Panetta Statement Regarding President Donald Trump's Speech on Afghanistan

SALINAS – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), a veteran of the Global War on Terror and a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's speech on Afghanistan:

"In his address to the American people, President Trump outlined a regional strategy to prevent terrorists from using Afghanistan as a safe haven to launch attacks against the United States and to stabilize South Asia. As a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, I have seen up close the challenges we face in seeking to meet those objectives and understand how important it is to revisit our strategy for what is the longest war in U.S. history.

"I am concerned that President Trump's proposal lacks details, including on U.S. troop levels and on the vital use of diplomacy to seek stability in the region. Our brave men and women in uniform deserve a detailed strategy with realistic objectives that will bring them home, not vague promises that maintain our open-ended commitment in Afghanistan. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will be seeking further information from the Administration on this strategy."