April 2 (UPI) — Democrats late Wednesday lambasted President Donald Trump’s Iran war address to the nation for shifting timelines and lacking an end plan, while Republicans broadly praised the GOP leader for taking action against a U.S. threat.
Trump spoke for nearly 20 minutes to the nation and an audience of cabinet members at the White House on Wednesday night, restating his case for the U.S. war against Iran, claiming numerous military successes and stating the war’s “core strategic objectives are nearing completion.”
Democrats resoundingly rejected the notion that the White House has made clear its strategy for the war, accusing Trump of failing to explain why the United States has entered what many of them have called a war of choice.
“It is increasingly clear that this reckless war has not made us stronger and the ever-changing goals have not been met,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a “rambling, disjointed and pathetic presidential war speech,” predicting his offensive against Iran “will be considered one of the greatest policy blunders in the history of our nation.”
He accused him of giving a speech that failed to articulate the war’s objectives while alienating allies and ignoring so-called kitchen table problems facing Americans.
“He is completely unfit to be Commander-in-Chief and the whole world knows it,” he said on X.
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia laid out that no plan was mentioned to secure Iran’s nuclear materials, its ballistics missile capabilities remain a threat and the costs of the war were rippling through the economy and would for some time.
“Thirteen American service members have already paid the ultimate price. We owe them, their families and every man and woman in uniform clarity, accountability and a strategy worthy of their sacrifice,” he said on X.
“Until this administration can clearly articulate a path forward, Congress must demand answers and be prepared to act.”
While Democrats were hurling pointed criticisms at Trump, Republicans were heaping praise on the president and his speech.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana said Trump had “laid out an incredibly compelling case to the nation” for the war.
“The Iranian regime’s long history of terror and murdering Americans demonstrates why it was necessary to stop them from getting a nuclear weapon,” he said online.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and our brave men and women in uniform, America and the world are safer today with the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran removed.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, said he told Trump following his speech that it had exceeded his expectations.
The veteran lawmaker from South Carolina said Trump offered the American public “a clear and coherent path forward” and “a compelling explanation as to why we had to act against this evil regime.”
He said Trump’s most compelling statement was threatening Iran’s energy infrastructure unless it makes a deal “to guarantee they will never go back to their old ways.”
“Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury are examples of what the greatest military in the world can achieve when the commander in chief trusts them and will let them win,” he said in a statement, referring to the Israeli and U.S. military operations in Iran, respectively.
“The winning combination is not only a great military but also a great commander in chief.”
Though not all Republicans were as effusive. Outgoing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the former Trump loyalist-turned critic, criticized the president for failing to live up to his isolationist campaign promises.
“All I heard from his speech tonight was WAR WAR WAR,” the Georgia lawmaker said on X.
“I’m so beyond done. I pray for our military and their families. I pray for innocent people all over the world. I pray for peace and prosperity for all.”
