Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has emerged the most articulate proponent for an ‘America First’ non-interventionist foreign policy in Congress. The ardently pro-Trump lawmaker is reaching across party lines to stop an aggressive war with Iran.
Gaetz talked Iran during an interview with the Sinclair broadcast group where he acknowledged the reality of the threat posed to the U.S. by the Islamic Republic.
“The sanctions and the maximum pressure campaign are working, and demonstrating to Iran that they are not going to continue to be able to exist outside of international norms,” Gaetz said.
“Right now the uranium enrichment that is going on in Iran is problematic. It is troubling, but it is nowhere near weapons-grade enrichment of uranium. Of course, if Iran breaks to the bomb, the destabilizing effect that that will have throughout the Middle East will be severe, and that may draw the United States into conflict,” Gaetz said.
While Gaetz admits that Iran is a threat, he does not believe that the U.S. should get into a conflict with them because they have not attacked military personnel.
“Iran hasn’t broken to the bomb yet. They haven’t done anything to kill any Americans as a consequence of these uproars. They have gone after some oil from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and they’ve knocked down a U.S. robot. I don’t think we have to avenge that with blood,” Gaetz said.
“And that’s why I stand in support of a Trump doctrine of restraint in the Middle East. I mean, heck, I think we should end one of the last two Middle East wars we have started before we begin the next one,” he added.
Gaetz has spearheaded a bipartisan alliance with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) for Congress to re-assert its power to authorize war with Iran. They are working on amendment to the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that would prevent the use of force on Iran without Congressional approval.
I’m proud to co-sponsor @RepRoKhanna & @RepMattGaetz amendment to #NDAA for FY2020 to prohibit unauthorized military force against Iran. It’s time for Congress to reassert its authority to oversee the use of military force, and this bipartisan amendment does just that with Iran.
— Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) July 10, 2019
He gave a speech to Congress in May where he outlined goals for a humble foreign policy that echoed the sentiments of retired Texas Congressman and libertarian icon Ron Paul.
“We have been in Afghanistan for nearly two decades. It is the longest war in our nation’s history… In Afghanistan, after two decades have passed, trillions spent, and thousands of American lives lost, the situation on the ground is actually getting worse!”
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) May 22, 2019
"The examples of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya — just to name a few — teach us that it is an illusion to think that just beyond the life of every dictator lies a peaceful democracy, rather than generations of anarchy, violence, terrorism, and chaos."
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) May 22, 2019
"The Trump Doctrine would prioritize securing the US border with Mexico before we send Americans to die on the Saudi border with Yemen. Stronger borders, energy dominance & a thriving American economy do more for American security than ill-fated interventionist excursions." pic.twitter.com/c8ESw8i1fz
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) May 22, 2019
Gaetz is a rising liberty star in the Republican Congress during a time when the liberty movement needs a leader. He may be the man who can unite libertarian Republicans and Trump populists into a substantial coalition against endless wars.
