President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Wisconsin’s congressional delegation is split on President Donald Trump’s bold claim that he wants the United States to “take over” the Gaza Strip, with some disapproving while others trying to temper the president’s words.

Trump laid out the plan in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, which included the U.S. taking over the Gaza Strip, overseeing long term ownership of the region and forcing 2 million Palestinians to relocate while the reconstruction efforts take place.

Trump didn’t rule out using the military to accomplish these goals “if necessary”, despite years of criticizing previous U.S. involvement in nation-building, foreign wars and intervention in the Middle East.

When confronted with these facts, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt “rejected the premise” that the military would be needed to relocate 2 million people, let alone occupy one of the most contested areas of land on the planet with the goal of developing real estate.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the plan a “very generous move,” on Wednesday. Trump also tried to spin his own words on Truth Social, claiming that it is possible to resettle the Palestinian population of Gaza and complete his construction project with use of the military.

The plan has been met with widespread condemnation from human rights groups, as well as governments in Europe and the Middle East, including the neighboring Jordan and Egypt which is where Trump proposed moving the Palestinian population. Republican lawmakers are struggling to publicly grapple with the plan, which is in direct opposition to Trump’s “America First” campaign promise. However, U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) indicated support for U.S. military intervention in Gaza, which would potentially lead to American soldiers participating in another prolonged armed conflict in the Middle East.

“If that means taking a different approach to the Gaza Strip and having the United States military there, then that’s exactly what that means,” Van Orden told Newsmax on Wednesday.

In contrast, Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) disagreed with deploying U.S. troops or using taxpayer dollars in Gaza in an emailed response to Heartland Signal.

“In his first term, President Trump secured historic peace between Israel and Arab states with the Abraham Accords. His leadership offers the best chance for lasting stability and prosperity in Gaza,” Tiffany said.

Newly elected Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI) had a similar sentiment: agreeing with Trump’s pitch to own Gaza while not mentioning the fact that the president did not rule out using the military.

“I agree with President Trump that no American troops or taxpayer dollars should be used to rebuild Hamas-controlled Gaza, and I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to achieve long lasting peace in the Middle East,” Wied said.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) renewed calls for a two-state solution in her statement, which has been U.S. policy for decades.

“In no way, shape, or form should the United States be sending troops to the Middle East to ‘take over’ Gaza. We need to build on the current ceasefire and lay the groundwork for a two-state solution that delivers security for the Israeli people and self-determination for the Palestinian people,” Baldwin said.

On Thursday, Israel’s defense minister Israel Katz instructed the country’s military to prepare to “allow Palestinians to voluntarily leave Gaza.”