Amy Klobuchar was a no-show at an exclusive fundraiser in Washington, D.C., after Iran claimed responsibility for dozens of ballistic missiles launched at two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. troops.
Donors were to hear from Klobuchar, 59, at the home of John and Meg Symington, but the Minnesota senator canceled her appearance. The former prosecutor attended Yale University with Meg Symington, who now works with the World Wildlife Fund.
“Closely monitoring what is happening in Iraq. We must do all we can to protect our servicemembers and Americans at risk,” Klobuchar tweeted.
Closely monitoring what is happening in Iraq. We must do all we can to protect our servicemembers and Americans at risk.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 8, 2020
Joe Biden, 77, addressed the assault on an Anbar province base in western Iraq, which houses Iraqi and some U.S. forces, as well as a U.S.-Iraqi base in Irbil, Kurdistan, during a fundraiser in Philadelphia.
“What’s happening in Iraq and Iran today was predictable,” the former vice president said. “Not exactly what’s happening but the chaos that’s ensuing.”
Biden, the former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, described President Trump’s threat to hit a list of 52 Iranian targets, including cultural sites, should Iran retaliate after a drone strike killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, 62, as “close to ludicrous.”
“And I just pray to God as he goes through what’s happening, as we speak, that he’s listening to his military commanders for the first time, because, so far, that has not been the case,” Biden said.
In Brooklyn, New York, Elizabeth Warren also broached the attacks at a rally where she was introduced by her former rival, Julian Castro.
“This is a reminder why we need de-escalate tension in the Middle East. The American people do not want a war with Iran,” the Massachusetts senator, 70, said.
Tonight, my prayers are with our service members, our diplomats and personnel serving in Iraq, and their families—and all the people in the region.
This is a reminder why we need to de-escalate tension in the Middle East. The American people do not want a war with Iran. pic.twitter.com/Uqybp89u7n
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 8, 2020
No casualties have been reported.
