McCaul: Standing with President Trump to Finally Lift a Dark Veil of Terror over the Middle East

Forty-seven years ago, the Ayatollah's reign of terror began with weak leadership from President Carter. It will end with strong leadership from President Trump.

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – In 1979, a dark veil descended across the Middle East. Since then, the Iranian regime has operated as the nucleus of the world's most extensive and dangerous terror network.

Ever since the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan — which emboldened our adversaries around the world — Iran has been locked in an "unholy alliance" with China and Russia. For years, Iran has sent lethal drones to Russia to massacre Ukrainians, and now Putin is reportedly returning the favor by providing Iran with intelligence meant to help them target and kill Americans. This is an intolerable escalation by the Kremlin — one they must come to deeply regret.

Iran has also fueled China's military machine through illicit oil sales, while its terrorist proxies — Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah — have sown terror and instability across the world. The regime's legacy of American bloodshed stretches from the bombings of our Marine barracks in Beirut and the USS Cole, to harboring terrorists after 9/11, to backing Hamas’ unprovoked October 7 attacks that killed 46 Americans.

President Trump is right: A regime this murderous cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Thanks to Operation Epic Fury, that will never happen. The dark shroud that covered the Middle East for nearly five decades has been lifted, and the people of Iran — who have suffered greatly at the hands of the Ayatollah — finally have a chance for freedom.

Despite these truths, Congressional Democrats attempted to strip President Trump of his ability to conduct Operation Epic Fury — tying the hands of our commander-in-chief in the middle of a crucial military operation. I took to the House floor this week to urge my colleagues to stand with the president and our military to finally close this dark chapter of history. Click below to watch my full speech:

Forty-seven years ago, the Ayatollah's reign of terror began with weak leadership from President Carter. It will end with strong leadership from President Trump.

I joined Fox News on Sunday to discuss this issue more in depth, and to demand Democrats fund the Department of Homeland Security without delay.

As a former chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I know all too well how sleeper cells can execute foreign-inspired or foreign-directed acts of terrorism within our borders.
 
We have already seen that happen in Austin, where three people were tragically killed over the weekend at the hands of a suspected terrorist. I commend our law enforcement officers, first responders, and many brave civilian heroes at the scene who worked swiftly to save lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims' loved ones and all of those who are recovering from their injuries as our community grieves this tragic incident.

This shooting was a heartbreaking reminder that we are dealing with a heightened threat environment. Democrats must put politics aside and immediately fund DHS to ensure it is equipped to protect American lives.