Rhode Island Lawmakers Respond To Soleimani​ Killing

Rhode Island lawmakers sounded off Friday after a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force. Senator Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he is "concerned the killing of Soleimani by the Trump Administration significantly increased the likelihood for direct conflict."

Reed said President Donald Trump did not notify Congress prior to the airstrike, saying it is his responsibility now to develop a plan for the country's next steps and that war with Iran "is not inevitable." His full statement is below.

Soleimani's direction of of Iranian-sponsored terrorism has come to an end. His end is the beginning of a much more challenging and dangerous confrontation between the United States and Iran.

Rather than achieving the stated intent of deterring additional attacks by Iran, I am concerned the Trump Adminstration has directly increased the likelihood for direct conflict, and with it, the risks to Americans and our national interests.

Killing Soleimani in this manner strengthens the hardliners in Iran and increases the likelihood that Iran's proxies will be triggered into action. And if his killing results in American abandoning the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, it will be a coup for the Iranians.

President Trump failed to consult with Congress. Now he must provide the American people, Congress and the international community with a thoughtful plan for what comes next. Our troops and diplomats deserve a strategy that is worth of their sacrifice.

War with Iran is not inevitable. Now is the time for restraint, diplomacy and engagement. President Trump should choose that path rather than lurching into another disastrous military conflict in the Middle East.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse echoed Reed's sentiments.

"We have not yet been contacted by the administration with anything beyond the public explanation of this action," Whitehouse said. "It is hard to see how this contributes to the peace the President claims to want, without some exposition of our strategy or policy. I hope there will be a briefing soon to explain both the policy and the factual predicates justifying the strike under international law."

Congressman David Cicilline said that while Soleimani was "a terrorist" and that "there is no quetion the world is better off without [him,]" the president's actions were inappropriate.

"It's important to remember we live in a democracy and the responsibility to declare war rests with Congress. The President took unilateral action today that could result in wide scale conflict and put thousands of American service members and others at grave risk," Cicilline said. "I pray for their safety tonight and urge the Trump administration to immediately consult with Congress, as required by law, on the next steps necessary to keep our country, and those serving in our military, safe."

"There is a real danger that these actions will create a more serious threat of sustained military conflict and even war," he continued. "The same ‘experts’ who instigated the Iraq war in 2003 are cheering this action tonight. Make no mistake, this puts us closer to another conflict in the Middle East with no coherent strategy or plan. The Trump Administration must immediately de-escalate and avoid a deadly conflict with Iran."

Congressman Jim Langevin said that while he "will not mourn [Soleimani's] passing," the "aggressive action" by the president was "undoubtedly risky."

"Congress must be made fully aware of why the President concluded that this was a necessary operation. We must see the hard evidence of plans to cause imminent harm to Americans and understand why this strike was conducted now," Langevin said in part. "The President has made a risky calculation, and as I await the full briefing I have requested, I am concerned that he may have miscalculated and set into motion an escalation in conflict that will place our diplomats, civilians, soldiers and allies and partners in direct danger. Amid the aftermath, we must take steps to ensure the safety of American interests and citizens in the region going forward."