Republican Senator Backs Trump’s Rhetoric About Seizing Panama Canal: ‘The American People Gave President Trump a Mandate’
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said voters gave President-elect Donald Trump a “mandate” when she was asked about his remarks suggesting the U.S. seize control of the Panama Canal and that he will acquire Greenland.
The U.S. built the canal in the early 20th century and gave Panama some control over the passage in 1977 before ceding it fully in 1999. On Saturday, Trump complained about rising fees paid by operators shipping goods through the canal.
“The United States has a vested interest in the secure, efficient, and reliable operation of the Panama Canal, and that was always understood,” Trump wrote on Truth Social over the weekend while threatening to retake the canal. “We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands! It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!”
Fox News guest host Kellyanne Conway asked Blackburn about Trump’s remarks on Monday night.
“Senator, I think many people have questions tonight about the Panama Canal, about Greenland, about President Trump issuing warnings about tariffs to comply or incentivize other countries’ behaviors,” Conway said. “As a sitting United States senator, walk us through how this all works and why it’s important.”
The senator responded by seemingly suggesting the alleged mandate that voters gave Trump covers retaking the canal as well as acquiring Greenland:
Kellyanne, the American people have given President Trump a mandate. They are tired of our nation not putting Americans first. And we have seen the Biden administration have an America-last policy. So, when it comes to dealing with the Panama Canal and making certain that China is not being advantaged in this, and America disadvantaged, of course. Let’s put this issue on the table and talk about it.
When you talk about securing our nation, that is where Greenland comes into the conversation, and being strategic and how we’re going to keep this nation safe. That is what Americans want to see.
They want to see departments that are going to be run by people who are going to treat everyone by the same rule of law. And they’re going to have equal access, equal treatment, equal justice. So, President Trump has a mandate. It is going to be up to the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate, both in Republican control, to make certain that we take action, that we support President Trump, and that we get things done for the American people.
Earlier in the evening on Fox News, Brian Kilmeade casually discussed acquiring Greenland from Denmark.
“Yeah, it’s gonna cost about $1.5 trillion, but it probably will pay off,” Kilmeade said. It is unclear where he got that amount.
Watch above via Fox News.
