In the wake of Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, a spate of Republican senators quickly exposed their disconnect with the anti-war MAGA base.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted Thursday to set a tone of restraint in the administration’s response to the airstrikes, which targeted Iranian nuclear sites and left multiple top-ranking military commanders dead, emphasizing that the United States was not involved. Later Thursday night, President Trump broke his silence in a phone interview with Fox News, reiterating that the ultimate goal of the administration was to get Iran back to the negotiating table. Tellingly, Vice President JD Vance has yet to release a statement of his own, opting to repost Trump’s harsher warning to Iran on Friday.
Although Trump praised Israel’s airstrikes as “excellent” and “very successful” and followed up his Fox News interview with a more direct and fiery warning to the Ayatollah regime, it’s clear the president believes the attacks are a means to an end. He still wants a deal, even after Iran passed his 60-day deadline, saying that they “perhaps” have a second chance at sealing one. The president also said he was long aware of Israel’s plan to strike and that he warned Iran to make a deal before the bombs start dropping.
On the flip side, numerous Republican senators have struck an entirely different tone than the president, seemingly hammering the war drums and ignoring the possibility of a nuclear deal. It was as if they were saying, “Wow, look at our big, beautiful bombs in action. This is what we have been waiting for for years.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz implored Americans to “pray for Israel” following the initial wave of strikes on the Ayatollah regime. He also claimed on X that “America stands with Israel.”
Texas Sen. John Cornyn expressed his support for Israel, even dropping in a dash of Hebrew. “Israel has an unquestionable right to defend itself. I am proud to stand with Israel. #AmYisraelChai,” he posted.
Meanwhile, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton claimed that America “back[s] Israel to the hilt, all the way.”
“Iran is the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism, has the blood of thousands of Americans on its hands, and is rushing to build not only nuclear weapons, but also missiles that can strike the United States. We back Israel to the hilt, all the way. And if the ayatollahs harm a single American, that will be the end of the ayatollahs,” he said.
To no one’s surprise, warmongering South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham put it more simply: “Game on.”
The anti-war MAGA base is rightfully outraged at Israel’s dramatic escalation against Iran — and maybe even at Trump over his apparent failure to rein in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and strike a nuclear deal. And though Republican senators claim to be America First champions, it seems that only one actually had the guts to channel the anger of the president’s base and voice it unequivocally: Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
“The American people overwhelming [sic] oppose our endless wars, and they voted that way when they voted for Donald Trump in 2024. I urge President Trump to stay the course, keep putting America first, and to not join in any war between other countries. Every American should hope and pray for peace,” the senator said.
Authors’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers.
Agree? Disagree? Submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com – We want to hear from you, too!
