On April 19, 39-year-old US Congressman Mike Gallagher from Wisconsin’s 8th district announced his resignation. According to the Congressional Record Extension released on the 20th, he left behind a farewell letter to his Republican colleagues.
In his letter, the hawkish figure on China called for communication and cooperation between Republicans and Democrats, emphasizing the world’s reliance on the US Congress to lead even on the worst days.
On February 10, Gallagher surprisingly announced that he would not seek re-election in November 2024 and cited being assaulted by a mob and receiving threats to his family as reasons for his decision.
Representing Wisconsin’s 8th district, Gallagher first entered Congress in 2017 as a relatively unknown rookie lawmaker and rose to prominence as a leading advocate for the idea that Communist China is a rival of the US, framing the US-China relationship as a new Cold War after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Gallagher holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, a master’s degree in security studies from Georgetown University, a PhD in international relations, and a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University.
As the head of the House US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Gallagher led bipartisan delegations to Silicon Valley, Detroit, Wall Street, and Taiwan. He also guided the commission in conducting war games simulating a Chinese invasion of Taiwan and advocated for policies to counteract China’s influence proactively.
In his farewell letter, Gallagher reflected on recent legislative victories, including efforts to restrict the control of US social media applications by foreign adversaries like TikTok, which is now at the brink of being banned thanks to his efforts and the passing of crucial legislation.
While he did not foresee prioritizing family and leaving Congress early, Gallagher expressed contentment in departing at a high note with the peak of his influence on the US-China commission and passing vital legislation. He acknowledged his regret in not building more personal relationships with colleagues due to the hectic nature of congressional responsibilities.
Gallagher expressed admiration for the House Speaker’s leadership qualities and confidently stated that any attempt to remove the Speaker would fail. With upcoming special elections in the following weeks and the subsequent increase in Republican seats, he believed his party colleagues would present a strong defense of freedom domestically and internationally in the November elections.
In a moment of farewell, Gallagher addressed the importance of building friendships across party lines, highlighting the significance of fostering camaraderie amidst the chaos of congressional duties. He encouraged future lawmakers to prioritize understanding and connecting on a personal level with their colleagues, emphasizing the value of friendship in fostering bipartisan cooperation.
In conclusion, Gallagher urged his successors and colleagues to persist in reaching out and building relationships with those they may not be familiar with, emphasizing the importance of unity as Americans in facing challenges and leading the world. He signed off with a message of “God bless America.”