Congressman Doug Collins is praising President Trump for ordering a U.S. military drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani.
The leader of Iran’s elite Quds Force was killed at Baghdad’s international airport early Friday. Iranian state television and Iraqi officials confirmed his death.
The Defense Department said Soleimani “was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.”
His assassination followed days of protests and attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
“Tonight’s attack on Qasem Soleimani—who is responsible for killing countless Americans—sends a strong message: Don’t mess with America,” Collins tweeted.
Tonight’s attack on Qasem Soleimani—who is responsible for killing countless Americans—sends a strong message: Don’t mess with America. 🇺🇸
— Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) January 3, 2020
Other conservative leaders on Capitol Hill praised the President and the Pentagon, calling it a decisive response to Iranian aggression.
Georgia Congressman Tom Graves tweeted, “In response to continued Iranian-directed attacks, POTUS & our military leaders were clear: attacks against our own will not go unanswered,” Graves said. “God bless the U.S. Military. God bless the USA.”
In response to continued Iranian-directed attacks, POTUS & our military leaders were clear: attacks against our own will not go unanswered. God bless the U.S. Military. God bless the USA.
— Tom Graves (@RepTomGraves) January 3, 2020
Soleimani was popular in the region and was considered a possible contender to become president of Iran. His assassination raises concerns of possible retaliatory strikes against the U.S. and Israel.
Democrats in Congress condemned Soleimani as a murderer and criminal but also voiced concerns.
Democratic Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson said in a tweet that the action “has recklessly brought our nation closer to war.”
A trigger happy armchair strongman, lacking congressional authority, has recklessly brought our nation closer to war.
— Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) January 3, 2020
The drone strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. The PMF was reportedly behind the recent attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
Photo courtesy The Hill
