Mike Johnson, in a split from Trump, says US shouldn't nation-build in Iran
Source: USA Today
March 11, 2026, 3:56 p.m. ET
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the United States should not be "nation-building" or intervening around the world, casting a stark contrast to President Donald Trump's recent framing of the international war he had hoped would be an opportunity for "building a new country" in Iran.
The Republican House leader made the comments during an annual policy conference held in Florida on Tuesday, March 10. When asked by NBC News reporter Scott Wong whether he supported nation-building in Iran, Johnson responded: "I don't."
More: Iran war live updates: Gas prices top $3.50 as ships burn on Strait of Hormuz
"I don't think it's our role," Johnson said, before adding that he thinks America has a "very important role to play in the world" stretching back generations. "We are the good guys," Johnson said. "We are the defenders of freedom and liberty, and freedom-loving people all around the world benefit from a strong America."
"Does that mean that we should be intervening everywhere around the world and nation-building and doing all these other endeavors?" Johnson added. "No, because we don’t have the resources or the appetite to do that. That’s not our responsibility." Over the last several months, Trump has launched military actions in Venezuela, Syria and Nigeria, and threatened military intervention in Greenland and Cuba.
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/11/mike-johnson-iran-nation-build-trump/89101640007/
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