Tulsi Gabbard: Saudi Promotion of ‘Extremist Wahhabi Ideology’ a Bigger Threat to U.S. Than Iran

GABBARD: No, I’m a fan of the United States of America. I’m a fan of the American people.

And as president and commander in chief, I would put their interests above all else, putting the wellbeing of the American people —

CAVUTO: Is it in our interests for Saudi Arabia — is it in our interests for Saudi Arabia to be protected or its kingdom to be protected? Or do you draw a distinction?

GABBARD: Well, let me tell you what is not in our interest, is this alliance that has been longstanding between the United States and Saudi Arabia, in spite of the fact that they are directly and indirectly supporting Al Qaeda, the terrorist group that attacked us on 9/11.

We just observed the 18th anniversary of that terrible attack on our country in 2001. They are continuing to spend billions of dollars every year propagating this extremist Wahhabi ideology that’s fueling the growth of terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS and others around the world.

They are directly supporting those who pose a threat to our country and the United States, that threat that we need to defeat.

CAVUTO: Is that threat greater than Iran?

GABBARD: Yes, it is. Currently, Iran doesn’t — currently, Iran doesn’t pose a direct threat to the United States.

CAVUTO: So Saudi Arabia is more of a problem for us than Iran is?

GABBARD: We have the opportunity to make sure that we prevent Iran from continuing to move forward towards developing a nuclear weapon.

That’s where we need to be focused. If I were president right now, that’s exactly what I’d be doing, getting back into that nuclear deal, getting rid of these crippling economic sanctions, and being able to make sure we can move forward in the interest of our national security.

CAVUTO: So a President Tulsi Gabbard would see Saudi Arabia as a bigger threat to our country than Iran?

GABBARD: What I would like to see is Saudi Arabia ending their support for Al Qaeda, terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, who pose a threat to the American people.

CAVUTO: I’m sorry. That’s not what I asked. That’s not what I asked.

Be — things as they are now —

(CROSSTALK)

GABBARD: I know. You’re turning my words around. You’re turning my words around.

CAVUTO: No, no, no, no.

I want — I want to just be very clear that — but you — you have a higher opinion of Iran than you do Saudi Arabia, as things stand now?

GABBARD: No. No, that’s not at all what I’m saying.

CAVUTO: Then explain.

GABBARD: That’s not what I’m saying.

I’m focused on how we can best keep the American people safe, on how we can make sure that we are — we have our national security intact.

And so whatever actions that we take —

---

‘Unprecedented’ agreement releases emergency oil reserves as gas prices spark concerns

---

House Oversight Committee demands depositions from Bondi and Lutnick in Epstein probe

---

The ‘Worst Mayor in America’ Is Attempting a Political Comeback — With a New Party

---

Kamala Harris Cancels Multiple Book Tour Stops Amid Controversy

---

Hillary Clinton caught on video stepping back after pushy former president nudges her at busy NYC intersection

---

Shipping disruptions spread beyond oil: Helium, sulfur, and semiconductors

---

3 brothers of Iraqi descent arrested in Oslo for allegedly ‘terror bombing’ of US Embassy

---

Republican Sen. John Cornyn Calls on GOP to Change Filibuster and Pass SAVE Act as He Prepares for Primary Runoff Against Ken Paxton

---

Minnesota human services officials skip fraud hearing as Walz promises reform

---

‘You can cry about it’: Tempers flare in Senate as DHS shutdown debate erupts, stalemate digs deeper

---

Conquered: NYC Firefighters Angry After Bosses, Muslim Firefighters Make Startling Change to 9/11 Memorial Area for Ramadan

---

Why Republican Steve Hilton increasing his lead in the California polls could be beneficial for Democrats

---

Wife of former Gov Terry McAuliffe jumps into crowded Dem congressional primary race

---

Hawley introduces bill to strip FDA approval from ‘inherently dangerous’ abortion pill

---

Gene Simmons tells celebrities ‘shut the f*** up’ about politics

---

CAVUTO: And the Saudis are a bigger threat? And the Saudis are a bigger threat to that safety than Iran? I just want to be clear, Congresswoman.

GABBARD: The Saudis are directly supporting the very terrorist group that attacked us on 9/11 and that continue to pose a threat to the American people today.

CAVUTO: So if the president were to take action against Iran — with or without Saudi intelligence or help — that would be a bad move, in your eyes?

GABBARD: That would be a very bad move. It wouldn’t serve the interests of the United States. It would cost thousands more of my brothers and sisters in uniform their lives. It would cost us, as taxpayers, trillions of dollars more.

It would make the Iraq War that I served in look like a picnic, compared to the cost and the consequence and the devastation that would come about as a result of that war, what — to speak of the fact that it would be unconstitutional, given the president would do that without that authority coming from Congress.

Story cited here.

See also  Lindsey Graham’s war rhetoric complicates Trump’s push to calm MAGA base

Share this article:

Facebook

Twitter