Democrat Warns Party Risks Becoming Obstacles to Peace by Criticizing Trump Deals
"I do, I believe that sometimes in that effort, we may inadvertently become obstacles to peace as Democrats. I felt this very strongly back in April when, you know, I remember the day because it also happened to be my birthday, Tuesday, April 7th, when Donald Trump, you know, used really genocidal language saying that he may end civilization that night. But then we saw some Democrats right after that you know, make jokes about Trump always chickening out, etc., etc. That really bothered me because honestly, if somebody backs out of, you know, using a nuclear weapon against a country with the type of language that he used, that's a good thing."
About this episode
Host Mehdi Hasan interviews Arizona Democratic Congresswoman Yasmin Ansari, the first and only Iranian-American Democrat in Congress, about the proposed Trump administration ceasefire deal with Iran and the broader Middle East conflicts. In a significant revelation, Ansari publicly declares for the first time that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and Lebanon, stating she spent the week reading a 92-page UN inquiry and can no longer mince words about what credible institutions are documenting. She announces she will reject future money from AIPAC and pro-Israel groups like Democratic Majority for Israel, which previously backed her 2024 campaign, saying she wants no perception her decisions are influenced by such organizations. Ansari warns Democrats risk inadvertently becoming obstacles to peace by reflexively opposing Trump administration deals with Iran, arguing the party should praise Trump when he backs away from military action rather than mock him. She criticizes top Democrats like Chuck Schumer and Richard Blumenthal for sounding hawkish on the Iran deal while Republican J.D. Vance sounds dovish, insisting Democrats must reclaim their identity as the anti-war party. The congresswoman discusses her articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for war crimes related to the bombing of an Iranian elementary school that killed over 160 children. Ansari describes facing conspiracy theories, doxxing of Iranian staff members, and increased security threats for her anti-war stance, while noting Iranian-American community opinion shifted from 70 percent support for Trump's Iran war to 70 percent opposition as the conflict progressed. She acknowledges being in a safe blue Arizona district but rejects claims that progressive victories in New York primaries will hurt swing-state Democrats, praising incoming Rep. Zohran Mamdani and saying each candidate should represent their voters authentically.
Key takeaways
- Rep. Yasmin Ansari publicly declares for the first time that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and Lebanon after reading a 92-page UN inquiry.
- Ansari announces she will reject money from AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel going forward, despite DMFI backing her 2024 campaign.
- The congresswoman warns Democrats risk becoming obstacles to peace by reflexively opposing Trump administration Iran deals and sounding hawkish.
- Ansari has filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for war crimes related to the Iranian elementary school bombing.
- She reports Iranian-American community support for Trump's Iran war shifted from 70 percent approval to 70 percent opposition as conflict progressed.
- Ansari faces conspiracy theories about being related to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and increased security threats for her anti-war stance.
- The congresswoman insists Democrats must reclaim anti-war party identity rather than cede it to Republicans like J.D. Vance who sound dovish.