What began as a family Christmas trip ended in devastation after a targeted arson attack destroyed the Washington, D.C., home of a U.S. Space Force officer on Dec. 28, 2025.
According to the Daily Caller, Major Jason “Red” Mills, his wife, and their infant daughter were out of town when their D.C. home was set ablaze in what investigators have called an intentional act, compounded by anti-military and anti-Trump vandalism discovered at the scene.
Mills received a 5 a.m. call from D.C. police alerting him that his property was engulfed in flames. The family had been celebrating Christmas in Florida when the arson occurred, and tragically, their family cat did not survive the blaze.
Vandalism Highlights Aggressive Anti-Military Sentiment
Officials confirmed the fire was deliberately set in two isolated parts of the home—one in the kitchen, another in the basement. A suspect was later apprehended and found with items taken from inside the house, signaling what authorities believe was a targeted operation rather than a random crime.
Adding insult to injury, Mills’ nearby car was discovered vandalized with messages such as “F*** Trump,” “F*** you space man,” and “F*** U.S.D.S.” The vehicle was also damaged internally, with ink smeared across the dashboard, interior mirrors removed, and paperwork ransacked throughout the car’s cabin. One sticker referencing the Air Force Research Laboratory was prominently defaced with a large “X,” indicating that the suspect had a clear agenda and was not simply acting at random.
Family Believes Military Status Played a Role
Mills believes his appearance in uniform may have made him more visible in his neighborhood, which he points out is far from being a hub of military culture. “I do go to and from work, from the subway,” he told The Daily Caller, “and I live in a part of D.C. where [the military doesn’t typically live].”
He added, “I’m the only person even remotely nearby that would ever be in uniform, so they may have seen something going from my house, just in uniform every day.” That appears, unfortunately, to have been enough to make the Mills family a target.
In a city increasingly allergic to both military uniforms and traditionally conservative symbols, this attack serves as a chilling reminder that simply serving your country visibly can be dangerous in the wrong zip code.
Hazmat Suits and Humbling Recoveries
Upon their return, Mills and his wife donned hazmat suits to comb through the ruins of their home. The destruction was thorough, but the family managed to recover a few sentimental items—including a hospital bracelet belonging to their daughter and some framed baby photos. It’s a sobering scene—young officers who signed up to serve their country now sifting through the ashes of their lives, not overseas, but here in our nation’s capital.
Acts like these force the uncomfortable question of whether the anti-military climate brewing in some urban corridors has crossed a line from rhetoric to risk. If a service uniform now paints a target, that’s not discourse—it’s hatred.
Community Rallies, Military Circles Show Strong Support
Despite this traumatic event, the Mills family has found hope in the outpouring of support. A GoFundMe campaign set up shortly after the incident raised about $90,000 in just four days.
Among the supporters was Jared Isaacman, Trump’s NASA administrator, who quietly contributed $10,000 to the relief effort. Support has also poured in from the schools where Mills once taught, former students, and fellow service members. “Me and the family are super, super thankful for all the support we’ve been shown so far,” Mills said. He described the donations, particularly from students, as “way above and beyond anything we expected… It’s been frankly overwhelming and in the best possible way.”
Broader Concerns About Safety For Military Families
Both Jason Mills and his wife are longtime service members, having joined the U.S. military in the early 2010s and now serving together in the Space Force. This was not their first duty-related hardship—military life is rarely easy—but it may have been the most personal attack they've faced.
Mills reported the incident to his chain of command, citing the clearly targeted nature of the arson. His superiors’ response, he said, was swift and supportive—an important note during what could easily feel like an isolating situation. “I would say there is a general anti-military sentiment in certain parts of D.C. nowadays,” Mills remarked. That’s not alarmism. It’s an honest observation born of experience—and scorched walls.
