Values Alliance Updates
In Defense of Competence
August 6, 2025
Even in Polarized Times, Most Americans Want Government that Works
Despite partisan gridlock, Americans still agree on some basics: we want public funds used responsibly, disaster response to be effective, cybersecurity to be strong, and whistleblowers to be protected.
This week, several stories point to quiet areas of consensus, where most Americans agree on what “good government” looks like, even if politicians don’t always deliver... Read More.
August 4th Calls to Action
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
August 4, 2025
As August begins, many of us are preparing for back-to-school season and new routines. It’s a good time to reflect on the freedoms that shape our daily lives: the right to learn, read, speak out, vote, and live freely.
As military families know well, these freedoms don’t endure on their own. They require solidarity and a willingness to act. Especially for military families who embody service, sacrifice, and civic responsibility firsthand, this moment calls us to continue speaking up and pushing for a democracy that is accountable to its citizens. Read More.
Statement on Confirmation of Emil Bove
American Values Alliance
July 29, 2025
From Terry Holt, former Bush-Cheney and Boehner adviser, and Andrew Bates, former White House Deputy Press Secretary.
“Despite multiple Department of Justice whistleblowers warning that Emile Bove plotted to violate court orders, Senate Republicans just rushed him into a powerful lifetime judgeship - turning down testimony under oath. Bove punished career law enforcement officers for investigating the criminals who assaulted officers on January 6th. He also refused to answer senators’ questions about if, as a top DOJ official, he’s been involved in withholding Epstein documents from the American people. This is not how you act when you’re proud.”
July 28th Calls to Action
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 28, 2025
We’re starting this week by celebrating some good news announced on Friday: the Trump administration released over $5 billion in education funding that had been withheld. This critical support will help schools across the country, including those serving military families, access the resources they need...
No matter how small they may seem amid the current chaos, your actions are meaningful. So whether you have five minutes or five hours this week, add your voice to the coalition standing up for democracy and the values of our military-connected community.
Here are this week’s calls to action for military families... Read More.
Disaster Doesn't Check Political Boxes
July 15, 2025
Let’s Focus on Solutions that Unite Us:
"What made the Texas floods deadlier? Underinvestment in drainage systems, older homes in harm’s way, and overwhelmed rural towns made a terrible storm even worse. The Texas floods remind us that nature doesn’t check political affiliations. But here’s the hope: When local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors come together, they can save lives and strengthen trust. Read More.
Bipartisan Cost Coalition Statement: White House Attacks Working Families
July 15, 2025
White House Attacks Trumpflation Victims
From Cost Coalition Advisers Terry Holt, a Republican, and Andrew Bates, a Democrat:
“While doubling down on what is now the biggest tax hike on working families since the Great Depression, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mocked citizens who are concerned about affordability as ‘Panicans.’ Read More.
Join Operation "Uncensor My Summer" to Push Back on Book Bans Across the Military Community
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 14, 2025
Second Lady Usha Vance wants you to read this summer. She’s launched a nationwide Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging families, including military families, to cozy up with books and build a love of learning.
We love books too. But there’s a problem with this challenge.
While the White House promotes reading with this challenge, military kids in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools are being denied access to books that reflect diverse perspectives, important lived experiences, and critical social issues. Titles by authors that challenge the status quo are being banned or challenged on military bases across the globe. And it’s not just on base. These bans are happening in our communities around military bases too. All of this has a negative impact on military kids. Read More.
This Isn’t Just Mismanagement — It’s Sabotage
July 10, 2025
Two weeks ago, we warned that the system wasn’t just breaking: it was being systematically broken. This week, the consequences of that sabotage are flooding Texas neighborhoods, stalling federal agencies, and unraveling our institutions. This isn’t government “dysfunction.” It’s deliberate dismantling. Read More.
Let the Bove Whistleblower Testify, Chairman Grassley
July 10, 2025
From Terry Holt, former Bush-Cheney spokesperson and Boehner adviser, and Andrew Bates, former White House Deputy Press Secretary under Joe Biden:
“A respected, nonpartisan federal prosecutor known for defending Donald Trump’s immigration policies in court has now shown the Senate Judiciary Committee documented proof that Emil Bove plotted to violate court orders and force law enforcement personnel to engage in illegal activity. That same whistleblower, Erez Reuveni, today offered to testify under oath.
“There are grave, pressing questions - even from some of Donald Trump’s strongest supporters about the lack of transparency into what’s really happening inside this Justice Department; including with regard to records about the death of Jeffrey Epstein. The last thing the American people deserve is for Chairman Grassley to deny them critical testimony before giving Emil Bovea lifetime appointment. We also have yet to see relevant notes about the incidents in question that Bove admitted exist. And we still do not know if Bove was involved in DOJ’s decision-making about the Epstein case. Read More.
Lowering Cost Caucus wants to Make America Affordable Again
July 8, 2025
Last week, Michigan’s Rep. Hillary Scholten helped launch the Lowering Cost Caucus, alongside Reps. Greg Landsman, Derek Tran, Sarah Elfreth, and Maggie Goodlander. Their goal? Take on the real affordability crisis crushing working families. Read More.
MFFE Launches Summer Resistance Reading Challenge to Protest Book Bans
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 7, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This summer, military families and their allies are taking a stand for the freedom to read by participating in the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge to spotlight the rise of book bans in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools and military-connected communities.
The “Uncensor My Summer” campaign led by Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE) invites military families and their allies with children in grades K-8 to turn their summer reading into an act of resistance by reading books for the Second Lady’s program that have been banned or challenged in DoDEA schools or local school districts. By coordinating, MFFE aims to create a visible culture of intellectual freedom and resist the spread of censorship targeting students in military-connected communities. Read More.
Coalition Updates
July 28th Calls to Action
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 28, 2025
We’re starting this week by celebrating some good news announced on Friday: the Trump administration released over $5 billion in education funding that had been withheld. This critical support will help schools across the country, including those serving military families, access the resources they need...
No matter how small they may seem amid the current chaos, your actions are meaningful. So whether you have five minutes or five hours this week, add your voice to the coalition standing up for democracy and the values of our military-connected community.
Here are this week’s calls to action for military families... Read More.
Cutting Agencies Shouldn’t Mean Cutting Expertise
July 24, 2025
This week, a new survey from the Partnership for Public Service reveals a surprising truth: solid majorities who favor Trump-era agency cuts also strongly support keeping the federal workforce apolitical and expert-driven—83% see a nonpartisan civil service as vital to our country’s wellbeing.
This offers a powerful window into public sentiment. Read More.
July 21st Calls to Action
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 21, 2025
As we continue to navigate a chaotic summer, it remains clear that the very freedoms our loved ones serve to protect are under attack.
These aren’t just policy fights happening in Washington. They’re decisions that affect our daily lives: how our kids learn, how we engage in civic life, and how our communities hold power accountable. Military families may be stationed around the world, but we are united by purpose and we must raise our voices together.
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or unheard in this moment. But your voice does matter. And your action is power. So if you have five minutes this week, take a moment to send a letter, plan to meet with your members of Congress, or check out a banned book. You don’t have to save the world all by yourself, but your time and voice can help make changes, big and small.
Here are this week’s calls to action for military families... Read More.
July 21st Calls to Action
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 21, 2025
As we continue to navigate a chaotic summer, it remains clear that the very freedoms our loved ones serve to protect are under attack.
These aren’t just policy fights happening in Washington. They’re decisions that affect our daily lives: how our kids learn, how we engage in civic life, and how our communities hold power accountable. Military families may be stationed around the world, but we are united by purpose and we must raise our voices together.
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or unheard in this moment. But your voice does matter. And your action is power. So if you have five minutes this week, take a moment to send a letter, plan to meet with your members of Congress, or check out a banned book. You don’t have to save the world all by yourself, but your time and voice can help make changes, big and small.
Here are this week’s calls to action for military families... Read More.
Disaster Doesn't Check Political Boxes
July 15, 2025
Let’s Focus on Solutions that Unite Us:
"What made the Texas floods deadlier? Underinvestment in drainage systems, older homes in harm’s way, and overwhelmed rural towns made a terrible storm even worse. The Texas floods remind us that nature doesn’t check political affiliations. But here’s the hope: When local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors come together, they can save lives and strengthen trust. Read More.
Bipartisan Cost Coalition Statement: White House Attacks Working Families
July 15, 2025
White House Attacks Trumpflation Victims
From Cost Coalition Advisers Terry Holt, a Republican, and Andrew Bates, a Democrat:
“While doubling down on what is now the biggest tax hike on working families since the Great Depression, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mocked citizens who are concerned about affordability as ‘Panicans.’ Read More.
Join Operation "Uncensor My Summer" to Push Back on Book Bans Across the Military Community
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 14, 2025
Second Lady Usha Vance wants you to read this summer. She’s launched a nationwide Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging families, including military families, to cozy up with books and build a love of learning.
We love books too. But there’s a problem with this challenge.
While the White House promotes reading with this challenge, military kids in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools are being denied access to books that reflect diverse perspectives, important lived experiences, and critical social issues. Titles by authors that challenge the status quo are being banned or challenged on military bases across the globe. And it’s not just on base. These bans are happening in our communities around military bases too. All of this has a negative impact on military kids. Read More.
This Isn’t Just Mismanagement — It’s Sabotage
July 10, 2025
Two weeks ago, we warned that the system wasn’t just breaking: it was being systematically broken. This week, the consequences of that sabotage are flooding Texas neighborhoods, stalling federal agencies, and unraveling our institutions. This isn’t government “dysfunction.” It’s deliberate dismantling. Read More.
Let the Bove Whistleblower Testify, Chairman Grassley
July 10, 2025
From Terry Holt, former Bush-Cheney spokesperson and Boehner adviser, and Andrew Bates, former White House Deputy Press Secretary under Joe Biden:
“A respected, nonpartisan federal prosecutor known for defending Donald Trump’s immigration policies in court has now shown the Senate Judiciary Committee documented proof that Emil Bove plotted to violate court orders and force law enforcement personnel to engage in illegal activity. That same whistleblower, Erez Reuveni, today offered to testify under oath.
“There are grave, pressing questions - even from some of Donald Trump’s strongest supporters about the lack of transparency into what’s really happening inside this Justice Department; including with regard to records about the death of Jeffrey Epstein. The last thing the American people deserve is for Chairman Grassley to deny them critical testimony before giving Emil Bovea lifetime appointment. We also have yet to see relevant notes about the incidents in question that Bove admitted exist. And we still do not know if Bove was involved in DOJ’s decision-making about the Epstein case. Read More.
Lowering Cost Caucus wants to Make America Affordable Again
July 8, 2025
Last week, Michigan’s Rep. Hillary Scholten helped launch the Lowering Cost Caucus, alongside Reps. Greg Landsman, Derek Tran, Sarah Elfreth, and Maggie Goodlander. Their goal? Take on the real affordability crisis crushing working families. Read More.
MFFE Launches Summer Resistance Reading Challenge to Protest Book Bans
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 7, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This summer, military families and their allies are taking a stand for the freedom to read by participating in the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge to spotlight the rise of book bans in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools and military-connected communities.
The “Uncensor My Summer” campaign led by Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE) invites military families and their allies with children in grades K-8 to turn their summer reading into an act of resistance by reading books for the Second Lady’s program that have been banned or challenged in DoDEA schools or local school districts. By coordinating, MFFE aims to create a visible culture of intellectual freedom and resist the spread of censorship targeting students in military-connected communities. Read More.
July 7th Calls to Action
Military Families for Ethical Leadership
July 7, 2025
Staying in the fight for democracy and accountability
...Military families know better than most what it means to push through setbacks and stand firm in the face of adversity. Our voices, rooted in service, sacrifice, and a deep belief in this country, matter more than ever. Democracy isn’t won in a single vote or bill. It’s a daily commitment, so let’s stay engaged, stay loud, and keep pushing forward together.
Here are this week’s calls to action for military families. Read More.
Why We Celebrate
July 3, 2025
People Are Standing Up — and that’s Worth Celebrating
- In Arizona, a new state-run fellowship placed college students and recent graduates inside election offices to help run elections and fill staffing gaps. Several of these fellows have now committed to permanent roles, proving that early engagement can lead to lifelong public service.
- In Hardee County, Florida, local officials held their first-ever public appreciation event for election workers, honoring their role in the 2024 presidential, primary, and general elections. Certificates, coins, and community gratitude were shared, but as Supervisor of Elections Kimberly Smith said, “There is nothing we can give them that would be enough to pay them for their dedication.”
- Across the country, resources like the Democracy Law Blog’s guide on becoming a poll worker are helping ordinary Americans serve their communities during elections — not just as voters, but as stewards of democracy. Read More.
Statement on Judge and Prosecutors Vouching for Bove Whistleblower
July 2, 2025
Terry Holt and Andrew Bates, advisers for the bipartisan American Values Alliance, responded to new Politico Magazine reporting showing that federal prosecutors and an appeals judge spoke out on behalf of a Department of Justice (DOJ) whistleblower who alleges that 3rd Circuit nominee Emil Bove attempted to violate court orders:
“Veteran prosecutors and a sitting appeals judge now publicly vouch for Erez Reuveni, a career Department of Justice attorney best known for defending Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Today’s reporting underlines the Senate Judiciary Committee’s responsibility to vet Emil Bove - not jam him through. Regardless of party, no member of the Senate Judiciary Committee should support a judicial nominee who plotted to violate court orders and forced DOJ officials to follow illegal directions." Read More.
June 30th Calls to Action
Military Families Standing up for Our Communities and Our Country
June 30, 2025
It continues to be a challenging time with so many issues feeding the headlines. Meanwhile, we are watching as the Senate pushes forward with the One Big Beautiful Bill and the administration targets immigrants including military families. All the while, military families are carrying the weight of the Israel-Iran conflict as it continues to escalate into a volatile standoff, with U.S. troops increasingly exposed to danger, uncertain deployment timelines, and the looming threat of a broader regional war. It’s a lot to process, and it’s no wonder that a new survey found that military and veteran spouses experience depression and anxiety at two to three times the rate of the general population.
It’s easy to be frustrated and feel like our voices aren’t being heard. Make sure you are taking care of yourself because we need every voice in this fight. When democracy and our communities are threatened under the guise of protection and patriotism, our voices matter.
Here are this week’s calls to action for military families. Read More.
Statement on Disqualifying Whistleblower Report about Emil Bove
American Values Aliance
June 25, 2025
From Terry Holt, former Bush-Cheney spokesperson and Boehner adviser, and Andrew Bates, former White House Deputy Press Secretary under Joe Biden:
“An experienced federal prosecutor who served under Republican and Democratic presidents is sounding the alarm that Emil Bove - Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer - abused power at the Department of Justice, where he plotted to violate court orders and force law enforcement officers to engage in illegal behavior.
“Bove also targeted FBI and Department of Justice officials for holding January 6th criminals accountable. And he sabotaged the DOJ's investigation of Eric Adams, provoking the resignation of career prosecutors.
“While the governments of North Korea or Iran might mistake Bove’s malfeasance as appropriate for a judge, this is America. In this country, judges protect our Constitutional rights from dangerous overreach and power-obsessed politicians. Read More.
The System Isn’t Just Breaking. It’s Being Broken.
June 24, 2025
Over the weekend, Donald Trump ordered bombing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, bypassing Congress and brushing aside the War Powers Act as if it were optional. According to reports, not only was there no consultation with legislative leadership—there was open defiance of the law. Legal experts have called it a violation of the War Powers Act, yet so far, silence dominates Capitol Hill.
There’s a reason Congress—not one person—was given the power to declare war. When presidents can unilaterally launch military action with no oversight, we don’t just lose balance of power—we lose the rule of law. Read More.
June 23rd Call to Action: Military families Demanding Peace and Accountability
MILITARY FAMILIES FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
June 23, 2025
Military families are intimately familiar with the costs of war - not in headlines, but in homecomings that never happen, in the ripple effects of trauma, in the hearts of caregivers and survivors, and in the years stolen from our loved ones.
As tensions with Iran escalate while our community attempts to heal from the last 20 year war, we’re watching a dangerous pattern repeat: politicians talking tough while leaving our service members to carry the burden. We know how this goes. We’ve been here before. Read More.
How We Respond Will Define Who We Are: Mourning. Marching. Moving Forward.
June 15, 2025
This weekend, America witnessed three very different scenes—each a symbol of the moment we’re living through. In Minnesota, political violence escalated to a chilling new level, with two dead and two critically wounded in a politically-motivated assassination. More than 5 million people joined “No Kings” protests across 2,000 cities to resist authoritarianism and the abuse of power. And in Washington, DC, a military parade rolled through the the nation’s capital, marking President Trump’s 79th birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Together, these moments tell a story. We are a country in mourning, a nation in protest, and a democracy on the edge. What comes next will define who we are. Read More.
Statement on Assassination and Targeted Violence in Minnesota
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2025
“This tragic, horrifying attack is unacceptable, and we extend our deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and to the people of Minnesota - who have lost leaders devoted to public service and to building a better future for their communities.
“The American Values Alliance condemns—in the strongest possible terms—all political violence. The fatal shootings of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and shooting of State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife in politically-motivated attacks in suburban Minnesota are devastating reminders that our democracy is under threat. These assassination attempts against public servants rip apart the fabric of our society and must be stopped. Read More.
Bipartisan Cost Coalition: Killing Energy Jobs and Shrinking Our Economy Is Not "Beautiful"
June 11, 2025
Bipartisan Cost Coalition Advisers Terry Holt and Andrew Bates released a statement on new data from the nonpartisan think tank Energy Innovation showing the economic costs of the Big Beautiful Bill. Read More.
You Deserve Better: Veterans and Military Families Rally Against Cuts
June 6, 2025, Washington, DC
On the 81st anniversary of D-Day, AVA advisor Libby Jamison helped organize veterans and military families on the National Mall to fight cuts at the VA and across the military community. "Thousands of veterans gathered and raised their fists to the rhythm of the punk rock band Dropkick Murphys on Washington, D.C.'s National Mall on Friday, rallying against the Trump administration's federal job cuts and the potential loss of government services." Read more at Military.com.
Bipartisan Coalition Fights Rising Costs
OPINION: Trump's tariffs & tax cuts are crushing Main Street and making Mar-a-Lago elites rich by Andrew Bates and Terry Holt
May 28, 2025 Fox News
As a Republican and a Democrat who worked on behalf of presidents from both parties, we agree that most people’s lives will suffer unless we stand up to higher inflation, slower growth and crippling debt. That’s why we recently helped launch the Cost Coalition, a bipartisan campaign aimed at telling the real stories about the fight for the American Dream. Read more...
.
Military Families Oppose Censorship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2025
Military Families Unite to Oppose Censorship
Committee Formed to Stand Up for Intellectual Freedom across our Military Bases and Communities
Washington, D.C. - A coalition of military-connected families has announced the formation of the Committee of Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE), a nonpartisan effort to stand up against censorship and book bans, grounded in the freedoms protected by those in uniform. Read more...
Copyright © 2025 American Values Alliance - All Rights Reserved.
Contact us at info@valuesalliance.org
How to Fight Extremism before it's Locked into Law
States are quietly redrawing maps ahead of 2026—cementing uncompetitive districts and rewarding political extremes. AVA’s Rapid-Response Redistricting Hub will fight back.
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.