How does a democracy collapse? Not always with a bang, but sometimes through bureaucracy and paperwork.

When 86 Americans go missing after government raids and the official response is "fill out a form on our website," we've crossed dangerous lines. As veterans who swore oaths to defend the Constitution, we're deeply troubled by what we're witnessing. The suspension of Fifth Amendment rights creates a slippery slope where other constitutional protections become vulnerable, all while officials mischaracterize concepts like habeas corpus to justify expanded executive powers.

The contradictions are striking. The same political voices that rail against "tax and spend" policies now champion trillion-dollar deficits while gutting social safety nets. How does removing healthcare from 13.7 million Americans strengthen our nation? These aren't abstract policy debates but real decisions affecting real lives—including veterans and military families who served this country.

Most concerning is how democratic processes themselves can undermine the republic. By building power from school boards up through local government, a strategic minority can gradually reshape laws to legitimize previously unacceptable actions. When what's legal diverges from what's ethical, we find ourselves in treacherous territory.

We're hosting a V-Day event on June 6th at Memorial Park, where veterans will speak about serving under oath. Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star families, and military spouses will share perspectives on duty and justice in today's America. As veterans, we continue to serve by standing for the principles we swore to defend—even when those principles are under attack from within.

Whatever your political beliefs, we invite you to join us in asking: What kind of America do we want to build? One where citizens disappear without recourse, or one that lives up to its founding ideals? Subscribe to hear more veteran perspectives on the issues that affect us all.

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The constitutional crisis unfolding at the Supreme Court takes center stage in this thought-provoking episode as we examine the alarming arguments over presidential power and the 14th Amendment.

When the Supreme Court heard the administration's case challenging birthright citizenship, the justices cut straight to the heart of the matter: can a president simply override constitutional amendments with executive orders? The implications extend far beyond immigration policy. As one justice pointedly asked, using the same logic, could an executive order authorize the military to "enter every major population center and seize all weapons" despite the Second Amendment? The administration's struggle to draw meaningful distinctions reveals the dangerous precedent at stake.

Meanwhile, we explore the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local oversight. Congressional representatives recently demanded access to ICE detention facilities while a mayor was arrested for the same attempt. This disparity highlights the critical role elected officials must play in challenging executive overreach – they should "be the ones leading the charge" since they face fewer personal consequences than ordinary citizens engaged in similar actions.

The episode also covers our upcoming June 6th D-Day event, where we're working to balance respectful commemoration of veterans while providing a platform for free expression. We're carefully planning speakers who can discuss military service and the importance of following lawful orders, especially relevant in today's political climate.

From diplomatic developments in the Middle East to reports of concerning deals with cartels at the southern border, we examine how money and transactional diplomacy have replaced principle in foreign policy. Share your thoughts on these critical issues – how do we protect the Constitution when those sworn to defend it seem determined to find workarounds?

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The constitutional crisis unfolding through mass deportations takes center stage as veteran hosts Dick Wilkinson and Adam Gillard deliver a powerful examination of government accountability in their latest Left Face podcast episode.

From the ongoing situation with Kilmar, now separated from his family for 57 days, to the disturbing immigration raid in Colorado Springs where over 100 people were taken with minimal transparency, the hosts expose a pattern of due process violations that should concern all Americans regardless of political affiliation. "If you don't have due process on the other side of the law, you have tyranny," Dick observes, cutting to the heart of why these operations represent a fundamental threat to constitutional governance.

The conversation pivots to their recent meeting with Representative Jeff Crank's office, where they advocated for greater veteran representation in congressional staff. When a staff member dismissively questioned whether a "tank driver" could handle constituent services, it revealed a profound misunderstanding of the leadership skills veterans develop. As Adam eloquently explains, "It doesn't matter if you were a cook or an intelligence officer - it's the service, mentality, training, and leadership that matter." Their proposal for a fellowship program to place veterans in these roles highlights a practical solution that would benefit both veterans and the communities they serve.

Dick and Adam bring their military expertise to bear on budget priorities as well, contrasting the billions spent on troubled weapons systems with inadequate support for service members. Their perspective illuminates how small, innovative businesses deliver exponentially more value per dollar than massive defense contractors who operate with "blank check mentality." This veteran-focused analysis provides listeners with a unique window into how military experience shapes views on constitutional rights, government accountability, and effective resource allocation during these challenging times.

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A massive nightclub raid in Colorado Springs has resulted in 105 people still separated from their families with minimal charges filed, raising serious questions about law enforcement tactics and due process. We examine the concerning case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who remains wrongfully deported to El Salvador despite court orders, and discuss active-duty military members caught in the nightclub raid.

• Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains in El Salvador 50 days after being wrongfully taken from his family
• Trump publicly admitted he could return Kilmar but refuses to do so
• 300 officers from 10 agencies raided a Colorado Springs nightclub with only 2 people charged with unrelated offenses
• 105 people remain unaccounted for with families afraid to ask about their whereabouts 
• 17 active-duty military personnel were at the raid, some working as armed security
• The raid targeted one of Colorado Springs' most diverse communities, creating fear and mistrust
• May Day's origins in American labor history deserve more recognition as worker protections continue to erode

Join us for our May Day march supporting local unions at the post office and Penrose Library as we fight to preserve community resources and worker protections.

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The military-civilian divide continues to erode as new policies threaten longstanding American principles. Adam Gillard and Dick Wilkinson dive deep into Secretary Pete Hegseth's alarming speech to the Army War College, exposing plans to establish "authoritarian zones" at U.S. borders where military personnel would be authorized to detain civilians and check documentation.

Beyond this unprecedented expansion of military authority on American soil, the hosts unpack Hegseth's troubling claim that the Inspector General system has been "weaponized against commanders." This rhetoric signals a dangerous attempt to remove crucial oversight mechanisms that protect service members from toxic leadership and ensure accountability within the chain of command.

The conversation turns to the case of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, highlighting how the administration's narrative shifted from calling his deportation an "administrative error" to claiming gang connections – despite court documents explicitly prohibiting his return to El Salvador due to safety concerns. This pattern of retroactively creating justifications for actions already taken reveals a disturbing governance approach.

The hosts also examine plans to reinstate approximately 8,000 service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines, complete with back pay. This decision not only undermines military discipline by rewarding those who disobeyed lawful orders but sends a dangerous message about command authority.

Throughout the episode, Adam and Dick connect these military policy decisions to broader political narratives, noting how rhetoric about "restoring military lethality" falsely presupposes America's military was somehow weakened – a narrative designed to justify dramatic shifts in policy and culture that ultimately threaten longstanding democratic principles.

Join us as we examine these critical developments from a veteran's perspective and consider their implications for both military culture and American democracy. Want to engage with issues affecting veterans and their communities? Follow Left Face for weekly discussions that bridge the military-civilian divide.

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A legal victory for cannabis sales in Colorado Springs sets the stage for a wide-ranging discussion about democracy, military welfare, and the erosion of constitutional norms. As Dick and Adam celebrate the implementation of voter-approved cannabis sales despite city council resistance, they unpack how this local triumph illustrates the importance of honoring democratic processes.

The conversation takes an unexpected but illuminating turn when examining military politics through a veteran's lens. Drawing from their personal experiences, the hosts debunk the common misconception that Republican administrations better serve military members. The reality? Democratic presidents have historically provided larger and more frequent pay raises for service members, while increased military budgets under Republican leadership predominantly benefit defense contractors rather than improving troop welfare or family support.

Particularly troubling are recent Pentagon policy changes, including the elimination of family days under Secretary Hegseth – a move that the hosts argue will decrease rather than increase military readiness. Even more alarming is the potential reduction of sexual assault prevention programs despite the staggering statistic that one in four military women experience some form of sexual assault or harassment.

The heart of the episode examines what may prove to be a constitutional turning point – the administration's defiance of a unanimous Supreme Court ruling to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador. This direct challenge to judicial authority, coupled with the firing of a Department of Justice lawyer for honest courtroom representation, signals a dangerous testing of constitutional boundaries. As the hosts note, this case represents how authoritarianism creeps in gradually, targeting vulnerable populations first before expanding its reach.

Join us weekly for "Kilmar Watch" as we track this developing constitutional crisis and continue examining political issues through the unique perspective of military veterans who understand both the importance of chain of command and the paramount value of protecting constitutional democracy.

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The political chess game over Space Command's headquarters has far-reaching consequences beyond simple geography. Trump's push to relocate operations from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama represents a troubling intersection of political vendettas, military readiness, and the fundamental rights of service members and their families.

When military personnel receive orders to relocate, they often have little choice but to comply, regardless of how the move might impact their rights and wellbeing. For women in uniform and military spouses, being forced to move to states with restrictive abortion laws creates dangerous situations where medical care may be compromised or inaccessible. This fundamental disparity in rights based on duty station assignment raises profound questions about fairness and the true cost of service.

The economic impact extends far beyond military families. Building an entirely new headquarters facility in Alabama would cost taxpayers billions while disrupting established operations—a textbook case of the fraud, waste, and abuse that service members are trained to identify. Meanwhile, Colorado's representative on the House Armed Services Committee remains conspicuously silent while Alabama's representative aggressively promotes the move.

This controversy connects to broader concerns about the administration's governance approach, including the potential invocation of the Insurrection Act against sanctuary cities and immigration enforcement policies that could devastate industries reliant on immigrant labor. When workers fear deportation to El Salvador detention facilities, entire sectors of the economy—from construction to agriculture—face disruption, affecting all Americans regardless of immigration status.

Have you been affected by military relocations that compromised your rights? Are you concerned about how Space Command's potential move might impact your family or business? Share your story with us—we're gathering real experiences to share with lawmakers who can make a difference.

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Cory Booker just made history by speaking for 25 consecutive hours on the Senate floor, breaking segregationist Strom Thurmond's record—a powerful symbolic moment as a Black senator surpassed the man who once fought against Civil Rights legislation. While Thurmond had used bathroom breaks and read from phone books during his filibuster against equality, Booker fasted beforehand to avoid breaks and delivered substantive content about veterans' issues, Medicare, and other critical topics.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has unleashed a storm of tariffs affecting imports from virtually every nation except Russia and North Korea, triggering an immediate stock market plunge that's hitting military veterans particularly hard. The hosts explore how the newer military retirement system, which replaced traditional pensions with stock market investments, makes service members especially vulnerable to these economic disruptions. For veterans who served 20+ years under the old system, they receive a 50% pension, but newer veterans must rely partly on market performance for their retirement security.

Locally, Colorado Springs is finally preparing to issue recreational cannabis licenses after years of prohibition while the rest of Colorado enjoyed the tax benefits. The hosts discuss how the decade of lost revenue could have funded city improvements, while simultaneously the city council has raised downtown parking rates despite citizen objections. This disconnect between policy decisions and everyday economic reality threads throughout the episode—from Trump's apparent confusion about grocery shopping to cabinet members dismissing Social Security recipients as "grifters."

The conversation examines how these tariffs might reshape global supply chains, potentially pushing countries toward stronger relationships with China while weakening America's economic leverage. With each economic disruption, the hosts highlight who bears the real costs: working people and veterans who find their futures increasingly uncertain while policymakers remain insulated from the consequences of their decisions.

Want to join the conversation about veterans' issues and politics in the Pikes Peak region? Subscribe now and follow us for updates on our upcoming protest on April 5th—we'll be there rain, snow, or shine!

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Two military veterans with extensive security clearance experience take you inside the shocking reality of the recent classified information leak over Signal. What makes this breach particularly disturbing isn't just what was shared, but how fundamentally it violates core security principles that every cleared professional understands.

Adam and Dick break down the critical difference between commercial encryption apps and actual classified systems: "In classified systems, we own both ends and the pipe that connects them. With Signal, you don't own either can or the string." They share personal experiences where even minor classification errors resulted in confiscated equipment and extensive investigations, highlighting the severity of sharing operational details about Israeli strikes through unclassified channels.

The conversation captures a disturbing irony - Pete Hegseth stood in the Oval Office claiming "we're clean on OPSEC" just before his security breach became public. The hosts examine how administration officials have created confusion through contradictory messaging about whether the information was classified rather than addressing the fundamental security violations.

Beyond the data spill, the podcast explores the challenging landscape for Democratic organizing and strategic resistance. They discuss the tension between youth energy and experienced activism, using the powerful metaphor of transforming "thrust into vector" - channeling generalized frustration into focused, effective action. Unlike the Heritage Foundation's multi-decade strategy, progressive movements often lack sustained, coordinated long-term planning.

Ready to move beyond frustration to action? The hosts provide concrete suggestions for getting involved locally while emphasizing that effective resistance requires marathon-like commitment through the next two years. As one host powerfully notes, "The freedoms we fought for can disappear with one simple statute change." This episode combines national security expertise with a plea for principled, sustained civic engagement.

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The profound impact of policy decisions on veteran lives takes center stage in this urgent discussion about the challenges facing the military community. What began as an Empty Seat Town Hall event has revealed the depth and breadth of concerns affecting veterans across Colorado Springs and beyond.

When over 100 people stand up to share their stories, and each one brings a different concern to the table, it signals something extraordinary is happening. From the PFAS water contamination affecting military families near Fort Carson to the looming economic recession that threatens veterans who purchased homes based on the stability of government positions, the problems are diverse yet universally devastating.

Perhaps most heartbreaking is the discussion around veteran suicide and the VA's "misconduct clause" which can deny benefits to surviving family members when a veteran dies by suicide. This policy creates a cruel double trauma—families lose their loved one and then face financial ruin as benefits are stripped away. As one participant pointedly remarks, "We're pulling the cracks open with forklifts," highlighting how current policies aren't merely allowing veterans to fall through cracks but actively creating dangerous situations.

The conversation takes several unexpected turns, including a candid discussion about political engagement across the spectrum. When an independent voter speaks up at the predominantly progressive event, he's met with respect—a reminder that the issues facing veterans transcend political identity. Whether discussing Steve Bannon's influence or the critical importance of local elections, the hosts emphasize that veterans must engage at every level of governance to protect their hard-earned benefits.

For anyone concerned about veteran welfare or wondering how policy decisions affect real lives, this episode offers a sobering yet motivating look at what's at stake. If you're a veteran with "gas left in the tank," consider running for office or supporting candidates who understand the unique challenges of military life. The time for action is now.

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