Rep. Massie Renews Call for USS Liberty Investigation on 59th Anniversary of Israeli Attack

Rep. Thomas Massie delivered a speech on the House floor on June 8, 2026, calling for a new investigation into the USS Liberty incident and a resolution honoring the men onboard.

U.S. Navy ship sent to collect intelligence off the coast of the Sinai peninsula, was bombed and strafed by two Israeli fighter jets and struck by three torpedoes. U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry confirmed Israel’s statement.

Massie and a number of sailors aboard the Liberty continue to contest this narrative. “This was an effort to kill everybody on board. There was no intention of taking prisoners,” Massie stated. Massie relayed accounts from survivors who said the American colors were flying high on a day with unlimited visibility.

Israeli Mirage jets attacked the Liberty for around 20 minutes before the torpedoes started firing, destroying some of the ship’s communication equipment. “According to eyewitness accounts, the Israelis machine-gunned the lifeboats that they put down,” Massie said.

U.S. Sixth Fleet sent attack aircraft from two other carriers to aid the Liberty, but the crew did not receive aid for 18 hours after the attack. Massie stated that Dean Rusk, Richard Helms, Bobby Ray Inman, Ward Boston, and Admiral Moore do not believe the attack was an accident. Massie finished with a call to action: “Honor these individuals.

Quit ignoring that they exist. org. Support them. And while they’re still alive, they need closure. Let’s give them closure. Let’s have an investigation. Let’s pass a resolution honoring them.