ACTION: A Rehearsal for Martial Law?
Troops in DC Need to See This
Win Without War

(August 2, 2025) — What’s happening in DC is a chilling threat to us all:

Right now, soldiers and masked federal agents are conducting “roving patrols,” harassing, intimidating, and arresting people in our nation’s capital. In the past few days, 1,100 National Guard troops deployed by Trump and six Republican governors have taken over DC’s streets, disregarding the demands of local officials and DC residents. [1] It’s the move of a dictator.

Whether it’s targeting immigrant communities or militarizing our streets, Trump’s goal is the same: Use state violence to take away power, safety, and dignity.

Today, as Trump tests an authoritarian flex in DC, he’s already planning the same to intimidate political opposition in other major cities across the country, like Chicago and New York. But here’s the thing: Our servicemembers didn’t sign up to be pawns in Trump’s authoritarian power grab.

That’s why Win Without War is stepping up to remind servicemembers of our shared values — and our shared responsibility — to uphold the Constitution.

It starts in DC, where we’ll get
highly visible mobile billboards and posters
to ask one urgent, simple question:
IS THIS WHAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR?

We deserve safety — not militarized law enforcement and federal agents running our communities and profiling people. Trump’s takeover endangers our families, our freedoms, and our futures.

Don’t take it from us. Rosa Brooks, a former DC Metropolitan reserve police officer who teaches now at Georgetown Law School, recently told NPR, “I think what we’re seeing is the effort to habituate people to the idea that you’re going to have armed federal personnel in your business, asking questions, stopping you, and that’s just truly scary.” [1]

We know what keeps us safe. It’s living in communities where we have access to clean water, healthcare, and groceries. It’s not tanks or troops. We refuse to see our cities and towns further militarized.

DC is Trump’s road test for full-blown authoritarianism. But he won’t be able to succeed without the backing of the troops and federal agents he’s sent to do his dirty work.

So here’s our plan: Empower those on the front lines with reminders that they have the right — and the moral responsibility — to protect people and uphold the Constitution. Together, we can help the people sworn to protect us be defenders of democracy, not an authoritarian’s pawns.

Together, we’ll put DC on notice. Our average donation this year is $20.31, and if everyone reading gave that, we’d fund this entire effort in seconds. Donate now and help us remind every decisionmaker and servicemember across DC that they have the right — and the moral responsibility — to choose something different than Trump’s power grabs.

The silver lining in this horrible mess? Together, alongside partners across the movement, champions on the Hill, and hundreds of thousands of other activists, you’re helping remind this White House and Congress that we won’t give up our democracy, communities, and future without a fight.

Imagine our streets free of tanks and troops, families able to afford groceries and healthcare, and our kids safe at school. That’s the world we’re fighting for. Luckily, no matter the challenge, we are the people who refuse to look away — and we are the ones who will help build the future we all want and deserve: One where everyone can live and thrive in a more peaceful world.

Thank you for working for peace,
The Win Without War team