Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), a member on Armed Services Committee, criticized President Trump over his decision to launch a U.S. drone strike that resulted in the death of a top Iranian general.
Carbajal called Trump’s order to kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani both “unfortunate” and “reckless,” particularly concerning its impact on the safety of U.S. forces and officials abroad.
“Clearly, previous presidents both Democrats and Republicans were advised of this option that they choose not to take because of the implications,” Carbajal, a military veteran, told Hill.TV on Wednesday.
“This president needs to give more consideration to the safety of our troops, our men and women who are on the front lines, our diplomats and American safety throughout the world and here in the United States,” he added.
Following last week’s U.S. drone strike and ordering of additional troops to the Middle East, Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks on two U.S. bases in Iraq.
During an address to the nation about the assault, Trump celebrated that no American lives were lost in the attacks and said Tehran “appears to be standing down.”
“Our great American forces are prepared for anything,” the president said. “Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.
However, members have yet to be briefed on the confrontation with Iran, though a briefing is expected to take place this afternoon.
Carbajal said he hopes the briefing will provide further insight into the Trump administration’s strategy going forward, noting that all lawmakers know about the situation is what they’ve learned through the media.
“Certainly the base that was targeted by Iran was of great concern but we need to make sure that deescalation occurs,” he told Hill.TV. “Nobody wants a war.”
—Tess Bonn
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