A few weeks ago, I wrote an essay calling for the release of Thomas Caldwell, a retired naval officer who is one of hundreds of American patriots undergoing Soviet show-trial-style persecution by the US Justice Department for coming out to support the re-election of President Trump on Capitol Hill on January 6. 

Like so many of these cases, a careful reading of the court documents reveals the case to be especially egregious. It is apparent that the government has "mounted a deeply flawed case based on reckless and numerous errors about the accused. These errors alone should lead to the case's dismissal," as I wrote last month.

Now. Sharon Caldwell, retired Lt Commander Caldwell's wife, writes in:

Dear Ms. West,

A friend of mine just forwarded me your article regarding recent developments in my husband's case which you published on March 14th, 2021.  My husband is Thomas Caldwell.

I am so overwhelmed and amazed by your article I almost don't know what to say, except Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!  When I read it to my husband, he cried tears of joy.  Finally, finally -- a media article by someone who seems to get it!  

I cannot tell you what a nightmare this whole experience has been for us (and will continue to be).  We are very normal, average people who love our country, and cherish our Constitution and Bill of Rights.  We never in a million years thought anything like this could happen to us. 

Beyond the anxiety and worry of being charged with these crimes -- and I know my husband is totally innocent of all charges -- my husband and I have always said (even before all of this happened):  "Go ahead and call me fat, call me ugly (some of this might be true), but don't LIE about me."  It is very distressing to see gross misinformation and lies printed about my husband all over the world in various media, and especially distressing to feel like you have been silenced and you have no way to defend yourself nor to get the truth out there.

I applaud Judge Mehta for 'calling out' and admonishing MIchael Sherwin for saying what he did on CBS News and 60 Minutes, and to warn all of the attorneys in this case to not talk inappropriately to the media because he will not allow this case to be tried in the media.   That's good -- but the problem is, it already has been 'tried in the media' from our standpoint.  And only one side has been presented so far.  Jurors minds have already been tainted by the lies promoted by the DOJ and distributed by incompetent media.  Everybody remembers the headline, but nobody remembers the retraction.

At any rate, I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the true research you have done, and your discernment of the situation.

Thank you so very much again.  Your article has been such a bright spot for both my husband and myself -- and believe me, we need all the bright spots we can get right now.

Warm regards,

Sharon Caldwell