Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the influential chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, found himself in an unexpected situation earlier this month. While attempting to travel from Washington D.C. to Texas, McCaul was detained at Dulles International Airport after mixing Ambien, a sleep aid, with alcohol. The incident, first reported by Semafor, led to him missing his flight and feeling disoriented.
McCaul has acknowledged the incident and taken full responsibility for his actions. In a statement released to Fox News, he described the incident as a ‘mistake’ and expressed regret for his decision to combine the medication with alcohol. He explained that he took Ambien to help him sleep on the upcoming flight but ultimately found himself in a difficult situation.
“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 stated.
He further explained that he was briefly detained by law enforcement officers while waiting for a family member to pick him up. McCaul expressed gratitude towards the officers who intervened and clarified that the incident does not reflect his true character.
“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’s incident has sparked discussions about the potential consequences of mixing medication with alcohol, highlighting the importance of carefully following medication instructions and avoiding risky behavior.
