House Democrats have relaunched their National Security Task Force, aiming to assert stronger congressional oversight of foreign policy under President Donald Trump.
The task force, led by House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), has four co-chairs: Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, and Derek Tran of California. All four have a military background and emphasized their continued commitment to public service as they outlined their vision for the group.
“House Democrats are committed to keeping the American people safe, protecting American interests and ensuring America remains the leader of the free world,” Aguilar said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said that Trump and House Republicans lacked “the courage and moral clarity” needed to navigate national security challenges.
The task force will focus on issues ranging from Russian aggression in Ukraine and China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific to the internal decisions shaping U.S. foreign policy, according to the statement. Members say the group will also scrutinize the president’s strike on Iran over the weekend, which Aguilar said occurred without congressional approval.
Crow, a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he would bring a “servant leadership” approach to the task force.
“My time in the Army taught me the essence of servant leadership,” he said. “Servant leaders lead by example, jumping out of the plane first and eating last. Sadly, this is not the leadership we are seeing from President Trump. Instead, this administration’s reckless actions are making us less safe. As the co-chair of the House Democrats’ National Security Task Force, I will work to protect America’s national security and hold the Trump administration accountable.”
Goodlander, a Navy Reserve intelligence officer, said the task force would offer steady leadership in a time of what she called global uncertainty.
“America needs fighters in the United States Congress who will cut through the chaos, lead with a can-do spirit, and deliver on strengthening our national security and keeping the American people safe,” she said.
Sherrill, a Navy veteran and former Russian policy officer, criticized Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for what she described as politicizing military institutions.
“Under Donald Trump and Secretary [Pete] Hegseth, we’ve seen national security turned into a political prop—with chaos at the Pentagon, the sidelining of experienced military leaders, and decisions that put partisan loyalty ahead of America’s safety,” said Sherrill. “This reckless approach threatens the strength of our military and the security of our nation.”
The Epoch Times reached out to the White House and the Pentagon for a response to the claims regarding Trump and Hegseth, but did not hear back before publication time.
Tran, who enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 18 and served during Operation Noble Eagle, said he was committed to protecting America’s role as a global democratic leader.
“Growing Russian aggression toward Ukraine and China’s rapid expansion into the Indo-Pacific are defining issues of our time,” Tran said. “I’ll continue to hold this administration accountable and ensure that our national security priorities reflect the best interests of the American people.”
The National Security Task Force was first launched in 2017 by a group of Democratic lawmakers with military and Pentagon experience. At the time, it was seen as a way for Democrats—then fully out of power in Washington as they are now—to assert a foreign policy vision distinct from the Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress.
Now, with Trump back in office, House Democrats claim the stakes are even higher. The task force will consult national security experts and provide recommendations to the broader Democratic Caucus, they said in the statement. Members say they hope to restore stability, professionalism, and clarity to U.S. global strategy while preparing for a possible return to majority control after the 2026 midterms.
