Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) thanked King Charles III for his speech to Congress and called on the United Kingdom’s political leaders to do more to protect the Chagos Islands, including the joint U.S.-U.K. military base on Diego Garcia, according to remarks delivered on April 29 from the Senate floor.
The issue centers on concerns about the future of Diego Garcia, a strategic location that houses one of the only bases in the world where U.S. submarines can be reloaded. Kennedy said this facility is vital for both countries’ security interests.
“King Charles spoke to a joint session of Congress today. I thank him so much for coming. He was eloquent. He was charming. He was funny. He talked about the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. And we do have a special relationship, and I hope it can continue,” Kennedy said during his address.
Kennedy also addressed potential discussions between King Charles III and U.S. President Biden regarding control over Diego Garcia: “I don’t know what the King is going to talk to the president about. I don’t know if he is carrying messages from the political leadership in the United Kingdom… But if the King is carrying a message from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to try to convince our president to give away the Diego Garcia military base to an African country, which is the BFF of China, I hope our president will continue to resist.”
According to background information provided by Kennedy’s office, despite its importance as a military site, there are ongoing efforts by some in Britain’s government to cede control of Chagos Islands—including Diego Garcia—to Mauritius, which has grown closer diplomatically with China in recent years.
Kennedy has consistently opposed these moves since October 2024 when he described them as “dangerous and irresponsible.” In subsequent months he wrote opinion pieces for The Hill and The Telegraph criticizing plans involving Chagos Islands; hosted British critics; participated in documentaries; led letters urging opposition among U.S officials; and introduced legislation requiring Senate approval before any changes could be made regarding treaty arrangements affecting British Indian Ocean Territory.
Outside his legislative work on foreign policy issues like this one, Kennedy holds top Republican positions on subcommittees related to energy policy and economic development according to his official website. His academic credentials include degrees from Vanderbilt University—where he served as senior class president—and Oxford University according to his official website. Additionally, he contributes as an adjunct professor and substitute teacher according to his official website, serves on several key Senate committees including appropriations, banking, budget and judiciary according to his official website, authored works about Constitutional law according to his official website, and served as executive editor at Virginia Law Review according to his official website.