Jul 10, 2020, 5:03 PM ETConference Presentation, Fireside Chat, Panel

Threats Aren’t Partisan: Securing the Health and Safety of a Nation

Representative Jane Harmon expresses skepticism that the Trump administration's peace deal with the Taliban, negotiated without the Afghan government, will lead to lasting peace.
Harmon warns that the Taliban remains associated with Al-Qaeda, and the withdrawal of U.S. troops and release of prisoners create a risk of the group reestablishing a caliphate.
Secretary Jay Johnson recalls a personal rocket attack at Bagram Air Base where a rocket landed 500 yards from his pillow, highlighting the Taliban's relentless commitment to conflict.
Johnson argues that the Afghan government controls only a fraction of the country due to its tribal nature, making it impossible for a national government to police the entire territory.
Both panelists agree the U.S. mission must be to prevent terrorist organizations from re-establishing a caliphate, necessitating a continued U.S. presence or a brokered arrangement between the Afghan government and Taliban.
Harmon criticizes the Trump administration's strategy of negotiating with the Taliban while excluding the lawfully elected Afghan government, calling it a flawed approach undertaken just days before the 9/11 anniversary.
Johnson notes that while the U.S. strategy has long been "to not lose," this approach failed to account for the deep tribalism and ungoverned spaces within Afghanistan.

Harmon acknowledges that President Trump elevated North Korea as a foreign policy priority, a shift from the Obama administration, but agrees that the preparation for summits was insufficient.
Johnson contends that Kim Jong-un has been the primary beneficiary of the summits, gaining global stature equivalent to the U.S. President, while the U.S. has gained little strategic advantage.
Harmon cites as a top concern the potential for Japan and South Korea to nuclearize following the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal, which she fears signals unreliability in U.S. commitments.
Harmon emphasizes that the Kim regime's primary goal is survival and will not relinquish nuclear weapons without absolute proof of regime security.
The panel notes that North Korea has increased short-range ballistic missile testing, which poses a risk to U.S. regional interests despite not yet reaching U.S. soil with long-range capabilities.

Secretary Johnson states that the COVID-19 pandemic has killed 120,000 Americans, a figure exceeding World War I casualties, constituting a direct threat to national security.
Johnson highlights the strain on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA as they face concurrent crises of a lethal virus and a predicted severe Atlantic hurricane season.
Representative Harmon identifies the U.S. pandemic response as a planning failure resulting from the defunding of pre-existing preparedness stockpiles established under the Bush and Obama administrations.
Harmon warns that the U.S. lacks the immediate resources and willpower to effectively respond to a major domestic terror attack or other security threats while managing the pandemic.

Harmon observes a correlation between pandemic anxiety, economic insecurity, and an exponential rise in gun sales, creating a volatile environment for potential violence.
Harmon recounts the 1994 assault weapons ban, which passed but expired in 2004, noting that the loss of the Democratic majority in Congress following the ban's passage deterred future efforts.
Johnson argues that federal legislation is unlikely to solve gun violence due to congressional polarization, advocating instead for solutions driven by mayors, city councils, and local police chiefs.
The panelists note that the Sandy Hook and Parkland tragedies failed to generate sufficient legislative momentum to pass gun control measures.

Harmon views the current civil rights unrest as a sustained movement rather than a fleeting moment, citing a shift in public opinion and the involvement of the private sector and media.
Johnson explains that "defund the police" is a rallying cry intended to redirect funds from brute street presence to social workers and mental health professionals, rather than eliminating public safety.
Harmon and Johnson criticize the June 1st dispersal of protesters in Lafayette Square as a horrific use of force that served a presidential photo opportunity rather than genuine security needs.
Johnson clarifies that no active-duty military were deployed on June 1st; the operation involved federal law enforcement agencies under Secret Service direction clearing a path for the President.
Harmon emphasizes the legal and cultural precedent of the Posse Comitatus Act, noting that retired generals and admirals widely condemned the use of military personnel against domestic protesters.
Johnson points out the impropriety of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs appearing in combat fatigues at the White House, a violation of protocol that the military leadership later regretted.

Johnson explains the "pre-publication review" process for classified officials, noting that John Bolton likely proceeded with publishing his book after the White House failed to complete the review process in a timely manner.
Harmon states that Bolton stonewalled Congressional oversight while in office and should not be pitied for seeking media attention and financial gain post-departure.
Harmon raises concerns regarding allegations in Bolton's book about the President attempting to use foreign powers to influence investigations, which she argues violates the principle of an impartial Justice Department.
Harmon warns that the removal of U.S. attorneys and the purging of oversight personnel threatens the checks and balances essential to the American legal system.
The panel concludes with a call for bipartisanship and respect for institutions, reiterating that threats like terrorism and pandemics are non-partisan and require a united response to protect the country.