Jack Reed: “I applaud the Army for making readiness their number one priority.”

Still, this episode highlights the impulsive and dysfunctional civilian leadership from the White House and U.S. Department of Defense.

It is far past time for President Trump to recognize the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defense.

His administration removed Nicolás Maduro from power, threw its weight behind the unelected leadership that replaced Maduro, and is now attempting to use U.S. military assets and taxpayer-backed financing to boost a private oil venture.

President Trump has been explicit about his desire to extract Venezuela's oil," Reed said in a statement.