OPINION:
Iran-backed forces attacked Americans at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, President Donald Trump sent in the airstrikes and killed Quds force chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad International Airport, and now Iran’s crying foul, vowing “harsh retaliation” and “revenge” and so forth and so on.
But note to Iran: This is not the White House of Barack Obama days.
Trump — thankfully — isn’t going to simply send a strongly worded statement of disapproval. The only statement coming from this administration, in fact, is a warning to U.S. citizens to clear the area, in preparation for more hostilities. That and a glorious tweeted image of the U.S. flag, that is.
“Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound,” the Pentagon said in an alert to American personnel in Iraq, “all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the [e]mbassy.”
The State Department, meanwhile, confirmed Soleimani’s death was due to Trump’s order — suggesting, dear Democrats who are now wailing and gnashing teeth, that the White House is, gasp, not ashamed.
“General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region,” the State Department said. “[The airport airstrike] was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. … The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.”
This should be a comfort to Americans — to know that should they be attacked while overseas, that this president, this administration, isn’t going to respond by, say, picking up the pen and cell phone and calling in a complaint.
Or by, say, sending a big ol’ bundle of cash Iran’s way in hopes of quieting down the terrorist types.
This administration’s a bit different.
Trump, in a tweet, sent out an image of the American flag. That’s all; that’s all that’s needed.
That’s all that needs to be said: Under this administration, it’s the American interests that come first. Not those of the United Nations. Not those of the international community and global elites. Not those of the diplomats and hand-wringers and talk, talk, talk at all costs types.
And certainly not those of a rogue nation bent on terrorizing the West and Israel.
The left is going nuts, warning of war, warning of imminent doom and gloom, warning of upset and chaos and instability and death. But the fact is, the war was already begun by another — by Iran. America was already declared the enemy. Iran’s been treating America as a hostile entity for years.
As an American, it just sure feels good to have a winner in the White House this time around.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter by clicking HERE.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.