Common Defense Education Fund (CDEF)

Common Defense, CEDF’s advocacy arm, claims to have led the “Vets Against Trump” movement, supports the critical race theory-influenced concept of equity, ² and says that the American right has “co-opted” the idea of patriotism and service. ³

In 2022, CDEF received a $100,000 grant from the left-of-center Ford Foundation for organizing a multi-racial, multi-generational, inclusive movement to empower veterans to advocate for a “healthy and participatory democracy.” ⁵

History and Leadership

Common Defense Education Fund and its advocacy arm Common Defense have their roots in a 2016 rally opposing the 2016 presidential campaign of Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower in New York City. ⁶

Officially formed incorporated and structured as an organization in 2019, ² Common Defense received tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service in 2022. ⁷

Jose Vasquez is the executive director of Common Defense. ⁸

Activities

Common Defense Education Fund (CDEF) is an effort led by U.S. military veterans that fights for left-of-center values, ¹ seeks to build a consensus in the Democratic Party to end so-called forever wars, ² and trains left-of-center military veterans in organizing and get-out-the vote efforts. ³

Advocacy Arm

Common Defense, CEDF’s advocacy arm, is the nation’s largest grassroots organization of U.S. military veterans that trains and deploys its members on campaigns related to the left-wing concept of climate activism, voting rights, and anti-militarism. ¹ The organization claims the American right has “co-opted” the idea of patriotism and national service. ³

Founded in 2016 and officially organized in 2019, Common Defense claims to have led the “Vets Against Trump” movement ² that opposed the Trump administration, ³ helping secure the impeachment of President Trump, and speaking out against what the group identifies as then-President Trump’s “crimes.” ²

Common Defense is committed to the critical race theory-influenced concept of equity and is committed to organizing a multi-racial and multi-generational movement to address what it identifies as systematic injustices in the American political system. Common Defense’s values include the critical race theory-influenced concept of equity, progress, justice, and power. ² The organization also advances left-of-center policy priorities across issues including economic policy, voting rights, and climate change. ⁹

In 2020, Common Defense generated a pledge for presidential candidates about ending so-called forever wars that was signed by seven Democratic presidential candidates including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and was eventually added to the Democratic Party platform. ²

Other Activities

CDEF also provides convening spaces, advanced training, and opportunities for campaign work with the goal of cultivating long-term left-of-center veteran leaders in the American peace movement and embedding left-of-center security analysis within the critical race theory-influenced “social justice alignment” in the United States. ²

In 2022, CDEF launched Vets for Climate Justice. The joint project between CDEF and the 501(c)(4) Critical Defense Civic Engagement (CDCE) will attempt to lead campaigns on environmentalist issues, build political will for action, pressure elected officials, and mobilize grassroots membership in support of left-of-center climate action and a transition to a non-traditional energy economy. ³

CDEF also operates the Veterans Organizing Institute, which aims to support the leadership development of left-of-center military veterans to develop a network of “highly diverse, former service members, with sophisticated political analysis and practical organizing skills to play an important role in reshaping the long-term American political landscape.” ⁴

CDEF is affiliated with the Common Defense Civic Engagement 501(c)(4) for issue-based electoral advocacy and the Common Defense Action Fund political action committee (PAC) for lobbying and electoral support activities. ^{3 1}

Funding

Common Defense Education Fund receives its funding from grants and individual donations. Individual donations to Common Defense Education Fund are routed through the charitable arm of Democratic-aligned fundraising platform ActBlue, ActBlue Charities. ^{9 10}

In 2023, Common Defense Education Fund received $100,000 from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. ¹¹

In 2022, Common Defense Education Fund received $100,000 from the left-of-center Ford Foundation for organizing a multi-racial, multi-generational, inclusive movement  to empower veterans to advocate for a “healthy and participatory democracy.” ⁵

The organization also received $27,500 from the David Rockefeller Fund climate program ¹² and $20,000 from the Fund for Nonviolence to support the Veterans Organizing Institute in 2022. ¹³