Democratic Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, assailed a House Republican who claimed Democrats are “in love with terrorists.”
Republican Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia claimed Democrats are mourning the death of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani more than they have those of fallen U.S. service members. Democrats have condemned President Trump’s decision to launch a targeted drone strike against Soleimani, citing the risk of escalating tensions with Iran and because he did not seek congressional approval.
“I’m not going to dignify that with a response. I left parts of my body in Iraq fighting terrorists,” Duckworth told CNN when asked about Collins’s remark. “I don’t need to justify myself to anyone.”
“I’m disgusted. I would never, ever use Gold Star families, military men and women, or their families, as any pawn in any political game,” she added.
Duckworth, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, lost her legs and almost lost one of her arms when the Black Hawk she was piloting was shot down in Iraq in 2004.
“I am not sad that this man is dead. I am glad that he’s gone to meet his maker,” Duckworth said Thursday. “But at the end of the day, because of the poor handling by the White House and the consequences of their actions … American forces are now under greater danger of attack from Iran and other hostile forces in the Middle East.”
