2020 Democrat Pete Buttigieg claimed that President Trump does not deserve credit for killing Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
Trump ordered the airstrike that killed Soleimani after weeks of escalating tensions, following the death of an American contractor and an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. Soleimani was responsible for the death of hundreds of American troops over the past two decades, leaving many to celebrate his death despite uncertainty in the region.
During a Sunday interview on CNN, Buttigieg said he won’t credit Trump for the decision to kill Soleimani until he sees how the situation in the Middle East plays out. He said that he needs proof from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that there was an “imminent” threat against Americans.
“Not until we know whether this was a good decision and how this decision was made. And the president has failed to demonstrate that. The secretary of state, just now, when asked whether this strike prevented directly an attack and he did not prove, he did not demonstrate or he did not even claim that the answer was yes,” said Buttigieg.
Pompeo has refused to get into the details about the threats prevented by Soleimani’s death, as much of it was based on classified intelligence.
Buttigieg acknowledged that Soleimani was a “bad figure” who had “American blood on his hands” but said he questions Trump’s decision.
“Just because he deserved it doesn’t mean it was the right strategic move,” said Buttigieg. “This is about consequences. This is one of the most volatile places in the world, and we need answers on how this decision was reached, whether there was an alternative, and whether the president has thought through the consequences, in particular, for American lives. Not just the troops who are on planes going to the Middle East right now, but U.S. citizens around the world whose lives may be at risk because of the fall out from this action.”
He added, “Until we get answers on that, then this move is questionable, to say the least.”
