Republican opinions divided on backing Yemen airstrikes

Reaction by Republicans to U.S. and British airstrikes on Iran-based terrorists in Yemen has been mixed.

President Joe Biden on Thursday said airstrikes were launched against Houthi rebels in Yemen in “defensive action” after attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

Some GOP members blasted Biden authorizing the airstrikes, while others are saying it’s about time the U.S. responded.

“So, let me get this straight. We’re dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN (where I defeated ISIS!), and our Secretary of Defense, who just went missing for five days, is running the war from his laptop in a hospital room,” former President Donald Trump posted Friday on Truth Social.

“Remember, this is the same gang that ‘surrendered’ in Afghanistan, where no one was held accountable or FIRED. It was the most embarrassing ‘moment’ in the history of the United States. Now we have wars in Ukraine, Israel, and Yemen, but no ‘war’ on our Southern Border. Oh, that makes a lot of sense. Crooked Joe Biden is the worst President in the history of the United States!”

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., backed the airstrikes.

“Very supportive of the Biden Administration’s decision to strike Houthi rebels who have been harassing international shipping and trying to attack Israeli and American interests,” Graham, who has been a staunch Trump ally, posted Thursday on X.

“It’s long past time to let Iran know that we will hold them accountable for the actions of their proxies – in this case, the Houthi rebels. The only language radical Islamic groups understand is force. I hope the Biden Administration understands that their deterrence policy has completely failed. They must continue using military force in the face of aggression from Iran and their proxies.”

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., needed little more than an hour to blast Graham.

“Breaking News: Lindsey Graham supports another war in the Middle East,” Gaetz posted on X.

Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., took issue with Biden taking action without congressional approval.

“The United States has been involved in hostilities in Yemen, in one form or another, for over 5 years now. The sad reality is Congress frequently refuses to assert its authority,” Massie posted Friday on X. “Twice under [former Speaker] Paul Ryan, the War Powers Act w.r.t. Yemen was subverted through parliamentary tricks.”

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, agreed that Biden and the administration should have engaged Congress before authorizing the airstrikes.

“The Constitution matters, regardless of party affiliation,” Lee wrote on X.

Other Republican House members supported the airstrikes.

“I’m pleased the president, in coordination with our allies, finally took action against the Iran-backed Houthis following weeks of instability in the Red Sea,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said in a statement.

“Tonight, with these strikes, we are beginning to restore deterrence. The administration must acknowledge it was a mistake to rescind the Houthis designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and re-list them immediately.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also supported Biden’s authorization of the strikes.

“I welcome the U.S. and coalition operations against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international commerce in the Red Sea and attacking American vessels,” McConnell said in a statement. “President Biden’s decision to use military force against these Iranian proxies is overdue.

“I am hopeful these operations mark an enduring shift in the Biden Administration’s approach to Iran and its proxies. To restore deterrence and change Iran’s calculus, Iranian leaders themselves must believe that they will pay a meaningful price unless they abandon their worldwide campaign of terror.

“The United States and our allies must leave no room to doubt that the days of unanswered terrorist aggression are over.”