NW Kentucky News

Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs Chairman William Timmons (R-S.C.) opened a hearing focused on the Trump Administration's efforts to restore U.S. international leadership. The session, titled “Emerging Global Threats: Putting America’s National Security First,” addressed national security challenges and highlighted perceived policy failures under the Biden Administration.

Chairman Timmons criticized the previous administration, claiming its policies weakened U.S. global standing and emboldened adversaries. He stated that "the Trump Administration is currently undoing the crippling policies of the Biden Administration and returning the globe to peace through American strength." Timmons urged Congress to support these efforts.

In his remarks, Timmons expressed concerns about America's strategic positioning in regions like the Indo-Pacific and Europe. He attributed Russia's aggression in Ukraine partly to President Biden’s push for Ukraine's NATO membership, stating that it exacerbated tensions without clear objectives.

The subcommittee chair also emphasized issues related to cybersecurity vulnerabilities, pointing out that both nation-states and criminal organizations exploit weaknesses in digital infrastructure. He argued that "the failure to prioritize this vulnerability continues to jeopardize our national security."

Timmons criticized what he described as a lack of urgency from prior administrations regarding unconventional threats and highlighted increased terrorist activities by Iran-backed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He linked these developments to perceived failures in maintaining deterrence in regions like the Middle East.

Regarding domestic security, Timmons raised concerns about border control, citing nearly 400 known or suspected terrorists apprehended crossing into the U.S. illegally since 2021. He credited President Trump's actions with reducing illegal border crossings significantly within a short period.

Concluding his remarks, Timmons reiterated support for measures aimed at strengthening national defense and reaffirming an America-first posture in foreign affairs.