President Biden faced severe backlash for his erroneous claim that no American servicemembers died during his tenure, a statement that has left many in the military disillusioned. Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) highlighted this sentiment in a recent appearance on Fox News, revealing that a significant number of military members are backing former President Donald Trump's reelection, fearing that "we literally cannot survive another four years of this."
Rep. Waltz pointed out that not only did 13 servicemembers die in the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal of 2021, but three more were killed by Iran-backed militias in a Jordan drone strike in late January.
"These families have suffered so much. First, it was listening to Biden say repeatedly on the national stage that the Afghanistan withdrawal was a total success, an outstanding success. Then, seeing him check his watch as the flag-draped coffins went flowing by and then to see State of the Union, after speech, after engagement where he would not even say 'Afghanistan' much less even say their names," Rep. Waltz continued, referencing Gold Star father, Steven Nikoui, who was arrested for heckling Biden during the March State of the Union address, demanding he acknowledge the deaths.
The conversation shifted to support for Trump within the military, with the Florida Congressman describing how many active-duty Navy servicemembers went to the former President's rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, after the debate.
"I'm telling you, half the crowd were military there to see President Trump talk about how he is going to restore strength and make our adversaries once again fear us abroad. Nobody wants to fight wars, especially those who have to go and do it. And we have to restore deterrence. We literally cannot survive another four years of this, and I do not want any more debates. I told the President, 'No more debates.' Not politically, but because the cartels, the Ayatollahs, Putin, [and] Xi, they are all watching. They all smell opportunity in the next five months, and God help us," Waltz concluded.
