Fired under Trump, former military officers launch Democratic bids for Congress
2 officers forced out of military during Trump's second term launch Democratic congressional bids
By Paul Steinhauser Fox News
Published January 21, 2026 2:52pm EST | Updated January 21, 2026 3:58pm EST
Two officers who were pushed out of the military during President Donald Trump's first year back in the White House have launched new missions this week: running for Congress as Democrats.
A retired U.S. Space Force colonel, who was forced out of the military under the Trump administration's ban on transgender service members, announced a run for Congress in Northern Virginia.
And a senior Navy official removed from her post last year by War Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a congressional bid in South Carolina.
Their candidacies highlight a growing political backlash to Trump-era military policies, as former officers removed from service look to re-enter public life through Congress.
Bree Fram joined the U.S. Space Force in August 2021, where she rose to the rank of colonel.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order and the Pentagon, under Hegseth, issued guidance that barred most transgender people — including those with a diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria — from military service. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in March 2025 blocking enforcement, but courts later allowed the policy to move forward while litigation continued. According to Fram, she was placed on administrative leave in June 2025 pending separation, and was forced to retire at the end of 2025 due to presidential policy.
Fram pledged that "I'm not going to run away from my oath to the Constitution."
In a campaign launch video posted on Tuesday, Fram said, "I served 23 years wearing the flag on my shoulder, reaching the rank of colonel. But then Donald Trump fired me, not because of my performance but because of who I am."
https://twitter.com/BFram3/status/2013578236593119591more
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fired-under-trump-former-military-officers-launch-democratic-bids-congress
