President Donald Trump is suggesting House Democrats' impeachment probe contributed to his decision to withhold notice to congressional leaders before Saturday's raid on Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
In announcing on Sunday that al-Baghdadi had blown himself up after being cornered in a dead-end underground tunnel in Syria, Trump acknowledged that IS (also known as ISIS), which he often calls "100 percent" defeated, still has ambitions to make a comeback. The group is "very, very strongly looking to build it again," he said.
Indiana legislators responded via Twitter on Sunday.
Sen. Todd Young tweeted the news Sunday morning, followed by a thread about Hoosier members of the armed forces who died in combat against ISIS.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. https://t.co/pof8b5of6L — Senator Todd Young (@SenToddYoung) October 27, 2019
Sen. Mike Braun also tweeted his support, writing that Trump's "decimation of ISIS is a message to all that America’s enemies are always brought to justice."
Today we thank US Special Forces for their bravery in killing #Baghdadi , author of untold suffering to Christians, Americans, & countless innocents worldwide. President @realDonaldTrump ’s decimation of ISIS is a message to all that America’s enemies are always brought to justice. — Senator Mike Braun (@SenatorBraun) October 27, 2019
Fifth District Republican Rep. Susan Brooks tweeted in support of the president Sunday, writing that the operation was “historic.”
Thank you to our incredible special forces and @POTUS for removing ISIS’ horrific leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi from our world. This special operation is historic and exemplifies the bravery and skill of our men and women in uniform who work to keep us safe from terrorism. ?? — Susan W. Brooks (@SusanWBrooks) October 27, 2019
Congressman Jim Banks represents Indiana’s 3 rd District. He said Sunday in a tweet that he considered the death of al-Baghdadi to be “even bigger than killing Bin Laden.” He also tweeted at Speaker Nancy Pelosi, acknowledging rumors that Trump had been afraid to inform Democratic leadership about the operation out of fear that the information would be leaked.
Banks appeared on Fox News Sunday evening and called the operation a strategic move by the Trump administration.
“This is a big moment for his administration, it’s a big moment for our country, and it’s a big moment for our national security,” he said.
Consider that killing al-Baghdadi even bigger than killing Bin Laden Baghdadi both spiritual leader & chief recruiter of ISIS. Hard to estimate how many lives saved by killing who many ISIS fighters/recruits thought immortal @realDonaldTrump & his admin deserve enormous credit! — Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) October 27, 2019
Killing #alBaghdadi was the culmination of a nat sec effort @realDonaldTrump 's led since elected to achieve this key victory against #ISIS . This is a big moment for his administration. It’s a big moment for our country. This is a big moment for our national security. pic.twitter.com/MrEGQdpybX — Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) October 28, 2019
District 2 Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski tweeted Sunday that al-Baghdadi’s death marked a “major wictory in the war on terror.”
ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was a brutal terrorist whose death marks a major victory in the war on terror. I’m grateful to our servicemembers and intelligence personnel who made this raid successful, and all those who bravely serve our country and defend our freedom. — Jackie Walorski (@RepWalorski) October 27, 2019
Republican Rep. Larry Bucshon of District 8 congratulated the special forces team that carried out the raid in a Sunday tweet.
Congrats to our men and women in uniform who risked their lives to take out the head of ISIS. Terrorists around the world should not continue to test the resolve of the U.S. and our allies in this fight. We will never relent. — Larry Bucshon, MD (@RepLarryBucshon) October 27, 2019
