Top House Republicans are criticizing the Biden administration for expressing condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, known as the “Butcher of Tehran”. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer accused the Democrats of being the “pro-terrorist party” for offering condolences for Raisi. House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik called the State Department’s message “unacceptable, unnecessary, and outrageous” and criticized Secretary of State Antony Blinken for appeasing the hostile Iranian regime.
Raisi and Iran’s foreign minister were declared dead in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran. Raisi had a brutal history, with reports accusing him of ordering the executions of as many as 30,000 political dissidents in the 1980s. As president, he oversaw a harsh government response to mass protests. The US State Department expressed official condolences for Raisi’s death, reaffirming support for the Iranian people’s struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, this move was met with pushback from GOP lawmakers who believed the US should not be sending condolences to a tyrant like Raisi.
Rep. Byron Donalds referred to Raisi as the ‘Butcher of Tehran’ for a reason, emphasizing his evil nature and the persecution of innocent Iranians. Rep. Mike Waltz called on the Biden administration to publicly denounce Iran’s regime and support Iranian resistance fighters instead of offering condolences. Despite the backlash, State Department spokesman Matt Miller defended the US position, acknowledging Raisi’s brutal record but expressing regret for any loss of life in the helicopter crash. Miller stated that the US fundamental approach to Iran has not changed and will not change.
The controversy sparked by the Biden administration’s condolence message for Raisi highlighted deep divisions within Congress regarding US policy towards Iran. Republicans strongly criticized the administration for offering condolences to a ruthless leader like Raisi, with some calling for a return to the Trump administration’s campaign of maximum pressure on Iran. The State Department stood by its decision, emphasizing the need to acknowledge Raisi’s brutal record while also expressing regret for his death in the helicopter crash.
The Biden administration’s handling of Raisi’s death raised concerns about the US approach to human rights issues and authoritarian regimes. Critics saw the condolence message as a sign of weakness and appeasement towards Iran, known for its human rights violations and support for terrorist activities. By expressing condolences for Raisi, the administration was accused of sending mixed signals regarding its stance on human rights and fundamental freedoms. The controversy surrounding the US response to Raisi’s death underscored the difficulty of balancing diplomatic considerations with moral principles in foreign policy decisions.
Overall, the reactions to the Biden administration’s message of condolence for Raisi’s death reflected broader debates within Congress about US policy towards Iran and other authoritarian regimes. The divide between Republicans and Democrats on this issue highlighted the challenges of promoting human rights and democratic values while also navigating diplomatic relations with oppressive regimes. Moving forward, the Biden administration will face continued scrutiny and pressure from lawmakers to take a tougher stance on human rights abuses and hold authoritarian leaders like Raisi accountable for their actions.
