Press Releases

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) appeared on Fox News’ Outnumbered Overtime to discuss President Trump’s decision to cancel the U.S.-Taliban negotiations in Afghanistan.  

"I’m thrilled that the President walked away from what I think was a bad deal,” Waltz said. “The Taliban were promising that they could prevent al-Qaeda from using Afghanistan as a base to attack the United States. I think they were making promises they don’t have the military capability to uphold – and the Afghan government [was] left out of negotiations. [The Taliban have] shown no willingness to actually move towards peace.”

On Saturday, President Trump announced he canceled peace talks with Taliban leaders after the terrorist group said it was behind an attack in Kabul that which killed 12 people, including one American soldier. This attack followed previous terrorist attacks in Afghanistan which killed three Green Berets last month.

Waltz, a combat veteran of the War on Terror in Afghanistan, said he understood the desire to leave Afghanistan, especially in the wake of this week’s anniversary of the Sept. 1, 2001 terrorist attacks.   

“I understand the President’s desire to stop this war as head into the 18^th anniversary of… 9/11. I want to stop it too but I think at the end of the day, I praise him for walking away from a bad deal,” Waltz said.

Waltz also advocated for a future deal including a ceasefire, a cessation of violence, a release of an American hostage held captive in Afghanistan and a recognition of a freely-elected Afghan government and their constitution which protects women and minorities.  

“We need those basics before we sit down and try to craft a broader deal,” Waltz said.

A video of the interview is available here.