Mr. Donald J. Trump

President of the United States of America

October 18, 2025

Dear Mr. President,

We respectfully urge the United States of America to take swift and decisive action in pressing the Iraqi government to guarantee the independence and impartiality of the Independent High Electoral Commission. It is imperative that the Commission be empowered to make decisions free from external influence and to deliver justice, particularly in light of recent incidents involving the arbitrary exclusion and marginalization of numerous candidates, while at the same time overlooking cases linked to armed factions and militias.

Such practices represent a clear violation of Article 9 of the Iraqi Constitution of 2005, which explicitly prohibits the participation of the armed forces in the peaceful transfer of power, thus barring their involvement in the voting process.

We further call on the Iraqi government to ensure a secure and just environment for all candidates by holding accountable those involved in networks of organized crime, political assassinations, and intimidation. Recent events—including the assassination of a candidate ( Safaa al- Mashdani ) in the Tarmiyah district near Baghdad by means of an explosive device placed beneath his vehicle—highlight the urgent need for robust protections for the electoral process.

These campaigns of intimidation and violence fundamentally undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming elections, for which credible indicators suggest that voter turnout may fall below 20%. Such low participation would cast significant doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral outcomes.

In this critical moment, we appeal to the United States administration to stand in solidarity with the Iraqi people and uphold their aspirations for a fair, transparent, and democratic process.

Thank you. 

Raymond George