Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, weighed in on four-star Air Force General Mike Minihan’s prediction, which warned his commanders to prepare for war with China in about two years.
Minihan predicted that fighting will come after China takes advantage of the US preoccupied with the 2024 elections to take action against Taiwan, which will also target their elections next year.
“I hope he’s wrong,” McCaul told Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream. “However, I think he’s right, unfortunately.”
McCaul explained that China is very keen to “reunify” Taiwan with mainland China. He said this could happen by influencing Taiwan’s elections in early 2024.
CHINESE MILITARY AIRCRAFT, SHIPS ENTER TAIWANESE SPACE IN LATEST THREAT OF VIOLENCE
“But if they don’t win that, I think they’re going to look at a military invasion. We have to be prepared for this.”
McCaul said “as long as Biden is in office and projecting weakness,” the likelihood of this happening is “very high.” He cited the Biden administration’s failure to withdraw from Afghanistan, which he said led to Russia invading Ukraine.
Later in the program, Representative of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., Disagreeing with McCaul and Minihan’s assessment of a possible war with China.
DEFENSE SECRETARY AUSTIN ‘SERIOUSLY DOUBTS’ CHINA INVASION OF TAIWAN IS ‘THREATENING’
“I want to be completely clear. Not only is it not inevitable, it’s highly unlikely,” he said.
Smith acknowledged that “anything is possible” and that the military should be prepared, said that “generals should be very careful” about what they say and should not tell the world that the US is going to war with China, especially since we are not. “
The Democrat said that while the US should be able to deter China, he is “very confident” that a military conflict can be avoided.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
NBC News reported Friday that Minihan, head of Air Mobility Command, warned air wing commanders in a memo that his “gut” tells him a conflict with China is on the way.
The general said that “a reinforced, ready, integrated and agile Joint Force Maneuver Team ready to fight and win within the first island chain” must be established to prepare for the impending battle, and instructed commanders to February 28 to report. steps they will take to prepare for war against China.
