OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson tore into Ohio GOP Rep. Mike Turner on Wednesday night over claims that more American troops need to be sent overseas.
During a segment on Tucker Carlson Tonight, the host noted that Turner and 14 other Republicans wrote a letter to Joe Biden calling on him “to immediately provide support to the Ukrainians” after satellite images showed a buildup of Russian military forces along Ukraine’s northern border.
Carlson, however, did not support the move and argued that he did not understand why “average Americans” needed to go protect the “territorial integrity of Ukraine” and not the U.S.-Mexico border.
Carlson told Turner, “I wonder if you could explain to them why it is in America’s interest that their kids risk their lives in Ukraine.”
Tuner tried citing the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, claiming that Ukraine could be “debacle number two” for Biden’s foreign policy.
“So the lesson of 20 years in Afghanistan and the tragic and cowardly and counterproductive exit from Afghanistan is that we need more troops in Ukraine?” asked Carlson. “So why should the average American care about the territorial integrity of Ukraine, sincerely?”
Turner reiterated his position that Ukraine “is it incredibly important to America” strategically given its location.
“But why is it incredibly important to Americans?” asked Carlson. “I mean, I know from a Ukrainian perspective it’s incredibly important, but why is it important enough to risk American lives to preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine when by the way our own territorial integrity has been flagrantly violated by a million foreign nationals coming in over the past 10 months? I wonder why the emphasis on Ukraine’s borders and not ours.”
“Well, I think everyone has an emphasis on our borders, Tucker. But certainly, I think you would–” Turner began before Carlson cut him off.
“Have you called for American troops to our borders?” Carlson asked.
“Everyone has called for American troops that is on our side, Tucker. But I think what you’re missing is the fact that because the president has failed in Afghanistan, both Russia and China are looking at threatening their neighbors, including Taiwan, including Ukraine, countries that are important to both our allies and to the strategic importance of the areas in which they are,” Turner said.
“But hold on,” Carlson interjected. “Why would we take Ukraine’s side and not Russia’s side? It’s a sincere question. If you’re looking at America’s perspective, why? Who’s got the energy reserves? Who’s the major player in world affairs? Who’s the potential counterbalance against China, which is the actual threat? Why would we take Ukraine’s side? Why wouldn’t we be on Russia’s side? I’m totally confused.”
“I guess I’m for democracy in other countries,” he said. “I guess. But I’m really for Americans and I just think that our interest is in counterbalancing the actual threat, which is China. And the only other country with any throw weight that might help us do that is Russia. And our continuation of the Cold War has pushed Russia toward China, and that does not serve our interests in any way. Does it?”
“I got it. Send lawyers, guns, and money. Where are the Republicans demanding that we send 101st [Airborne Division] or whatever it takes to close the border?” Carlson asked.
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