Republican Senator Finally Criticizes Trump’s Threat to Blow Up Iran
Source: The New Republic · Bias: Left
Summary
At least one Republican senator is finally speaking out against President Trump’s genocidal threats against Iran. “I am hoping and praying that President Trump … [that] this really is bluster. I do not want to see us start blowing up civilian infrastructure. I do not want to see that,” conservative Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson said on an episode of the John Solomon Reports podcast released Monday. “We are not at war with the Iranian people. We are trying to liberate them.” Sen. Ron Johnson: "I am hoping and praying that President Trump is, that this really is bluster. I do not want to see us start blowing up civilian infrastructure. I do not want to see that. We are not at war with the Iranian people. We are trying to liberate them." pic.twitter.com/upykUa3jeH— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 7, 2026While this statement is stronger than that of most congressional Republicans, Johnson’s dreams of liberation have been all but deferred. On Tuesday, Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.” While former MAGA acolytes like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Alex Jones have criticized Trump’s threats—even calling for his removal—Johnson is one of the few Republicans in Congress to voice a similar opinion. Other than him, Rand Paul has been the only Republican senator to try to rein in Trump’s war.In fact, many Republicans spent their Tuesday morning doing incredibly unconvincing damage control.“The new threat from the president is that a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. You say the president doesn’t want to do it. Does being reluctant to end a civilization make it OK?” CNN’s John Berman asked GOP representative and staunch Israel supporter Mike Lawler on Tuesday.“I don’t think we’re talking about ending a civilization, the issue—”“Do you say you don’t believe the president’s threat?” the host said, interrupting Lawler. “It is their energy infrastructure and their civilian infrastructure, including roads and bridges. That will cripple the Iranian regime and certainly their economy,” Lawler said, deflecting. “It is not something we want to do.… We are not at war with Iranian people, we want them to be free from this oppression and tyranny that they have lived under for 47 years. But if the president has to take necessary action to strike their energy and infrastructure, that is going to cripple the regime. “You don’t take him at his word that he will end a whole civilization?” “He is talking about the energy and civilian infrastructure,” Lawler replied.“He said ‘never to be brought back again.’ He just means the bridges and the infrastructure?” “Again John, we’re talking about taking decision action against Iran’s energy and civilian infrastructure. That is what the president is talking about. He’s not talking about obliterating innocent people.” BERMAN: The president is threatening a whole civilization will die tonight. You say he doesn't want to do it. Does being reluctant to end a civilization make it ok?LAWLER: I don't think we're talking about ending a civilization--BERMAN: So you don't believe the president's… pic.twitter.com/0Z93e9vBPk— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 7, 2026This is sad and pathetic. We’re watching politicians trying to rationalize the president’s genocidal intent by arguing full-throatedly that he doesn’t actually mean it when he says, “A whole civilization will die tonight.” Trump has already bombed multiple civilian targets beyond bridges, including a school full of girls on the first day of the war. Why would we put anything past him at this point?
Related Coverage
- 'Demon in human skin!' Fox News host loses it as Dem threatens to upend Texas Senate race (Far Left — Raw Story)
- Melania gives Congress private deadline as she works around Trump's team: report (Far Left — Raw Story)
- Trump announces pardons for pollution violators prosecuted for "fixing their car" (Center — Politics - CBSNews.com)
- Trump Pardons Six People Pursued for ‘Fixing Their Car’ (Center — Bloomberg Politics)
- Sources: Trump likely to pardon pollution violators; weighing clemency for Diddy (Center — Politics - CBSNews.com)
- What Is Iran Building Now in the Zagros Mountains? (Right — RedState)
- Fox host warns Trump will pay for his 'breathtaking' corruption (Left — Alternet.org)
- Trump Scores Appeals Court Victory in Battle Over National Park Historical Displays (Right — RedState)
Daily Analysis
Read the full Parallax Pulse for April 7, 2026 — an AI-powered analysis of how Left and Right media covered the biggest stories this day.
More Headlines From April 7, 2026
- Arizona Senate Republicans force Dem AG to review border county’s anti-ICE measure (Far Right)
- Vance calls Iran cease-fire a ‘fragile truce’ with Trump ‘impatient’ to end war (Right)
- Vance Endorses Orban, Accuses EU of Election 'Interference' (Center)
- Trump threatens "whole civilization will die tonight" amid 11th hour Iran negotiations (Center Left)
- Vance Picks Fight With Europe Over Orban in Vote Endorsement (Center)






