Letter to the editor: Rouzer plays tourist with America at war

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 04.16.26

Congressman Rouzer has long advocated war with Iran. In 2024 he said, “firing off a missile here or there” wasn’t enough, adding: “It needs to be substantial in a way that Iran really feels.”

In 2025, when Trump blew up ongoing negotiations and bombed Iran, Rouzer “commended” him, “regardless of any Iranian response which may occur.” Like Trump, Rouzer ignored the fact that Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz and 20% of the world’s oil.

The U.S. Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, must use Hormuz Strait. That’s why Rouzer cheered Trump’s deployment of thousands of troops from NC’s Fort Bragg to the Persian Gulf, saying, “The Strait is one of the most critical trade routes.”

Rouzer applauded Trump for demanding that Iran reopen it, ignoring his frequent flip-flops. In Trump’s April 1 national primetime address, he said, “We haven’t needed it and we don’t need it.” On Easter Sunday, Trump did a 180: “Open the [expletive] Strait, you crazy [expletive],” he wrote, “or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.” If not, Trump wrote on April 7, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene said Trump “has gone insane.” Rouzer had no comment. He was too busy enjoying a Scotland junket with the GOP’s “Main Street Caucus.”

The Caucus claims to consist of “pragmatic conservatives who get things done” and describes itself as “a space for conservative Members to come together to find practical solutions to the many challenges our nation faces.”

Rouzer and 30 Republican pals “came together” at 1,000-year-old Edinburgh Castle, where they were photographed playing tourist. They ignored Main Street America’s challenges, including a DHS that remained unfunded, a Strait that remained closed, and American soldiers fighting a war Rouzer cheered for. Way to “get things done,” Dave!

This November, send Rouzer back to Main Street, Shallotte. Elect Kimberly Hardy representative.

Michael Rush

Leland