CONCORD, N.H. — The killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani is drawing more mixed reactions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Many House Democrats are condemning the airstrikes in Iraq ordered by President Trump that killed Soleimani as reckless. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday sent a letter to Democrat members of Congress saying the House will introduce and vote on a “War Powers Resolution to limit the President’s military actions regarding Iran.”
Democrat presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, the former Mayor of South Bend, told CNN Sunday just because Soleimani deserved to die, doesn’t mean it was the right move.
“No, not until this was a good decision and how this decision was made and the president has failed to demonstrate that,” Buttigieg said. “But, Qaasem Soleimani was a bad figure. He has American blood on his hands. No one should shed a tear for his death.”
Buttigieg, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, added that President Trump didn’t consider the consequences of Friday’s airstrike. He did clarify this doesn’t mean he won’t consider using force if he is elected president in 2020.
“I would never hesitate to use force if it was necessary to protect American lives,” said Buttigieg. “The question is: was it necessary and is it better than the alternative?”
Iranian leaders are vowing revenge and have also indicated they plan to fully withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal, which the US pulled out of in 2017. Iraqi leaders have voted to expel American troops from the country.
(PHOTO: Eric Berman/WIBC)
