Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito praised President Donald J. Trump for re-designating Ansarallah, known as the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The Houthis, based in Yemen and supported by Iran, are considered a threat to U.S. security and the stability of Israel and the Middle East.

Senator Capito co-sponsored the Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act, legislation introduced before Trump's announcement that seeks to codify the FTO designation into U.S. law.

"The Houthis have spent more than a year consistently attacking U.S. ships at sea, targeting civilian commercial ships, and firing ballistic missiles at innocent civilians in Israel," stated Senator Capito. "It is imperative that we call these attacks exactly what they are – acts of terrorism – and respond accordingly."

She expressed her support for President Trump's decision: "I commend President Trump for taking swift action to reinstate the Houthis’ designation, which will finally impose stronger consequences for their unacceptable attacks."

In January 2021, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo under Trump designated the Houthis as an FTO. A month later, Secretary of State Antony Blinken under former President Joe Biden revoked this designation. In January 2024, Biden re-designated them as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT), but this did not fully implement sanctions or deter aggression.