Rep. McCaul on Air Force General’s prediction of 2025 war with China: ‘I hope he’s wrong…I think he’s right’ – American News

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, weighed in on the prediction of four-star Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, who warned his commanders to prepare for war with China in about two years.

Minihan predicted the fighting will come after China takes advantage of the United States’ preoccupation with the 2024 election to take action against Taiwan, which will also focus on its election next year.

“I hope he’s wrong,” McCaul told “TOU Sunday” host Shannon Bream. “I think he’s right though, unfortunately.”

McCaul explained that China is keen on the “reunification” of Taiwan with mainland China. He said it could happen by influencing Taiwanese elections in early 2024.

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“But if they don’t win in that one, they’re going to consider a military invasion, in my opinion. We have to be prepared for that.”

McCaul said that “as long as Biden is in power, projecting weakness,” there’s a “very strong” chance of that happening. He cited the Biden administration’s failure with the withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he said led to Russia invading Ukraine.

Later in the program, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, disagreed with McCaul and Minihan’s assessment of a possible war with China.

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“I want to be absolutely clear. Not only is it not inevitable, it’s highly unlikely,” he said.

Smith acknowledged that “anything is possible” and that the military must be prepared, said “generals must be very careful” with what they say and must not tell the world that the United States is going to come into war with China, especially because we are not.”

The Democrat said while the United States should be able to deter China, he is “very confident” that military conflict can be avoided.

TOU

NBC News reported Friday that Air Mobility Command chief Minihan warned air wing commanders in a memo that his “gut” was telling him that a conflict with China was imminent.

The general said that “a fortified, ready, integrated and agile joint force maneuver team, ready to fight and win inside the first island chain” must be established to prepare for combat. imminent, and asked commanders to report by February 28 on steps they will take to prepare for war against China.