As we reported elsewhere, Qasem Soleimani was the leader of the elite special operations unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. He was killed this morning in an airstrike ordered by President Trump. What’s the reaction on Capitol Hill? That likely depends on your political perspective.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy says Soleimani was a terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. soldiers. Idaho Senator and Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Jim Risch congratulated Trump on his "decisive action."
But Democratic lawmakers aren’t exactly cheering the move. Senator Elizabeth Warren calls Soleimani a murderer, but said President Trump's decision was reckless and "escalates the situation with Iran." Former VP Joe Biden said the general "deserved to be brought to justice," but Trump "tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox."
As for President Trump, he appears to be giving himself a pat on the back. Taking to Twitter overnight, the President ironically didn’t write a word – he posted an image of the American flag.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also spoken out. Tweeting just after 3am ET, Rouhani writes, "the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region will be raised, and the path of resistance to US excesses will continue. The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime."
Source: Wall Street Journal