From the assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, to the attempts on the life of then-candidate Donald Trump, to the violent attack on Paul Pelosi, and the tragic killings of Minnesota state political leaders earlier this year, we are witnessing a troubling pattern that undermines public safety and democratic stability.

Political violence—whether aimed at the left, the right, or anyone in between—has no place in America. We urge leaders at every level to reject extremist rhetoric and conspiracy theories that fuel threats and attacks, and to stand united in defense of our democratic values.

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This action represents a perilous escalation in the politicization of America’s armed forces. For over two centuries, the United States has maintained a distinct separation between civilian policing and the military. By directing the Guard to assume routine law enforcement responsibilities, the administration is eroding one of the bedrock principles of our democracy: that military power must never be used as a tool of domestic control.

“The President’s order blurs critical boundaries, forces Guardsmen and women into missions they are not trained for, and weakens public trust in the Guard.,said NSL4A member and former Acting Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, retired Major General Randy Manner. “This is not only a misuse of our men and women in uniform, it is a direct threat to the constitutional framework that protects Americans’ freedoms.”

NSL4A emphasized that the Guard is already stretched thin with overseas deployments, disaster response, and homeland defense missions. Using it for day-to-day policing will degrade readiness for true crises while wasting taxpayer dollars on politically motivated deployments that are unlikely to curb violent crime. The order disregards long-standing legal safeguards, including the spirit of the Posse Comitatus Act, which was designed to prevent military involvement in civilian law enforcement.

NSL4A calls on Congress, governors, and the Administration to act immediately to halt the misuse of the National Guard as a domestic police force. Any deployment must remain strictly within the bounds of U.S. law, including the constraints of the Posse Comitatus Act, which has safeguarded Americans from military involvement in civilian affairs for nearly 150 years. Absent a credible, data-driven threat assessment and statutory authorization, such use of the Guard is illegitimate and dangerous.

“The President’s authority to activate the Guard in extraordinary circumstances is not a blank check to cash in for political whims,” said NSL4A member, former Illinois Congressman, and former Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, retired Major General Bill Enyart. “Any deployment of the Guard must be justified, time-limited, coordinated with local leadership, and subject to rigorous congressional oversight. Anything less risks turning America’s military into a domestic political weapon. Our democracy and the safety of our communities depend on it.”

National Security Leaders for America members are available to discuss this issue with the media.

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