Apolitical Politics

For the vast majority of my career, I have always held an apolitical public position. When working at the White House for the U.S. Secret Service, I committed to my mission of protection, and I would not allow for politics to swing my view or opinion as it related to my responsibility. I went as far as canceling my social media accounts during this time. One year, while providing security for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, I was assigned to the protection detail of Iran’s President Ahmadinejad. I viewed my role just as important as protecting the President of the United States during that assignment. The outcome of an attack on America’s political enemy, on American soil, would be horrific for the American people and the world. 

Keeping this mindset was difficult over the years, as I struggled with our nation’s leaders for making poor decisions. As an example, I believe to this day that the missteps of Hilary Clinton were the direct result of American’s dying in Benghazi. As I write this article, I recall working in the Secret Service Command Center that day and remember being astonished that we were not doing more as a nation to save lives during that crisis! 

In contrast, I spent numerous weekends with President Bush as he went to Walter Reed Hospital and cried with soldiers as they were recovering from injuries caused by war. President Bush understood that the decision that he made resulted in the injuries that these soldiers faced. For this, he earned my respect and honor. I recall many late nights working in the West Wing and observing the President struggling with both himself and his advisors to make the BEST choice for the American people. These choices were made over the consideration of individual profit or political votes. 

My heart breaks every time I think about the hundreds of thousands of abortions that happen in the United States every year and the lack of concern for the killing of innocent babies. When speaking about this subject with liberal friends, “they individually disagree with abortion, but they don’t feel like it is the government’s role to regulate it.” In private, they will share their disagreement, but in public, they support the views of Hollywood and show their support for Pro-Choice decisions. 

Why does all this matter now? 

Last year, I co-founded a new company called ProtectedBy.AI. As many of you know, my business partner, Dr. JT Kostman, is very outspoken about his opinions on social media. Knowing JT personally, I can tell you that he is first an American Patriot over anything else (maybe second to a great husband to his wife and father to his children). He has countless stories that he can never tell publicly of personal physical sacrifice that he has made fighting for the constitutional rights of the American people while serving in and out of uniform. I thank you, JT, for your passion, heart, and sacrifice! 

JT and I will never agree on all political or religious topics; however, JT and I have a joint commitment to PROTECT. As a business, we protect People, Property, Places, and Profits with the highest priority being the protection of People. 

Over the last several months, I have had to challenge my thinking. My personal preference is to remain apolitical. To stay the course and stick to the moderate line as close as possible. But how is that protecting? Standing by idly as people are harmed is no place of honor. 

I challenge all those reading this post to stand for honor. Being apolitical should not mean that you don’t speak your mind. It should mean that you DO speak your mind based on PRINCIPLES and not on political partisanship. 

If, as a Christian, I can publicly stand against the killing of innocent babies, then I can also stand against the killing of American citizens during this COVID outbreak. I can stand against the lack of effort to stop suicide in our Veteran population. I can stand against poverty, sex trafficking, and the countless other issues that tug at my heart. 

My challenge to you today is to stand for the right ISSUE and NOT for the person or political party. I write this today with a full understanding that one day I may desire to run for a political position, and I hope that my platform is a platform of honor and not political partisanship. 

To our political leaders: Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden. I challenge you both to stand for honor and protect the American people from harm before personal gain or profit.