Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Trump Administration’s Counterterrorism "Strategy"
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Trump administration releasing its Counterterrorism Strategy:
“The Trump administration’s counterterrorism strategy is – unsurprisingly – no strategy at all. It is a document full of fake administration counterterrorism ‘achievements,’ including mass deportations and more than 40 unauthorized and deadly military strikes on vessels in the Western Hemisphere. There are zero strategic objectives, lines of effort, or agency assignments.
“Absurdly, the document incorrectly labels drug cartels, ‘legacy Islamist terrorists,’ and violent left-wing extremists as the top counterterrorism threats – despite years of data proving that right-wing extremism has presented the most persistent and deadly threats to Americans for decades. Perhaps even more deranged is the failure to mention terrorism threats stemming from Trump's unnecessary war with Iran and also the attack on the Intelligence Community, which is working tirelessly to identify and thwart related terrorism plotting.
“Americans – especially during war – deserve leadership that is clear-eyed about genuine terrorism threats and capable of executing a real counterterrorism plan with specific objectives and actions and proper resource allocation.
“Last week, we wrote Chairman Garbarino demanding a hearing with administration officials on U.S. counterterrorism efforts. This lackluster strategy requires that the hearing be scheduled immediately. I look forward to him scheduling one promptly.”
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