Washington (CNN) The ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee has penned a letter criticizing President Donald Trump's recent rhetoric surrounding a group of migrants currently traveling toward the US border through Mexico.

In the letter, dated November 1 and addressed to Trump, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island calls on the President to "demonstrate leadership and strength rather than fear and weakness" following the administration's announcement earlier this week that 5,200 troops would be deployed to nation's southern border.

"Your recent pronouncements regarding migrant caravans in southern Mexico mischaracterize the situation, are unlikely to achieve effective border security, and do not reflect the best attributes of our country," Reed wrote.

In an effort to rile up voter enthusiasm, the President has dubbed next week's midterm elections "an election of the caravan."

"It's going to be an election of the caravan," Trump said at a campaign rally in Missoula, Montana, in October. "You know what I'm talking about."

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