You’ll have (perhaps) heard by now. The US announced this morning that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. But if you missed the 9 am press conference you may have missed the best part.
Trump being Trump.
“He was vicious and violent, and he died in a vicious and violent way, as a coward, running and crying,” Trump stated in a White House speech. “. . . Baghdadi’s demise demonstrates America’s relentless pursuit of terrorist leaders, and our commitment to the enduring and total defeat of ISIS.” …
Not just the standard US rah-rah, he had it coming, thanks to the troops, business. He adds this running and crying like a coward business. Lovin’ it.
Totally, Trump.
Of course, if the details provided by Trump (reported here by National Review) are true, well…
The U.S. suffered no serious casualties in the raid on Baghdadi’s compound, while “a large number” of ISIS fighters and Baghdadi’s guards were killed. Attempting to escape, Baghdadi dragged three children into a dead-end tunnel with him, and ultimately detonated an explosive vest — killing himself and the children — rather than allowing himself to be captured.
The report indicates that Trump is considering a public release of video taken during the raid to counter Islamic State propaganda. That would be interesting. Get the Democrat feathers all ruffled about agitating the Arab Street™!
You mean the one that chants death to America and praises Iran every time it declares some intention to destroy the Great Satan. That Arab Street™?
Iran seems indifferent. “Information Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi, accusing the US, its longtime foe, of creating ISIS, said on Twitter: “Not a big deal, You just killed your creature.” But then they are Persians.
Britain, France, and Israel are congratulatory. Turkey and Iraq are pleased and happy to have helped. Russia says they can’t confirm he’s actually dead.
“… Last respects have been paid to al-Baghdadi at least five times in the past. (Also) countering terrorism is a much more difficult task than the physical destruction of its leaders, even the most irreconcilable.”
House Democrat Adam Schiff is pissed off that Trump didn’t include him any pre-raid consultation, being a ranking Democrat on an Intelligence Committee. Wholly lacking in intelligence.
I think that explains why Trump excluded him. Either that or he thought he’d leak it to the press or maybe even ISIS.
