Longtime Texas congressman Michael McCaul is leaving Washington with a dire warning: America is standing closer than ever to the edge of World War III.
McCaul, 63, announced on Sunday that he will retire after serving 11 terms in the House, telling ABC’s This Week that he fears global instability is spinning out of control.
“I don’t think people realize just how dangerous this moment is,” McCaul said. “Putin is testing us. NATO is under pressure. We’ve never seen provocations at this level in recent history. We need to tread carefully, or we risk stumbling into a world war.”
His comments came just days after Russian forces sent at least 19 drones into Poland—an act seen by many as a direct challenge to NATO.
President Trump downplayed the incursion, suggesting it “might have been a mistake.” McCaul sharply disagreed.
“With all deference to the president, that was no mistake. Putin knew exactly what he was doing,” McCaul insisted. “He’s a KGB officer. He manipulates people. That’s what they do.”
McCaul didn’t mince words about Trump’s rocky relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I think Putin is manipulating the president, as a KGB officer would,” McCaul said. “The Alaska summit last month showed us one thing clearly: Putin has no intention of negotiating in good faith.”
Still, McCaul suggested Trump may be toughening up. “The more Putin irritates him, the better. President Trump’s natural instinct is to hit back hard, and I believe that will ultimately strengthen NATO and Ukraine’s hand.”
Trump has threatened “major sanctions” if Moscow presses forward in Ukraine but has tied them to NATO unity on Russian oil.
In a Truth Social post over the weekend, Trump wrote: “Ready to do MAJOR sanctions on Russia. But every NATO country must stop importing Russian oil. If they don’t, America won’t be the only one carrying the burden.”
Critics say deadlines for sanctions have repeatedly slipped. Supporters counter that Trump’s tough talk is a negotiating tactic aimed at forcing Europe to share the load.
McCaul, who has represented a deep-red Texas district stretching between Austin and Houston since 2005, once chaired both the Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs committees. He built a reputation as one of Congress’s most hawkish voices on national security.
“It’s been an honor to serve for over two decades in the Congress,” he said. “But it’s time for a new challenge. I want to stay engaged in national security and foreign policy, just in a different capacity.”
McCaul’s retirement announcement leaves Republicans with another open seat in Texas. His departure comes as conservatives demand stronger action against Russia and question NATO’s role.
With tensions rising and a president known for his unpredictability, the warning from one of the GOP’s most seasoned foreign policy hands hits with added weight.
As McCaul put it: “The temperature is rising. We can’t pretend otherwise. America must negotiate from strength—or risk sleepwalking into a world war.”
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So “the end is nigh” and this chicken shit bows out of the game.
What a putz.
What has he done to make America better in all the years he took a big salary?This RINO did the right thing to leave .He would have been part of the new world order anyway
What has he done to make America better?He is a RINO who will serve better by leaving so the people could get someone who really cares