1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

As a 27-year Air Force veteran, I have dedicated my life to defending the Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees. Today, I write with deep concern—not just as a veteran, but as an American who sees the growing threat to our democracy. We are at a crossroads. The challenges we face are not hypothetical or distant—they are immediate and dangerous. I urge you to read the following words from D. Earl Stephens, a respected journalist and veteran advocate. His message is a stark reminder of the peril we face and the critical need for decisive action. This is not a time for complacency. It is a time for courage, clarity, and leadership. I ask you to take this seriously. Summary of D. Earl Stephens’ Warning to America America is facing an unprecedented threat to its democracy. Our institutions and rights—air, water, civil liberties, public safety—are under immediate assault. The damage inflicted by the former president and his allies is already catastrophic, and it’s only the beginning. Democratic leadership must recognize the urgency. Symbolic gestures and cautious strategies are insufficient against a calculated, authoritarian push. Leaders like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries cannot afford to wait. The clock is ticking, and the threat is real. The recent Oval Office humiliation of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, orchestrated by Trump and his allies, highlights their broader goal: to break resistance and undermine America's global interests. Zelenskyy stood firm—an example of courage our leaders must emulate. The question isn’t whether we like the fight ahead, but whether we’re willing to confront it. The risk isn’t just political loss; it’s the loss of America as we know it. The choice is stark: act now or watch our democracy erode. — D. Earl Stephens, author of Toxic Tales: A Caustic Collection of Donald J. Trump’s Very Important Letters, and former Managing Editor of Stars and Stripes.