The Veterans of Foreign Wars has requested an apology from President Trump after he downplayed the injuries service members received during Iran’s retaliatory strike last month.
When reporters pressed him about news of service members suffering from head injuries last week, Trump said, “I heard that they had headaches. And a couple of other things. But I would say, and I can report, it is not very serious.”
The Pentagon announced Friday that 34 service members suffered traumatic head injuries during Iran’s missile strikes at a base in Iraq following the killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
William “Doc” Schmitz, VFW national commander, said in a statement after the injury update was made: “TBI is a serious injury and one that cannot be taken lightly. TBI is known to cause depression, memory loss, severe headaches, dizziness and fatigue — all injuries that come with both short- and long-term effects.”
“The VFW expects an apology from the president to our service men and women for his misguided remarks,” he said. “And, we ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to educate Americans of the dangers TBI has on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times. Our warriors require our full support more than ever in this challenging environment.”
Trump directed U.S. forces to launch an airstrike that killed Soleimani earlier this month. The United States claimed intelligence showed that he was preparing to attack Americans abroad. The strike was also in retaliation for orchestrating “attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months.”
