Trump just bombed Iran. We deserve to know why, but don't count on the truth. | Opinion
You'll pardon me if I don't trust the words that fall out of the president's mouth. We were never given clear information about how close Iran was to developing a nuke.
Rex HuppkePresident Donald Trump may have just hurled America into war because he was mad nobody liked his recent military parade.
Before you brush off that assertion and defend the June 21 U.S. attacks on three of Iran’s nuclear sites − bombings ordered without showing Americans clear evidence or purpose, without congressional approval and without public support − consider who you’re dealing with.
Trump is a small man forever trying to make himself look big. He’s a liar, a fabulist and an impulsive bully. His recent attempts at looking tough involved sending the U.S. Marines to Los Angeles and holding a large military parade in Washington, DC, that did little to impress.
Trump had a choice with Iran, and he chose war
Israel’s attacks on Iran and claims the Iranians were close to developing a nuclear weapon left Trump with a choice: He could study the facts, build a case for the American people and exhaust all diplomatic efforts.
Or he could bomb the daylights out of Iranian nuclear sites and pull our nation back into a war in the Middle East.
He chose the latter, perhaps because he thought it would make him look mighty.
Americans were informed of the attack via words Trump posted on the social media site he owns. He later addressed the nation, saying the "objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity."
“Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success,” Trump said June 21. “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.”
How can Americans believe a president who lies like Trump?
I certainly hope so, but you’ll pardon me if I don’t trust the words that fall out of the president’s mouth. We were never given clear information about how close Iran was to developing a nuke. And again, this attack didn’t have congressional approval or popular support.
An Economist/YouGov poll taken between June 13 and June 16 found: “Only 16% of Americans think the U.S. military should get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran; 60% say it should not and 24% are not sure. Majorities of Democrats (65%), Independents (61%), and Republicans (53%) oppose U.S. military intervention in Iran.”
Yet here we are. The president who ran on repeated assertions that he would bring peace to the world has launched an attack that will undoubtedly put Americans abroad and at home in danger.
Trump promised peace, yet president has now brought us to war
In his inaugural address, Trump said: “We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end − and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into. My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be: a peacemaker and a unifier.”
Trump said of his opponent in the presidential race, then-Vice President Kamala Harris: “If Kamala wins, only death and destruction await because she is the candidate of endless wars. I am the candidate of peace. I am peace.”
And here we are, either fully engaged in a war with a powerful Middle East nation or, at best, on the precipice of one.
Americans deserve answers on Trump's decision to bomb Iran
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries released a statement, saying: “Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed to deliver on that promise. The risk of war has now dramatically increased, and I pray for the safety of our troops in the region who have been put in harm's way. President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East.”
Americans deserve to know, explicitly, why these attacks took place. We deserve to know what merited the president’s decision to launch the attacks without the support of Congress.
But how can we expect clear and honest answers from a man who lies as easily as he breathes? Why should we expect this was anything more than a flex to soothe the insecurities of a commander in chief who preaches “America first” while meaning “Trump first”?
Trump ended his comments bizarrely saying: "I just want to thank everyone, in particular God. ... We love you, God.”
“God help us” would be far more appropriate now.
Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @rexhuppke.bsky.social and on Facebook at facebook.com/RexIsAJerk