Rep. Matt Gaetz Presses Navy, Helps Local Heroes Get Answers to Hold Saudi Government Accountable for NAS Pensacola Attack

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) today questioned Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Michael Gilday, in an effort to get answers for local Northwest Florida heroes regarding the 2019 terrorist attack on Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola - an attack perpetrated by a Saudi military exchange student.

A group of survivors and family members seeking justice filed suit against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, the Saudi government filed a motion to dismiss the case, denying any responsibility for the attack. The U.S. Navy is in possession of critical documents that will aid the survivors and family members find the justice they seek. Today, Admiral Gilday offered his full cooperation to provide those critical documents.

Additionally, Rep. Gaetz and Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) also sent a letter to President Biden today, requesting him to order the lowering of the flag to half-staff nationwide on December 6, 2022, as a National Day of Remembrance to honor the victims, survivors, and surviving family members of the terrorist attack on NAS Pensacola.

Full replay of the exchange between Rep. Gaetz and Admiral Gilday can be found HERE and below:

Full text of the letter sent to President Biden can be found HEREand below:

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden

President of the United States

White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Biden:

On December 6, 2019, a radical Islamic extremist with direct ties to Al Qaeda attacked Naval Air Station Pensacola, resulting in the deaths of Ensign Joshua Kaleb, Airman Apprentice Cameron Walters, and Airman Mohammed Haitham, and the injury of eight brave Americans. This attack on our homeland by a foreign terrorist was unconscionable. The survivors and surviving family members of those who lost their loved ones live each day with pain in their hearts. This pain is especially poignant on the anniversary of that tragic day.

Each year, on the anniversary of this brutal attack on our homeland, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis orders the flag flown at half-staff throughout the state and on federal reservations as a day of remembrance honoring the victims, survivors, and surviving family members. This powerful annual observance allows the survivors, surviving families, Floridians, and all Americans to take a moment of reflection and has helped in the healing of all who still suffer scars, visible and invisible, of this terror attack on our homeland.

On behalf of the survivors and surviving families of this national tragedy, we ask this year, on December 6, 2022, you order the lowering of the flag to half-staff nationwide as a National Day of Remembrance. This action will be of great comfort to all who lost a loved one or suffered trauma that day and who struggle to find peace. An attack on one American by foreign terrorists is an attack on us all. It is time we demonstrate national solidarity on the anniversary of such an attack. We thank you for your consideration and look forward to discussing this further with you, at your pleasure.

Sincerely,

Matt Gaetz

Neal P. Dunn, M.D.

Members of Congress

###

For updates, subscribe to Congressman Gaetz's newsletter here.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.