More than 100 former U.S. astronauts have formed Astronauts for America, a bipartisan nonprofit focused on defending democratic institutions and the rule of law.
The group plans to publish candidate scorecards and hold officials publicly accountable for violations of constitutional norms. In an open letter it warned of a "steady erosion" of founding values; a co‑founder said an "un‑American" immigration raid helped spur the effort.
More than 100 former U.S. astronauts have launched a bipartisan nonprofit, Astronauts for America, aimed at protecting American democratic institutions and the rule of law, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The group — which brings together Democrats, Republicans and independents — says it will issue public scorecards for political candidates and hold public officials accountable if they flout constitutional norms and the rule of law.
In an open letter, the organization warned of a "steady erosion of our founding values and principles," saying that trend has led to "political polarization and subversion of key constitutional and institutional norms." The letter did not single out any individual by name.
A co‑founder told reporters he was moved to help start the group after witnessing what he described as an "un‑American" immigration raid at a carwash, an incident he said highlighted threats to civil liberties and democratic standards.
Leaders of Astronauts for America say they intend to use the astronauts' public credibility and bipartisan membership to elevate civic debate, though detailed criteria and methodology for their candidate scores have not yet been released.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
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