THE GUARDIANS OF NOVEMBER
The survival of democratic legitimacy depends not only on voters but on courageous election officials, an informed public, and military leaders who refuse to let the armed forces become instruments of election interference. Democracy survives only when those entrusted with public power know where their authority ends, and have the courage to stop there.
Here are two requests: one to America to speak up as a nation and support the thousands of undaunted but uncelebrated election officials across the land as they prepare to stand their ground in the run-up to November; and one to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, to be on the safe side of preserving the history and dignity of our magnificent military, and to huddle with the service chiefs and draw the line between the Pentagon and the White House at election interference.
As Americans sit in front of the evening news, the drumbeat of warnings that the Trump administration is prepping, in full sight, to either confound the routine process of elections in November, or invalidate them afterwards and wipe the power slate clean, is unrelenting. Both outcomes would at least temporarily halt American democracy in its tracks, freeze us politically and internationally, and awaken those everyday Americans who have been hiding out, head in the sand, from the false comfort of imprudent hopes that such a thing could never happen in the USA.
If an enemy is massing in preparation for an attack, the strength of its forces, the target of the attack, and the speed with which it will move are critical pieces of the puzzle that the defending commander must understand and prepare for. We know, or are very sure, that the Trump administration is going to do everything it can to deny the November electorate a strong Democratic majority in the US House on 2 January 2027. Trump knows that if that happens, it will mean his impeachment for the third time. It might not necessarily result in a conviction, as the Senate outcome is more muddled, but the humiliation of a third impeachment is a near reality. And should there be a swing away from the GOP in the Senate, he could be out of a federal job.
In short, the November elections hold the keys to Trump’s renewed license to continue to misgovern and snatch this nation from delivery on its promise, and simultaneously to enfeeble the covenant between the government and we the people. Which ensures in healthy times the future integrity of this long-standing democratic republic.
What to do. I wish I knew. But I can cast around for actions that appear to offer at least some basis for resistance by an unarmed popular movement. Faced with the possibility that select election precincts in blue states or communities could be visited by armed, masked authorities from CBP, ICE, the FBI, or even some sympathetic local police, an outmatched band of locals seems unlikely to have much effect. But, then again, to do nothing in the face of governmental tyranny that tinkers with the universal elements of democracy and the right to vote must not go unchallenged.
Such a simple question and such a complicated, iffy and desperate search.
In what ways can we advocate for things that can be done by us citizens to fortify those election officials who will be manning the front lines? How do we assemble and deploy effective, meaningful tools for Everyman John Q. Public? What will the costs be to individuals who do resist? Will there be blood? And will malevolent government forces push forward or back off in the end?
Media, mainline and other, powerful editorials in the country’s most respected and storied newspapers also have a role. They should remind the public to stand behind election officials. And they should remind the uniformed military at the level of the Joint Chiefs and their Chairman that the time may soon come when they could be called upon by the professionally impoverished Secretary of War, as he is known, who will tell them an insurrection is afoot, and they must act to quell it. The Chairman, JCS, will know well if that moment arrives that such is not the case, and he will face a decision of unparalleled historic and consequential dimensions.
Following his service in CIA Mr. Piekney was the DCI’s representative to the Secretary of State’s Accountability Review Board investigating a terrorist attack on a U.S. installation in Saudi Arabia; was appointed as the Director of Studies at a CIA then DNI sponsored think tank during which he lead several highly classified Intelligence Community-wide studies involving nuclear weapons in the subcontinent and countering terrorism in the United States; he headed the Human Intelligence section of the George W. Bush Presidential Commission on The Intelligence Capabilities of The United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD Commission); and consulted for international clients on defense and national security issues. Mr. Piekney received the CIA’s Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the CIA’s Intelligence Commendation Medal, and the State Department’s Superior Honor Award. He was also awarded the rank of Distinguished Officer of the Senior Intelligence Services. He is a member of The Steady State.
Founded in 2016, The Steady State is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization of more than 400 former senior national security professionals. Our membership includes former officials from the CIA, FBI, Department of State, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security. Drawing on deep expertise across national security disciplines, including intelligence, diplomacy, military affairs, and law, we advocate for constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and the preservation of America’s national security institutions.
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