Rashida Tlaib Attacks Trump as ‘Lawless President’ After Soleimani Strike

 

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) attacked President Donald Trump as a “lawless president” after he ordered an airstrike that took out Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, a designated terrorist organization.

Soleimani was killed Thursday night in a drone strike ordered by President Trump at the Baghdad International Airport.

The U.S. State Department announced in April 2019 that Iran was responsible for the deaths of 608 U.S. troops during the Iraq War, and Soleimani was the head of the Iranian-backed forces conducting those operations. The State Department said Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of 17 percent of all U.S. troops killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2011, Fox News reports.

“We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war,” President Trump said Friday afternoon. “We take comfort in knowing his reign of terror is over.”

The president said Soleimani was in the process of “plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and personnel.”

Democrats quickly began describing President Trump’s actions as an “assassination” that will increase tensions between Washington and Tehran. They also complained that the president acted without congressional approval.

“We cannot stay silent as this lawless president recklessly moves us closer to yet another unnecessary war that puts innocent lives at risk at home and across the globe,” Congresswoman Tlaib wrote on Twitter. “Congress alone has the authority to declare war, and we must reclaim our responsibility and say no to war with Iran.”

Sen. Debbie Stabenow said “a single action without a meaningful plan will lead to more risk for Americans at home and abroad.”

“The administration is required to provide a clear rationale to Congress for its action. They also must consult with congressional leaders on a meaningful strategy to protect Americans lives and interests around the world,” she said.

Sen. Gary Peters, who is up for reelection in 2020 and facing a competitive Republican opponent, said “tonight’s strike took a notorious terrorist off of the battlefield.”

“What comes next is critical for the region and the world. I am focused on ensuring that there is a strategy to protect our citizens, service members, and diplomats, and that advances our national security,” said Peters.

Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI-09) called on Congress to pass his Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) Clarification Act to “make clear that before the president takes any military action against Iran, he must get authorization from Congress.”

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-08), a former CIA analyst, released a lengthy statement Friday morning, saying “this administration, like all others, has the right to act in self-defense,” but must “come to Congress immediately and consult.”

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12) called Soleimani “an evil man,” but said she “deeply” fears the “consequences of this action, which was made without consulting Congress, or our allies and partners in the region.”

Several other Michigan lawmakers chimed in on the news throughout the day Friday:

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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rashida Tlaib” by Rashida Tlaib.  Backgrounnd Photo “Gen. Qasem Soleimani” by Tasnim News Agency. CC BY 4.0.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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