Lawmakers and political candidates on both sides of the aisle offered support for a likely trip to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), arguing security concerns presented by China over the trip shouldn’t deter her from visiting the island.
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In a video posted to Twitter, Georgia Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker said Pelosi should go to Taiwan, as it would send a “signal to the world that we’re going to stand up to China.”
“If need be, Speaker Pelosi, I’ll take you to Taiwan myself,” he said.
Pelosi arrived in Singapore Monday, with a stop in Taiwan expected but unconfirmed as she visits the region. China considers Taiwan its territory — a source of constant friction between Beijing and Washington, given American support for the democratically controlled island. China tried to warn Pelosi off the move, threatening vague “strong measures” in response.
The Biden administration did not seem to favor Pelosi going on the trip, citing military concerns, but Pelosi appeared undeterred, a rare example of tension between the speaker and the president. The White House later said Pelosi has the “right” to go.
But both Republican and Democratic lawmakers offered their support for Pelosi’s trip. Many congressional Republicans, including Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), chairman of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, praised the expected trip.
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said Pelosi “should go to Taiwan and President Biden should make it abundantly clear to Chairman Xi that there’s not a damn thing the Chinese Communist Party can do about it.”
“No more feebleness and self-deterrence,” Sasse said. “This is very simple: Taiwan is an ally and the Speaker of the House of Representatives should meet with the Taiwanese men and women who stare down the threat of Communist China.”
Pelosi has been a longtime critic of China since the beginning of her congressional career, prior to her time in House leadership. Her San Francisco district includes one of the largest Chinese expatriate communities, which is generally unsupportive of the country’s Communist regime.
Walker’s position is notable because it is a departure from former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed his candidacy. Trump argued Pelosi should not travel to Taiwan because she will “make trouble” with China.
Trump’s argument was criticized by conservative commentator Erick Erickson, who argued, “There shouldn’t be a partisan position on Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.”
“All of us should support the speaker of the United States House of Representatives going to an island nation that is an ally and standing up to the communist Chinese,” calling himself “a little disappointed” by Trump’s take.
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“When the speaker of the House of Representatives wants to go to a freedom-loving people and offer the support of the United States, we should do that,” he said. “Why are we being scared of China?”
