White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sparked outrage Monday by saying the three U.S. soldiers killed in a drone strike in Jordan over the weekend died “fighting on behalf of the regime” and not the United States. caused it.
“Obviously, we extend our deepest condolences and our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, uh, three, three, three, three brave, uh, three. Three brave, uh, three brave, military, three brave people who are always fighting, oh, fighting on behalf of this administration, on behalf of the American people, obviously more than that. , which is more important.” Jean-Pierre told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” I have trouble forming coherent sentences.
Three Army soldiers were killed and more than 40 others were injured in a drone attack early Sunday morning on the US outpost Tower 22 along the Jordan-Syria border.
President Biden vowed on Sunday that the United States would “respond” to the attack, but U.S. officials did not elaborate on what that response would be.
Jean-Pierre was criticized for his comments on social media.
Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, said: “I don’t care about the word salad, but the idea that everyone in the military is fighting on behalf of the administration is what’s going on in Washington.” What’s wrong with the DC establishment?” he tweeted. Jean-Pierre’s comments were “disgusting,” he continued.
“The Biden administration is amateurish, disorganized, disrespectful, and an embarrassment to the United States.” Spats foreign policy analyst Niall Gardiner.
“They are not ‘the people'” Former Republican Congressman Doug Collins of Georgia added:. “These are military personnel who gave their lives not for this administration, but for the country they serve!
“They are our best and deserve better than this.”
“Our military members are sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States. They are not fighting ‘on behalf of’ the Biden team.” Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) agrees.. “This is incredibly disrespectful.”
Abigail Jackson added, “These soldiers came for America, not for the government.” Director of Communications for Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)
On Monday, the Pentagon identified the three soldiers killed in the attack as Specialist Kennedy Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia. Sergeant William Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia. and Breonna Moffett, 23, a specialist from Savannah, Georgia.
The Army oath taken by all new recruits promises to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” I pledge true faith and allegiance to it. And I swear that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, in accordance with the regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“Therefore, God, help me,” the vow concludes.
Before this weekend’s attack, there had been at least 158 attacks on U.S. and allied personnel or hardware in the Middle East since Oct. 17, according to the Pentagon.
