President Trump has struggled with legal justifications for the US assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, failing to back up claims of an “imminent” threat, claiming that didn’t matter because of bad things he’d done. On Friday, Trump suggested to donors that Soleimani was killed not because of what he did, but because of what he said.
Trump made the comments at a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser, saying that he heard Soleimani’s comments, and asked “how much of this shit do we have to listen to?” Trump made no mention of any threats in his decision to kill Soleimani.
This is particularly noteworthy because it represents another example of the president changing his story on the controversial assassination, one which very easily could have led to a major war with Iran.
Claims of an “imminent threat,” true or not, are always made by the US military after an attack because it is one of very few legal pretexts established for carrying out an otherwise aggressive attack. Being insulted by what Soleimani was saying, naturally, is not a legal justification of any sort.
That in less than two weeks the president has repeatedly changed his justification isn’t a good sign, and that this most recent narrative was offered only during a private dinner to his donors, suggests that this was neither meant for public consumption, nor a very good justification at all.
This also came just a day after Trump warned Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to “be careful with his words” after a critical sermon. In this new context, we are clearly meant to understand that if Trump didn’t like what he said, it might easily be a reason for him to be killed.
Be careful with your comments. Always praise Trump (a genius, a great leader, a man of peace, …) and never, never say bad things about the US – Trump is watching and can always bomb you!
Jason, are you familiar with the Bethlehem Doctrine? That is the official justification which our government is using. In brief the BD defines “imminent” as somewhere, some time into the future, for any reason.
Why are the editors of this site constantly deleting my reply to dieter heymann’s post? The Bethlehem Doctrine, according to Craig Murray, only applies to non-state actors. Can i state the part of Murray’s article that states this, or are you going to delete my comment again?
“Why are the editors of this site constantly deleting my reply to dieter heymann’s post?”
Short answer: We’re not.
Longer answer: Your reply was automatically held by Disqus due to the link it included, and was approved and published as soon as a moderator saw it.
Thank you Thomas for responding. In the future will know it’s a link that is holding up any future posts.
It’s not ALWAYS a link. In fact, I’m not always sure what it is. Disqus tries to catch spam, and links are one thing that can make it suspicious. There are also trigger words related to our guidelines, etc.
Usually I get by every 1-2 hours, about 14-16 hours per day, to check on comments that have been held for moderation. Less often on weekends, etc., but I try to keep the automatic moderation from slowing down discussion if I can help it.
Thanks Thomas, will keep this in mind for the future.
“The Bethlehem Doctrine specifically applies to “non-state actors.” […] But that does not wash. Soleimani is a high official in Iran who was present in Iraq as a guest of the Iraqi government, to which the U.S. government is allied. This greatly exacerbates the illegality of his assassination still further.”
https://consortiumnews.com/2020/01/09/lies-the-bethlehem-doctrine-the-illegal-murder-of-soleimani/
Well, just look where they put their country!
So I guess Trump should be fair game if “saying bad things” justifies assassinations.
Yeah, like when he called other nations, “shit-hole” countries.
“Patriotism is always the last refuge of a scoundrel.”
It is difficult to believe that the stupidity and utter fraud of pomp’s and trump’s “justifications” can get any worse on a day by day basis but these statements continue to get worse, more stupid, and more criminal.
It is impossible to justify murder.
The us’ policies are criminal.
“He called me a doody-head…..so I murdered him.” Murder is murder, war crimes are war crimes, and the past dozen or more presidents have plenty of “baggage” in these departments.
What’s the difference between the Trump Regime and Organized Crime? The latter is organized.
This guy doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground. All he cares about is Adelson’s money and blowing stuff up, because China.
Sir, President Trump, A Zionist Israel’s Puppy will Sacrifice The Last American Soldier and Last American Dollar to Make War Criminal Zionist Israel Strongest in the world.
Partially correct, the role of the stooge in organized crime is important. High profile, ignorant and greedy are the required attributes. It’s important the stooge has no knowledge of how he has been used in the case of ending up in court. trump is the Michael Jordan of stooges….
Naked aggression… There’ve been many attempts to justify it but none of them stand up to legal and moral scrutiny. Trump is floundering, trying to make points with his rabid Christian Zionist base and Likudnik handlers while at the same time conjuring up some justification for the assassination that makes sense… Sorry, Donald, that’s impossible.
Stick a fork in it, you’re done. You’ve all but declared war on two countries in the new year and this war is far from over. Both Iran and Iraq are no longer going to tolerate US troops in the region and will use asymmetric proxy warfare to make life complicated for those troops and for US oil interests. Expect mortar rounds and rockets to randomly rain down on US bases and oil facilities, helicopters and supply planes shot down by MANPADS, targeted assassinations of US officials… all justified responses to US aggression. We’ll be forced to either withdraw our troops or go nuclear, the Samson Option.
Also, the world will be totally on the side of the Iranians this time. No NATO countries are willing to help us anymore. The Anglo-Zionist Empire is kaput and it can’t happen soon enough.
I don’t disagree with your sentiment, but the status quo will continue for yet a very long period of time.
USA won’t leave Iraq for decades—regardless of who is president.
I do not believe that Israel is behind every coup, killing, or other attack in the Middle East but this one has a distinct Mossad smell. Suleiman had been in Saudi Arabia for the purpose of exploring a lessening of the tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The message by Trump and Netanyahu to the King of Saudi Arabia is clear: don’t.
You are 100% right, Sir. Now “Trump: Iranian General Was ‘Saying Bad Things’ About US”: The most despicable person at the moment on this earth is none but ‘President Trump’ bringing shame for Honourable Americans.
Thomas Carlson, you’re 100% right. US naked aggression ..Yes, there have been several attempts at justifying it but none stand up to legal and moral scrutiny. DJT’s floundering, trying to make points with his rabid Zionist base and Likudnik handlers while at the same time conjure up some justification for the assassination that makes sense .. Sorry, Donald, that’s totally impossible.
Yes, stick a fork in it, you’re done. You’ve all but declared war on 2 nations in the new year and this war’s far from over. Both Iraq and Iran are no longer going to tolerate US troops in the Middle East and will certainly use asymmetric proxy warfare to make life complicated for those troops and for US oil interests. Yes, indeed, expect mortar rounds and rockets to randomly rain down on US bases and oil facilities, helicopters and supply planes shot down by MANPADS, targeted assassinations of US officials .. all justified responses to US aggression, We’ll be forced to either withdraw our troops or go nuclear – the Samson Option. I expect them to do the former, as the Samson Option would totally destroy the entire planet.
In addition, the entire world will be totally on the side of Iran this time. No NATO countries are willing to help us anymore – I wouldn’t blame them. The Anglo-Zionist Empire’s kaput and it cannot happen soon enough,
Iran doesn’t want war with the U.S. The war would be a bloody war for both sides, but they know they would ultimately lose against the hegemonic superpower. i don’t believe there will be asymmetric proxy warfare by Iran or Iraq against US military or officials. They know Trump would smash them so they have no choice but to accept the unjustifiable aggression against their countries. It’s sad because it proves small countries on our planet have no ability to be sovereign and independent. Unfortunately i think it means Iraq will totally be a US vassel State for generations. Trump threatened freezing 90% of Iraq’s revenue that funds their govt which, unfortunately, is in the New York federal reserve if Iraq persisted in forcing US troops to leave. Iraq completely backed down; they have no choice: it’s blackmail. The Europeans also put the last stake in the JCPOA when Trump threatened 25% tariffs on European auto imports: the Europeans backed down and pretty much ended the JCPOA for good. Germany actually came out and said Trump was right in killing Soleimani! The only thing that could possibly change any of this is if Russia or China would back any retaliation by Iran or Iraq against the US. But i don’t see that happening anytime soon; it’s just not in their interest to do so. Depressing as it is, i think the bullying and aggression will continue. Only the US populace can change this but sadly most could care less. What a mess.
“Depressing as it is, i think the bullying and aggression will continue. Only the US populace can change this but sadly most could care less.”
It’s not that they could care less, it’s that they agree with bullying and aggression because a good many are aggressive bullies themselves. Look at Trump’s rallies after the assassination of the Iranian general. Crowds cheer wildly while Trump tells them how he took out a “terrorist”. We are what we are.
No, the American people care plenty and oppose what is clear US aggression… they just don’t think anyone cares what they think and there’s nothing they can do to change what is happening. Sure the US has some psycho sycophants, every nation does, but that is not who we are.
The Russians and the Chinese are not about to take this gangster-style bullying lying down. Russia is already challenging the US in Syria over control of its oil production. Yesterday, US troops tried to block the M-4 highway near the village of Sikhur, located 35 kilometers from the Russian military air base in the city of Kamyshli, preventing access to its airport. Russian military patrols will now be accompanied by attack helicopters. I’m thinking US troops will think twice before trying that again.
The Chinese are ready to step in and replace the Americans in Iraq, rebuilding their oil production capacity and giving the big FU to Trump’s freezing 90% of Iraq’s oil revenue. This will not end well for the USA if it keeps on bullying Iraq and Iran.
Soon, the Senate will acquit – Dershowitz argument that Abuse of Power is NOT impeachable will lead to starting WW3 is not impeachable, martial law is not impeachable. When Abuse of Power is not impeachable, it’s over for this country. Trump becomes Monarch.
Foul Trump says bad things about everyone! Karma is comin’ to get him.
You should read Twains “The Bad Little Boy”….Karma is superstition, jail is where he should be.
Did the general repeat Trump’s 2016 campaign?