United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss several key topics, including U.S. foreign policy regarding Russia and Ukraine, oversight of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal spending, and the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza.
During his appearance, Hagerty addressed President Donald Trump’s approach to ending the war in Ukraine. He stated that Trump is exerting economic and military pressure on Russia by introducing secondary sanctions involving India and increasing American energy production to compete with Russia. He also noted recent U.S. approval for the sale of 3,500 cruise missiles to Ukraine, funded by European nations such as the Netherlands and Norway. Hagerty commented: “President Trump is doing something that Joe Biden never attempted to do, and that’s trying to bring an end to this war. And he’s putting pressure on the situation on multiple fronts. Look at the economic front. He’s putting secondary sanctions in place with India right now. We’ve gone into full production here in America, putting America in a place to actually supplant Russia on the energy stage– that puts economic pressure on Putin. If you look at it from a military standpoint, Trump just approved the sale of 3,500 cruise missiles to Ukraine. Guess who’s paying for that? The Europeans are paying for it– the Netherlands, Norway. This is taking the pressure off the American taxpayer, putting it back into Europe, which is more proximate. And let’s not relieve President Macron either. Europe is much more proximate to this. They need to be taking an active role. I applaud the fact that they’ve stepped up to President Trump’s demands, going to 5 percent of their GDP on defense. Let’s see them step up and, rather than complain, play a constructive role in this.”
Hagerty expressed skepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end hostilities but argued that sustained pressure could force negotiations: “I think you’re right about his actions. And I don’t think Putin has the intention. I think what he’s doing is responding to the pressure that President Trump is putting on him. Again, economic pressure, security pressure. And I think the options for Putin continue to narrow. Things are not going well in Russia. His economy is not doing well, and as President Trump continues to mount pressure, the Europeans can also step up. I think that’s the way to approach this, not to hope for some sort of benevolent turn by Vladimir Putin, but to put him in a position where he has to make a deal.”
He further emphasized giving President Trump broad authority when negotiating with Russia: “At every point, what you’ve seen is President Trump narrowing Putin’s options. What we did see was Putin reach out, come to American soil in Alaska, an impressive American flyover. Putin is seeing again his options are shrinking and diminishing. President Trump is moving him in the right direction. I think that we need to give President Trump maximum latitude here. He’s the one negotiating this, and I think we need to give him the ability to put maximum pressure on Vladimir Putin.” Hagerty added: “As I said, I’m in favor of giving President Trump maximum latitude to exert maximum pressure. He has the constitutional authority. President Trump has the constitutional authority to handle this foreign relations issue. I want to see him–rather than being constrained by the actions that we take in the Senate–I want to see him have maximum latitude to get this negotiation taken care of.”
On CDC accountability during Trump’s administration efforts following pandemic challenges, Hagerty remarked: “First and foremost, we need to keep in mind that the CDC director and staff were not elected by American people…the CDC has been at epicenter of deep state failure…If this new director isn’t capable of delivering I’m glad he’s realized early on…Those who resign probably are resigning because scrutiny that’s much deserved now being applied.”
Hagerty also discussed legislative measures aimed at curbing federal spending through rescissions packages targeting programs he views as unnecessary or misaligned with U.S interests: “I just voted in support of last rescissions package…If you look below surface it’s five billion dollars going UN programs don’t serve America’s best interest: global LGBTQ awareness climate resilience Honduras…Congress opportunity…Let’s vote get done now law does provide 45-day window…Let’s see what happens here when we get back after recess.”
Addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis amid conflict between Israel and Hamas-controlled territories Hagerty stated: “The best way resolve humanitarian crisis Gaza quit using humans shield get away Palestinians; Hamas needs go away….they’re basically reaping huge profits funding operations off back Palestinians….We need see humanitarian crisis come end trust Israelis do it best most expeditious fashion possible.”
