2028 Dem veteran? Uncle Sam wants you.

In the Wake of Operation Epic Fury: Voices from the Frontline of U.S. Foreign Policy

Since President Donald Trump initiated Operation Epic Fury against Iran, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has emerged as a prominent figure, making nearly a dozen media appearances to articulate his often visceral responses to the escalating conflict. A combat veteran who served in Iraq in 2005, Gallego brings a unique perspective to the foreign policy discourse, particularly as he represents a generation shaped by prolonged military engagements.

In various media outlets, Gallego has not shied away from expressing his candid critiques. On CNN’s “The Source with Kaitlin Collins,” he accused Secretary of State Marco Rubio of engaging in “CYA” (cover your ass) tactics, while also noting that the “MAGA base is pissed.” In a poignant interview with the Associated Press, he spoke candidly about living with PTSD, remarking, “It’s not been an easy week.” His reflections extend to his past experiences, recalling the chaos of searching for insurgents in Iraq: “There was no clear direction of what victory looked like, what the end goal was,” he lamented during a discussion on Derek Thompson’s podcast.

Gallego is not navigating these turbulent waters alone. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a Navy captain with combat experience from Operation Desert Storm, has also been active in the media, as has former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a U.S. Navy Reserve intelligence officer who served in Afghanistan. Maryland Governor Wes Moore, with his Army service in Afghanistan, has linked the war’s repercussions to rising gas prices for Maryland residents.

As Democrats grapple with the implications of recent conflicts, there is an emerging discourse about the necessity of having a veteran in the presidential race—someone who can speak credibly on issues of war and national security. Gallego, in an interview with POLITICO, articulated the emotional toll of military service: “You start seeing it happening again, you know, you don’t really think about the politics… You think about the people who are going to be potentially dying. And that’s why I think I was not hesitant to speak my mind on that.”

Later this month, Gallego will participate in a VoteVets Action town hall in San Antonio, Texas, which will feature potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2028. The aim is to introduce “fresh voices to the national conversation”—specifically, veterans who resonate with everyday Americans.

Doug Wilson, a former assistant secretary of Defense for Public Affairs under the Obama administration, emphasized the need for a candidate who embodies strength and judgment in foreign policy, stating that the “Iran war underscores the need” for such a leader.

As the Democratic Party considers its nominees, they may face competition from a Republican ticket enriched with national security credentials, including figures like Marine Iraq war veteran Vice President JD Vance or Marco Rubio with his experience as Secretary of State. Depending on how current conflicts unfold, these credentials could either bolster or hinder their respective campaigns.

Matt Bennett, co-founder of the center-left think tank Third Way, noted that while having military experience could be advantageous for Democrats, its significance in presidential races has historically fluctuated. “In my professional lifetime, foreign policy stuff and national security has mattered in a presidential race once— in 2004,” he remarked, suggesting the issue often fails to dominate the political conversation.

Despite the focus on military experience, some Democratic candidates lacking such credentials have still made their voices heard amid the current news cycle. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) criticized the White House for treating aspects of the war “like a video game,” asserting, “this White House treats war like a game, and it’s a disgrace.”

When asked about the necessity of military service for the party’s nominee, Gallego acknowledged the value of someone who can speak with “credibility” on these issues, while also recognizing the wealth of perspectives within the party. “There needs to be a very balanced way to how we approach the world,” he concluded, emphasizing the importance of nuanced understanding over knee-jerk reactions.

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