Nov 13, 2024 - Politics & Policy

House Foreign Affairs Chair McCaul "briefly detained" at airport

Andrew Solender

Rep. Michael McCaul, wearing a blue suit and walking through a hallway — House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul at U.S. Capitol on Sept. 24, 2024. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) on Wednesday revealed that he was "briefly detained" by police at Dulles International Airport earlier this month after mixing alcohol and Ambien.

Why it matters: McCaul is the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and, thus, a powerful U.S. policymaker on foreign affairs.

What he's saying: "Two weekends ago, I made a mistake — one for which I take full responsibility. I missed a flight to Texas and found myself disoriented in the airport," McCaul said.

"This was the result of a poor decision I made to mix an Ambien—which I took in order to sleep on the upcoming flight — with some alcohol."
McCaul said officers "briefly detained me while I waited for a family member to pick me up."

Zoom out: A House member since 2005, McCaul has led Republicans on the Foreign Affairs Committee since 2019 and previously served as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee.

McCaul said he has "nothing but respect and gratitude for the officers who intercepted me that evening."
He added: "This incident does not reflect who I am and who I strive to be. As a human, I am not perfect. But I am determined to learn from this mistake and, God-willing, make myself a better person."

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House Foreign Affairs Chair McCaul "briefly detained" at airport

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