RICHMOND, VA — Amid reports that Russian intelligence units paid Taliban leaders in Afghanistan to kill U.S. troops - effectively putting bounties on the heads of American service members - Democrats and Republicans have been speaking out to demand answers. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are asking why the Trump administration didn't act on this information, and why Donald Trump did nothing for months after he was briefed on Russia's actions. 

But Nick Freitas and John McGuire, two veterans competing for the Republican nomination in Virginia's 7th Congressional district, have been noticeably silent these past few days. They're apparently more concerned with not upsetting Donald Trump before their nominating convention than standing up for the men and women of the U.S. military. 

Their silence stands in stark contrast to Representative Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer, who stands up for the more than 50,000 veterans she represents and has been demanding answers and accountability. She attended a White House briefing with a select group of House Democrats and spoke out to call the administration's lack of action "shameful." Meanwhile the Republicans challenging her have nothing to say about Donald Trump completely abdicating his duty as Commander in Chief. 

"The silence from Freitas and McGuire is deafening. Donald Trump let Russia put a bounty on the heads of their fellow service members but they still can't bear to speak out. The 7th district deserves an independent voice who will stand up for what's right, not a rubber stamp who will put partisan politics ahead of protecting the lives of American troops," said DPVA Communications Director Grant Fox. 

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