Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen gathered on April 10, 2025, to mark the 249th year of U.S. independence. The event served as a prelude to next year’s semiquincentennial celebration, the 250th anniversary of the nation. Attendees were reminded of the continued challenges in the Red Sea from the Houthis, who have intensified their activities since last year's remarks on March 4, 2024.
The Houthis' control and monetization attempts over the Red Sea have led to what was described as a blockade, disrupting commerce and contravening the international legal principle of freedom of navigation. President Trump emphasized the U.S. stance against these actions, citing their threat to American safety, regional allies, and global trade stability.
In response, President Trump's Executive Order on January 22 set forth a U.S. policy “to cooperate with its regional partners to eliminate Ansar Allah’s capabilities and operations, deprive it of resources, and thereby end its attacks.” An active campaign has focused on targeting Houthi infrastructure, including weapons and command facilities, and intercepting weapon flows from Iran and others.
The U.S. administration designated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, aiming to curtail financial resources that fuel their activities. President Trump remarked, “Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at U.S. aircraft and targeted our troops and allies... We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective.”
Efforts stress targeting the Houthis and their capabilities, not the Yemeni civilians under their rule. The U.S. continues to support the Yemeni populace's journey towards peace and prosperity, aspiring to establish conditions conducive to resolving the Yemen conflict and promoting a brighter future.