Johnson calls Trump’s Gaza takeover idea ‘bold’ and ‘decisive’

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday described President Trump’s idea that the U.S. should take over the Gaza Strip as “bold” and “decisive,” even as it draws bipartisan criticism.

Trump — during a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday — said “the U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it,” later adding “the Riviera of the Middle East. … This could be so magnificent.”

Asked Wednesday if those remarks align with “America First” policies, a reference to Trump’s foreign policy mantra, Johnson offered support for the idea.

“There’ll be more details forthcoming on that, of course. The initial announcement yesterday, I think was greeted by surprise by many but cheered by I think people all around the world,” Johnson said. “Why? Because that area is so dangerous. And he’s taking bold, decisive action to try to ensure the peace of that region.”

“It’s a bold move, certainly, far bolder than what’s been done before, but I think we’ve got to stand unequivocally, in an unwavering manner, as the whip said, with Israel, our closest ally and friend in the Middle East,” he added. “And I think if we could bring control to that situation and bring about a lasting peace there, it would do well for everybody, not just in the region but around the world. It’s a volatile place. And I think the strong and decisive move is an important step in that regard.”

Johnson urged individuals to “withhold judgment on all of it; you’ll see more developments as they come.”

Pressed on the matter later in the press availability, with a reporter asking Johnson if the U.S. should take control of Gaza, and if he would raise the matter with Netanyahu when the two meet Thursday, the Speaker again called the proposal “bold” and “decisive,” adding that it “makes sense to make the neighborhood there safer,” referring to the area around Israel.

“I think that’s logical. I think it follows common sense, I think people understand the necessity of it, and we’re going to stand with Israel as they work towards this goal, and we’ll stand with the president on his initiative,” he added.

Trump’s comments about Gaza on Tuesday were among his most extreme regarding the future of the Middle East, which has been the site of war since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Gaza is home to nearly 2 million Palestinians, many of whom hope to create a future Palestinian state.

The remarks sent shockwaves throughout the Capitol and garnered bipartisan criticism. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), for example, said he was “speechless” when learning of the proposal, while Republican Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) denounced the idea.

“The pursuit for peace should be that of the Israelis and the Palestinians. I thought we voted for America First. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers blood,” Paul wrote on the social platform X.

Johnson is set to meet with Netanyahu at the Capitol on Thursday.

Asked by CNN on Wednesday about Trump’s proposal, Johnson said: “it was a surprising development, but I think it’s one that we’ll applaud.”

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