Palmetto State News

There are pressing national security concerns facing the United States, according to Senator Lindsey Graham. In a recent opinion piece for Fox News, Graham emphasized the urgency of securing the nation's borders to prevent potential threats.

Graham stated that "we are playing Russian roulette with our national security if we delay securing our broken border." He highlighted the ongoing issue of fentanyl overdoses, claiming more than 200 Americans die daily due to these illicit drugs entering through the border. According to Graham, this is equivalent to a September 11 attack occurring every two weeks.

The senator also pointed out international threats, citing the chaotic situation in Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime. He warned about radical groups associated with Al Qaeda and ISIS gaining power in the region. Graham expressed concern over Turkey's view of U.S.-backed Kurdish forces as terrorists, noting these forces currently guard over 50,000 ISIS prisoners.

Graham underscored past terrorist attacks linked to ISIS, including incidents in Paris, Florida, and Manchester. He suggested that cartels could facilitate terrorist infiltration into the U.S., posing a severe threat.

He mentioned encounters on the southern border with illegal immigrants from "special interest countries" and those on terror watch lists. For Graham, enhancing national security involves measures such as increasing ICE agents and detention center capacity, completing border wall construction, and using advanced technology for continuous surveillance.

Graham supports President-elect Donald Trump's agenda to secure the border swiftly. As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee in the upcoming Congress session, he plans to collaborate with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Trump's team on passing significant border security legislation.

Furthermore, Graham advocates for maintaining Trump-era tax cuts and exploring regulatory reforms and spending reductions. The priority remains securing borders and addressing defense threats before they escalate.

"We are living on borrowed time given the threats that are growing throughout the world," he warned, urging lawmakers to prioritize intelligence briefings on emerging dangers.

Republican Lindsey Graham represents South Carolina in the United States Senate.