Mr. President, don't forget about Saudi Arabia's attack on NAS Pensacola | Rep. Matt Gaetz

On Friday, Air Force One will land in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. President Biden isn't there to confront Saudi Arabia over human rights. He will be begging for more oil and gas. Lost on the president is that energy drawn from the Arabian Desert is dirtier for our environment – and bloodier politically – than energy from America’s heartland. Domestic climate politics means we cap wells here, while we bend and bow to the Ferrari Bedouins abroad.

Not lost on Northwest Floridians are the ugliest consequences of the U.S.-Saudi “friendship.” True friends don’t let dangerous people in your home.

On Dec. 6, 2019, a Saudi flight student opened fire at NAS Pensacola, killing three sailors and injuring others in our military and law enforcement. He was supposed to have been properly vetted by the Saudis. He wasn’t. They were supposed to have engaged in rigorous oversight and monitoring of their students. They didn’t. Immediately after the attack, the Saudis promised me they’d pay financially for the ruin their servicemember caused. They haven’t – and are now fighting against our survivors in federal court.

Seeking accountability: NAS Pensacola families seek help holding Saudi government accountable for Dec. 6 attack

Video released: NAS Pensacola terrorist attack video released giving first glimpse inside chaos on base

On Feb. 6, 2020, President Trump responded to the terrorist attack in Pensacola by killing the leader of Al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula with a drone strike. Sometimes barbarians and the bone-saw-proficient must be confronted by lethal Made in America might.

Yet now Joe Biden seeks to “reorient” the Kingdom, and goes further to even applaud the Saudis for being a “strategic partner” to the U.S. Biden must not forget what happened in Pensacola, or it will happen again. Our president should insist that Saudi Arabia come clean regarding the elements of their government that have supported terrorism – or failed in their duty to neutralize it. They must shut down madrasas that incite hatred. They must stop fighting the jurisdiction of U.S. courts to compensate survivors and victims. They must behave like a modern country if they want to be treated like one. They must stop hiding evidence. Just months ago, the public was finally able to see video of the 9/11 hijackers with an alleged Saudi intelligence operative.

While Biden chalks up his visit to the Kingdom as his role as president to “keep our country strong and secure.” My question then is: is our country strong and secure when we don’t hold foreign governments accountable for terrorist attacks on our homeland? Does the globe view the U.S. as strong and secure? The answer is no.

Biden spokesman John Kirby responded to criticism of the planned visit by saying, "[T]he president will never shy away of representing the interests of the American people on a national security level wherever he goes."

A good start would be justice for Pensacola – for our law enforcement, for our patriots, for the slain.

Although it's been fewer than three years since the attack on NAS Pensacola, the incident is seared into the memories of my community.

Mr. President, don’t forget about the attack on NAS Pensacola during your visit to Saudi Arabia. The entire country is counting on you to hold the Kingdom accountable, including Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Airman Apprentice Cameron Walters, and Airman Mohammed Haitham.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Saudi Arabia attack on NAS Pensacola cannot be forgotten | Matt Gaetz