During a Thursday night appearance on Fox News’ “Ingraham Angle,” White House National Security Adviser Michael Waltz took aim at critics of President Trump’s approach to global conflicts. He pointed out what he called a double standard among those demanding a ceasefire in Gaza while opposing Trump’s push to end the war in Ukraine.
Turning to the situation in the Middle East, Waltz made it clear: “Hamas has to be destroyed.”
While he acknowledged ongoing negotiations to free Israeli hostages, he emphasized that at the end of the day, Gaza will no longer be ruled by Hamas—an organization that has openly vowed to repeat attacks like those on October 7th.
Waltz also defended Trump’s foreign policy approach, stating that during Trump’s first term, there were no major invasions.
“Putin is clearly emboldened by perceived weakness and deterred by strength,” Waltz said, arguing that leaders like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong-un know Trump won’t hesitate to stand up to them—but also prefers diplomacy when possible.
Later in the evening, during an interview with NewsNation’s “On Balance,” Waltz was asked whether the U.S. supports or encourages Israel to resume military action against Hamas.
His response? “There are a number of options on the table.”
While some Hamas leaders may flee to Iran or elsewhere, Waltz made one thing clear: The U.S. will support Israel in ensuring Hamas no longer controls Gaza.
As tensions continue to rise, the Biden administration’s stance remains under scrutiny. Meanwhile, Trump’s no-nonsense approach to global conflicts is already shaping the conversation leading up to 2028.
