DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S Senator Tim Scott said there shouldn’t be American military “boots on the ground” in Ukraine. But the South Carolina Republican campaigning for president remains supportive in the U.S., providing the weapons and resources Ukraine needs to push back Russia’s invasion.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson hit Scott with tough questions on Ukraine, the border, and more at Friday’s Family Leadership Summit, which included a cattle call of GOP presidential candidates.
Scott was first up in a full day of candidate interviews at the downtown Des Moines convention center that hosted hundreds of Iowa Christian conservatives, some getting their first upfront introductions to the candidates.
Carlson, who was earlier this year shown the door by Fox News and joked he’s looking for a job, asked Scott if he was concerned that the United States is moving toward war with Russia. The long-time conservative talk show host noted President Joe Biden’s call-up this week of 3,000 reservists to be ready for Europe deployments.
“We should never allow American soldiers to be engulfed into the challenge between Ukraine and Russia. Our boots on the ground should not be there,” Scott said to applause.
Of course, some U.S. troops are already on the ground in Ukraine.
The senator doubled down on his support to fight against Russian Vladimir Putin’s acts of aggression and “genocide” in Ukraine. He said the U.S. must continue to provide the resources to assist its NATO allies and Ukraine in “degrading” Russia’s war-making capabilities.
“One of the failures of President Biden has been his inability to articulate America’s vital interests in the conflict …” Scott said. “America’s vital interest is degrading the Russian military. When we degrade the Russian military we make sure our home front is safer and that our NATO allies and partners that would cause us to send soldiers over [are] safe.”
So, what does Scott think of Biden’s decision to send controversial cluster bombs to Ukraine?
“If I was president we wouldn’t have to,” the candidate said.
“But now that we have, what do you think about them?” Carlson pressed.
“They are there, so here’s what I’m suggesting …” Scott said.
“I don’t think they are there yet. Should we send them?” Carlson continued.<
Scott blamed Biden for announcing to the world that the U..S. is low on artillery ammunition rounds.
“In my administration we would have the resources in a defense industrial complex that provides the weapons we and our western allies need so we wouldn’t be in this position at all,” Scott said.
Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner by far in the GOP presidential nomination chase, blasted Biden, saying the Democrat “should not be drags us further toward World War III by sending munitions to Ukraine — he should be trying to END the war and stop the horrific death and destruction being caused by an incompetent administration.
“These unexploded cluster munitions will be killing and maiming innocent Ukrainian men, women, and children for decades to come, long after the war—we pray—has ended,” Trump said in a statement Tuesday.
GOP presidential candidates slated for a good grilling by Carlson later Friday include:
- Former Vice President Mike Pence
- Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley
- Ohio biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Trump opted not to attend the event.
Organized by influential Iowa Christian conservative Bob Vander Plaats’ Family Leader, a suburban Des Moines-based evangelical Christian organization that aims to inspire “Christ-like leadership in the home, the church, and the government,” the summit is now in its 12th year. It’s seen as a top stop for conservative candidates seeking the Republican presidential nomination in the first-in-nation caucus state.
The Star News Network will provide full coverage from the Family Leadership Summit.
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M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.
