The group was also the only Uyghur group to sign onto an open letter authored by retired U.S. Navy Captain James E. Fanell, the former director of intelligence and information operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, urging President Donald Trump to "stay the course" and continue his policy of being tough on China.[16] The letter was rebutting a previous letter titled "China is Not the Enemy" written in the Washington Post which urged President Donald Trump to cooperate with China.