The United States will not tolerate the targeting of its forces by any foreign power, U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney said Tuesday.
Cheney, speaking during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., said any foreign power planning harm to American forces should be ready for significant consequences.
“I want to be absolutely clear, America’s adversaries should know, they should have no doubt that any targeting of U.S. forces by Russians, by anyone else will face a very swift and deadly response,” she said.
Cheney’s comments followed a White House briefing on reports that Russia was offering bounties to members of the Taliban who killed American soldiers in Afghanistan.
After the briefing, Cheney, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued a joint statement with U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, saying they were concerned about Russian activities in Afghanistan.
“It has been clear for some time that Russia does not wish us well in Afghanistan,” the statement said. “We believe it is important to vigorously pursue any information related to Russia or any other country targeting our forces. Congress has no more important obligation than providing for the security of our nation and ensuring our forces have the resources they need.”
During the press briefing, Cheney declined to discuss the specifics of what was discussed in the White House briefing.
However, she said that any force targeting U.S. forces should not underestimate the level of response.
“America’s adversaries should never question the will of the United States government or of the American people to defend our interests, to protect the security of our nation, to protect our forces and to respond when attacked or threatened,” she said.
