Former Clinton aide praises Trump on Iran, doubts Kamala Harris’ ‘courage’
A former Clinton-era National Security Council staffer has broken ranks with his party to praise President Donald Trump’s successful strikes on Iran over the weekend. Jamie Metzl, founder of the international social group One Shared World, took to social media to commend Trump for his bold actions in defense of America’s interests. Metzl, who served on former President Bill Clinton’s National Security Council and was former President Joe Biden’s deputy staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also took a swipe at Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting she may not have had the courage to execute such a mission if she were commander-in-chief.
“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 wrote in a post on social media on Saturday evening. He continued to express his support for Trump’s decision in subsequent messages, emphasizing the importance of taking a stand against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Metzl highlighted Iran’s long history of hostility towards the United States and its pursuit of nuclear weapons as reasons for the strike. He emphasized that Iran’s regime has been at war with the U.S. for 46 years and posed a significant threat to America and its allies. Metzl acknowledged the risks involved in such actions but maintained that they were necessary to safeguard national security.
The unexpected praise for Trump from a former Democratic staffer comes amidst a wave of support from other prominent Trump critics. Democratic lawmakers like New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman have lauded the president’s decision to strike Iran, citing the country’s role as a leading sponsor of terrorism and a nuclear threat.
While some Democrats and anti-Trump voices have criticized the strikes for bypassing Congress, others like New York Times columnist Bret Stephens and David French have commended Trump for making a courageous and correct decision. The successful operation, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” involved precision strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities and was hailed as a spectacular military success by Trump and top military officials.
The operation, shrouded in secrecy and misdirection, was intended to cripple Iran’s nuclear capabilities and force the nation into making a peace deal. Trump, accompanied by top officials like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, announced the strikes in a late-night address to the nation, touting the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities as a significant achievement.
The strikes, which followed Israel’s preemptive actions against Iran, were part of a coordinated effort to address the growing threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program. The operation involved the longest B-2 spirit bomber mission in history and marked a significant milestone in U.S. military history.
Overall, the praise for Trump’s actions from former Democratic officials and traditional anti-MAGA voices underscores the bipartisan nature of national security decisions. While political differences may divide us, the shared goal of safeguarding America’s interests remains paramount.
