By Michael Arria
After the Trump administration killed Iran’s top general Qassem Suleimani in a targeted drone strike, the Democratic presidential candidates rushed to condemn the action. However, nearly every statement reiterated Trump’s justification for the strike: that Suleimani was an evil terrorist and murderer.
“No American will mourn Qassem Suleimani’s passing,” begins former Vice President Joe Biden’s statement, “He deserved to be brought to justice for his crimes against American troops and thousands of innocents throughout the region. He supported terror and sowed chaos.”
Biden went on to say that Trump had “tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox” and must provide the American people with an explanation of his strategy going forward.
“Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans,” tweeted Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, “But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.”
Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020
A similar qualifier began Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar’s statement:
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 3, 2020
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg released a statement that stressed the need for congressional approval and warned that Trump could kick off another “endless war”, but he never actually condemns the attack or says he opposed it. He also begins his statement by asserting that Suleimani posed a threat to United States security interests.
