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Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle praised the White House on Monday after it was announced that al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri had been killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan.
Both Republicans and Democrats were quick to praise President Biden for taking action against the 71-year-old terrorist.
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“Congratulations to the Biden administration and to all the brave Americans involved in the successful counter-terrorism operation against al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri,” said Sen. Lindsay Graham, R.S.C. . “This is a momentous event in the war on terrorism. All involved sent a strong message that America will never forget.”
Zawahiri, who helped plan the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, was killed in a drone strike in Kabul on Saturday.
“The news of the successful attack on Ayman al-Zawahiri stopped me,” said D-Mich MP Elissa Slotkin. “Targeting one senior leader does not make an organization incapable of attacking, but it may take years, but it sends a message that we will not forget those who attack us. I commend the President for making the tough decisions and congratulate the National Security Team for this success.
Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz echoed the sentiment in a statement released to the public.
“Every American will breathe a sigh of relief today knowing that al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has been eliminated,” Cruz said. “This attack should be a message to terrorists near and far. If you try to kill an American, we will find you and kill you.”
Many of the reactions were positive, but not without partisanship.
Some Democrats were quick to capitalize on this moment to score political points against Republicans. Especially former President Donald Trump.
“Trump recently hosted a Saudi-backed golf tournament and ridiculously said no one ever got to the bottom of 9/11,” said Rep. Ted Liu of California. “Under Joe Biden, the US killed one of his 9/11 master planners, Ayman al-Zawahiri.”
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Meanwhile, several Republicans called the “victory rap” by Biden and lawmakers ridiculous.
“Zawahiri is believed to have planned 9-11….but most Americans either don’t know or forget who he is. They’ll be glad he’s dead,” R-GA Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Green said. “But Joe’s victory lap is ridiculous.”