MSNBC Host Celebrates as Iran Attacks American Troops with Missile Strikes
Lawrence O’Donnell praises strikes on Iraq by Iran
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The Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday that over a dozen ballistic missiles were launched against U.S. military and forces in Iraq from inside Iran, striking Iraqi military bases at Al-Assad and Irbil hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel.
Following the news of the attacks, MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell celebrated the Iranian strikes, seemingly as a jab against President Donald Trump.
“Trump wagged the dog. Now the dog is wagging Trump,” the host bragged via Twitter.
O’Donnell then claimed Trump is “speechless” over the attacks from Iran.
“These threats of war crimes & mass murder by Iran make this the most dangerous night in history of American military in the Middle East and the President of the United States has no idea what to say. White House says Trump won’t make a statement,” said the MSNBC host.
“He’s literally speechless.”
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“If you were thinking the president would say something clarifying or reassuring about this night of worldwide confusion & fear, you were thinking of a different president,” O’Donnell continued.
The Iranian strikes come in relation to the killing of terrorist and Iranian general Qassem Soleimani ordered by Trump last week.
“Soleimani was the head of the Iranian and Iranian-backed forces carrying out those operations killing American troops” during the Iraq War, Fox News reported.
“According to the State Department, 17% of all deaths of U.S. personnel in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 were orchestrated by Soleimani.”
According to the State Department, Soleimani was in the process of “coordinating” attacks on U.S. personnel.
“We can confirm that in the past several days, General Soleimani had been traveling in the Middle East coordinating further imminent large-scale attacks against U.S. diplomats and service members. These threats were highly credible, and the intelligence is sound,” the State Department said.
Trump wagged the dog.
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) January 8, 2020
Now the dog is wagging Trump.
These threats of war crimes & mass murder by Iran make this the most dangerous night in history of American military in the Middle East and the President of the United States has no idea what to say. White House says Trump won't make a statement. He's literally speechless. https://t.co/cVxLtR59rP
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) January 8, 2020
If you were thinking the president would say something clarifying or reassuring about this night of worldwide confusion & fear, you were thinking of a different president. https://t.co/lERmpsehES
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) January 8, 2020
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Jonathan Hoffman, the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, released a statement concerning the Iranian strikes:
“At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq.
It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil."
“We are working on initial battle damage assessments,” Hoffman noted.
“In recent days and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defense has taken all appropriate measures to safeguard our personnel and partners.
These bases have been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces and interests in the region,” the statement added.
“As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region,” Hoffman continued.
“Due to the dynamic nature of the situation, we will continue to provide updates as they become available.”
On Tuesday, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami said Iran would claim revenge against the U.S. that following the airstrike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, saying it “will be hard, firm, regrettable, decisive and complete.”
Speaking at Soleimani's funeral, Salami praised Iran’s promised response:
“Today, all humanity admires and praises him as a model of resistance and support for the oppressed," Salami said.
