Dear President Trump,

Your first term as President of the United States left an indelible mark on American history and set a precedent for what it means to truly challenge the establishment. You brought an unprecedented shake-up to Washington and reminded Americans of the power they held to change the system. Through your “America First” doctrine, you refocused priorities on working-class Americans and brought attention to the forgotten communities sidelined by decades of elite-driven policy failures. By renegotiating unfair trade deals, revitalizing domestic manufacturing, and championing a strong border policy, you set an example for a government that would actually work for its people.

You demonstrated time and again that you weren’t afraid to call out entrenched interests and didn’t shrink back from the fights that matter to everyday Americans. Despite enduring relentless attacks from corporate media, entrenched bureaucrats, and even members of your own party, you showed that it’s possible to take on the establishment and still make progress. Under your administration, Americans witnessed the growth of the greatest economy in modern history, a record-low unemployment rate for minorities, a stronger border that secured American sovereignty in a way we had not seen in years, and a peaceful world with the stunning Abraham Accords.

But the war lobby is gearing up for Round Two. And this time, they’re looking for an opening in your potential administration to pull the strings, influence foreign policy, and return America to endless wars and foreign entanglements that profit only the Washington elite. They know that as soon as you have a foot back in the door of the White House, their chances at big contracts, increased defense budgets, and interventionist policies will hinge on whether they can influence your cabinet. This is why it’s imperative to keep the neoconservatives, the war hawks, and those aligned with the military-industrial complex as far from your circle as possible.

You know better than anyone that personnel is policy. During your first term, some of the very people you trusted to implement your vision later betrayed you. This betrayal was nowhere more apparent than in national security and foreign policy, where individuals pushed their own agendas, undermining your vision of a restrained, America-first foreign policy. From leaks to outright defiance, their loyalties always seemed to lie with the entrenched establishment and the war lobby rather than with the bold movement you built. They twisted your desire to strengthen America into actions that only deepened our military commitments abroad, making you look like a commander swayed by the very forces you opposed.

This time around, you cannot afford the luxury of misplaced trust. You’ve said yourself that people inevitably return to their true nature—and you’re right. The likes of Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley, John Kelly, and John Bolton, among other career hawks, will always align with the interests of the military-industrial complex, no matter what they promise in the lead-up to an election. These people want influence, not loyalty; power, not progress. Their allegiance lies with the Washington machine and those who profit from a perpetual state of conflict.

If you allow the neoconservatives back into your administration, they’ll bring with them the same deceptions that led to our endless wars. They will paint grand visions of American leadership on the world stage but leave out the high costs paid by American families and servicemen and women. They will push for confrontations abroad under the guise of national security, but only at the expense of the working-class Americans you swore to protect. And as before, they’ll look for any reason to undermine you when it suits their interests. These are the same people who’ll seize any moment of perceived weakness or opportunity to smear you, orchestrate leaks, and even back impeachment efforts if it serves their ends.

Mr. President, the movement you created—rooted in patriotism, economic sovereignty, and the restoration of American values—depends on your ability to hold the line. The war lobby and its allies are already celebrating in Washington, convinced they’ll have a seat at the table. But we both know they have no real loyalty to you nor to the Americans who elected you. Keep these people out of your cabinet. Keep the war lobby out of the Oval Office. Guard your administration against the same forces that once obstructed your vision, and with them at bay, you can secure an even more powerful legacy in a second term.