War leaves marks—on landscapes, on bodies, and on hearts. As a naval officer, I served in combat zones where survival depended on more than tactics. It depended on trust as a foundation. Without it, even the strongest force can fall apart.

And now on U.S. soil, I'm watching trust erode.

Across America, our civic foundation is cracking. Election workers are facing threats and intimidation. Law enforcement agencies are being politicized. Public servants—school board members, health officials, and judges—are targets of harassment. In some cases, the National Guard has been deployed to U.S. cities without a governor's request. ICE raids are sweeping through communities without due process or transparency.

Violence against first responders or our fellow citizens is never acceptable. We need policies that protect people and uphold public trust by removing violent criminals without putting American lives at risk, creating a clear and fair path to citizenship for those living here without legal status, and restoring our international partnerships and immigration system with real, bipartisan solutions.

Democracy Fails Where People Feel Forgotten

I've seen what happens when trust erodes up close. As a health care........

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