House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Issues Statement on Rescued Airman, Reaffirms Calls for Diplomacy Following Trump’s Reckless Easter Social Media Post

Washington, D.C. - Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement on the rescue of the second downed airman in Iran, and called for the war to be immediately brought to an end.

"I commend the extraordinary professionalism and courage of our intelligence officers and service members who recovered our American airman safely. Their skill and discipline reflect the very best of the United States military and intelligence community.

"But tactical success is not a strategy. The American people deserve an honest answer on why American troops remain in harm's way. The President must now pivot to serious diplomacy to de-escalate tensions, protect our personnel, and bring this war to a responsible end.

"That is why the President's public statement this morning is so alarming. In a post threatening to destroy Iran's power plants, bridges and other civilian infrastructure, the President used language that was profane and incoherent. That is not strength-it raises the risk of miscalculation, undermines U.S. credibility, and makes diplomacy more difficult.

"I am praying this Easter for the safety of our service members who continue to do their jobs with courage and distinction. The President must now match their professionalism with discipline, clarity, and a credible plan to end this conflict-not rhetoric that makes that outcome harder to achieve."

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