August 21, 2017

Congressman Ruben Gallego issues statement in advance of President Trump’s Speech on Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), a Marine Corps combat veteran and Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement explaining what he hopes President Trump will tell the American people tonight when he addresses the nation regarding America's future course in Afghanistan:

"Brave young Americans have fought and died in large numbers in Afghanistan for almost 16 years. Over that time, three Presidents have struggled to secure our objectives. None have succeeded and now it appears that thousands more of our brave servicemen and women will be sent into harm's way by President Trump.

"Tonight, the American people need to hear a clear plan. We need clear-eyed, reasonable goals and a strategy for achieving them that doesn't depend on wishful thinking regarding the goodwill of the corrupt government in Kabul or the magnanimity of a self-interested Pakistan. We need to hear achievable military objectives, not ambiguous benchmarks and empty buzzwords. We need to hear that we will not be engaged in perpetual war in Afghanistan, and we need to hear that the President is wholly dedicated to the Nation's best interests, rather than his own. Finally, and most importantly, we need to hear when and how Trump intends to bring our troops home.

"Perpetual war wreaks havoc on our credibility, our capacity to deal with other threats, and the long-term health of our military. It's time for a new direction. President Trump owes it to our brave men and women in uniform to do more than just kick the can down the road."