Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, was detained at Dulles International Airport earlier this month for “appearing intoxicated,” according to a confirmed Fox News report.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, was detained at Dulles International Airport earlier this month for "appearing intoxicated," Fox News has confirmed. https://t.co/a84Hl6KCNa
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) November 14, 2024
According to the report, McCaul admitted to taking an Ambien and drinking before a flight from D.C. to Texas.
He said he missed his flight and found himself “disoriented” and that he was “briefly detained” by police and picked up by a family member.
“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. 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 in a statement.
“Law enforcement officers briefly detained me while I waited for a family member to pick me up. I have nothing but respect and gratitude for the officers who intercepted me that evening. 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.”
McCaul is currently serving his tenth term representing Texas’ 10th District in the United States Congress.
McCaul previously served as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and became the first Texan to chair the Foreign Affairs Committee, which considers legislation that impacts the diplomatic community.
A message left by the Associated Press (AP) with Dulles International Airport was not immediately returned Wednesday.