Exclusive; Mike Gallagher: The Biden Administration Should Not Warn Enemies Before Taking Action

Mike Gallagher, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on China, told VOA that he believes Joe Biden should not have warned before taking action in response to the drone attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers. Gallagher stated, "The Islamic Republic is attacking our forces in the region, and it is clear that the Quds Force is present in these areas. We should not announce it before taking action." He described the Islamic Republic as the "main source of chaos" in the Middle East and called for an end to the Biden administration's policy of "appeasement and engagement," arguing that it is time for maximum pressure and deterrent action, which includes "military action." Gallagher emphasized that the Islamic Republic "stifles the economic and cultural potential of the beautiful people and country of Iran." He noted that the American people have no conflict with the Iranian people, but it is the regime that hinders Iran's progress. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, stated regarding the type of response to the deadly drone attacks by "Iran-backed extremist militant groups" in Jordan that he has made his decision but does not intend to escalate the conflict in the region. Biden emphasized that since the Islamic Republic provides weapons to groups that carry out attacks against American interests in the region, he holds Tehran responsible for the deaths of these three soldiers. John Kirby, the National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator, also stated on Tuesday that while efforts to find those responsible for the attack that killed the three American soldiers at a base in Jordan are ongoing, the attack clearly bears the characteristics of groups supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Kata'ib Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, committed that the United States would take "all necessary actions" to defend its forces in response to this drone attack. Austin stated that he and Biden will not tolerate attacks on American forces and will take all necessary actions to defend the United States and its troops.