WASHINGTON D.C.- A frequent critic of Donald Trump, Congressman Pat Ryan kicked up his barbs a notch after the U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, calling the Commander-in-Chief a “lying, chicken-hawk President” who “beats the war drums.”
Trump had threatened the Iranian regime with military action for weeks if the country didn’t make a new deal to curb its nuclear program. In response to Saturday’s attack, Iran fired missiles at Israel and at least two major U.S. military bases in the region. The strike – dubbed Operation Epic Fury – included hits in the areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“I ran for Congress and serve on the Armed Services Committee because I refuse to let the country I love repeat those mistakes,” said Ryan, an Iraqi war veteran. “It’s why we passed the War Powers Act (after Vietnam) in the first place. So that before the President sends our troops into harm’s way, he has to make his case TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. Trump hasn’t done that. He hasn’t explained his goals.”
Ryan, a West Point graduate, added that the U.S. cannot repeat its approach to wars from 2001 and 2002.
“The answer cannot be “we’ll figure it out as we go.” I lost too many friends because of that logic,” Ryan added. “As I said after the attack on Iran’s nuclear sites last June: Air strikes may start a war. They rarely end it.”
Ryan did not offer an alternate approach for dealing with Iran. Meanwhile, Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) supported the attacks on Iran.
“For months, the Trump Administration worked to negotiate a diplomatic solution with the Iranian regime to end their nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile program, and funding of terrorism throughout the region,” Lawler said. “But time and time again, the regime offered no concessions and unrealistic demands. I support the President’s decision to strike Iran. No longer will the Ayatollah be allowed to engage in terrorism abroad and violent repression of the Iranian people at home. With this strike, the Iranian people will finally be able to determine the future of their country after 47-years of tyranny and oppression.”
In a video posted on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. was carrying out a “massive and ongoing operation” to stop what he described as a “wicked, radical dictatorship” from threatening America and its core national security interests. He urged Iran’s military to lay down its arms and called on civilians to rise up and “take over your government” following the U.S. and Israeli strikes.
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