Congressman Troy Downing Calls Trump’s Board of Peace Initiative an “Incredible Legacy”

Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., praised President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker peace in the Middle East during a recent television appearance. He described the Board of Peace initiative as “an incredible legacy for this administration.”

Downing stated, “Well, first of all, what an incredible legacy for this administration to have gotten us so close to this, and this obviously really long conflict. To get so many people to the table to start talking about actual peace in this region is incredible.”

He emphasized that while diplomatic progress is significant, humanitarian concerns must remain front and center. “We can’t ignore the humanitarian needs,” he said. “We need to make sure that we are doing what we need to do to take care of our fellow humans here. And those needs are huge.”

Downing added that efforts must distinguish between civilians and Hamas, insisting, “We need to make sure that we’re separating the people and those needs from Hamas, and Hamas needs to disarm. We need to get them to agree to do that.”

He also noted the urgency of addressing infrastructural needs, saying, “In the meantime, we need to make sure that we’re taking care of the infrastructural needs, the food, the medicine, everything else, and take care of that to minimize any kind of human suffering in that region.”

Downing reiterated his support for the administration’s diplomacy, stating, “I’m just going to re-emphasize what an incredible legacy for this administration to have gotten us so close to actually brokering a peace deal. I’m really excited about this opportunity.”

When asked about criticism that the Board of Peace concentrates power and serves as an alternative authority structure, Downing dismissed detractors. “There’s always going to be naysayers,” he said. “I’m thoroughly convinced that if Trump somehow brokered a cure for cancer, that somebody would find a way to support cancer.”

Downing argued that instability in the region and Hamas’ control have undermined democratic processes. “The instability in this region and having Hamas really take over and be the spokesperson and the de facto government of that region, we’re not really talking about any kind of democratic process here,” he said. “I think that’s been a huge problem.”

He also addressed concerns about the United Nations, adding, “I think that we need to continue to put our pressure on making sure that the United Nations is being receptive to real issues and that we do have that seat at the table.”