Several Democrats vying for the party’s nomination for the 2020 presidential election reacted to the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran’s Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, with some questioning President Donald Trump’s decision.
Soleimani, a major military commander in Iran, was killed after Trump ordered an air strike at Baghdad airport in Iraq.
Iran has called for “harsh revenge” in response to the strike.
Here’s how the 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls reacted to the news:
1) Joe Biden
Former Vice President Joe Biden, in a statement, said “no American will mourn Qassem Soleimani’s passing,” but called the strike a “hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region.”
“The administration’s statement says that its goal is to deter future attacks by Iran, but this action almost certainly will have the opposite effect,” Biden said in his statement.
My statement on the killing of Qassem Soleimani. pic.twitter.com/4Q9tlLAYFB
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 3, 2020
2) Bernie Sanders
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said the strike that killed Soleimani “puts us on the path” toward another war.
“When I voted against the war in Iraq in 2002, I feared it would lead to greater destabilization of the region. That fear unfortunately turned out to be true. The U.S. has lost approximately 4,500 brave troops, tens of thousands have been wounded, and we’ve spent trillions,” Sanders said in a series of tweets. “Trump’s dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars. Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.”
When I voted against the war in Iraq in 2002, I feared it would lead to greater destabilization of the region. That fear unfortunately turned out to be true.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 3, 2020
The U.S. has lost approximately 4,500 brave troops, tens of thousands have been wounded, and we’ve spent trillions.
Trump’s dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 3, 2020
Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.
Sanders also said he will “do everything in my power to prevent a war with Iran” and said that it would be “even worse” than Iraq.
I was right about Vietnam.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 3, 2020
I was right about Iraq.
I will do everything in my power to prevent a war with Iran.
I apologize to no one. pic.twitter.com/Lna3oBZMKB
3) Elizabeth Warren
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said that while Soleimani was “responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans,” the strike ordered by Trump was “reckless” that escalated tensions with Iran.
“Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans,” Warren tweeted on Thursday night. “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
4) Andrew Yang
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang said that a war with Iran was the “last thing we need” and that the United States should be trying to “deescalate tensions.”
“War with Iran is the last thing we need and is not the will of the American people. We should be acting to deescalate tensions and protect our people in the region,” Yang tweeted.
https://twitter.com/AndrewYang/status/1212920212594610176
Yang added:
“The priority now has to be protecting our embassies, bases and personnel in the region and hardening our defenses. We must ensure that Americans do not pay a terrible price for this attack.”
The priority now has to be protecting our embassies, bases and personnel in the region and hardening our defenses. We must ensure that Americans do not pay a terrible price for this attack.
— Andrew Yang🧢⬆️🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) January 3, 2020
5) Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) had similar sentiments to other candidates. She condemned Soleimani for “directing Iran’s destabilizing actions in Iraq, Syria, and throughout the Middle East,” but criticized the “timing, manner, and potential consequences of the administration’s actions.”
“The administration needs to fully consult with Congress on its decision-making, response plans, and strategy for preventing a wider conflict,” Klobuchar said in a statement.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 3, 2020
6) Cory Booker
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said that Trump has “no strategic plan when it comes to Iran,” and posted a link to an interview he gave on MSNBC.
“We have a president who has no strategic plan when it comes to Iran and has only made that region less stable and less safe. More thoughts:” Booker wrote, adding a clip from his interview.
We have a president who has no strategic plan when it comes to Iran and has only made that region less stable and less safe. More thoughts: pic.twitter.com/Cn25X4kOhQ
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 3, 2020
7) Marianne Williamson
Author Marianne Williamson also called the strike that killed Solemani “reckless” and “irresponsible,” but also called for “prayers for peace.”
“Prayers for peace. Killing of Qasem Solemani by US military was one of the most reckless irresponsible actions ever directed by a US President. Congress deserves condemnation for allowing it (NDAA) and Americans need to understand this: War with Iran would be totally disastrous,” Williamson tweeted.
Prayers for peace. Killing of Qasem Solemani by US military was one of the most reckless irresponsible actions ever directed by a US President. Congress deserves condemnation for allowing it (NDAA) and Americans need to understand this: War with Iran would be totally disastrous.
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) January 3, 2020
8) Pete Buttigieg
In a statement posted to Twitter, former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg said that while he detested Soleimani and opposed his violent campaign throughout the region, an action like this should not lead to war.
“One thing is clear: this must not be the start of another endless war. We must act wisely and deliberately, not capriciously or through Twitter. The consequences are grave, as anyone who has served in uniform understands all too well.”
Pete Buttigieg on IRAN: “…one thing is clear: this must not be the start of another endless war. We must act wisely and deliberately, not capriciously or through Twitter. The consequences are grave, as anyone who has served in uniform understands all too well.” pic.twitter.com/xl641iBtSG
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) January 3, 2020
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