Letter to General Sherman

On June 11, 2025, American Opposition founder Carlos Álvarez-Aranyos sent the following letter to General Scott Sherman, commander of the forces deployed to Los Angeles:

Dear General Sherman:

I hope this letter finds you well.

It is my understanding that you are in charge of the military operations in Los Angeles at the moment. I want to first thank you and the soldiers under your command for your service to our nation.

On January 25 of this year, I founded American Opposition to counter the threat of fascism in the United States. I did that because I was centrally involved in the fight to protect the election in 2020, and because I grew up in the Dominican Republic under an elected fascist named Joaquin Balaguer.

I know where we are because I’ve lived it. I know Donald Trump because I’ve confronted—and beaten him—before.

It takes real wisdom and humility to learn for the experience of others. Given your rank and scope of experience, I’m sure you know that all too well. But you also know that it’s essential—that we must be able to reach for outside perspectives in order to maximize our own performance. That our leadership is a function of our humility when we are most pressed to be certain.

You have excelled more than most ever will. You know that everything you’ve done and sacrificed is etched in you. That you represent your service, not just through your leadership but through your example. That you are a trustee of wisdom, meant to distill your experience for those you command, and giving them the benefit of your experience and guidance. Not just to keep them safe, but to ensure they always do the right things.

That they don’t come to regret the actions you order them to take.

To that end, I humbly request that you learn from my experience in this moment. That you see that those of us standing up for this nation are not your enemies. We are the people you are charged to protect.

Our safety gives your service meaning. Your fealty to us is the backbone of your oath.

We are not your enemies. We see our nation collapsing to the whims of a tyrant, and we’re acting to defend it by exercising our rights. Just as our Founders intended.

Self-defense is a human right, and it is difficult for Americans not to feel violence when your units are deployed on our streets on missions that include adversarial engagement.

You create fear in those moments because of your excellence as a fighting force, but I’m sure you can imagine that such fear—coming from our own government—is overwhelming to most Americans, who have never felt that before.

I know this fear. I grew up in it. I saw the corruption nakedly. Felt the tingle in my spine when I approached the limits of my freedom. Understood the impunity of the state, and had to accept it without choice.

I hope you recognize the conflict between your current mission and your oath. I hope you see the doubts in those you command.

I hope you honor your responsibility as a custodian of wisdom and show them the best path forward. I hope you lead with empathy, never disavowing your oath.

All I have is hope. I hope that’s enough.

Best regards,

Carlos
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Carlos Álvarez-Aranyos
Founder, American Opposition