Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) defended President Donald Trump’s military strategy against Iran on Sunday, arguing that preventing a nuclear Iran outweighs the country’s general aversion to foreign conflict.
Speaking on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” Donalds, who is running for governor of Florida, acknowledged that most Americans oppose war. However, he maintained that military action remains necessary to secure the region.
“Nobody wants war. I think if you were going to ask Americans at large, whether they’re MAGA Republicans or any other American, nobody wants to be involved in another military conflict,” Donalds said. He added that Trump “doesn’t want to be involved in conflict” either, but said allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons or control the Strait of Hormuz “would be derelict in his duty as commander in chief.”
Donalds’ comments follow U.S. Central Command’s (Centcom) 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian command centers, drone facilities, communication networks, and naval assets.
Centcom stated the strikes aim to protect civilian and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 50,000 U.S. service members are deployed across the Middle East. Eighteen American soldiers have died during the nearly five-month conflict. The Pentagon reported that nearly 100 U.S. service members have been injured since strikes resumed earlier this month, with 96 percent returning to duty.
The strikes continue amid growing public skepticism. A CBS News/YouGov poll found that 58 percent of Americans feel uncertain about the war, while 57 percent feel frustrated.
Overall, 67 percent of respondents said Trump should end the conflict, including over 90 percent of Democrats, 73 percent of independents, and 30 percent of Republicans.
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