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- Derek Weston via fox - Politics
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- Politics·3 min to read
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Republican lawmaker says Trump must choose between winning or ending Iran war
ReRepublican lawmaker says Trump must choose between winning or ending Iran war
Rep. Pat Harrigan, a Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, says Americans are frustrated that the Iran war is not over and calls on the administration to decide whether to win or withdraw before the midterms.
A Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee says the Trump administration faces a clear decision on the U.S.-Iran war, and that continuing on its current course is no longer acceptable. Rep. Pat Harrigan of North Carolina told Fox News Digital ahead of the midterm elections that "continuing to do just enough not to lose, but not enough to win, is not OK."
Harrigan said he shares the frustration of his constituents and many Americans that the conflict has not ended. "I'm very, very frustrated that this war is not over," he said, adding that the administration needed to carry out the operation and conclude it in a short period of time, and that it has not yet done so. He said the war was inevitable at some point because Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, but argued that the party in power and the administration that launched the strikes are responsible for the outcome.
The remarks came as Vice President JD Vance told viewers during a Fox News town hall on Thursday that Trump "is not going to let Iran become a forever war." Official and military sources also told Fox News this week that movements are being made in the Middle East to give the president options should he decide to resume strikes against Iran.
Harrigan laid out two paths. The administration could do what it takes to win in Iran, or it could declare that the largely accomplished strategic objectives are sufficient and accept a long-term posture of monitoring. He noted that the U.S. has prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and eliminated Tehran's missile and drone production, while acknowledging that more work remains, including consistent monitoring of Iran's nuclear program. "We've got to choose one of those two options," he said. "It's not OK for the American people, it's not OK for our troops, it's not OK for geopolitical and economic stability."
Harrigan also said Trump "needs to involve Congress" if he chooses to renew military action against the Iranian regime. He pointed to Congress's control over government funding, warning that if lawmakers run out of money to support the objectives, that would damage U.S. strategic interests. "Congress and the White House need to be very closely involved in making the next set of decisions that exist for this conflict," he said.
Harrigan, a Green Beret and business entrepreneur, is seeking re-election in North Carolina's 10th Congressional District on Tuesday. He faces Democrat Ashley Bell, a physician associate, and Libertarian Steve Feldman, who ran unsuccessfully for the seat two years ago. Harrigan told Fox News there is "no question" the Republican House majority is at stake, arguing that whoever holds 218 votes will chart the House's direction, including whether Trump faces impeachment. "What's on the line this election cycle," he said, is the future direction of the country.
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