Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas delivered a passionate and scathing critique of Ambassador Elizabeth Richard’s nomination for counterterrorism coordinator. Cruz highlighted Richard’s troubling record as ambassador to Lebanon, pointing to multiple instances that he deemed disqualifying for such a crucial role.
During his speech on the Senate floor, Cruz expressed his deep concern over Richard’s support for funding the Internal Security Forces (ISF) in Lebanon with American taxpayer dollars. He emphasized that these policies indirectly aid groups like Hezbollah, posing a significant threat to national security.
One particularly alarming case that Cruz raised was that of Amer Fakhoury, a former U.S. hostage who endured six months of imprisonment and torture in Lebanon. Despite never having been previously accused of the charges, Fakhoury suffered greatly due to false allegations propagated by a Hezbollah-backed newspaper.
Cruz underscored the fact that it was only through bipartisan efforts and the intervention of the Trump administration that Fakhoury was finally released. Tragically, Fakhoury passed away shortly after his return to the United States.
The nomination of Ambassador Richard has sparked outrage among Republican voters and Fakhoury’s family, who expressed shock and disbelief that the Biden administration would select someone with such a deeply troubling record for a critical counterterrorism role.
Cruz further criticized Richard’s actions, highlighting her decision to remove a military force deployed to protect the U.S. Embassy in Beirut following the assassination of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani. He argued that this act endangered the lives of embassy personnel and demonstrated a pattern of appeasement towards Hezbollah.
The senator concluded his speech by firmly stating that Richard’s approach to counterterrorism consistently downplays the gravity of the threat and even indirectly supports terrorist groups. He firmly declared that such an approach is entirely disqualifying for a nominee for the position of coordinator of counterterrorism.
The nomination of Ambassador Elizabeth Richard for counterterrorism coordinator has unleashed a wave of Republican outrage, with Senator Cruz leading the charge against her troubling record.
Cruz’s forceful speech sheds light on the concerns shared by many Republicans regarding Richard’s policies and actions during her time as ambassador to Lebanon. The Republican Party and its supporters are eagerly watching to see how this nomination controversy unfolds and whether President Biden will reconsider his choice in light of these serious objections.
Source Fox News