U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta and other members of the New Democrat Coalition National Security Working Group called for an immediate change in the Trump Administration’s national security strategy, according to a May 1 statement.
The group sent a letter to President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the war with Iran neared its 60th day. They said the current approach has led to instability and risk for Americans at home and abroad. “As Members of the New Democrat Coalition National Security Working Group, we write in opposition to the Administration’s approach to national security and to urge an immediate course correction. At a moment of profound global instability, the U.S. needs a strategy that advances our national interests,” wrote Panetta and his colleagues.
The lawmakers criticized what they described as open-ended conflict in Iran, turmoil within the Department of Defense, loss of U.S. servicemembers, strained alliances, and lack of transparency with Congress on key decisions. “Over the past year, this Administration has treated national security as a partisan political matter… The result… is a national security posture that is neither principled nor sustainable,” they said.
The letter outlined four priorities: repairing relationships with allies; focusing defense planning on China; reaffirming military nonpartisanship; and restoring checks between Congress and the executive branch regarding war powers.
Panetta has served in Congress representing California’s 19th District since 2017 according to official records. He was born in Washington D.C., is currently 53 years old, lives in Carmel Valley according to biographical information, graduated from University of California Davis with a BA in 1991 as reported by Wikipedia, then earned his JD from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1996 as reported by Wikipedia.
The letter concluded: “We call on the Administration to halt its current approach to national security, adopt this alternative framework, and return to a bipartisan commitment to our national security.”