Ernst Backs President Trump’s Actions to Protect Americans
Recognizes the noble mission and selfless sacrifice of our servicemembers
WASHINGTON – Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran who served in the Global War on Terror, stood firmly with President Trump to ensure neither Iran nor its proxies can claim another American life.
Instead of targeting the president, Ernst urged her colleagues to have the backs of our men and women in uniform and called on Senate Democrats to immediately fund the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize the safety and security of Americans over political games.
As the nation mourns six heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, including those from Des Moines’ 103rd Sustainment Command and young Iowan Sgt. Declan J. Coady of West Des Moines, Ernst emphasized the importance of their noble mission and, as their brothers and sisters continue it to ensure not another American life is taken by Iran, their sacrifice will never be in vain.
Watch Senator Ernst’s remark here.
Ernst’s Full Remarks:
“As a combat veteran who deployed to the Middle East, I served to protect America – not just then, but always.
“And I stand strongly with our commander in chief as he acts on behalf of the safety and security of Americans.
“The Iranian regime has been threatening, targeting, and taking the lives of our citizens for 47 years.
“Yet President Obama gave the regime billions to enrich uranium and obtain weapons used against our own servicemembers.
“And President Biden’s appeasement strategy continued to fuel and fund Iran’s proxy terrorism.
“Enough is enough.
“This weekend, President Trump took decisive action so neither Iran nor its proxies can ever take another one of our citizens’ lives.
“And the objective is clear: Ensure no American has to live under the threat of Iran-backed terror again.
“Like every American, I have no desire to see a long, drawn-out war, but this is a mission worthy of being COMPLETED.
“God bless our servicemembers around the world who are bravely and selflessly carrying out this noble endeavor.
“But I knew it was my responsibility as Company Commander to help my men and women stay focused when we were surrounded by chaos.
“And that remains my prayer for every single one of our men and women in uniform who are working to end Iran-backed terror.
“Our nation is still grappling with the news that six courageous heroes, including those from Des Moines’ 103rdSustainment Command and young Iowan Sgt. Declan J. Coady of West Des Moines, were killed in action.
“These young men and women gave their lives in support of a noble mission: Protecting their fellow Americans and keeping our homeland secure.
“Our nation owes them an incredible debt of gratitude – it is one that can never be repaid.
“But as their fellow brothers and sisters in uniform carry out the mission to ensure we never lose another American to Iran-backed terror, their sacrifice to protect our nation is not and will not ever be in vain.
“Every American life is precious and in Iran’s decades-long pursuit of creating chaos around the globe, too many of our servicemembers have been killed.
“In 1979, militants backed by Iran’s regime seized 66 Americans from the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held them hostage for 444 days.
“Eight U.S. servicemembers were killed attempting to rescue them.
“In 1983, Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists drove a truck bomb into a Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 220 Marines, 18 Navy sailors, and three Army soldiers.
“In January 2024, a drone launched by Iran-backed Hezbollah killed three U.S. soldiers at Tower 22 in Jordan.
“Those soldiers were engineers from the 718th Engineer Company out of Georgia. It's one of my former companies.
“And no one can forget October 7, 2023, when Iran-backed Hamas terrorists massacred more than 1,200 men, women, and children, including nearly 50 Americans and took 12 of our citizens hostage.
“I was in the region that night and immediately went into Israel, where I witnessed the effects of Iran’s brutality up close.
“Make no mistake folks – When Iran’s leaders chant ‘Death to America,’ they mean it.
“Our adversaries must understand that a single American loss is one too many and that they will pay dearly for spilling the blood of those who wear the uniform.
“Already, President Trump’s peace through strength efforts are working.
“Iran’s Supreme Leader and over 40 senior Iranian regime leaders have been wiped out.
“Their weapon systems, their Navy, and their nuclear ambitions are being demolished.
“And our president – Donald J. Trump – is bringing the region together – united against their common enemy: Iran.
“Since October 7, I have traveled to the Middle East more than ten times in pursuit of peace.
“And I’ve heard firsthand from leaders across the Middle East for years about their fears of Iran and its proxies.
“While a more peaceful world was always the goal, as long as the Iranian regime and its proxies existed, it seemed far from reality.
“This week, Iran launched sustained attacks against our partners, thinking they would fracture our relationships in the region.
“They thought wrong.
“Instead, our partners have been brought together – they know who the real enemy is.
“And they have told me: they stand with the United States and they support our actions.
“These are our Arab friends in the region.
“For too long they also have lived under the threat of the Iranian regime and are ready for a region where peace and prosperity can finally take hold.
“And we know a safer Middle East means a safer world.
“Iowans are no strangers to the consequences of chaos in the Middle East, which is why I want to bring an end to it.
“In December, two Iowa National Guardsmen – Staff Sergeants Nate Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar were killed by terrorists in Syria.
“Shortly after, in January, I visited the Iowa troops that were stationed in the region, including the unit that our staff sergeants came from.
“And I had one simple, but important message for them: their noble mission matters.
“The work our men and women are doing overseas is helping keep the American homeland safe.
“But now is our opportunity to bring an end to decades of chaos.
“The sooner the better.
“While the power to declare war exclusively rests with Congress, the responsibility to defend our nation and our homeland is in the hands of our commander in chief.
“And don’t forget – Congress holds the power of the purse.
“Yet at this very moment, the Department of Homeland Security is shut down by Senate Democrats blocking its funding.
“This is a dangerous time for a political stunt.
“We don’t know if there are terrorist sleeper cells waiting to avenge the death of the ayatollah or even lone radicals.
“Consider, a gunman who killed two in Austin, Texas on Sunday was wearing a t-shirt featuring an Iranian flag.
“And a Virginia mosque, less than an hour’s drive away from this very Capitol honored the ‘martyrdom’ of the ayatollah this week.
“While I appreciate the gentleman from Virginia’s interest in exercising Congress’ war powers, I would urge all of my Democrat colleagues to get behind those who are at this moment defending our nation.
“We’ve already lost too many lives at the hands of Iran, but as long as the Iranian regime chants ‘Death to America,’ the lives of our citizens will continue to be threatened.”
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