President Trump promised Missourians that his foreign policy would make America respected on the world stage again, rebuild our military and act decisively to address threats confronting our nation — but also pursue a foreign policy that would prevent us from becoming engaged once again in “forever wars” with no clearly defined objective. This is a president clearly committed to peace — after all, he has ended eight wars and conflicts around the globe since taking office — but also a president who will act boldly and decisively to protect the American people.
In the early morning of Feb. 28, the United States launched Operation Epic Fury, which killed Ayatollah Khamenei and much of Iran’s senior military leadership, who have openly supported a violent campaign of terror against the United States for decades. The strike also delivered a blow against Iran’s military capabilities by targeting its missile programs and nuclear weapons development.
The Iranian regime has funded terrorism across the globe, armed violent proxy groups, openly called for “Death to America,” and called for the assassination of President Donald Trump. Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, and the House of Representatives reaffirmed that designation just this week in strong bipartisan fashion. Ayatollah Khamenei was responsible for destabilizing the Middle East and threatening American troops, allies and interests abroad for decades. Allowing a regime like that to grow stronger by developing nuclear weapons would put even more innocent lives at risk.
President Trump took this decisive action against Iran only after sending negotiators to hammer out a peace accord. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with the Iranians the week before, and it was the Iranians — not the United States — who refused to pursue peace. The administration briefed Congress on its operation and its goals, and I believe it is President Trump’s intention to ensure the future of Iran is left up to the Iranian people — and not to make it the responsibility of the American military.
Much of the operation in Iran was carried out by Missouri’s own B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, one of the most advanced aircraft ever built. During the operation, our B-2 bombers dropped dozens of 2,000-pound bombs on Iran’s missile facilities and obliterated military targets pivotal for the regime’s constant aggression. I am incredibly grateful for our servicemembers’ work to carry out this attack, and I know for a fact that their actions made the region and the world a safer place than before.
In the wake of Operation Epic Fury were the alarming actions of a 501(c) group that sent out an action alert to its members to launch anti-U.S. protests 10 minutes before President Trump even announced the strikes. The ANSWER Coalition, a nonprofit funded by American- born billionaire Neville Roy Singham, who has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party, mobilized its network of activists to sow chaos and dissension in the streets of America following the president’s actions.
What’s more, The People’s Forum — another group in Singham’s network of nonprofits funded by his CCP-friendly wallet — is organizing another protest in New York City that is sure to continue its blueprint of instigating division and unrest.
Under my leadership, the Ways and Means Committee repeatedly called on the Biden IRS and is now working with the Trump IRS to investigate and potentially revoke the tax-exempt status of groups under Singham’s umbrella, as well as any other nonprofits tied to foreign adversaries. Tax-exempt status is a privilege, not a right, and it must never be used as cover for foreign propaganda or activity that threatens American security.
I know President Trump is deeply committed to peace, and I have confidence that every Missourian is safer and more secure today because of the president’s bold, decisive action. My prayers are with our servicemembers carrying out these targeted attacks, and I am hopeful that all Americans will come together to support our men and women of the Armed Forces.
