White House Officials Express Growing Frustration with Republican Congresswoman's Independent Actions
White House officials have voiced escalating frustration with Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace, accusing her of complicating critical efforts to evacuate Americans stranded in the Middle East by pursuing her own unauthorized rescue missions, according to sources familiar with the internal discussions. The irritation has been mounting for days following Mace's travel to the region, where she attempted to transport US citizens across international borders and engaged with foreign governments without notifying the State Department, which has been coordinating official evacuation flights.
Unilateral Outreach to Saudi Arabia Sparks Particular Concern
Trump administration officials have taken specific issue with Mace's outreach to Saudi Arabia, where she independently engaged with officials to facilitate departures for Americans. In a striking move, she then requested the State Department to requisition a Saudi commercial plane to transport approximately 300 people. This was detailed in a March 16 letter addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which was reviewed by journalists. "Secretary Rubio, I am asking you directly: please authorize this Saudi aircraft mission without delay. I have done the diplomatic work and secured the commitment," Mace wrote in the correspondence.
Additional Complications Arise from Uncoordinated Relocation Efforts
Separately, officials reported that Mace, who is currently running for governor of South Carolina, encouraged a group of Americans to relocate from a high-risk area to Jordan without establishing a clear plan for onward travel. This action forced the State Department to dispatch a plane to retrieve the group after they became stranded in Jordan. White House officials have complained that Mace's interventions are exacerbating an already tense situation, where some diplomats and travelers have criticized the administration for not evacuating US citizens swiftly enough. These officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss operational details.
"If members of Congress want to be helpful they should work with the administration instead of trying to exploit the situation for political gain," one official stated. A spokesperson for Mace did not immediately provide comment, and a State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
Background of Regional Conflict and Evacuation Challenges
Since the onset of the conflict, Iran has launched retaliatory missiles and drone swarms at neighboring countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. In response, several of these nations closed their airspace and shut down airports, creating significant obstacles for evacuation efforts. Initially, travelers calling a State Department hotline received an automated message stating that the federal government could not assist them in leaving the region. The State Department began evacuating Americans by charter flight four days after the conflict started.
Mace traveled to the Middle East against this backdrop, announcing on social media that she intended to help her constituents from South Carolina return to the US. She relied on a third-party provider called Grey Bull Rescue for these efforts. Despite initial success in evacuating people from Israel, Mace's recent endeavors have been mired in controversy. Notably, Grey Bull Rescue suspended operations on Wednesday after an American mother accused the group of extorting $1 million to facilitate her return to the US.
State Department's Effective Repatriation Efforts Continue
Meanwhile, the State Department's operation has largely been effective in repatriating Americans. An administration official confirmed that as of Wednesday evening, they had completed 60 flights, providing direct or indirect assistance to approximately 42,000 people who had requested help. The charter flights are ongoing, but a source familiar with the matter indicated that many have increasingly been empty. In some instances, Americans have declined charters with flight connections, such as those in Greece, which the State Department has utilized due to its substantial consular presence there.
Additionally, the State Department negotiated a deal with Israel's flag carrier, El Al Airlines, to fly exclusively US citizens or permanent residents from Tel Aviv to John F Kennedy International Airport in New York. However, this arrangement requires individuals to reach Tel Aviv independently first. The situation highlights the complexities of international evacuations and the tensions that can arise when unofficial actions intersect with government-led efforts.
