Fox’s Baier: ‘You wonder whether Trump derangement syndrome’ factors into Iran criticism

Fox News’s Bret Baier wondered on Wednesday if “Trump derangement syndrome” factored into the responses to President Trump’s decision to launch a drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

“There is this sense that this president perhaps doesn’t get credit when something goes right,” Baier told “America’s Newsroom.”  “Originally, as this all was happening, it was going to be World War III. ‘He started World War III and there’s no strategy here,'” he added, referring to criticism of the president.

“Now we saw what Iran did in response. We see what the U.S. is saying in response to that,” he continued. “And you wonder whether ‘Trump derangement syndrome’ factors in to some of the responses you hear publicly here in Washington.”

The analysis from the “Special Report” anchor came after Trump said in an address to the nation that Iran “appears to be standing down” and announced that his administration is set to level new “punishing” sanctions on Tehran until the Islamic regime changes its posture toward the U.S.

Democrats have been highly critical of the president since the news of Soleimani’s death.

“We must ensure the safety of our servicemembers, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tweeted. “America & world cannot afford war.”

Closely monitoring the situation following bombings targeting U.S. troops in Iraq. We must ensure the safety of our servicemembers, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence. America & world cannot afford war.

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 8, 2020

“I’m not privy to the intelligence and much remains unknown, but Iran will surely respond,” former vice president and current 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden said in a statement. “We could be on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East. I hope the Administration has thought through the second- and third-order consequences of the path they have chosen. But I fear this Administration has not demonstrated at any turn the discipline or long-term vision necessary — and the stakes could not be higher.”

“Trump’s dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), another White House hopeful, tweeted. “Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts is on a path to another one.”

Trump in his remarks from the White House on Wednesday urged Tehran to “work together” in fighting ISIS and on other “shared priorities,” adding that “the United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.”