INTERVIEW: 30 GOP lawmakers explain why they support Trump's moves to dismantle Iran's nuclear program
THE LOWDOWN:
House and Senate Republicans sent President Donald Trump an unequivocal message during his first trip abroad: stay the course with his hardline anti-nuclear Iran policy.
Thirty House and Senate Republicans exclusively told the Washington Reporter why they signed on to the letters.
The RSC’s Vice Chairman, Rep. Ben Cline (R., Va.), told the Reporter that his committee “fully supports the administration’s renewed commitment to a maximum pressure strategy — an approach the Biden administration recklessly abandoned, emboldening the Tehran regime.”
Sen. James Lankford (R., Okla.), another Senate signatory to the letter, exclusively told the Reporter that “Iran should never be allowed to enrich uranium or develop ballistic missiles — not now, not ever.”
House and Senate Republicans sent President Donald Trump an unequivocal message during his first trip abroad: stay the course with his hardline anti-nuclear Iran policy.
Every Senate Republican except for Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) signed on to a letter led by Sens. Pete Ricketts (R., Neb.) and Ted Cruz (R., Texas.) and almost every House Republican signed a letter led by Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas), the chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), that urged Trump to “permanently eliminate” the ability for the “Iranian regime” to “enrich uranium.”
"I'm heartened that this letter conveyed the nearly universal consensus within the Republican Party that we support the President's efforts to diplomatically secure the complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear capabilities,” Cruz told the Washington Reporter. “The President has been clear about this red line and that dismantlement is a prerequisite to any verifiable deal. This letter unequivocally signals that Republican lawmakers understand that position and necessity.”
Thirty House and Senate Republicans exclusively told the Washington Reporter why they signed on to the letters.
The signatories represent the full spectrum of the Republican Party, and send a message that Republicans in Congress are united behind President Trump’s red line that Iran cannot have any nuclear enrichment capability in any deal.
“Max Pressure worked - that’s a fact,” Rep. Kevin Hern (R., Okla.), a former RSC Chair and current Chair of the Republican Policy Committee in House GOP leadership told the Reporter. “The Biden a destroyed it for no reason other than President Trump’s name was on it, and American national security has suffered because of that decision. We stand ready to support the President in combatting a nuclear Iran, and we want him to know that Congress has his back.”
The RSC’s Vice Chairman, Rep. Ben Cline (R., Va.), told the Reporter that his committee “fully supports the administration’s renewed commitment to a maximum pressure strategy — an approach the Biden administration recklessly abandoned, emboldening the Tehran regime.”
We believe this strategy must be carried out to completion to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon,” Cline added.
“Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon poses a serious threat to the United States and our allies,” Cline continued. “I’m proud to support President Trump’s efforts to fully dismantle Iran’s enrichment program and return to a maximum pressure strategy that worked…We must stand firm and ensure Iran never has the capability to develop a nuclear weapon.”
“President Trump’s recent tour of the Middle East made one thing clear: his Administration is once again leading the charge to counter the threat from Iran and restore American strength on the world stage. The Republican Study Committee fully supports the Administration’s renewed commitment to a maximum pressure strategy—an approach the Biden Administration recklessly abandoned, emboldening the Tehran regime. We believe this strategy must be carried out to completion to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.”
Others had even simpler reasons for signing: “We cannot allow Iran to threaten Israel with an atomic bomb,” Rep. Bryan Steil (R., Wis.) said.
Republicans in both chambers explained to the Reporter that it’s important to “let President Trump lead on this.” Sen. Jim Justice (R., W.Va.) told the Reporter that he is “confident he’ll stand rock solid firm against Iran’s nuclear weapons. There will be no compromise — nor should there be. The President has made it clear he won’t tolerate anything less. I fully support this mission to protect our national security and keep America safe and keep Iran in check.”
Sen. James Lankford (R., Okla.), another Senate signatory to the letter, exclusively told the Reporter that “Iran should never be allowed to enrich uranium or develop ballistic missiles — not now, not ever.”
“As the largest state sponsor of terrorism, the Iranian regime cannot be trusted with nuclear capabilities of any kind,” he said. “I strongly support President Trump’s efforts to secure a deal that leads to the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program. A strong, enforceable agreement with zero enrichment must be the standard.”
On the House side, several RSC members, like Rep. Mark Alford (R., Mo.) were quick to tie Iran’s lengthy history of sponsoring terrorism to chaos elsewhere in the region, and beyond.
“The Ayatollahs and their proxies—from Hamas to the Houthis—are further destabilizing the region, threatening core American interests, and our sacred ally Israel,” Alford said. “We are urging President Trump to continue his successful maximum pressure campaign against the rogue regime in Tehran and ensure Iran is never able to obtain or develop a nuclear weapon.”
The letters’ signatories also include many veterans who are currently serving in Congress. Several explained to the Reporter that continuing Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran must be “non-negotiable” and that Trump’s policy keeps both America and its allies safer.
“President Trump’s peace through strength agenda has crippled the Ayatollah’s ability to fund terrorist proxies and sow chaos,” Rep. Pat Fallon (R., Texas), who served as a Captain in the Air Force, told the Reporter. “Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities must be completely dismantled to prevent the leading state sponsor of terror from acquiring nuclear weapons. Allowing Iran to enrich uranium threatens regional stability and emboldens a rogue state. A total shutdown of Iran’s nuclear program is non-negotiable to ensure security for America, Israel, and the rest of our allies and partners in the region.”
Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R., Texas), a member of SEAL Team 7, contrasted Trump’s strength vis a vis Iran with weakness displayed by his predecessor, President Joe Biden.
“President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against the Iranian regime is critical to deter Iran and its proxies,” he said. “Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism, cannot be allowed to build a nuclear weapon. While the Biden administration’s weakness continually emboldened our enemies, President Trump understands peace comes through strength, not appeasement. We will continue to put America first and hold our enemies accountable.”
Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.), a top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee and a retired Army Captain, told the Reporter that “there was seemingly no limit to the Biden administration’s desperation to reconstruct a nuclear deal with the terrorist Mullahs of Iran.”
“President Trump knows better, and his Administration is putting muscle – not weakness – on display to Tehran,” Issa said. “Iran’s nuclear ambitions have not changed, and that’s why America’s determination to stop them must be stronger than ever.”
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R., Wis.), another Navy SEAL. told the Reporter that “the Biden administration caved to the Iranian regime. President Trump does not. He was right to walk away from the disastrous JCPOA in his first term, and I have that utmost confidence he will undo President Biden’s damage to our national security and put America first.”
Another veteran in Congress, Rep. Pat Harrigan (R., N.C.), who served as a combat-decorated Green Beret, also contrasted Trump’s strength with Biden’s weakness. “Iran’s nuclear program is a loaded gun pointed at our nation’s future, and the last administration’s gutless deals handed Tehran a free pass to pull the trigger,” he told the Reporter. “We cannot afford to sit back, haggling over terms while they race to build warheads. Their enrichment must be crushed with unrelenting resolve, or we risk everything we’ve fought for.”
A longtime military veteran, Rep. Don Bacon (R., Neb.) — who retired from the Air Force as a Brigadier General after almost three decades of service — explained the rationale behind Trump’s policy simply: “the most likely scenario of a future nuclear war is if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon,” he said. “That is why we cannot allow that to happen.”
Rep. Zach Nunn (R., Iowa), who also serves in the Air Force, and who is currently the RSC’s National Security Task Force Chairman, told the Reporter that the latest letter is far from the only legislative action to expect on Iran. “I'm leading legislation in Congress to reinstate those successful sanctions and I'm proud to join my colleagues in calling for a return to the only posture the Iranians understand: strength and consequences,” he said.
“During President Trump’s first term, we saw the maximum pressure strategy work,” Nunn added. “Iran’s ability to sell oil to fund its nuclear program and terrorist groups around the world was stalled.”
Rep. Troy Downing (R., Mont.), who enlisted in the Air Force following the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, praised Pfluger for leading on the letter and praised Republicans more broadly for “taking the toughest ever line on Iran to thwart the development of its nuclear program and dissuade its support for terror across the globe.”
“We’re showcasing once again that when we work with President Trump, we can deliver real and lasting pain for America’s enemies and those who wish our allies harm,” Downing said. “I’m proud to support this bicameral effort led in the House by RSC Chairman Pfluger and underscore my support for a maximum pressure approach that prevents a nuclear-capable Iran.”
Rep. Greg Steube (R., Fla.), an Iraq War veteran, put the letter in a broader foreign policy context. “Thanks to the new administration’s commitment to security, the United States is working side by side with its partners in Israel and the Arab world to contain and eliminate Iran’s terror network and nuclear ambitions,” he said. “House Republicans stand with President Trump and his national security team as they lead America and the world toward a more secure future.”
To lawmakers like Rep. Jeff Crank (R., Colo.), Trump’s hardline stance on Iran is a continuation of his leadership that’s been demonstrated around the world. “Once again, President Trump is showing leadership on the national stage,” Crank told the Reporter. “I applaud this Administration’s work to strip Iran of its ability to develop their nuclear program.”
Rep. Tim Moore (R., N.C.) added to the Reporter that “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, period,” he said. “I proudly signed the Republican Study Committee’s letter to the President because we know that maximum pressure is more effective than risking another flawed deal. The Ayatollah’s regime threatens our allies and endangers American lives, it’s time for America to lead on peace through strength.”
Trump’s policies also found support from both longtime lawmakers and from freshmen, who signed on to the RSC-led letter. Rep. Tim Walberg (R., Mich.), who chairs the House’s Committee on Education and the Workforce, told the Reporter that he “fully commend[s] President Trump’s efforts to secure a deal to fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, which will uphold the security of the American people and our allies around the world.”
“We must hold Iran accountable through a maximum pressure approach and eliminate Iran’s ambitions to obtain nuclear weapons.”
Rep. Burgess Owens (R., Utah), one of the top Republicans on the Ed and Workforce Committee, added that he “was proud to sign this letter in support of President Trump’s firm stance on Iran, and I thank RSC Chairman Pfluger for his leadership.”
“President Trump’s America First approach exposed the dangers of the failed Obama-Biden nuclear deal and put maximum pressure on a regime that threatens our allies, our security, and our values,” Owens added. “House Republicans stand united behind our Commander-in-Chief as he restores peace through strength around the world.”
Rep. Mike Simpson (R., Idaho), a longtime member of Congress, told the Reporter that “leaving countries like Iran—who promote ‘death to America’—with nuclear capabilities poses a threat to Americans, our allies, and the world.”
Simpson added that “any deal that jeopardizes our national security and allows Iran to continue enriching uranium is a dangerous one. President Trump’s approach to dismantling Iran’s nuclear program has my full support.”
Another lawmaker said that Biden’s policies jeopardized not just the Middle East, but the entire world. “The Biden administration jeopardized the United States and the entire international community by easing sanctions against an Iranian regime determined to procure a nuclear weapon,” Rep. Vince Fong (R., Calif.) told the Reporter. “I was proud to join my fellow House Republicans in reaffirming our position that any future agreement with Iran must permanently dismantle their enrichment capabilities. We cannot confront and contain Iran’s aggression from a position of weakness.”
Another, Rep. Michael Guest (R., Miss.), criticized Trump’s predecessor for appeasing the Mullahs. “Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism and was appeased under the Biden-Harris administration,” he told the Reporter.
“I am honored to join my fellow Republican Study Committee members in supporting President Trump as he seeks to permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and bring peace to the Middle East.”
Even Congress’s newest member is already on firm footing, and applauded both Trump and Pfluger for their policies on Iran. Rep. Randy Fine (R., Fla.), noted that “for the last four years, we’ve watched the Democrats appease an anti-Semitic terrorist regime while making hollow claims of supporting our allies in the Middle East.”
“Things are different now, and under Chairman Pfluger’s leadership, backed by the force of the Republican Study Committee, House Republicans are demanding the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program,” Fine said. “That means no enrichment, no appeasement, and no more concessions to terrorists. Iran needs to take notice. We’re done negotiating with terrorists and we’re ready to fight to hold them accountable.”
Fine’s fellow Florida freshman, Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R., Fla.), added to the Reporter that “Republicans are united behind President Trump’s position that Iran’s nuclear program must be dismantled and Iran cannot continue enrichment. Anything else would be a repeat of the failed Obama Iran deal and would lead an Iranian nuke.”
Other freshmen lawmakers, including one who spent a previous stint in Congress, told the Reporter that they agreed. “Iran is the world’s number one state sponsor of terror. Make no mistake: if they gain the ability to produce a nuclear weapon, they or their proxies will use it to harm the United States and our allies,” Rep. Derek Schmidt (R., Kansas) said. “President Trump’s withdrawal from the failed Obama nuclear deal severely hindered Iran's ability to advance its nuclear program.”
“I’m proud to join my colleagues in encouraging his administration to continue that strong, America first foreign policy that can keep America safe by stopping Iran from enriching uranium,” he added.
“Withdrawing from the Iran Deal was the right decision and I fully support President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign. To put the security of the American people first, we must neutralize the Iranian regime’s violent and debilitating influence on the world stage,” he added.
“President Trump drew a line in the sand. If Iran plans to have a nuclear weapon, they will have hell to pay,” said Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R., Ind.). “He has made it abundantly clear peace through strength is not just a phrase to him it is a promise. America and our allies are not safe in a world where Iran has a weapon of mass destruction.”
A final contingent of signatories included a slew of Pfluger’s fellow Texas Republicans. Several others joined Fallon and Luttrell in signing the letter; Rep. Lance Gooden (R., Texas) told the Reporter that “President Trump’s leadership will dismantle Iran’s dangerous nuclear ambitions and prevent further instability in the Middle East and beyond.”
Others, like Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R., Texas), who worked for Trump in his first administration, praised his clairvoyance on the issue. “President Trump has always understood a nuclear armed Iran poses an existential threat to the United States and all free nations,” she told the Reporter.
“His maximum pressure campaign during the first Trump administration so thoroughly weakened the terrorist-sponsoring nation of Iran that we were in a far better position to compel them to end their nuclear ambition. With Trump, once again, expanding meaningful relationships throughout the Middle East, we want him to know he has our support to further isolate Iran and hopefully bring them to the table to peacefully dismantle their nuclear weapons program.”
Rep. Craig Goldman (R., Texas), a freshman from Texas, told the Reporter that “Iran is untrustworthy and they must be forbidden from having the ability to produce nuclear weapons.”
Goldman added “I supported President Trump when he made the decision to withdraw the United States from the deeply flawed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iran deceived the U.S. about its nuclear activities, and I’m proud to join my Congressional colleagues in encouraging the President to keep the pressure on the Iranian regime. This is critically important to America’s interests and security and the peace in the Middle East.”
Rep. Randy Weber (R., Texas) was unequivocal in his opposition to a nuclear Iran. “Under no circumstance should Iran be anywhere near a nuclear weapon,” he told the Reporter. “They are the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, and newsflash, they hate America.”
“The United States must stand firm, draw a hard line, and never allow a radical regime like Iran to bully its way to the bomb. I trust President Trump understands that, and I appreciate the Republican Study Committee for leading 177 of our colleagues in recognizing this hard but critical truth.”
The Republicans immediately received backup from top national security groups on the right. Jeremy Hunt, the Chairman of Veterans on Duty, told the Reporter that "President Trump, Chairman Pfluger, and the vast majority of Republicans are right: we cannot give the Islamic Republic an inch,” he said. “Maximum pressure on Iran entails the full dismantlement of its nuclear program and a permanent ban on domestic enrichment. This is the best path forward to ensure a safer and stronger America.”
The dual Republican letters were immediately noticed — and appreciated — by American allies around the world.
One senior official in an allied government told the Reporter that the near-unanimity among congressional Republicans “shows how marginal the so-called isolationist camp is within the Republican party. Tucker Carlson, the unofficial head of this small faction, uses his unfortunate access to President Trump and his audience on X to sell the fiction that the Republicans don't believe in American power or the necessity of U.S. global leadership to secure the homeland.”
“This letter,” the official continued, “serves as a stinging rebuke to the isolationist conceit. They do not speak for anything more than a small fraction of Republicans, and given their basic animosity to American power and its position as a force for good in the world, we can all feel relief that this is the case.”
