Author: Rep. Walter Jones

In response to the disappearance and suspected murder of U.S.-based journalist and democracy advocate Jamal Khashoggi, Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC) is calling on President Donald Trump to investigate Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the disappearance, and to reconsider the United States’ involvement with the kingdom. In a letter sent today, Jones reminded President Trump of Saudi Arabia’s long history of disregarding American values and principles of freedom.

“It is not surprising that intelligence agencies around the world strongly believe the Saudi Arabian government is complicit in Mr. Khashoggi’s disappearance and suspected murder,” wrote Congressman Jones. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a long history of disregarding America’s values and acting against the best interests of our country. We were reminded of that in 2016 when the House Intelligence Committee released the 28 pages of the Congressional Joint Inquiry into the 9/11 attacks upon the United States, which were classified by the Bush Administration. As you recall, the 28 pages implicated the Saudi royal family in financially supporting the 9/11 hijackers.”

“Despite this, the United States continues to treat Saudi Arabia as if it were one of our greatest allies,” Jones continued. “That is as stupid as it is sickening. Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in the 9/11 attacks and many are still suffering and dying from mental and physical wounds. I urge you to demand answers from the Saudi Arabian government regarding the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, to end American support of Saudi Arabian involvement in the Yemeni Civil War, and to reevaluate our unholy alliance with the kingdom immediately.”

The full letter to President Trump is here.

Congressman Jones was a leader in the fight to release the 28 pages of the Joint Inquiry Into Intelligence Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 2001. The 28 pages directly linked the Saudi royal family to the 9/11 hijackers.

For more information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Walter Jones’ office at Allison.tucker@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-3415.

September 8, 2017

The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House
H-232, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Speaker Ryan,

Mr. Speaker, members of Congress have written to Speaker Boehner and yourself over 13 times regarding the need for debate on the authorization of military force in Afghanistan. Despite repeated calls for action, nothing has happened. You, sir, are the leader of the House and you are responsible for bringing this debate to the floor.

This issue is more urgent now than ever. The president has not kept his campaign promises regarding Afghanistan, and is now increasing our military forces there. I, like many military families and taxpayers, am extremely frustrated!

Continue reading “Rep. Walter Jones Asks Speaker Ryan To Allow a Debate on Getting Out of Afghanistan”

President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

Many of us in the U.S. House of Representatives believe we have been denied our sacred duty to debate and declare war. You could say that I am disappointed by this. Disappointed because after 16 years in Afghanistan, Congress deserves another vote on this conflict. Disappointed because almost $1 trillion of taxpayers’ money has been spent with no direct goal or strategy. And most importantly, I am disappointed because we continue to lose American lives.

Sir, I am writing today because you seem to have had a change of heart on this issue:

1. In August of 2011, you agreed with Ron Paul and said the US was “wasting lives and money in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

2. In 2012, you referred to Afghanistan as a “complete waste,” and declared it was “time to come home.”

3. The next year, you said on Twitter, “Do not allow our very stupid leaders to sign a deal that keeps us in Afghanistan through 2024 – with all costs by U.S.A…”

4. You also tweeted that year, “Let’s get out of Afghanistan. Our troops are being killed by the Afghanis we train and we waste billions there. Nonsense! Rebuild the USA.”

Mr. President, I agree with those remarks, and so does the 31st Commandant of Marines Corps, my friend, and unofficial advisor, General Chuck Krulak. As he said in a recent email to me, “NO ONE has ever conquered Afghanistan…and many have tried. We will join the list of Nations that have tried and failed.”

Mr. President, that is why I am asking you to review this thinking before approving any troop level increases from General Mattis. I believe you would see great benefit and wisdom in asking Congress to debate and vote on troop level increases as well. You would then have the American people and their elected officials share a decision to send more of our sons and daughters into harm’s way. Once you come to a consensus, I suggest you publicly go before the American people and US military to explain the benchmarks you choose for Afghanistan. Previous administrations have not been able to clarify those endpoints, which is unfair to taxpayers and our troops. In the end, we all share this responsibility, and it is time that not only Congress but also the American people have a say. Sixteen years is enough!

Afghanistan is the graveyard of empires! We do not want a tombstone to read “United States of America.”

Respectfully,

Walter B. Jones
Member of Congress (R-NC)

Today (4/7/17), Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) released the following statement regarding the launch of U.S. airstrikes in Syria:

“Regardless of the circumstances, no American president has the constitutional right to commit acts of war against a sovereign nation without approval from Congress,” said Congressman Jones. “As clearly stated in the Constitution, Congress has the sole power to declare war. This is a dangerous precedent for the president to set for the new administration.”

For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Walter Jones’ office at Allison.Tucker@mail.house.gov.

Letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter:

October 14, 2016 The Honorable Ashton B. Carter
Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000

Dear Secretary Carter:

I am responding to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Acting) Jedidiah Royal’s October 3, 2016, response to the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR)’s letter to you (dated August 5, 2016) regarding “ghost soldiers” in Afghanistan.

I am appalled that the U.S. taxpayer has, and continues to pay, for “ghost soldiers” in Afghanistan. Moreover, I am also concerned about the risks that inadequacy of data concerning personnel levels of the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) may pose to American forces in Afghanistan.

Continue reading “Congressman Walter Jones on US Financing of ‘Ghost Soldiers’ in Afghanistan”

Letter from Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) to Speaker Ryan

October 5, 2016

The Honorable Paul D. Ryan
Speaker of the House of Representatives
H-232 U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Last week, the House and Senate successfully voted to override President Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). In the first successful override of the Obama Administration, Congress did what President Obama failed to do: give 9/11 families the ability to seek justice against foreign governments that sponsor terrorism.

Our colleagues, Congressman Stephen Lynch and Congressman Thomas Massie, and I worked for over four years to declassify the 28 pages of the Joint Inquiry into the September 11 attacks. Those pages link Saudi Arabia to the 9/11 attacks by detailing substantial financial support from Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan and his wife to individuals linked to the 9/11 hijackers.

Our vote to override President Obama’s veto was a victorious moment for 9/11 families and justice. However, I was disappointed to read shortly after the vote that some in leadership are suggesting a modification or "weakening" of JASTA. This would be a huge mistake. JASTA is a carefully crafted bill that is the result of many years of hard work and negotiation by a vast majority of Congress. If leadership wanted changes in the bill, it should have been addressed prior to the override.

Additionally, Members of Congress are elected to represent their constituents, not so-called "allies" in foreign states. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to engage in a massive lobbying campaign against JASTA, and we must not fall for it. I IMPLORE YOU TO STAND UP FOR 9/11 FAMILIES AND RESIST CALLS TO MODIFY JASTA.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Walter B. Jones
Member of Congress
North Carolina, 3rd District, Republican