America’s military leaders are sounding the alarm, and their message to Congress is unequivocal: our nation must urgently strengthen its defenses against an increasingly aggressive China. The warning from retired senior officers comes as China’s military openly rehearses invasion maneuvers aimed squarely at Taiwan, a trusted U.S. partner and vital bulwark of democracy in the Indo-Pacific.
Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, testifying before the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, laid bare a troubling truth: “America’s ability to defeat a coercive attack conducted by the Chinese Communist Party against Taiwan continues to shrink.” This assessment is far from comforting. It sends a shiver down the spine of anyone who understands the global stakes involved. If Taiwan falls, it’s not just a regional domino—it’s a signal to the world that America lacks the resolve and strength we once commanded.
Adding urgency to Montgomery’s warning, retired Army General Charles Flynn echoed the gravity of the situation. Flynn, who commanded U.S. Army forces in the Pacific until recently, emphasized, “The threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is no longer distant or theoretical.” Flynn’s words underscore a chilling reality: the Chinese Communist Party is no longer playing games. It is preparing for war, and America must respond decisively.
Flynn’s strategic advice is clear and compelling: America must focus its deterrence strategy on preventing the People’s Liberation Army from ever landing on Taiwan’s shores. “If the PLA Army fails to land and hold terrain, the invasion fails,” Flynn stated bluntly. “Even if we sink their ships and down their planes, if they seize the island, they win.” This kind of sober, realistic assessment is exactly what Congress—and all Americans—need to hear.
To effectively counter China’s aggressive posture, Flynn urged immediate action to improve readiness, modernize equipment, and reorganize U.S. armed forces specifically to counter a cross-Strait invasion scenario. “We must prioritize the training readiness, modernization, and organization of our armed forces towards our Nation’s most critical global threat—China,” Flynn declared. His testimony leaves no room for doubt: the time for complacency is over.
China’s military provocations around Taiwan are not mere saber-rattling. They are calculated rehearsals for an invasion China has openly threatened for decades. The CCP considers Taiwan a renegade province, despite the island operating as an independent, vibrant democracy that values liberty and human rights—principles Americans hold dear.
Retired Admiral Montgomery also warned of alternative strategies China might employ, such as cyber warfare and economic blockades. “I think Beijing will want to force Taiwan’s capitulation through less drastic methods, like a comprehensive pressure campaign that targets the financial, energy, and telecommunication sectors,” Montgomery explained. He cautioned that China’s sophisticated information operations could weaken the Taiwanese people’s will to resist, amplifying the damage caused by cyberattacks and economic disruptions.
Former Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell reinforced the necessity of a robust, unified American response. “Taiwan’s future is deeply intertwined with America’s own—our economies, technologies, and societies are inextricably linked—making a strong and secure Taiwan a vital U.S. strategic interest,” Campbell pointed out. His call for a “whole-of-government approach” highlights the need for Congress, the Executive Branch, and American society at large to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Taiwan.
For President Trump and the America First movement, the message from our retired military leaders is crystal clear: national security starts with a strong, credible deterrent. President Trump has long championed rebuilding America’s military strength, securing our borders, and standing firm against hostile foreign powers. Now, more than ever, we must heed the warnings from seasoned leaders who know the cost of weakness firsthand.
America’s adversaries respect strength, not empty promises or half-hearted gestures. If the CCP senses wavering resolve, it will seize the advantage. The stakes couldn’t be higher. America must prepare now, or risk losing far more than an island—we risk losing our standing as the world’s leading defender of freedom.
