Sen. Lindsey Graham sounded the alarm Sunday about the growing threat of the Islamic State, the militant group formerly known as ISIS, launching an attack on American soil unless President Obama takes more decisive action to stop the terror group’s surge across Iraq and Syria.
Graham, R-S.C., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told “Fox News Sunday” that the well-funded, swiftly-strengthening organization, which has taken control of large parts of both Middle East countries, is a “direct threat to our homeland.”
“Mr. President, be honest with the threat we face,” Graham said. “They are coming.”
Graham was critical of the president’s decision late last week to order a series of limited airstrikes at Islamic State military installations in northern Iraq to stop members from killing American personnel and the thousands of Christians, Kurds and others who have fled into the Sinjar Mountains.
Graham posed no solution or his own strategy, however, as public-opinion polls show the American public is war-weary and reluctant to send U.S. troops back into Iraq.
Graham’s argument Sunday follows a Vice News video that appears to show an Islamic State militant saying, “We will raise the flag of Allah in the White House.” The video was released before Obama ordered the strikes, in addition to humanitarian-aid drops.
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., told Fox News that he supports the president’s strategy, particularly the humanitarian effort, and repeated the administration’s argument that the best way to stop Islamic State is for Iraq to develop a stronger, more-inclusive government.
Graham also argued that Islamic State’s nearly unchecked rise is the result of the president failing last year to take action against the group in Syria, even after the FBI and other U.S. intelligence officials warned the White House and Congress of its growing, global threat.
“Your game plan cannot protect the United States,” Graham said Sunday, addressing Obama.
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