On Iran, Democrats — Except Fetterman — Have Gone Underground

Editor’s note: This syndicated column was written and published before Donald Trump ordered US strikes on Iran’s nuclear-weapons development facilities. 

        When it comes to criticizing President Donald Trump — and refusing to give credit for virtually anything — it’s full speed ahead for Democrat politicians.

        On the economy, Axios just reported: “The stock market had been recently scraping new highs … The unemployment rate was 4.2%, and inflation was well-contained near the Fed’s 2% target.” Gas prices are down, as is the retail price of eggs. Inflation, despite the tariffs, is at a four-year low. Wages are up.

        That southern border has become a nonissue for much of the media. The New York Post recently wrote, “Border Patrol agents didn’t release a single migrant into the US last month — a staggering drop after the Biden administration allowed 62,000 illegal crossers in the country in May 2024. … Agents caught 8,725 migrants crossing illegally at the southern border last month. That’s a 93% decrease from May 2024, when 117,905 were nabbed, according to internal data obtained by The Post.”

        Last April, then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified before Congress insisting, “With the authorities and the funding that we have, (the border) is as secure as it can be.”

        Democrats attack Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” not only as a supposed danger to the so-called entitlements but as an existential threat to the republic. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “People will die if the GOP tax scam ever becomes law.”

        On immigration, there is no shortage of Democrats whipping out the fascism card. About Trump’s deportation policy, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) recently said, “They are trying to end legal status in the United States.”

        But where are the big Democrat voices on Iran, specifically on Israel military action and our country’s support to prevent the No. 1 state sponsor of terror from acquiring a nuclear bomb?

        Former President Barack Obama, about the Trump administration, said days ago at a speech in Connecticut, “If you follow regularly what is said by those who are in charge of the federal government right now, there is a weak commitment to what we understood — and not just my generation, at least since World War II — our understanding of how a liberal democracy is supposed to work.” But nothing about Iran.

        For years, Hillary Clinton and Obama said that nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable. Then-New York Sen. Clinton said: “A nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable, but it is not just unacceptable to Israel and to the United States. It must be unacceptable to the entire world, starting with the European governments and people.”

        Obama, in 2012, said: “I think that the Israeli government recognizes that, as president of the United States, I don’t bluff. I also don’t, as a matter of sound policy, go around advertising exactly what our intentions are. But I think both the Iranian and the Israeli governments recognize that, when the United States says it is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, we mean what we say.”

        OK, Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama, care to comment?

        Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recently issued a statement opposing Iran’s acquisition of a nuclear weapon, but did not mention Trump, let alone praise Trump’s support for Israel or the way he is navigating this crisis.

        A big exception is Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who said, “I really hope the president finally does bomb and destroy the Iranians.” He later wrote: “To be perfectly clear: destroying the Iranian regime. Free the Iranian citizens from this cancerous, repressive, and authoritarian regime.”

        Also, Harold Ford Jr., Democrat Fox News contributor and former Tennessee member of the U.S. House, said: “I give the president a lot of credit. … I was reminded of a Churchill saying — I no longer listen to what people say. I watch what they do because behavior never lies. And I think the president’s come to the conclusion because he’s tried. He’s tried, other presidents have tried. And I hope he’s not persuaded by or even impacted by politics. … And I can tell you I’m one American who’s prepared to support the president, whatever decision he makes.”

        Why have many big-voice Democrats gone into an underground bunker rather than offer even the faintest praise or encouragement for Trump? It’s about not giving Trump credit for anything, including accomplishing an objective they supported.

        Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an “Elderado,” visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on X @larryelder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.