Rep. Ted Lieu, D.-Calif., sharply criticized U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz during his appearance before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, accusing him of failing to understand the toll the war with Iran has taken on U.S. troops.
Lieu lambasted Waltz for misstating the number of U.S. troops who have been wounded during the conflict. Waltz, who was fired as national security adviser last year after accidentally adding a journalist to a group chat on a secure messaging platform, initially said that he believed the figure was “over 100.” The real count, Lieu pointed out, is 482.
“Shame on you for not even knowing basic facts,” Lieu shouted at Waltz.
The exchange came days after three service members were killed in an Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Jordan on Friday. A fourth service member was killed over the weekend in northern Iraq, bringing the U.S. military death toll in the conflict to 18.
Lieu said he was not surprised that Waltz did not know the actual number of wounded troops.
“The reason you are here today and in your position is because you were fired by the president from your position as National Security Adviser,” the congressman said.
“In your opening statement, you bragged about doing a security council resolution on Iran. So yes, Iran is in your job responsibility. Focus on it and focus on the troops that have been wounded and killed,” Lieu told Waltz. “Do not be so callous with the safety and lives of American troops.”
Lieu repeatedly asked Waltz whether U.S. troops are stationed in Jordan. Waltz initially deflected, telling the Lieu to go back to his home district and “try to get reelected” before finally answering the question.
“Of course they are, with a great ally,” Waltz said.
During a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House on Tuesday, Trump criticized Jordan and its defense system. The president told reporters it appeared Iran “did slip something through Jordanian territory,” adding, “That would not have happened if American forces or personnel had been in charge.”
The post Ted Lieu grills Mike Waltz over U.S. troop casualties in Iran war appeared first on MS NOW.
