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By Marni Rose McFall
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President Donald Trump has been slammed for comments he made about dead U.S. troops, with Democrats including Congressman Joaquin Castro, who dubbed his comments “callous,” Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Tammy Duckworth levelling criticism at the president.
Trump’s remarks came as the U.S. Central Command said that four American service members have been killed and four others seriously injured, in what marked the first U.S. casualties since the U.S. and Israel carried out coordinated attacks on Iranian military and strategic targets in an operation dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”
Addressing the deaths of these service members, Trump said, “As one nation we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” before going on to say, “Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That's the way it is.” He then added that he "Will do everything possible where that won't be the case," and promised that the deaths of soldiers will be "avenged."
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Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.
Why It Matters
It’s far from the first time Trump has embroiled himself in hot water with remarks made about the military. Earlier this year, he was criticized for remarks that belittled the efforts and losses of NATO troops during the war in Afghanistan, and over the course of his 2024 presidential election campaign, he found himself in the midst of multiple controversies involving the military veteran community.
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Tensions are high following the launch of military action against the Iranian military and strategic targets in an operation dubbed Operation Epic Fury. The president announced on Saturday that the U.S. had begun “major combat operations,” urging Iranians to “take over your government.”
Opinion on Trump and Iran has long been divided, with a poll published on Sunday from Reuters/Ipsos found that one in four Americans support the strikes and half of respondents believe that Trump is too willing to use military force.
On Sunday, Trump said that he expects American deaths, telling NBC News on Sunday, “We expect casualties with something like this,” and that “in the end it’s going to be a great deal for the world.”
What To Know
The video of the president speaking has circulated widely online – one post of it, shared by the journalist Aaron Rupar, has been viewed more than two million times on X.
Specifically, his remark of “That’s the way it is” has caught a significant amount of traction and negative attention.
Castro, a Texas Democrat, wrote, “This is an incredibly callous way for an American President to talk about the sacrifices that our servicemembers make. Our men and women in uniform deserve better.”
Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who served as a United States Army helicopter pilot in the Iraq war, who lost both legs and some mobility in her right arm when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit, wrote on X, “Says the five-time draft dodger to our military families who fear their loved one in uniform could be next. What a disgrace.”
Trump has regularly been called a draft dodger as he avoided the military draft five times in the Vietnam War, four because he was still in education and one for purported bone spurs in his feet.
The press office for Newsom – who regularly spars with and criticises the president – also addressed the remarks, writing in a post on X, “We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.” — Lincoln “These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent.” — Reagan “That’s the way it is.” — Trump.”
What People Are Saying
Brian Krassenstein, a Democrat influencer, in a post on X: “Yeah I agree. “That’s just the way it is,” when a convicted criminal takes control of our military, tears up a nuclear agreement and then senselessly and illegally starts a war without Congressional approval.”
Brad Polumbo, a journalist, in a post on X: “Imagine the (justifiable) Republican freak out if Biden had spoken about troops dying like this.”
Kurt Schlichter, a lawyer and columnist, in a post on X: “I am so grateful to have a President who tells us the truth.”
Jon Favreau, host of Pod Save America and former speechwriter for President Barack Obama, in a post on X: "That’s the way it is. They give orders from a beach club, some other Americans die in a desert. They make money off the government, everyone else owes more. They get away with crimes, and the people who protest them get arrested and even killed. And on and on. The way it is."
Congressman Brendan Boyle, a Pennsylvania Democrat, in a post on X: “Col Bone Spurs cavalierly talking about the death of American troops. “That’s the way it is.” He just couldn’t care less.”
What Happens Next
Trump said the United States has warned that a far more intense phase of the campaign is still ahead, telling CNN in a phone interview that the “big wave” of strikes has not yet begun.
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