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John Moolenaar: “A lot of Americans say, why are we doing this?”

Featuring: John Moolenaar, Republican | U.S. House Michigan, 2nd Congressional District

Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan

Published February 12, 2026 | Video Starts at 31:57

I think one of the things we've seen in government is we want to try and take a fresh look at some of these ways of communicating. And I think that that's a key goal for the coming year because, you know, A lot of Americans say, why are we doing this? I think if there was ever a time in our history where we can celebrate 250 years of the Declaration of Independence, but also look deeper at the principles that … (31:57–32:00)

CLAIM

Asserts that many Americans question the government's actions.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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John Moolenaar

“Xi Jinping's mandate to the People's Liberation army, requiring China's military to be prepared, if called upon, to subjugate Taiwan by…”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 05:59-06:17
“China basically fired a loaded gun at our economy and the world economy and basically said we'll cut off these rare earths.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 36:25-36:34
“There was legislation that passed almost unanimously. There may have been two people who voted against the Protect Taiwan act.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 44:12-44:20
“Taiwan [is] the linchpin of the first island chain.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 03:27-22:40
“Taiwan is a vibrant democratic society, a crucial part of world supply chains and a close partner of the United States.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 03:31-03:43
“Taiwan is one of our top trading partners, a critical link in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor supply chains, and a significant…”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 03:31-03:43
“If Taiwan falls, the Chinese Communist Party will control the center of gravity along the first island chain, giving Beijing leverage over…”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 04:43-05:03
“China's military would also hold a commanding position along the first island chain, directly threatening US Allies such as Japan and the…”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 05:04-05:22
“Deterring aggression in the Taiwan Strait is a core US national security interest.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 05:23-05:30
“The Chinese Communist Party has increased its provocations, incursions, and coercive actions against Taiwan and the rest of the world.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 05:48-05:58
“Congress continues to strengthen its ties with Taiwan across every domain, diplomatically, economically and with peace through strength.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 07:47-07:58
“America's commitment to peace, stability and Taiwan's self determination is bipartisan and unwavering.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 08:09-08:19
“Congress will act decisively alongside our allies to deter CCP aggression, defend democratic values and ensure a free and open Indo Pacific.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 08:19-08:33
“The select Committee was actually authorized by a very strong bipartisan vote in Congress.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 10:00-10:09
“We really have to give special consideration to Taiwan.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 10:33-10:39
“Our committee has done bipartisan CODELs.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 10:39-10:43
“China is very aggressive in terms of putting information out there that sometimes is not accurate.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 11:51-11:58
“Xi Jinping has said to be prepared to take Taiwan by force if necessary.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 13:40-13:47
“The CCP is a dynasty in China.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 14:18-14:24
“China is actually trying to change the status quo.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 14:29-14:34
“There was a Chinese battery plant, Goshen, that wanted to locate in the district and, you know, has an affiliation with the Chinese…”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 16:34-16:44
“The local community came out and said they basically did not want to have this battery plant in the district.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 16:48-16:54
“People who said that they didn't want this CCP affiliated battery plant were branded as anti Asian, racist.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 16:56-17:07
“We need to make sure we get [Taiwan] the munitions that they have purchased that have been promised and do it in a timely way.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 19:31-19:41
“The best thing you can do to, you know, have peace is to prepare for war.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 20:52-20:58
“There is a general commitment of wanting to increase military spending.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 21:32-21:38
“The threat that [a change across the Taiwan Straits] also means for Japan, for the Philippines, for Europe, for the global economy.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 22:13-22:52
“Korea is in a key location.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 26:02-26:04
“The relationships with Japan and Korea, the Philippines have grown so much these past several years.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 26:34-26:45
“Our defense industrial base needs to be strengthened.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 29:52-30:13
“Manufacturing was leaving the United States.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 29:59-30:03
“We need more manufacturing here [in the United States].”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 30:04-30:06
“We want to try and take a fresh look at some of these ways of communicating.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 31:44-31:50
“There's a big difference between freedom and authoritarianism.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 33:02-33:07
“Xi would want to have good relations with Taiwan as a neighbor and view things through a eye of mutual prosperity.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 34:01-34:15
“Xi will probably say that's not something we're going to discuss because it's an internal matter for China.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 34:17-34:29
“Pastors have been recently rounded up in China and are being detained.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 35:08-35:16
“A number of their children are here, U.S. citizens.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 35:16-35:20
“President Trump stating about, you know, we're going to become more independent in our supply chains from China.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 35:34-35:42
“Could have shut down our automotive industry, you know, our military capabilities.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 36:35-36:40
“The administration is really doing a good job responding to that.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 36:55-37:00
“Status quo in the Taiwan Strait is a pretty strong red line.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 40:41-40:45
“I have legislation that I've sponsored on revoking China's pntr.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 45:03-45:12
“When they're stealing technology, they're undercutting through unfair trade practices and overcapacity and driving people out of business.”
Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 45:15-45:26