by Dave Williams | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – Georgia politicians are reacting to President Donald Trump’s weekend decision to bomb Iranian nuclear sites mostly along party lines.
Republicans have rushed to support the president’s action, while Democrats criticized Trump for ordering the bombing without congressional authorization and warned it could drag the U.S. into a lengthy war.
“America can never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon,” Gov. Brian Kemp posted on social media. “Thank you to President Trump, our service members and intelligence personnel, and administration officials who conducted this successful operation.”
“It’s one of the best operations that I’ve seen in quite a long time,” added Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King, who is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., next year. “The operational security was incredible.”
While praising U.S. troops, Democrats objected to Trump’s decision to move forward with the air strikes without consulting members of Congress.
“I pray for the safety of U.S. military service members deployed around the world and express my admiration for their courage and professionalism,” Ossoff wrote in a prepared statement. “Congress must be fully briefed on (the) operation and consulted on the administration’s strategy.”
“President Trump … has now entered another Middle East conflict,” added Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. “He has not sought congressional approval and has not sufficiently explained why this operation was necessary right now. … And this is not the first time the American people have been told it will end quickly. The people deserve to hear more than they’ve heard so far.”
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome, departed from the GOP party line in opposing the U.S. air strikes and warned of dire consequences, echoing concerns among Republican base voters who historically have backed Trump’s “America First” agenda.
“Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in a foreign war,” Greene posted on social media. “This is not our fight.”
Meanwhile, Georgia political leaders at the state level took the partisan positions of their respective camps.
“Iran messed around and found out the hard way – President Trump means business and delivered on his promise of peace through strength,” said state Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte, R-Dallas. “Iran must never be able to hold a nuclear arsenal.”
“I am thankful for the safe return of all service members involved in (Saturday) night’s air strikes,” said Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones, D-Augusta. “(But) I believe, like so many others, that diplomacy is the only way we can truly resolve this crisis.”
