Democratic security chief claims Kamala Harris lacked the 'courage' to bomb Iran like Trump
The official, former NSC official Jamie Metzl, is no Trump fan – calling him out for 'dangerous and undemocratic' actions. But he says the president took a needed step to try to wipe out Iran's nuclear program.
'I voted for Kamala Harris and have been a vocal critic of many dangerous and undemocratic actions taken by President Trump. But I'm not a blind tribalist and am perfectly comfortable praising President Trump for bold and courageous actions in support of America's core national interests, as he took last night,' Metzl posted online after the military carried out the attack on Trump's nuclear facilities on orders from President Trump.
The Democrat wrote about his bonafides and said Trump deserved credit for giving the order despite previous 'undemocratic' actioins.'
'I served on the National Security Council under President Clinton. I was Joe Biden's Deputy Staff Director of the Senate foreign Relations Committee. I voted for Kamala Harris and have been a vocal critic of many dangerous and undemocratic actions taken by President Trump. But I'm not a blind tribalist and am perfectly comfortable praising President Trump for bold and courageous actions in support of America's core national interests, as he took last night,' he wrote Sunday.
'Although I believe electing Kamala Harris would have been better for our democracy, society, and economy, as well as for helping the most vulnerable people in the United States and around the world, I also believe VP Harris would not have had the courage or fortitude to take such an essential step as the president took last night,' he wrote.
He landed a booking on Fox News hours after the posting.
'When I see these - I hate to use the Fox word, because I'm a Democrat, but lunatics ... on college campuses' seeking to 'globalize the intifada,' he said. 'Nobody should be rallying for these killers,' he added, speaking on 'The Story' with Martha MacCallum.
Metzl is an Iran hawk who has served influential Democrats during Iran's decades-long standoff with the U.S.
In addition to his stint on the NSC for Clinton, he was deputy staff director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when then Sen. Joe Biden chaired the panel.
He pointed to Iran's longstanding 'death to America' slogan, and says Iran 'has been at war with the United States for 46 years' and was 'racing toward a nuclear weapon.'
In an effort to bring Democrats over the cause, he noted in another post that 'Woodrow Wilson and FDR were both elected on platforms of avoiding war…'
It was a reference to Trump's 'America first' second inaugural speech where he said 'our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent and totally unpredictable.'
The speech is getting a new look after Trump ordered attacks on the Houthis in Yemen and the bombing of the Iranian sites.
'I am not a fan of many of Donald Trump's actions, but I will speak openly and honestly when he takes bold steps defending America's interests, as he did tonight,' Metzl posted after Trump's Saturday night speech.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the Harris camp for comment. Harris, who served four years in the Senate and one term as vice president, is a potential candidate for governor of California.
Metzl did allow for the possibility that the situation might go south, although on Monday the U.S. repelled an Iranian missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar.
Trump thanked the Iranians for providing 'early notice' of the attack. He called it a 'very weak response.'
'No actions like this come without risks, and I imagine the story will get more complicated over time, but that's why these types of decisions are complicated,' wrote Metzl.
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