Sen. Budd,

I’m writing you not just as a North Carolinian but as someone who deeply values the strength and integrity of our military. The confirmation of this Defense nominee—a man whose record reads more like a commentator than a commander—is a slap in the face to every service member who has put on the uniform with honor.

This isn’t theoretical anymore. This nominee has used an unofficial messaging app to discuss highly classified military matters, even going so far as to invite a reporter into the conversation. Worse, in a separate Signal chat, he added his wife—who holds no security clearance—along with his brother and personal attorney, both of whom work for the Pentagon but had no need-to-know for the operations being discussed. And now, we find out he used a dirty internet line for Defense Department communications—a completely irresponsible act that jeopardizes operational security.

This is not the time for political gamesmanship or for handing out titles to appease fringe popularity. This is the time for sober, steady, and qualified leadership. North Carolina's military bases are on the frontlines of American readiness, and we need leaders in Washington who treat that responsibility with the gravity it deserves.

Rep. Don Bacon has already done the right thing and called for this nominee’s resignation. I ask you to do the same. The longer this situation continues, the greater the risk to our national security.

Please, show the courage to push back on this. Our state, our soldiers, and our nation deserve far better.

TildenM

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Sen. Tillis,

As a constituent who is outraged by your decision to confirm this individual, I am shocked and disappointed that the Senate confirmed a nominee so blatantly unqualified to lead the Department of Defense. North Carolina is home to one of the largest military populations in the nation—this decision directly affects our communities, our bases, and our families.

This individual has neither the professional discipline nor the strategic foresight required for such a critical post. Even more disturbing are the documented reports that he used an unofficial messaging app to discuss top-secret operations, invited a reporter into these conversations, and in a separate Signal chat, included his wife—who lacks any security clearance—as well as his brother and personal lawyer. While the brother and lawyer work for the Pentagon, neither had any operational need to access the classified discussions being held. And now, we learn that he conducted official communications using a dirty internet line—an unacceptable exposure that endangers operations and lives.

This isn’t just unprofessional—it’s reckless and dangerous. Our service members deserve a Secretary of Defense who commands respect through competence, not media antics or political favoritism. This isn’t a symbolic role—it’s about protecting American lives and leading the strongest fighting force in the world.

So far, only one Republican—Rep. Don Bacon—has had the courage to call for this nominee’s resignation. I urge you to follow that lead and demand his immediate removal. Our military cannot be led by someone so cavalier with our most sensitive secrets.

Our troops are counting on you to stand up, speak out, and do what’s right.

TildenM

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Sen. Budd,

I write to you not as a partisan, but as someone who believes government should serve the people - not enrich politicians. The announcement that President Trump is hosting a private dinner for top holders of his personal cryptocurrency, at the White House no less, is a shocking display of self-dealing. It turns public trust into a product for sale.

That’s not leadership - it’s corruption. And if we don’t call it out now, we invite more of it. I know many of your constituents value integrity, honesty, and accountability. They expect those values to guide you, even when it’s politically uncomfortable.

This isn’t about left or right. It’s about right and wrong. Please speak out. Make it clear that no president - past, present, or future - should be able to monetize public office for personal profit.

TildenM

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Sen. Tillis,

As a North Carolinian who believes deeply in public service rooted in principle, I am stunned by the news that President Trump is personally profiting from a cryptocurrency dinner hosted at the White House. When Americans entrusted him with that office, it wasn’t so he could auction off access to the highest bidder. That dinner is not a campaign rally. It’s not a fundraiser. It’s a business deal - on government property - for personal gain.

This crosses a line. If we allow public office to be used this way, what’s to stop any future president - of either party - from doing worse? If Republicans won’t stand up against this kind of transactional government, who will? This isn’t about politics. It’s about restoring respect for the office and protecting it from abuse.

Senator, the people of North Carolina are watching. Please don’t be silent.

Tilden Moschetti

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Sen. Budd,

Donald Trump said he’d end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours — on Day One of his presidency. That was January 20. It’s April 23. Where’s the magic peace plan?

Turns out, the only “solution” he’s offering is to hand over Ukraine’s land to Russia — just give it away. Because it makes him look tough. Because it makes him feel like the kingmaker he’s always wanted to be.

You’ve tied yourself so tightly to Trump that I don’t even know if you believe in anything anymore. But let me be crystal clear: what Trump is pushing is not peace. It’s betrayal. It’s weakness. It rewards aggression, and it makes the U.S. look like a country that bows to strongmen — foreign and domestic.

Sen. Budd, if you’re going to stand for anything — anything at all — make it this: we don’t sell out free nations just to pad Trump’s ego. If you can’t even do that, then stop pretending you care about America’s strength.

TildenM

Sen. Tillis,

You’ve said you support Ukraine. You’ve said America stands with our allies and stands for freedom. Well, now is the time to prove it — by standing up to Donald Trump.

Trump promised he’d end the war in Ukraine on his “first day in office” — that was January 20, 2025. It’s April 23. The only “solution” he’s pushing is one where Ukraine gives up its land to Vladimir Putin — so Trump can look like a big shot on TV.

That’s not peace. That’s surrender. And any Senator who goes along with it is selling out everything this country is supposed to stand for. Ukraine’s not asking for our soldiers — they’re asking that we don’t betray them to appease a failed businessman who thinks bullying is diplomacy.

Sen. Tillis, I expect you to stand up and say: America will not force a free nation to give up its land to make Donald Trump feel powerful. You’ve stood for Ukraine before — I’m asking you to do it again, even if it means standing against Trump. Because if we won’t stand up to tyrants abroad or at home, what do we even stand for?

TildenM

Sen. Budd,

There are roughly 90,000 active-duty military personnel in North Carolina. They and their families rely on strong leadership, not reckless showboats with a Fox News pedigree and a signal group chat addiction.

Pete Hegseth leaked sensitive operational details about a U.S. military strike in Yemen to his wife, brother, and lawyer—none of whom had any clearance, much less a need to know​. He was explicitly warned not to share such information and did it anyway. You confirmed this man. Against all logic and, I suspect, against your better judgment, you helped put him in charge of the Pentagon.

This isn't a mistake. It’s a violation of the standards that every service member understands better than Hegseth ever could. Leaking flight schedules and operational timelines isn't just a lapse—it's a threat to lives, to alliances, and to morale. And your silence now would be complicity.

Stand with your state’s military families and call for his resignation. You helped put him there. Do the honorable thing and help remove him before more damage is done.

TildenM

Sen. Tillis,

I am writing to you not just as a constituent, but as someone furious that a man with access to some of our most vital military operations betrayed that trust and continues to hold office. Pete Hegseth’s reckless decision to share sensitive Yemen operation details in a private Signal chat—including jet flight schedules—with his wife, brother, and lawyer shows contempt for the very institutions he's been entrusted to lead.

You confirmed him. You looked past every warning sign and handed a man with zero senior defense experience the keys to the Pentagon. And now, you’ve got 90,000 active-duty service members in North Carolina left to wonder whether their lives are in the hands of a man playing military dress-up with his family group chat.

He didn’t just violate protocol. He endangered American lives, undermined operational security, and has fractured the trust of our allies. You cannot stay silent. You cannot let this man, who called those of us with legitimate concerns “illegals, trans, and DEI”, continue to desecrate the Defense Department.

Call for Hegseth’s resignation. Not next week, not when the political temperature drops—now. It’s the bare minimum for the men and women who serve under the flag you claim to honor.

TildenM