Republicans have criticized President Biden following Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, claiming that his “don’t deterrence” approach has only emboldened Iran. Senator Lindsey Graham remarked that every time Biden says “Don’t,” the bad guys end up doing exactly that, highlighting the perceived weakness in the president’s approach. The attack came in retaliation to an airstrike that killed a senior Iranian official in Damascus, which Israel was reportedly involved in. Despite being prepared, Israel intercepted roughly 99% of the Iranian weapons fired at them through their defense systems and military allies in the region.
President Biden had warned of a possible attack by Iran on Israel, urging the Islamic Republic with a simple “Don’t.” However, Iran went through with their attack regardless, leading Republicans to blame Biden’s perceived weakness for the brazen attempt. Representative Nancy Mace criticized Biden’s approach with Iran and the Middle East, warning of the risk of entering World War III and stressing the importance of standing by Israel’s commitment to democracy. Rep. Dan Crenshaw echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of deterrence in foreign policy and the need to stand firm against Iran’s aggression.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a critic of Biden’s foreign policy, had already condemned the president’s “Don’t” comment before the Iranian attack, calling it a dangerous response and lacking in deterrence. Former President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, claiming that the U.S. had shown great weakness under Biden and implying that the attack on Israel would not have occurred during his own presidency. Trump’s strong warnings to American adversaries during his time in office were contrasted with Biden’s approach by Republicans, who believed that such aggressions would have been deterred under Trump’s leadership.
During his time in office, Trump famously warned Iran in a 2018 Tweet to never threaten the United States again, cautioning of severe consequences. This aggressive stance against adversaries was well-known during Trump’s presidency, in contrast to Biden’s perceived lack of deterrence. Senator Graham expressed his belief that the attack on Israel would not have happened under Trump’s watch, highlighting the dangerous situation that has unfolded in the world in recent years. The White House did not immediately respond to these criticisms from Republicans, leaving questions about Biden’s approach to Iran and national security.
Overall, Republicans have criticized President Biden for his perceived weakness in responding to Iran’s attack on Israel, arguing that his approach lacks deterrence and emboldens America’s adversaries. Comparisons have been drawn between Biden and Trump’s handling of foreign policy, with the former president’s strong warnings contrasted with the current administration’s more subdued statements. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in the Middle East and raises questions about how the U.S. should respond to threats from Iran and other hostile nations. The debate underscores broader concerns about national security and the role of deterrence in shaping America’s foreign policy.
