Colorado Representative Jason Crow conveyed to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Monday that he holds a firm belief in the United States’ intention to retaliate against the drone attack targeting U.S. service members in Jordan.
In an interview on The Situation Room, the Democratic representative emphasized the necessity of determining an appropriate response, stating, “There’s no doubt that we’re going to respond here.”
Crow acknowledged the possibility of striking inside Iran as a response to the attack, attributed by the White House to an Iran-backed militant group. However, he cautioned against the potential escalation of the situation into a broader regional conflict.
Democratic Congressman Expresses Confidence in U.S. Response to Jordan Attack (Credits: The Hill)
Three U.S. military personnel lost their lives, and several others were injured in the drone strike on a U.S. base in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border on Sunday. President Joe Biden attributed the attack to a “radical Iran-backed militant group operating in Syria and Iraq,” a claim denied by Iran.
The ongoing tensions in the Middle East, exacerbated by the Israel-Palestine conflict, have further complicated the Biden administration’s regional policies. Congressional Republicans, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have called for strikes inside Iranian territory in response to the attack on U.S. service members.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged to take all necessary actions to defend the U.S., while White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby expressed the administration’s reluctance to engage in a wider war with Iran.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a press conference on Monday, affirmed the White House’s commitment to responding decisively to any aggression and holding those responsible accountable. He cautioned against exploiting the conflict in the Middle East and emphasized the administration’s efforts to prevent escalation.
Representative Jason Crow, a former U.S. Army member with deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, highlighted ongoing discussions among congressional lawmakers and White House advisers on the appropriate U.S. response. He echoed Blinken’s stance, advocating for a measured response at a time and manner of the U.S.’s choosing, cautioning against hasty actions that could exacerbate the situation.
Crow emphasized the importance of thoughtful policymaking over mere rhetoric, stating, “Talking tough is very easy, I’ve found. Actually figuring out good policy is much harder. So let’s have that debate publicly.”
