Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) released the following statement in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military operation against Ukraine:

Tonight I pray for the innocent civilians and military personnel in harms way in  Ukraine. This is not their fault.

For over a year, I have been stating that President Biden has been giving hope to the “bad guys”. Tonight, one of the most dangerous leaders on the planet, Vladimir Putin, is taking advantage of our weaknesses.  We as a nation are reminded that our freedoms are not pre-ordained, they are earned and fought for. Just the same, peace is not deserved, it’s earned and fought for. 
 
This new war started by Putin is a product of the Biden administration not creating a stronger deterrence and failing to demonstrate to the world that the United States and our allies are to be respected. In the last year, we as a nation have turned our back on our allies, opened our own borders, and have adopted pretentious, progressive ideals that don’t promote true national security. 

I support the US providing significant military offensive and defensive equipment (not American troops), providing advanced offensive and defensive cyber capabilities, and sharing intelligence with the Ukrainian government that leads to the termination of Putin’s regime.  
 
The unlawful steps Russia is taking against Ukraine are only the beginning. China formally annexing and attacking Taiwan is the end state of all of these actions. Taiwan will be in the crosshairs of China if we do not start growing a backbone as a superpower. Until then, the US becomes more vulnerable every day this persists.

Tonight, I pray for the people of Ukraine and those that will fight  to defend their homeland. And I remind all Americans that our own freedoms are not preordained.