Rep. Brian Mast: Biden’s policies a ‘slap in the face’ to U.S. service members

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast blasted President Joe Biden over his ongoing policies in relation to tensions in the Middle East.

“Joe Biden is repeating the failed polices that led to Benghazi, and it’s a slap in the face to every service member who’s putting his or her life on the line,” Mast said, speaking on Fox Business.

Since Oct. 17., U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Syria have reportedly been attacked at least 48 times by Iranian-backed proxies.

On Sunday, United States personnel retaliated with two air strikes against Iran-linked groups in Eastern Syria. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the attacks allegedly killed six Iranian proxy fighters.

In wake of the operation, Mast slammed the Biden administration’s approach in the region. He also compared the current situation to Sept. 11, 2012 Benghazi attack in Libya.

Orchestrated by Ansar al-Sharia, an Islamist group aligned to Al-Qaeda, the attack targeted the United States’ diplomatic compound. The result killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.

“We know there are outposts around the globe, some of them for the purpose of combating ISIS and other things,” Mast said. “There are agency operatives, there are military operatives, you get morale and competence by doing that – the U.S. cavalry is right over the horizon, through our air power, whatever. It needs a minute and a half – supersonic jet – right away from having our back.”

Mast criticized Biden, who was vice president at the time of Benghazi, over current foreign policy. The attack also occurred under then-President Barack Obama and then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“It’s a continuation of those policies, where you see Americans that are heeding our call to action hung out to dry abroad not getting the support that they need. This is a continuous continuation of those Benghazi-like policies,” Mast continued.