Gaetz: Ground Invasion of Iran Would Make US 'Poorer and Less Safe'

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on Thursday cautioned President Trump against escalating the Middle East conflict by sending U.S. troops to Iran, warning that a ground invasion would ultimately harm the country in the long term.

Gaetz, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of a military intervention in Iran. The former representative, known for his non-interventionist stance on foreign policy, emphasized that a ground invasion would have detrimental effects on the United States.

Gaetz urged Trump to consider the economic and security implications of such action, suggesting it could result in higher gas and food prices, as well as failing to achieve the desired goals in the fight against terrorism.

Gaetz, during his speech at CPAC, stated that a ground invasion of Iran would make the United States 'poorer and less safe'. This statement reflects a critical stance towards military intervention and a concern for the economic and social impact of war.

The former representative also suggested that an invasion might not be effective in eliminating terrorist threats, raising doubts about the military strategy. Gaetz, who previously supported resolutions to limit Trump's ability to carry out military strikes against Iran, has been a proponent of non-intervention in foreign conflicts.

His comments come amid a growing division within the Republican Party over U.S. military action against Iran.

The warning from Gaetz comes amid a deepening rift within the Republican Party over U.S. policy toward Iran, with some members of the party's far-right flank accusing the Trump administration of abandoning its 'America First' doctrine.

This division reflects differing perspectives on foreign policy, with some Republicans favoring a more interventionist stance and others, like Gaetz, advocating for caution and non-intervention.

Gaetz's stance aligns with his record of supporting the withdrawal of U.S. troops from overseas deployments, such as in Somalia and Syria, during his final years in Congress.

As the current conflict with Iran nears the one-month mark, recent polling has shown that the idea of a U.S. ground invasion remains deeply unpopular. While Trump has indicated that he does not intend to deploy American troops on the ground, the Pentagon is ramping up its military presence in the region.

This build-up includes the deployment of Marines, sailors, and elite paratroopers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

The Trump administration is weighing air and naval missions to secure the Strait of Hormuz and seize control of Kharg Island, with the goal of curbing surging energy prices.

Trump’s approval rating has taken a hit since the U.S. and Israel first launched joint strikes against Tehran on Feb. 28, with a recent Fox News poll finding that 64 percent of people disapprove of his handling of the conflict.

Trump slammed the network’s polling results as 'terrible' during an appearance on 'The Five'.

The situation in the Middle East remains tense, and the administration faces challenges in managing foreign policy and gaining public support.