Speaker Johnson defends Operation Epic Fury as ‘peace through strength’

US House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected claims that Operation Epic Fury contradicts Republican calls for peace, saying the military action reflects the party’s long-held doctrine of “peace through strength” rather than appeasement.

“Peace is not secured through appeasement, and it’s certainly not secured by airdropping billions of dollars on terrorist regimes, which is what previous Democratic administrations have done,” Johnson said. “Peace is secured through strength.”

Johnson said the concept has defined the Republican Party throughout his lifetime and long before that, adding that the current administration is demonstrating that approach.

“That is why America is the last great superpower on the planet,” he said, adding that “all freedom-loving people around the world are grateful to God for that.”