Oregon lawmakers comment on Soleimani killing
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., issued statements Friday on the Trump administration's decision to kill Iran commander Qassem Soleimani.
Wyden said, “Qassem Soleimani was a bad man with a lot of blood on his hands, but Donald Trump’s decision to assassinate him was a reckless escalation that will take us further down the road to ruinous war."
"A president has the responsibility to ensure that all necessary steps have been taken to protect vulnerable American military and civilian targets before taking such a precipitous act," he added.
"Given Trump’s awful record on foreign policy, I’m extremely concerned that he has not prepared for the fallout, which could put more American lives at risk,” Wyden said.
Merkley offered similar views in a pair of tweets.
“Donald Trump's decision to assassinate a senior Iranian official — without congressional authorization — risks war with Iran and could threaten both our national security and the stability of the Middle East,” he wrote.
“There is no question that Soleimani was a dangerous enemy of the U.S., but that doesn't mean the President has the authority to launch a drone strike against him without authorization from Congress,” Merkley added.
Walden made his remarks in a pair of tweets.
“General Qassem Soleimani was the mastermind behind some of the deadliest terrorist attacks on American men & women who wore our nation’s uniform,” he said. “The commander of Iran's secretive Quds Force spread violence across the Middle East, & was intent to cause more destruction & death.”
“It’s obvious Iran will respond and America must be vigilant,” Walden added. ”It’s important that Congress gets a full briefing on the situation and the Administration’s strategy going forward.”
