Lyndsey Graham “Boots on the Ground” is Nuts
Segment #520
Yes, Senator Lindsey Graham has repeatedly called for "boots on the ground" in various contexts, particularly regarding military intervention in the Middle East.1
He has been a consistent advocate for the deployment of U.S. ground troops in places like Syria and Iraq to combat groups like ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). For example, in 2015, he explicitly stated that American "boots on the ground in Syria and we need more American boots on the ground in Iraq if we're going to protect the American homeland."23 He has also stated that there is "no way I can see how we're going to fix the problem in Iraq in Syria without American ground troops."4
More recently, his public statements have touched on potential military actions in relation to Iran and support for Israel, indicating his continued hawkish stance on foreign policy and the potential for military engagement.5
Lindsey Graham is calling for a full scale invasion of Iran for the sake of "fighting for our freedom."
“This is insane, reckless madness from a warmongering asshole who's been in office for 30 years and never done a single thing to make life better for Americans. Every true America First conservative should reject this maniac and everyone like him. A regime change war in the Middle East has never made Americans freer. It has nothing to do with our freedom whatsoever. He's feeding you the same lie that these types have been pushing for three decades and hoping you're dumb enough not to notice.” Matt Walsh
Background:
Senator Lindsey Graham has consistently advocated for deploying U.S. ground troops, or "boots on the ground," in various conflicts, particularly in the Middle East. His calls for military intervention often focus on countering threats like ISIS, securing chemical weapons, or addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Below is a summary of key instances where Graham has pushed for U.S. ground forces, based on available information:
Syria (2013): Amid reports of chemical weapons use, Graham urged U.S. troops be sent to secure Syrian WMD sites, arguing there was "no substitute" for ground forces to prevent extremists from acquiring these weapons. He emphasized the need for U.S. leadership, even if it required unilateral action.
Syria and Iraq (2014-2015): Graham repeatedly called for U.S. ground troops to combat ISIS, criticizing President Obama’s reliance on airstrikes and local forces. In 2014, he labeled the idea of avoiding U.S. ground troops in Syria a "fantasy" and said a "substantial American component" was needed. By 2015, he estimated 10,000 U.S. troops were required in Syria to stop ISIS, warning of a potential "Paris on steroids" attack if the group wasn’t defeated. He argued Arab armies needed U.S. support and training on the ground.
Iran (2024-2025): In August 2024, Graham introduced a war powers resolution to strike Iran’s nuclear program but stated a conflict with Iran or Hezbollah would not require U.S. ground troops. However, by June 2025, posts on X and some sources claimed he was advocating for "boots on the ground" in Iran, though these lack detailed context or primary confirmation. Critics on X labeled him a "warmonger" and opposed any troop deployment, suggesting he should personally lead such efforts.
Ukraine (2022-2024): Graham has been vocal about supporting Ukraine against Russia but explicitly opposed U.S. ground troops there, focusing instead on providing weapons and economic aid. He highlighted Ukraine’s vast mineral resources as a strategic reason for Western support, arguing they shouldn’t fall to Russia or China.
Critical Perspective: Graham’s push for ground troops often contrasts with public wariness post-Iraq and Afghanistan, as noted in 2014 by HuffPost, where polls showed skepticism toward U.S. troop deployments. Critics, like those in The National Interest (2015), argue that deploying ground forces against groups like ISIS fails to address root causes and risks creating new insurgencies, pointing to the Taliban’s resurgence despite years of U.S. presence. X posts in 2025 reflect similar sentiment, accusing Graham of escalating conflicts without personal risk.
Current Sentiment: Recent X posts (June 2025) show strong opposition to Graham’s alleged Iran comments, though it’s unclear if he explicitly called for ground troops or if this is an exaggeration of his broader hawkish stance. Without a primary source like a direct quote or interview from June 2025, these claims remain inconclusive.