Democratic politicians condemned "Donald Trump" after he posted on social media threatening to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran, calling it "insane" behavior and warning it risks constituting war crimes. They cautioned that such threats would neither help reopen the Strait of Hormuz nor would they avoid putting American soldiers in danger and driving oil prices sharply higher.
Democratic members of Congress united in condemning President Donald Trump's latest stance, criticizing his use of harsh and coarse language to threaten attacks on power plants and bridges in Iran, stating that such behavior seriously violates international law.
Jim McGovern, a senior member of the House Rules Committee, described Trump's words as "delusional and extremely dangerous," comparing his behavior to "insanity" and calling for the president to seek treatment.
McGovern warned that when the U.S. devalues international humanitarian law, it invites other countries to follow suit, which increases the danger to Americans and raises the risk of war crimes under the Geneva Conventions.
Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, posted on social media on Easter, saying that while Americans were celebrating with their families, the nation's leader was acting like "a deranged person lacking self-control," threatening to commit war crimes and driving allies away.
At the same time, Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, did not directly attack Trump in his post but expressed relief that special operations forces successfully rescued a second downed Air Force pilot in Iran.
Several members of Congress also pointed out the strategic and economic impacts, with Senator Edward Markey warning that threatening war crimes would not help reopen the Strait of Hormuz but would instead push gas prices higher and put American soldiers' lives at risk.
Similarly, Senators Chris Murphy and Elissa Slotkin emphasized that targeting civilian infrastructure like power plants and bridges clearly violates the laws of war, especially since Trump had claimed the war was to help the Iranian people, but indiscriminate killing of civilians contradicts that and causes unnecessary bloodshed and financial loss for the U.S.
Democratic senators have called on Republican leaders to restrain Trump's stance before the situation escalates into war crimes this week as he has threatened.
On 5 Apr 2024 GMT+7, President Trump escalated tensions via social media by threatening to attack key power plants and bridges in Iran by 7 Apr 2024 GMT+7 if Iran does not allow normal commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
"Tuesday will be the day for power plants and bridge construction in Iran, all at once. There will be no more of this!!! Open the Strait, you crazy people, or else you will go to hell, just wait!" However, a few hours later, on the same platform, he posted, "Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time!"
/sourceThe Guardian/Al Jazeera