Rep. Pat Harrigan, a Republican from North Carolina and former Green Beret, believes that the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has condemned the next generation to future conflicts. Harrigan argues the Taliban’s swift takeover emboldened U.S. adversaries and weakened national security. He cites the withdrawal as a major reason he decided to run for Congress, seeing a need for stronger leadership in military and defense policy.
Harrigan, who enlisted in the military at 23, was quickly thrust into leadership, overseeing 350 personnel at a combat outpost in Afghanistan. His combat and Green Beret service strengthened his grasp of global threats and military readiness. He contends that America’s enemies—China, Russia, and terrorist organizations—view the U.S. retreat from Afghanistan as a sign of weakness, making future conflicts more likely.
In Congress, Harrigan is focused on strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base, ensuring military readiness, and deterring conflict through strength. He urges proactive measures to ensure the U.S. wins decisively if war is inevitable. He advocates modernizing the military, securing the border, and fixing recruitment issues.
Harrigan warns that America’s youth will bear the burden of poor foreign policy decisions made today. He stresses that the next generation must be prepared for the challenges ahead, as global instability continues to grow. His legislative priorities include increasing defense spending and improving veteran support. He emphasizes that future military engagements should be based on strategic national interests, not political calculations.
The Biden administration faces ongoing scrutiny over foreign policy, especially in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Harrigan argues that stronger leadership is crucial to safeguarding American security. He advocates for strong defense, border security, and military readiness to prevent conflicts.
