The president’s remarks come amid fears of a military draft for the war in Iran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not dispel the fears in an interview appearance over the weekend
President Trump Delivers Remarks to the Republican Members Issues Conference (Image: Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration “took a little excursion” while speaking about the U.S.-Israel war on Iran Monday at the annual Republican Members’ Issues Conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
“We took a little excursion because we felt we had to do that to get rid of some evil. Then, I think you’ll see it’s going to be a short term excursion,” Trump said, a couple of hours after saying the war is “very complete, pretty much.”
He went on to say: “We’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough. We go forward, more determined than ever to achieve ultimate victory that will end this long running danger once and for all.”
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Trump referred to the killing of Iran’s most senior military leader during his first term, Qasem Soleimani. “They may have been much more capable than they are, had he lived. Because he was capable. He was vicious, violent and capable. But we got rid of him first,” Trump said. Soleimani was assassinated in a U.S. strike in Iraq during Trump’s first administration.
The president’s remarks come amid fears of a military draft for the war in Iran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not dispel the fears in an interview appearance over the weekend.
“Mothers out there are worried that we’re gonna have a draft, that they’re going to see their sons and daughters get involved in this. What do you wanna say about the president’s plan for troops on the ground?” Maria Bartiromo, the host of Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures”, asked.
“(President Donald Trump) wisely does not remove options off of the table,” Leavitt responded. She also echoed her comments from an earlier briefing saying that a ground invasion of Iran is not current a part of the plan. “The president as commander in chief wants to continue to assess the success of this military operation.”
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The president gave remarks during the annual three-day conference designed for House Republicans to craft their legislative agenda and messaging for the year ahead of the high-stakes midterm elections in November. Trump reportedly held a roundtable discussion with GOP lawmakers before delivering his address, which marks the first time he spoke to the group since resuming office last year.
The meeting comes at a pivotal moment for Republicans after coming off of a particular disruptive week.
It comes just days after Congress had a heated debate over whether to limit Trump’s war powers after ordering joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran during Operation Epic Fury, triggering regional conflict during which at least seven U.S. troops have been killed.
It also comes after Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) admitted to having an affair with a staffer who died via self-immolation last year while announcing that he will not seek reelection after facing fierce criticism for the scandal.
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