Live updates: Trump-Netanyahu press conference, Gaza proposal, tariffs on China and administration changes
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on February 5, 2025
Asked Tuesday night about President Donald Trump’s remarks that the US will “take over” the Gaza Strip, GOP senators largely refused to comment as they dashed to-and-from floor votes, including Trump ally Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch.
Others expressed some skepticism.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called it an “interesting proposal” but also “problematic.”
“We’ll see what our Arab friends say about that. I think most South Carolinians would probably not be excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza. I think that might be problematic. But I’ll keep an open mind,” he said.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said that “there are probably a couple of kinks in that Slinky, but I’ll have to take a look at the statement.”
“I don’t know what to make of it,” said Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. “Check back with me tomorrow, that’s a good idea.”
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut called the idea “crazy, and you can quote me.” He said it would “blow apart the Abraham Accords,” adding that “all the progress that we have made including the brave and costly battles that Israel has waged would be effectively undercut by this crazy notion.”
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democratic on the Foreign Relations Committee, said, “No, I don’t think it’s something that is in America’s interest.”
She added: “This idea, I think it fails to recognize the need to have a Palestinian state, and the fact that until we address the concerns of the Palestinians, there will continue to be conflict in the region.”
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, another key Democratic member of the committee, also criticized the plan.
“You can put me down as this is between offensive and insane and dangerous and foolish,” he said.
