Benton County Democratic Central Committee

Dear MoveOn member,

Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, poses an unprecedented threat to our communities’ safety, American freedoms, and national security.

His confirmation hearing on Tuesday only confirmed our worst fears—and also underscored that we must act urgently to build awareness and outrage about how incredibly dangerous his confirmation is to our safety and the rule of law.

During Tuesday’s hearing, these are just some of the deeply serious concerns laid bare about Hegseth:

• Hegseth often showed up at work drunk and has been accused of rape and sexual harassment.¹ His own mother called him an “abuser of women.”²
• He has wide-ranging extremist views, including saying as recently as this past November that women don’t belong in combat roles, calling progressives and Democrats “domestic enemies,” and insisting on restoring the names of Confederate generals to U.S. military installations.^3,4,5
• He has virtually no management experience to lead the massive Defense Department, which is the largest employer in the United States and has an $841 billion budget.⁶
• And, most alarmingly, he refused to say he would disobey illegal orders from Trump that fly in the face of the Constitution to use the military against protesters or carry out mass deportations.⁷

Hegseth’s unquestioning loyalty to Trump and willingness to use military force against Americans make him uniquely dangerous as defense secretary. He is clearly signaling that he would eagerly comply with Trump’s autocratic impulses rather than uphold his oath to the Constitution—all at the expense of our service members.

Republican senators believe they have the votes to confirm Hegseth. The only thing that can stop Hegseth is a massive public outcry backed by a well-funded opposition campaign.

That’s where MoveOn comes in. We’ve launched an emergency campaign to stop Hegseth’s confirmation, but we need your support to quickly ramp up our work.

Will you start a monthly donation of $5 to help stop this uniquely dangerous nominee and to do all we can to block Trump’s worst actions in the weeks and months ahead?

Yes, I’ll chip in monthly.

No, I’m sorry, I can’t make a monthly donation.

Hegseth has written about the military taking sides in a civil war.⁸ His book American Crusade calls for the “categorical defeat of the Left,” with the goal of “utter annihilation,” without which “America cannot, and will not, survive.”⁹ And now he’s poised to lead the military.

When asked directly on Tuesday during his confirmation hearing if he would allow troops to fire on peaceful protesters, he refused to answer.¹⁰

The threat is clear: Trump wants a defense secretary who will eagerly comply with his autocratic impulses rather than uphold their oath to the Constitution, and our military members will be the ones who suffer the most.

And, right now, right-wing dark-money groups are spending huge sums to pressure senators to confirm him.

For instance, Building America’s Future, a right-wing group that spent $45 million supporting Trump’s presidential campaign, has aired more than $500,000 in ads on Fox News and elsewhere, calling Hegseth the victim of a “deep state” campaign to sink his nomination.¹¹

The committee could vote as soon as Monday, with a full Senate vote shortly after. We have no time to waste and urgently need resources to fight back.

Please start a $5 monthly donation to help stop this dangerous nominee, expose Trump’s other dangerous nominees, and ensure we counter Trump’s worst moves at every turn. Every dollar helps amplify our campaigns against Trump’s threats to democracy and national security.

Yes, I’ll chip in monthly.

No, I’m sorry, I can’t make a monthly donation.

With your help, MoveOn will do all this:

• Mobilize our millions of members to create overwhelming grassroots pressure
• Counter the right-wing propaganda machine trying to normalize this dangerous nominee
• Build coalitions with veterans, military families, and democracy advocates
• Generate hard-hitting media coverage about the threat Hegseth poses

Please, Kendall, start a $5 monthly donation right now to power MoveOn’s work to stop Pete Hegseth from getting anywhere near the Department of Defense and to sustain our long-term work of defending our democracy and national security under the Trump administration.

Yes, I’ll chip in monthly.

No, I’m sorry, I can’t make a monthly donation.

Thanks for all you do.

–Nakia, Allison, Amanda R., Mohammad, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. “Pete Hegseth’s Secret History,” The New Yorker, December 1, 2024
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/pete-hegseths-secret-history

2. “Pete Hegseth’s Mom Calls Him ‘Abuser of Women’ in Released Email,” Rolling Stone, November 30, 2024
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/pete-hegseth-mom-abuser-of-women-email-1235187215/

3. “What Pete Hegseth Thinks Women Are Good For,” New York, January 15, 2025
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/what-pete-hegseth-thinks-women-are-good-for.html

4. “Trump’s Pentagon pick Hegseth wrote of US military taking sides in ‘civil war,'” The Guardian, November 22, 2024
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/22/trump-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-book

5. “Pete Hegseth says US military bases should restore names of Confederate generals,” CNN, January 13, 2025
https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/13/politics/pete-hegseth-confederate-generals-military-bases/index.html

6. “The Pressure Campaign To Get Pete Hegseth Confirmed As Defense Secretary,” The New Yorker, January 13, 2025
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-pressure-campaign-to-get-pete-hegseth-confirmed-as-defense-secretary

7. “Five questions Hegseth dodged at his Defense Department confirmation hearing,” Axios, January 14, 2025
https://www.axios.com/2025/01/14/hegseth-defense-confirmation-hearing-dodge-questions

8. “Trump’s Pentagon pick Hegseth wrote of US military taking sides in ‘civil war,'” The Guardian, November 22, 2024
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/22/trump-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-book

9. “Donald Trump’s Most Dangerous Cabinet Pick,” The Atlantic, November 21, 2024
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/pete-hegseth-books-trump/680744/

10. “Five questions Hegseth dodged at his Defense Department confirmation hearing,” Axios, January 14, 2025
https://www.axios.com/2025/01/14/hegseth-defense-confirmation-hearing-dodge-questions

11. Post on X by Building America’s Future, December 6, 2024
https://x.com/bldgUSAfuture/status/1865124725204111486

Want to support MoveOn’s work? Donald Trump and his MAGA allies expect us to give up. But we will not give them what they want. We will never stop working to defend our fundamental freedoms and protect our democracy. MoveOn has been leading the movement against right-wing extremism for 26 years, and we promise you that we will still be here every step of the way forward.

Will you donate to power MoveOn’s work to protect our freedoms and democracy under Trump’s administration?

Yes, I’ll chip in $5 a month.

No, I’m sorry, I can’t make a monthly donation.

Contributions to MoveOn Civic Action are not tax-deductible for income tax purposes. MoveOn.org Civic Action – PO Box 96141, Washington, D.C. 20090-6141. ActBlue Civics Inc. is the merchant of record for all transactions made to MoveOn Civic Action using the ActBlue platform. ActBlue Civics Inc. receives and processes these donations before disbursing them to MoveOn Civic Action within 30 days of receipt.

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Women’s March is a 501c(4) organization. Your generous support helps us prepare for fights we see coming and those we don’t. Donations are not tax-deductible. If you prefer to make a tax-deductible gift, we encourage you to support the Women’s March Network. Gifts to the Network support our organizing, communications, advocacy, and public education efforts.

Will you sign the petition to let Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress know that Americans REJECT attacks in the midst of disaster relief and crisis?

Dear MoveOn member, 

Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are again exploiting another climate disaster to spread disinformation and sow chaos for political points. As hundreds of thousands of Californians face evacuation warnings, packing their lives into go bags, Trump and his allies remain fixated on exploiting this tragedy for their own political advantage rather than supporting those affected.

The devastating wildfires raging across Southern California have already killed dozens of people and displaced tens of thousands from their homes. Residents are grieving as entire communities—childhood homes, schools, parks, and small businesses—are engulfed in flames. 

But instead of coming together to demonstrate swift and bipartisan action to address the crisis and support families on the ground as they fight to survive and rebuild, Trump and his MAGA loyalists are spreading lies and attacking those who are actually working to address the crisis. 

Trump is already demonstrating a complete failure in leadership, and Californians and all Americans deserve better from their elected officials. Will you sign the petition?

Trump is spreading lies about FEMA funding in an effort to blame President Biden and Democrats and deflect from his own lack of leadership. His claims that FEMA has no money are just plain wrong—thanks to President Biden, FEMA was given $29 billion in disaster relief funding as part of the stopgap bill that avoided a government shutdown.¹

Trump also lashed out at Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom and made nonsensical and false statements about Governor Newsom’s withholding water supplies in the area, spreading misinformation and confusing local residents who are depending on accurate, lifesaving updates.²

And billionaire Elon Musk, who also spread disinformation on FEMA’s response after Hurricane Helene, took to social media to also lash out, reducing this historic catastrophe to being “easily avoidable.”³ In actuality, wildfires in California have worsened in recent years due to the climate crisis—with nearly 80 more “fire days” annually compared to just 50 years ago.⁴

These lies and unhelpful politicizations aren’t just inaccurate—they can prevent survivors from getting the help they urgently need. In moments like this, we need leaders to speak and act with integrity, helping clarify misconceptions, reduce political tensions, and ease the burden of everyday people. Instead, Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are adding to the chaos, confusion, and misinformation. 

Americans deserve better than the petty attacks and lies from Trump and Republicans during natural disasters like the California wildfires. Add your name to the petition to demand our elected leaders STOP the attacks now!

Tell Republicans: Stop attacking disaster relief!

This is not the first time Republicans have weaponized a natural disaster for their own political gain.

In the wake of devastating natural disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene disseminated harmful disinformation on FEMA’s response and relief efforts, discouraging people from getting the urgent help they needed. She even spread wild conspiracy theories, claiming that the government and Democrats controlled the weather.⁵

The attacks were not just false—they were dangerous. Disaster workers and even meteorologists who were targeted by these conspiracy theories faced death threats spurred by the disinformation.

Now we’re seeing history repeat itself, with reckless lies being spread about the wildfires by the leaders Americans are supposed to look to and trust in times of crisis. Enough is enough. 

Add your name to the petition calling on Donald Trump and Republicans to STOP making baseless attacks against the people and agencies working to address climate disasters in real time!

Thanks for all you do.

–Aliya, Alyssa, Jaira, Mia, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. “Fact check: As wildfires rage, Trump lashes out with false claims about FEMA and California water policy,” CNN, January 11, 2025
https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/09/politics/fact-check-trump-california-wildfires-fema/index.html

2. Ibid. 

3. Ibid. 

4. “California’s worsening wildfires explained,” CapRadio, January 8, 2025
https://www.capradio.org/articles/2025/01/08/californias-worsening-wildfires-explained/

5. “Marjorie Taylor Greene condemned over Helene weather conspiracy theory,” The Guardian, October 7, 2024
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/07/marjorie-taylor-greene-hurricane-helene

You’re receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you. It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online petitions. You can start your own petition here.

Want to support MoveOn’s work? Donald Trump and his MAGA allies expect us to give up. But we will not give them what they want. We will never stop working to defend our fundamental freedoms and protect our democracy. MoveOn has been leading the movement against right-wing extremism for 26 years, and we promise you that we will still be here every step of the way forward.

Will you donate to power MoveOn’s work to protect our freedoms and democracy under Trump’s administration?

Yes, I’ll chip in $5 a month.

No, I’m sorry, I can’t make a monthly donation.

Contributions to MoveOn Civic Action are not tax-deductible for income tax purposes. MoveOn.org Civic Action – PO Box 96141, Washington, D.C. 20090-6141. ActBlue Civics Inc. is the merchant of record for all transactions made to MoveOn Civic Action using the ActBlue platform. ActBlue Civics Inc. receives and processes these donations before disbursing them to MoveOn Civic Action within 30 days of receipt.

There’s a lot we could say about 2024. 

But above it all, last year showed us that change IS possible when we act. There’s so much more to do but we still won BIG in 2024, and we’re taking that with us as the fight to end gun violence continues in 2025.

Let’s break it down ➡️➡️➡️

1. We KNOW how to save lives. Gun homicides are DOWN across the country, like in Philadelphia where gun deaths are the lowest they’ve been in a decade, and Chicago where they say a 13% drop in gun deaths in one year. We’re fighting like hell for more of what works—community violence intervention, not overpolicing our neighborhoods.
2. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Gun violence is still the leading cause of death for kids in the U.S., suicide by firearm continues to rise, and weak gun laws create hotspots across the country for violence. Let’s be real—we don’t have time to wait for our government to do right by us. We need to push progress forward NOW. 
3. Speaking of progress, what’s blocking it? The gun lobby and the politicians in their pocket, that’s what! In 2024 they blocked progress in sooo many ways including:
   • Resisting background checks (seriously, still?)
   • Fighting against assault weapons bans (yup, still)
   • Spreading dangerous rhetoric about “good guys with guns,” furthering gun proliferation in America (classic)
4. Action starts with us!!! So here’s what you can do: Demand safe schools, pressure state and local officials to enact common-sense gun laws, and donate or volunteer with orgs like March For Our Lives to create on-the-ground change!

We’re the generation most familiar with the issue. WE KNOW what works and we’re not going to stop fighting any time soon. Can we call on you to donate $20.25 to support our continued advocacy?

Thank you,

MFOL

Here’s a quick summary of where things stand: Yesterday, the Senate Law & Justice Committee heard testimony on SB 5098, a bill designed to keep open carry firearms out of public areas that have high traffic from children and families. Among the public spaces protected under SB 5098 include parks, playgrounds, county fairgrounds and public buildings. It is now scheduled for executive session on January 16 at 10:30am.

We need your help to keep up the momentum and ensure this bill makes it to the Senate floor for a vote. Email your legislator today and urge them to support SB 5098 on January 16th and on the Senate floor!

We have made tremendous progress but there is so much more gun violence prevention work left to be done. We need our lawmakers to act NOW on this reasonable, evidence-based policy that will keep our communities safe. In this session, email communication is more important than ever. Please, make your voice heard.

Mike (he/him)

Director of Government Affairs

ALLIANCE FOR GUN RESPONSIBILITY
P.O. Box 4187 Seattle, WA 98194

There’s no sugarcoating it—the future feels pretty bleak right now. There are devastating fires in LA. Trump’s inauguration is rapidly approaching. Crises abound.

But we’re here to remind you that despite it all, there’s still hope. We’re making progress and continuing the fight to end gun violence. Our work has led to meaningful changes and we’re super proud of that.  

Yes, there’s still a lot more to do, but it’s important to celebrate all our wins. That’s how we keep our momentum going! Check out a few new gun safety laws hitting the books this year:

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California 

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a series of laws to strengthen gun safety regulations, including implementing school safety programs and establishing a statewide Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

Firearm dealers will now need to provide consumers with details about the risks of gun ownership. 

There’s also new guidance urging courts to expand considerations for gun violence restraining orders to include hate-based threats.

Colorado

Starting in July, Coloradans who apply for a concealed carry permit will be required to complete an eight-hour training class.

Delaware

University campuses are now considered part of the Safe School Zone, making it a felony offense to possess a firearm on campus.

Minnesota 

Minnesota banned binary triggers, which allow the person pulling the trigger to double the rounds shot from the gun with the same amount of effort as shooting just one round.

New York

Gun dealers must now post signs warning consumers of the risk of gun ownership. 

The state is also implementing a statewide registry of extreme risk protection orders, which helps keep guns out of the hands of those who are at risk of hurting themselves or others.

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This work couldn’t have happened without people like you donating, signing petitions, and turning out to vote. It’s because of our years-long advocacy work and electing gun safety champions into state offices that these wins are possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

This year, even if progress at the federal level feels bleak, we’ve laid the groundwork for wins like the above in states nationwide. Will you join us?

Help us continue to advocate for gun safety legislation in states across the US by donating $20.25 today.

We refuse to let our progress be stopped.

Onwards,

March For Our Lives HQ

The disinformation machine is gearing up, and Trump’s inauguration is the perfect storm. With Meta scaling back fact-checking on its platforms, we’re already seeing wild claims, deepfakes, and outright lies spreading to confuse and divide us. And as we head into inauguration weekend and the first days and weeks of Trump’s presidency, the flood of disinformation and misinformation will only grow.

Join our Digital Defenders: Presidential Inauguration Edition training on Thursday, January 16th at 8 PM ET to prepare yourself for the onslaught of lies Trump and his billionaire goons will unleash.

• Led by misinformation experts Dr. Heather Woods and Dr. Leslie Hahner, this 60-minute session will equip you with the tools to:
• Spot and counter false narratives
• Understand how algorithms amplify disinformation
• Protect your community from manipulation during this critical time

With fact-checking reduced and disinformation ramping up, it’s on us to stay vigilant and push back. 

– Women’s March

P.S. Forward this email to anyone you know who needs this training. The more of us that show up, the safer we all become!

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Women’s March is a 501c(4) organization. Your generous support helps us prepare for fights we see coming and those we don’t. Donations are not tax-deductible. If you prefer to make a tax-deductible gift, we encourage you to support the Women’s March Network. Gifts to the Network support our organizing, communications, advocacy, and public education efforts.

Dear MoveOn member,

In six days, we’ll mark the end of the Biden administration as Donald Trump returns to the White House on a historic day, MLK Day, a day historically reserved to honor and reflect on the legacy of the civil rights movement, now shared with the inauguration of a president who is steadfast on dismantling the advancements made by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. Whether you are ready to leap into action or just want to scream into your pillow, MoveOn members across the country are right there with you.

Mark the inauguration on Monday, January 20 by joining the first Volunteer Network call of the year at 8 p.m. ET (7 CT/6 MT/5 PT)!

MoveOn’s Executive Director Rahna Epting and Organizing Director Gabi Andrade will talk with members and share MoveOn’s strategy as we move into the Trump administration and share how MoveOn members can take collective action to oppose Trump’s agenda and build progressive power for the fight ahead.

• We’ll share MoveOn’s strategy for 2025 and roll out new opportunities tailored for the moment we’re in.
• We’ll share our own feelings and reactions to the day as we strengthen our connections, community, and resolve.
• Maybe we’ll even shout into a pillow …

Every month, MoveOn hosts a Volunteer Network Call with hundreds of our most active members. This month, everyone is welcome! Join the community and the conversation. You can click here to join the conversation live on Monday at 8 p.m ET/5 PT and click here to start connecting with members from across the country right now. There’s no reason to be alone on Inauguration Day when so many like-minded individuals are ready to be there right alongside you.

RSVP for our January Vote Mobilizer Call on Monday, January 20—register today!

 

See you on Monday night!

Thanks for all you do.

–Saskia, Durrel, Gabi, Amanda, and the rest of the team

P.S. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to continue fighting for civil rights and equal rights. It’s also often been a day of community service. If you’re interested in making an impact, consider exploring ways to volunteer or give back in your community—whether through local organizations or initiatives you’re already familiar with.

Want to support MoveOn’s work? Donald Trump and his MAGA allies expect us to give up. But we will not give them what they want. We will never stop working to defend our fundamental freedoms and protect our democracy. MoveOn has been leading the movement against right-wing extremism for 26 years, and we promise you that we will still be here every step of the way forward.

Will you donate to power MoveOn’s work to protect our freedoms and democracy under Trump’s administration?

Yes, I’ll chip in $5 a month.

No, I’m sorry, I can’t make a monthly donation.

Contributions to MoveOn Civic Action are not tax-deductible for income tax purposes. MoveOn.org Civic Action – PO Box 96141, Washington, D.C. 20090-6141. ActBlue Civics Inc. is the merchant of record for all transactions made to MoveOn Civic Action using the ActBlue platform. ActBlue Civics Inc. receives and processes these donations before disbursing them to MoveOn Civic Action within 30 days of receipt.

I’m reaching with some important news: Senate Bill 5098 (Restricting Firearms in Sensitive Places) will be heard by the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Tuesday, January 14th at 8:00 AM with a vote shortly after! SB 5098 protects families by keeping open carry firearms out of our parks, playgrounds, county fairgrounds, and public buildings. The presence of firearms and fear of gun violence in our public spaces has the potential to increase the lethality of otherwise mundane situations – this risk is especially heightened in parks and other public spaces where children are present. According to one study, states that loosened their gun laws to allow firearms in most places saw a 13% to 15% increase in crime 10 years later compared to if they had not passed those laws. By focusing on these public, high traffic areas, SB 5098 will help protect children, families and communities from gun violence while creating safe and welcoming public spaces for everyone.

In order for this bill to get voted into law, it first must make it out of committee. Please take a second out of your day to reach out to the Senate Law & Justice Committee members and urge them to vote yes on this life-saving legislation. Sharing this with your friends, family, and colleagues is another great way to spread the word. Things are moving fast, and we need all hands on deck to ensure our lawmakers understand the urgency needed to reclaim our public spaces from firearms and gun violence.

Thank you for standing with us. Your continued support makes a real difference, and I’m grateful to have you as a partner in this critical effort.

Mike (he/him)

Director of Government Affairs

ALLIANCE FOR GUN RESPONSIBILITY
P.O. Box 4187 Seattle, WA 98194