“[Letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles from the top Democratic appropriators, demanding the ad be taken off the air immediately:] This is the sort of government propaganda one might expect in North Korea, not the United States of America.
Statements (17)
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments. … As Americans face rising prices for gas, food, housing, and more, President Trump is rolling out the red carpet for President Xi and hosting closed-door dinners so his billionaire friends can strike deals that threaten American jobs and national security. … He must stand with Taiwan and not let China veto American support for Taiwan's defense. … We can't let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it's weakness. [Joint statement by Sens. Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Warren and Andy Kim.]
“[We call for an] immediate investigation by relevant Inspectors General, with a higher degree of public transparency in the ultimate findings, given the impacts these perceived failures have on public confidence in our intelligence and warfighting missions.
“Secretary Hegseth is cultivating a culture where dissent is punished and competence is secondary to personal allegiance.
“He worked to transform the Army for the battlefield of the future, and he engaged with Congress candidly and consistently.
“The President has waged this war without public support or congressional consent, and it is far past time for accountability.
“When he unilaterally launched this war, Trump promised he would destroy Iran's nuclear program, eliminate its missile and drone arsenal, dismantle its defense industrial base, wipe out its proxy networks, and topple the regime in a matter of weeks. Six months later, not a single objective has been achieved. Indeed, he has weakened our position in the Middle East and the world significantly.
“We urge the Israeli government to immediately rescind these tenders, halt settlement expansion in the West Bank, and take urgent action to rein in settler violence.
“We write to reiterate our alarm about the potential for a dangerous collapse in the West Bank now that the only two Israeli banks providing vital services have indicated difficulties with banking waivers.
“This is another inane, haphazard decision by President Trump and his chaotic administration. America's alliances are built on trust and strength. When President Trump cuts military exercises to flatter a dictator or punishes South Korea for declining to join a war he started, all of our allies — and adversaries — think that America's commitments are negotiable. China and Russia are watching how easily this president abandons America's allies, and they will remember it the next time they test us.
“mounting evidence that conditions aboard the carrier have deteriorated to the point that the safety and wellbeing of its crew could be compromised
“The Trump family appears to be gaming the system to enrich itself at the expense of ordinary taxpayers.
“Nearly five months into a high-cost, low-return war that has failed to make America more secure, President Trump should not be asking for more money without first seeking authorization from Congress and the American people. DOD has plenty of money. It lacks the right priorities and sensible civilian leadership. Their actions are driving up prices, costing U.S. servicemember lives, and depleting important weapon stockpiles.
“This all seems to be an obvious abuse of power by the Department of Justice, by the president. He negotiated essentially with himself. You're his appointee, the IRS are his appointees, he's the plaintiff.
“If Secretary Hegseth's decision to remove four decorated officers from a promotion list after having been selected by their peers for their merit and performance is accurate, it would be illegal. Denying the promotions of individual officers based on their race or gender would betray every principle of merit-based service military officers uphold throughout their careers.
“The killing of school children is appalling and unacceptable under any circumstance. Secretary Hegseth needs to ensure the Department of Defense's ongoing investigation into this strike is thorough.
“Firing uniformed leaders as a type of political loyalty test, or for reasons relating to diversity and gender that have nothing to do with performance, erodes the trust and professionalism that our servicemembers require to achieve their missions.