GOP Rep. Doug Collins Apologizes For Saying Democrats Are ‘In Love’ With Terrorists

The top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Doug Collins (R-Georgia), has apologized for saying the Democrats of being “in love with terrorists.” He made the comment after the U.S. drone strike killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani.

Soleimani had been responsible for the deaths of countless American troops. President Donald Trump ordered an operational drone to strike and kill the Iranian Quds Force leader.

Collins stated the Democratic party is offering the same amount of respect to the Iranian terrorist that would be provided to a fallen U.S. service member in an interview with Fox News.

Host Lou Dobbs had asked the Georgian Republican about his opinion on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s announcement that the House Democrats would craft legislation on Thursday to limit Trump’s military privileges amid escalating regional tensions with the Middle East. The House wanted to impose restrictions on Trump’s power, as commander-in-chief, to enact military decisions and release personal media statements regarding Iran.

Iran and the U.S. had been at odds over trade sanctions that the U.S. imposed on the country. The economic sanctions initially came in response to the Iranian attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq. Disagreement over the P51+ nuclear program also attributed to the trade restrictions. The Iranian economy, which revolves around oil, is collapsing because Iran has been unable to acquire U.S. dollars or sell oil.

“Nancy Pelosi does it again and her Democrats fall right in line,” Collins stated. “One, they are in love with terrorists — we see that. They mourn Soleimani more than they mourn our Gold Star families who are the ones who suffered under Soleimani. That’s a problem.”

The remarks were odd as no Democratic Congress member has publicly expressed grief over the plotted kill.

“I understand politics and sharp rhetoric. I worked in the Senate for four years,” Preet Brahara, former U.S. attorney, said in response to Collin’s remarks. “But Collins declaring Democrats ‘are in love with terrorists’ is an abomination, a step beyond. Pathetic.”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), an Iraq War veteran, told CNN Right Now that she was “disgusted” by terrorists. “I’m not going to dignify that with a response. I left parts of my body in Iraq fighting terrorists,” said Duckworth, who lost both of her legs in an explosion in Iraq. “I don’t need to justify myself to anyone.”

A former United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley, backed Collins in a Fox News interview, stating, “The only ones that are mourning the loss of Soleimani are our Democrat leadership and our Democrat presidential candidates.”

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) took a jab at Haley, and told CNN that her claim was “absolutely ridiculous.” He also stated that “It’s unfortunate that [Haley] would choose to use those kind of words.”