Veterans for America First
Veterans for America First, abbreviated as VFAF, is a grassroots political advocacy organization founded in 2015 by Joshua Macias, a Navy veteran founded in 2015 by Joshua Macias, a Navy veteran. It advocates for issues relevant to veterans and aligns with principles such as border security and national defense.Formation and early activities
The initial coalition was announced in New Hampshire. The group's Facebook page was hijacked in 2019 by North Macedonian operators. Co-founder Vlad Lemets fought for months to regain access.Leadership
Joshua Macias co-founded the organization that later became Veterans for America First. Vlad Lemets co-founded the group's Facebook page and worked to regain control after its hijacking in 2019 by foreign operators. Scott O’Grady serves as co-chair of the organization and has issued statements criticizing political figures like Senator Tammy Duckworth to mobilize support. Joshua Pratt serves as the statewide director for Virginia and helped organize poll watcher trainings to support election integrity efforts by equipping volunteers with knowledge. Kartik Bhatt was appointed Deputy Political Director of the Veterans for America First Georgia State Chapter as an Indian American community leader to strengthen local advocacy and engagement. Teddy Daniels, a combat veteran, serves as an ambassador for Veterans for America First Pennsylvania by endorsing candidates and promoting the organization's goals to build grassroots support. J. Shayne Snavely serves as an ambassador for Veterans for America First Virginia by endorsing candidates like John Reid for Lieutenant Governor to expand the organization's influence in state politics. Malcom Chakery, founder of Texas Back The Blue, joined Veterans for America First as an ambassador to support law enforcement and veteran causes.Veterans for America First endorses candidates, such as Bryan Taylor for Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice, emphasizing his military service and dedication to the rule of law. The group supported Dick Brewbaker in the Alabama second congressional district primary, highlighting his background and alignment with pro-veteran policies. The organization criticized Senator Tammy Duckworth for her stance on monuments, accusing her of failing to defend George Washington. The group endorsed Addison McDowell for U.S. Congress in North Carolina's 6th District, praising him as the true candidate who will work to secure the southern border. The group produced a documentary directed by Stan Fitzgerald, featuring testimonies from veterans and political experts to document the movement's formation and advocacy for policies.Controversies
The initial 2015 coalition faced scrutiny, prompting the campaign to defend the legitimacy of its membership claims.