Despite the terrorist group’s beheadings and being on the verge of overtaking the border town of Kobani, New York Rep. Charlie Rangel doesn’t think ISIS is a threat to America’s national security.
“We are seeing a battle in Kobani. We’re seeing Baghdad being surrounded. We’re seeing threats on the Green Zone in Baghdad by ISIS. What do you think that we as a government should be doing, and are we doing enough?” asked MSNBC host Jose Diaz-Balart Thursday.
“Well, one thing: I don’t see where that’s a threat to our national security,” Rangel said.
“ISIL in Syria and Iraq?” asked Diaz-Balart for clarification.
“No. I don’t see where it’s a threat to our national security. It is a cancer in this part of the world, and it is true that America, and probably Europe, has no idea of the depth of feeling and discord that are in this area for religious reasons,” said Rangel.
“Notwithstanding that, it appears as though they could be, overall, a threat; not directly to us,” he said. “But for us to involved in a military way, I don’t see how in the heck that’s going to resolve …”
“So you don’t support the bombings then?” asked the MSNBC host.
“Of course not,” exclaimed the congressman. “You bomb when you’re at war with a country. You’re not at war with a country until Congress says you are.”
“Yea, but these guys have killed two American journalists, and they are threatening to kill more,” Diaz-Balart pushed back.
“It sounds very emotional, but do you have any idea who the drones and bombs we’re dropping are killing? I challenge you to tell me who they are killing. We haven’t the slightest idea,” Rangel responded. “Listen it’s a confusing thing, and if indeed the president and those who support him in terms of this ‘war,’ if they’re right, bring it to the Congress and convince the United States of America that there’s a threat to our national security.”
The longtime congressman from Harlem went on to propose a draft and a war tax for the current conflict against ISIS.