Capture or death

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, gave a grim assessment of terrorist’s choice: Capture or death.

“America’s memory is long and our reach is even longer. [ISIS’] road is going to end with either death or capture, and it’s most likely death,” said Risch.

Risch spoke Tuesday with Sandra Smith on Fox News about the impact of the U.S.-led military raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the successful termination of his second in command.

“We’re all committed to keeping our foot on the throats of all terrorist organizations,” Risch said. “I don’t care if it’s Al-Shabab or Boko Haram or any of the other, because one of those will pop up again and we’re going to have to keep doing what we do. [Our intelligence community is] very good. When we go in, it’s going to be a very, very bad day for the people on the receiving end.”

Risch was quick to laud the death of the terrorist leader after President Trump announced it Monday.

“Reports of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s death following a U.S. raid in Syria are welcome news and a triumph for all peace-loving people,” Risch said. “I applaud the professionalism of our special operations and the steadfast devotion of our men and women in uniform — there are none finer. I commend President Trump on his leadership and resolve in the fight against terror. Baghdadi’s removal from the battlefield represents another significant milestone in the fight against ISIS. We must continue to apply pressure until the Islamic State is incapable of reconstituting.”

Risch said in August he would seek a third, six-year term in 2020. In 2014 he was elected with 63.5% of the vote. President Trump won 59.2% in the Gem State against Hillary Clinton in 2016.