Rubio Declares US 'Doing the World a Favor' with Strikes on Houthi Rebels
Sarah Johnson
March 17, 2025
Brief
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends President Trump's airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels, emphasizing the mission to protect global shipping and end Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio went all-in defending President Donald Trump's decision to order airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. According to Rubio, these strikes aren't just a favor to America but to the entire world.
Appearing on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Rubio stated, "We're doing the entire world a favor by getting rid of these guys and their ability to strike global shipping. That's the mission here, and it will continue until that's carried out." Bold words, no doubt.
The defense comes after Trump took to social media Saturday to announce what he described as "decisive and powerful" airstrikes against the Houthi rebels, accusing the militant group of a reign of terror involving piracy, violence, and attacks on American and international ships, aircraft, and drones.
The president didn’t mince words, warning the Houthis with a fiery statement: "To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!" It's clear Trump wanted to make sure everyone knew he meant business.
The strikes were a direct response to the continued disruption caused by the Houthis in the Red Sea. Rubio emphasized this isn’t just about sending a message—it's about making sure the Houthis lose their ability to control and disrupt shipping in one of the world's most vital maritime corridors.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been accused of attacking 174 U.S. naval vessels over the past year, as well as launching 145 attacks on commercial shipping vessels. Rubio didn’t hold back in describing the rebels, calling them "a band of pirates with guided precision anti-ship weaponry" who are wreaking havoc in a key shipping lane. Honestly, it sounds like a dystopian movie plot, except it's very real.
The secretary of state made it clear that the strikes would persist until the Houthis are no longer able to carry out such attacks. "We're not going to have people sitting around with missiles attacking the U.S. Navy," Rubio firmly stated. "It's not going to happen. Not under President Trump." Love him or hate him, Trump's administration is taking a hard stance here.
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Editor's Comments
Rubio’s bold statements paint the Houthis as modern-day pirates, and while the rhetoric is dramatic, it underscores a critical issue—global shipping security. Still, you have to wonder if this hardline approach risks escalating tensions in an already volatile region. Also, Trump’s fiery tone is pure theater, but it does grab attention. You can’t say he lacks flair!
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