Trump Vows to Crush the Houthi Threat and Protect American Ships

The Suez Canal is effectively closed. Not officially, of course, many Russian shadow fleet and Chinese crewed ships are sailing through. But if you’re a U.S. Merchant Mariner or have any ties to allies of Israel, the message has been clear: steer clear of the Red Sea or risk getting hit. Now, after 15 months of Houthi attacks against shipping, President Donald J. Trump has stepped in with a blunt, unambiguous promise he will unleash “decisive and powerful military action” against the Houthis.

It’s a statement that immediately sets him apart from the Biden administration’s approach, which aimed to safeguard all shipping in the Red Sea, not prioritize protecting US Merchant Mariners. Biden also refrained from conducting sustained attacks on Houthi targets ashore.

”Joe Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going,” wrote Trump in a Truth Social post today. “It has been over a year since a U.S. flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden.”

As I said yesterday, this Administration appears to be laser focused on maritime choke points.

And I’m thrilled he wants to protect ALL ?? ships, not just naval. https://t.co/DY8sFMkdOf

— John ? Konrad V (@johnkonrad) March 15, 2025 Since the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian in December 2023 U.S. Navy and UK Royal Navy have been playing whack-a-mole, intercepting missiles and drones while conducting limited retaliatory strikes that have done little to stop the attacks. The Houthis, emboldened by Iran and well-equipped with long-range missiles, have turned one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors into a free-fire zone. And yet, despite growing pressure from shipowners and industry, Biden has failed to establish anything resembling true maritime security in the region.

There was never a true