WASHINGTON D.C. (WTAQ-WLUK) – While some Republicans have said Democrats opposed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani’s killing, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin tells FOX that’s not the case.
“This isn’t a partisan issue at all. The question isn’t about whether Soleimani was a bad human being, he was. The question is what actions would make America safer and protect American interests domestically and overseas. I think in view of what we’ve seen in the last day or so the question is kind of answered itself. We are less safe.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-8th District, tells FOX 11 he disagrees.
“If, when the dust settles and it is still settling, all we have is the Iranians lobbing ballistic missiles in the desert, beating their chests at home. Meanwhile, we have taken their most important terrorist organizer commander, arguably the deadliest and dangerous man in the world, off the battlefield.”
But Baldwin says America’s position in the Middle East is bigger than Iran.
“We have sent two generations of our men and women to fight in wars in the Middle East. I do not want to see another generation of our men and women from Wisconsin or elsewhere fighting in another war.”
Gallagher believes the President is taking steps to keep America’s “deterrent posture” in the region.
“Let’s unite as Americans, Republicans, and Democrats around the basic principle that if you kill Americans, we will come after you, and we will not sit idly by while you threaten our people.”
Baldwin says the U.S. should head in a “more positive direction” to reach the eventual goal of peace.
A step in that direction could be the economic sanctions President Trump announced Wednesday.
“I think taking a restrained approach right now and looking at every diplomatic and political option to avoid that but yet move into the direction of making sure that the Iranian threat is contained is the right direction,” Baldwin said.
As for what’s next both democrats and republicans have similar goals: protect Americans, and contain any threat Iran poses.
The question is how to do it.
Some lawmakers have called the Soleimani killing illegal.
They say only Congress had the authority to approve the strike in this case.
The U.S. Department of Justice said it was made to defend the country from “imminent threats.”
