In a world left in turmoil due to the Biden administration’s incompetence, President Donald Trump has assembled a national security team dedicated to delivering peace. Among that team is Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, who has quickly become a household name in American diplomacy. Stepping into a leadership vacuum exploited by bad actors over the past four years, Witkoff has wasted no time confronting hostile nations, negotiating hostage releases and ceasefires, and laying the groundwork for stability in some of the world’s most volatile regions.
With Trump’s full trust and consultation, Witkoff has delivered with remarkable speed. Before the president was even sworn in, Witkoff secured a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and began negotiating hostage releases, setting the tone for the world to see the Trump administration’s aggressive diplomacy strategy.
In February, Witkoff helped broker the release of American Marc Fogel from Russia, marking a diplomatic breakthrough in U.S.-Russia relations. In Ukraine, he’s teamed up with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to craft a peace framework to end the war, yielding a Ukrainian-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal and negotiating a critical minerals deal. In the Middle East, his talks with Saudi, Emirati, and Qatari leaders signal progress toward broader stabilization in the region.
The recent hostage exchanges with Russia stand as a testament to his skill, serving as a show of his effectiveness and a clear sign that we are on a path toward securing peace and ending the brutal war in Ukraine. Unlike the previous administration, which stood idly by, allowing this war to unfold as thousands of people lost their lives, Trump’s national security team and Witkoff have brought Ukraine and Russia closer to peace in mere months than Biden’s team managed in years. This is no small feat. It’s a testament to a resolute, unwavering commitment to peace through strength.
Despite the litany of successes that we have seen in such a short time, globalist critics continue to chirp from the sidelines, frustrated largely because Witkoff is shaking things up, charting a path that has garnered success in diplomacy where others have failed for decades. For establishment types and the military-industrial complex, Witkoff is sending a message that diplomacy isn’t just about who carries the biggest stick. It boils down to your ability to get people to the table and, when you have them seated, not “be an idiot.” This is a trait for which Vice President JD Vance himself has praised Witkoff.
Witkoff’s key to successful negotiation is straightforward, admitting that deals only work when they benefit all parties. Whether he’s tasked with helping broker ceasefires or bringing home hostages, he has to look at each crisis at hand through all lenses, but with the ultimate goal of securing the “America First” agenda.
That’s the right approach. You cannot negotiate when you don’t have a clear vision of what each side wants. That’s negotiation 101. But never take Witkoff’s kindness for weakness. Take his stance on Hamas, for instance. He’s been tough, warning the terrorist group to understand the realities and get sensible or face the consequences, reminding it that crossing the United States under Trump’s watch means there will be hell to pay, a message he has delivered with the clarity and resolve a negotiator must have in these situations. He’s thorough, taking calculated steps and earning the trust of key players in some of the world’s most complicated regions, a tightrope only a few can walk.
You aren’t sent to make peace with your friends. You’re sent in times of crisis, in many cases, with those who vehemently disagree with you. And Witkoff has been effective at getting people to the table to discuss solutions. As Trump has said, these deals wouldn’t have been made without Witkoff.
In the Middle East, Witkoff’s role is vital. Trump, who has done more for Israel than any leader in memory, has placed full trust in his negotiator to achieve unprecedented peace. The frustration over Hamas’s refusal to release hostages is deep. We’re all angry, and Witkoff is too. Those who criticize Witkoff misunderstand the nature of diplomacy. He’s working tirelessly to bring those innocent victims home, navigating a landscape plagued by an evil ideology with no textbook solution. But if there’s a way to restore stability, Witkoff will find it.
SIGNALGATE IS BAD. SELECTIVE OUTRAGE IS WORSE
The complex geopolitical challenges of today can’t be solved with old-school globalist solutions. This is a new era of American diplomacy, one rooted in strength, sensibility, and results. Those who object to this vision will find themselves on the wrong side of history.
Trump’s faith in Witkoff and their shared vision for a stronger, safer world is exactly what we need right now. Witkoff will continue to be a key player in Trump’s mission to build historic stability and deliver peace in regions long defined by chaos.
Jim Banks is the junior U.S. senator from Indiana.