House Minority Leader Opposes U.S. Ground Forces in Middle East
On ABC’s “This Week” over the weekend, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) stated, “There is no situation where we should send U.S. ground forces to the Middle East.”
A partial transcription follows:
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I’d like to welcome Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader of the House. Thank you for being here this morning. What’s your take on the recent developments?
JEFFRIES: We’re grateful that our special forces heroically rescued another American Airman. We continue to pray for the safety and well-being of all our service members on these perilous battlefields. It’s clear that Donald Trump led us into this reckless war without a plan, strategic goals, or a clear way out. Billions are being spent daily on military actions in the Middle East, despite Trump’s earlier promise to avoid such conflicts.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You’ve expressed your opposition to war, but what do you believe should happen next?
JEFFRIES: That’s precisely the dilemma; Trump has pulled us into a chaotic war without clarifying his strategy or how it will benefit Americans. What we’ve seen instead is a troubling spike in gas prices, particularly during a time when many are struggling financially in the U.S.
He was supposed to deliver a speech about this incident to the American people a few days ago, but he did not succeed in doing so.
STEPHANOPOULOS: He’s now threatening to escalate the situation further if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t opened by Tuesday. Can this situation be resolved without U.S. ground forces?
JEFFRIES: There absolutely should be no scenario in which U.S. ground forces are sent to the Middle East. This war is highly unpopular among Americans for numerous reasons. The public does not support putting ground troops at risk in a conflict that lacks clear evidence of enhancing our national security. Instead, we see the situation worsening, with multiple countries involved and countless taxpayer dollars being allocated abroad. Yet, the administration is unwilling to invest in making life more affordable for everyday Americans.
