logo
Who said it: Tucker Carlson or Rashida Tlaib?

Who said it: Tucker Carlson or Rashida Tlaib?

Boston Globe13-06-2025
Get The Gavel
A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
Enter Email
Sign Up
Advertisement
The Islamic Republic of Iran? Pfffft, you don't have to worry about those guys!
It used to be that only lefty champions against islamophobia could see the Supreme Leader's chants of 'Death to America' as cries of resistance against Western colonialism. But these days, some folks on the right seem to see the bright side of the mullahs, too.
Like Matt Walsh, a conservative podcaster, culture warrior, and commentator for the Daily Wire. Walsh posted that Iran 'does not pose any credible threat to the United States,' which is an interesting take given his deep fear of immigrant labor. A regime with the goal of destroying the West has nothing on the dangers to Americans of
Advertisement
Iran does not pose any credible threat to the United States. We do not need to get involved in yet another war in the Middle East for reasons that have nothing to do with defending our own nation.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog)
If you're still a bit nervous that a regime that calls us the Big Satan might still be a threat after decades of dodging nuclear restraint, don't worry — there's bipartisan agreement that we're all good!
In fact, some liberal personalities think that Iran's proxies can do some good. Hyper conservative podcaster
Matt Walsh, meet hyper liberal podcaster
Hasan Piker. The left is eyeing Piker as a rising star in the war to win over young men. Problem is, Piker has a few hot takes — like the fact that Iran's terrorist proxies are a force for 'resistance.' During one of his
As far as I know, Mandela didn't kill hundreds of Americans. But hey, it's all about the resistance.
the media is already working in real time to manufacture consent for how israel is still the victim after its direct strike on iran.
— hasanabi (@hasanthehun)
Bibi Netanyahu: The enemy — on the left, and the right
Who knew Representative
Rashida Tlaib, the Democrat from Michigan, and Tucker Carlson had so much in common! Maybe on Tucker's next podcast, they could talk about how an ally that eliminated an impending nuclear threat is the real enemy.
The Israeli government bombing Iran is a dangerous escalation that could lead to regional war. War Criminal Netanyahu will do anything to maintain his grip on power. We cannot let him drag our country into a war with Iran. Our government must stop funding and supporting this…
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida)
Whatever you think of tariffs, it's clear that now is the worst possible time for the United States to participate in a military strike on Iran. We can't afford it. Thousands of Americans would die. We'd lose the war that follows. Nothing would be more destructive to our country.…
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson)
Fiscal restraint is IN on the left
Everyone knows that Thomas Massie, a small-government conservative representative from Kentucky, is worried about spending the American tax dollar. So is his libertarian-minded compatriot, Republican Senator Rand Paul, also of Kentucky.
Israel doesn't need US taxpayers' money for defense if it already has enough to start offensive wars.
I vote not to fund this war of aggression.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie)
The American people overwhelming oppose our endless wars, and they voted that way when they voted for Donald Trump in 2024.
I urge President Trump to stay the course, keep putting America first, and to not join in any war between other countries.
Every American should hope and…
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul)
But did you know that the progressive squad member Ilhan Omar is also worried about your tax dollars?
Regardless of what Trump thinks, Israel knows America will do whatever they want and feels confident about their ability to get into war and have the American government back them up. Israel also knows they can always rely on getting America to protect and serve its needs.…
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN)
I certainly appreciate fiscal restraint in my lawmakers. That all comes down to prioritizing essential versus nonessential. This crew can't seem to agree on entitlement spending. But when it comes to
Advertisement
Especially as Republicans surge with working-class voters, it isn't surprising to see more right-wing voices questioning foreign entanglements.
What is surprising is just how much those voices sound like their counterparts on the left — the same people that right-wing personalities have dubbed anti-American for years. And still, figures like Tucker Carlson and Matt Walsh present themselves as true patriots, as truly America First. And they seem to think that by ignoring the rest of the world, and just focusing on domestic issues, that America will be safer.
But there's an issue with that analysis. The Islamic Republic is a regime that is built on the desire to destroy America — and it sure isn't going to ignore us.
Carine Hajjar is a Robert Novak Fellow with the Fund for American Studies.
Carine Hajjar is a Globe Opinion writer. She can be reached at
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why in the world is Trump punishing Moldova with tariffs?
Why in the world is Trump punishing Moldova with tariffs?

The Hill

time10 minutes ago

  • The Hill

Why in the world is Trump punishing Moldova with tariffs?

President Trump's tariff blasts continue. The White House released its latest list on July 31 and it is clear that no nation is safe — not allies, enemies, neighbors or distant lands. No menacing power escapes the vigilance of the president's team, ever alert to those 'ripping off' the United States of America. Case in point: Moldova. Dominating both sides of the Dniester River — well, one side actually — this Eastern European colossus of 2.3 million people (about the size of Houston) could inflict mortal damage on the American economy. In 2024 alone, the U.S. bought nearly $136 million (with an 'm') worth of goods from the Moldovans, whereas they bought only $51 million from us. With the U.S. economy valued at more than $30 trillion (with a 'T') we could probably only bear such abuse for … well, forever. In a July 9 letter to Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Trump made clear that America will not be bullied by Moldova any longer. He imposed a tariff of 25 percent on every bottle of wine or fruit juice the Moldovans force us to buy. Calling the deficit with Moldova a 'major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!' the president warned of even higher tariffs if Moldova retaliates or tries to send goods into the U.S. through transshipment. The letter accuses Moldova of taking advantage of us for 'many years.' Tariff rates are one of Trump's favorite weapons, employed under the dubious premise that the U.S. faces a trade deficit 'emergency.' The legality of such action aside — the Supreme Court has yet to rule — the president uses this weapon for a variety of non-economic goals. He has threatened Canada for indicating it might recognize a Palestinian state, and Brazil to try to save former President Jair Bolsonaro from prosecution. Moldova has committed no such offenses — at least none charged — but Trump wants trade with Moldova and a host of other countries to be based on 'reciprocity.' Whatever the precipitating dynamics, punishing Moldova for its involvement in international trade serves no reasonable Western security or broader policy interests. It undermines them. Sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova has a long history of not being a country. The people of this region, who were unwillingly traded between Romania and Russia for nearly a century, gained independence from a collapsing Soviet Union in 1991. With a population that is 75 percent Moldovan-Romanian, some within the Russian and Ukrainian minorities feared the country's absorption into neighboring Romania. During a brief internal war in 1992, Moscow positioned a 'peacekeeping force' on the eastern side of Dniester River to guard the self-proclaimed state of Transnistria — which is still there, not recognized even by Russia. This force is small, locally recruited and considered less than formidable. But it is part of a sustained campaign by Moscow to prevent Moldova from embracing the West. This same motive drove Vladimir Putin to unleash a brutal invasion and occupation of much larger Ukraine. If victorious there, he is unlikely to be more accommodating toward Moldova. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, and its elected leaders and population have been seeking stability. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Moldova applied to join the EU. It was quickly granted candidate status, and negotiations for membership began. In 2024, the country reelected pro-EU President Sandu and in a referendum enshrined the country's 'European course' in its constitution — despite massive Russian interference and disinformation. The EU has not been cowed by Moscow and developed a generous aid and development package. Most Moldovan goods enter the world's largest trading bloc duty-free, a policy that was further extended to agricultural products last month. Under President Biden, the U.S. had been similarly supportive, providing more than $400 million in military and humanitarian aid in part to help reduce the country's dependence on Russian gas. Trump sees no need for aid to Moldova, or indeed for most foreign assistance. Other moves supporting Trump's 'America First' orientation also penalize Moldova. Eliminating the U.S. Agency for International Development meant the loss of virtually all projects in Moldova — including for democracy promotion and economic and energy development. At the same time, cutting resources for election monitoring and an independent press leaves the field open for Russian interference. Such indifference, along with Trump's shifting attitude toward Ukraine and transactional foreign policy, leaves Moldova exposed. A study by the Stimson Center concluded, 'With a White House that seems increasingly eager to align its perspectives with Moscow at the expense of traditional allies, its willingness to support Moldova's democratic transformation in the face of Russian opposition is now uncertain.' Neighboring Romania, a member of both the EU and NATO, has a huge stake in the fate of Moldova. An intimidated or occupied satellite country — a second Belarus — on the Alliance's more than 400-mile border would dramatically change the strategic equation. This should get Washington's attention — at least of those willing to honor the American commitment to NATO. Preserving an independent and economically healthy Moldova thus serves European and American interests. Increasing the cost of doing business with the U.S. and damaging democratic efforts there does not. Supporting Moldova costs the U.S. very little. Excusing a tiny trade deficit to a strategically important democracy does not make Americans suckers. Helping Moldova does not require a military commitment. The country has been cooperating with NATO but is constitutionally neutral. Rather than punishing the country, the U.S. could and should offer support. This could be based on a view of the geopolitical map — or, even better, from an appreciation of a resilient people's desire for democratic choice. Ronald H. Linden is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Pittsburgh, where he directed the Center for European Studies and the Center for Russian and East European Studies.

DC sues to block Trump's ‘unlawful' takeover of police department as crackdown intensifies
DC sues to block Trump's ‘unlawful' takeover of police department as crackdown intensifies

New York Post

time10 minutes ago

  • New York Post

DC sues to block Trump's ‘unlawful' takeover of police department as crackdown intensifies

The nation's capital sued to block President Donald Trump's takeover of its police department in court on Friday, hours after his administration escalated its intervention into the city's law enforcement by naming a federal official as the new emergency head of the department. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb sought an emergency restraining order in the federal court lawsuit, which argues the Trump administration is going far beyond the president's legal powers. 'The administration's unlawful actions are an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call D.C. home. This is the gravest threat to Home Rule that the District has ever faced, and we are fighting to stop it,' Schwalb said. 5 The nation's capital sued to block President Trump's takeover of its police department in court on Friday. AP The lawsuit comes after Trump Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday night that Drug Enforcement Administration boss Terry Cole will assume 'powers and duties vested in the District of Columbia Chief of Police.' The Metropolitan Police Department 'must receive approval from Commissioner Cole' before issuing any orders, Bondi said. It was unclear where the move left the city's current police chief, Pamela Smith, who works for the mayor. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser pushed back, writing on social media that 'there is no statute that conveys the District's personnel authority to a federal official.' The Justice Department declined to comment on the district's lawsuit, and a White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Chief had agreed to share immigration information Schwalb had said late Thursday that Bondi's directive was 'unlawful,' arguing it could not be followed by the city's police force. 5 The lawsuit comes after AG Pam Bondi said Thursday night that DEA boss Terry Cole will assume 'powers and duties vested in the District of Columbia Chief of Police.' He wrote in a memo to Smith that 'members of MPD must continue to follow your orders and not the orders of any official not appointed by the Mayor,' setting up the legal clash between the heavily Democratic district and the Republican administration. The D.C. attorney general is an elected position that is the city's top legal officer and is separate from Washington's federal U.S. attorney, which is appointed by the president. The U.S. attorney general is also appointed by the president and not elected. 5 Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith speaks on Trump's plan to place Washington police under federal control and deploy National Guard troops, on Aug. 11, 2025. AP Bondi's directive came even after Smith had told MPD officers hours earlier to share information with immigration agencies regarding people not in custody, such as someone involved in a traffic stop or checkpoint. The Justice Department said Bondi disagreed with the police chief's directive because it allowed for continued enforcement of 'sanctuary policies,' which generally limit cooperation by local law enforcement with federal immigration officers. Bondi said she was rescinding that order as well as other MPD policies limiting inquiries into immigration status and preventing arrests based solely on federal immigration warrants. All new directives must now receive approval from Cole, the attorney general said. The police takeover is the latest move by Trump to test the limits of his legal authorities to carry out his agenda, relying on obscure statutes and a supposed state of emergency to bolster his tough-on-crime message and his plans to speed up the mass deportation of people in the U.S. illegally. It also marks one of the most sweeping assertions of federal authority over a local government in modern times. While Washington has grappled with spikes in violence and visible homelessness, the city's homicide rate ranks below those of several other major U.S. cities, and the capital is not in the throes of the public safety collapse the administration has portrayed. Residents are seeing a significant show of force A population already tense from days of ramp-up has begun seeing more significant shows of force across the city. National Guard troops watched over some of the world's most renowned landmarks, and Humvees took position in front of the busy main train station. Volunteers helped homeless people leave long-standing encampments, to which was often unclear. Department of Homeland Security police stood outside Nationals Park during a game on Thursday between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies. DEA agents patrolled The Wharf, a popular nightlife area, while Secret Service officers were seen in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. Bowser, walking a tightrope between the Republican White House and the constituency of her largely Democratic city, was out of town Thursday for a family commitment in Martha's Vineyard but would be back Friday, her office said. 5 Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser (right) wrote on social media that 'there is no statute that conveys the District's personnel authority to a federal official.' AP The uptick in visibility of federal forces around the city, including in many high-traffic areas, has been striking to residents going about their lives. Trump has the power to take over federal law enforcement for 30 days before his actions must be reviewed by Congress, though he has said he'll re-evaluate as that deadline approaches. Officers set up a checkpoint in one of D.C.'s popular nightlife areas, drawing protests. Troops were stationed outside the Union Station transportation hub as the 800 Guard members who have been activated by Trump started on missions that include monument security, community safety patrols, and beautification efforts, the Pentagon said. 5 Members of the DEA and police patrol near Nationals Park after a baseball match at the Navy Yard after Trump's announcement of the federal takeover. REUTERS Troops will assist law enforcement in a variety of roles, including traffic control posts and crowd control, National Guard Major Micah Maxwell said. The Guard members have been trained in de-escalation tactics and crowd control equipment, Maxwell said. National Guard troops are a semi-regular presence in D.C., typically being used during mass public events like the annual July 4 celebration. They have regularly been used in the past for crowd control in and around Metro stations.

South African general's unapproved visit to Iran may signal complex US relations
South African general's unapproved visit to Iran may signal complex US relations

Business Insider

time11 minutes ago

  • Business Insider

South African general's unapproved visit to Iran may signal complex US relations

The move, which did not receive government backing, has drawn sharp criticism from members of South Africa's governing coalition, who described the visit as ' reckless grandstanding.' The row comes as South Africa navigates tense relations with the US, which has taken exception to the country's ties with Iran, Russia, and its strong affiliation with BRICS. According to Iranian media outlet WANA News Agency, Iran's Chief of Staff, Major General Mousavi, condemned what he called the crimes of the Israeli regime in the region—particularly genocide in Gaza—and praised South Africa's decision to file and pursue a genocide case against Israel at the International Criminal Court. General Maphwanya noted that the two countries shared common goals and always stood ' alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world, ' according to the Iranian publication Tehran Times. He also criticised Israel over the ongoing war in Gaza, reiterating support for the Palestinian people and telling officials his visit ' carries a political message ' from Ramaphosa's administration as per The BBC The South African government, however, has denied authorising these comments. According to the South African Defence Department, the general's statement was 'unfortunate,' while the Foreign Affairs Ministry said they ' do not represent the government's official foreign policy stance.' President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, confirmed that the president was unaware of the trip and had not sanctioned it. ' The visit was ill-advised and, more so, the expectation is that the general should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments he makes,' Magwenya told reporters. The Democratic Alliance, a member of South Africa's governing coalition, called for General Maphwanya to be 'court-martialled.' The presidency also confirmed that President Ramaphosa intends to meet with the general to discuss the implications of what he called an 'ill-advised' trip. South Africa's waning U.S. relations South Africa's ties with Iran could likely be one of the issues that influenced President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs, even though they were officially justified by trade imbalances. Under Trump, US trade policy increasingly blended economic and geopolitical concerns, and Pretoria's growing engagement with Tehran through diplomatic and military discussions raised Washington's alarm. These interactions likely reinforced the perception that South Africa was aligning with a country at odds with key US strategic interests. While the visit has not yet directly altered bilateral relations, analysts warn that it could complicate South Africa's already delicate relationship with the United States, which has long expressed concerns over Pretoria's ties with Tehran and other contentious international partnerships. South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement that it had noted recent media reports on comments attributed to General Rudzani Maphwanya but stressed that the formulation and implementation of the country's foreign policy is the responsibility of the Presidency, supported by DIRCO. ' Consequently, any statements made by an individual or a department other than those mandated with foreign policy should not be misconstrued as the official position of the South African government. The remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not reflect the government's official foreign policy stance, ' it said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store