Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) discussed the political fallout of President Donald Trump's attempt to establish a ceasefire between Israel and Iran in a recent appearance on Fox Business's Varney & Co., accusing Democrats of "wanting Trump to lose more than they want America to win."
Host Stuart Varney began the discussion by pointing out that recent events make it appear as though Trump is "running the whole world," to which Rep. Mast agreed, saying, "He is making big decisions, and he is making this demonstration very clear: Teddy Roosevelt used to say, 'Speak quietly, but carry a big stick.' [Trump] is making it clear that the stick America carries is that we are willing to swing it."
Varney shifted the conversation to former Israeli National Security Minister Gilad Erdan's recent criticism of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-NY) remarks about Trump's weekend strikes, which Erdan called "so sad."
"Chuck Schumer calls himself "Shomer Yisrael"- the guardian of Israel. Especially when he speaks with Jews," said Erdan in a post to X (formerly Twitter), adding, "But when President Trump strikes Iran's nuclear sites to stop a regime openly calling for Israel's destruction( and responsible for the murderer of many, many Americans), Schumer's only reaction is… complaining about congressional procedure? Seriously, Chuck? Don't you have anything positive to say about removing an existential threat from Israel and the free world? Is it always about politics? So sad."
Varney asked why Schumer would not give Trump credit for brokering a ceasefire, to which Rep. Mast responded, "Because they fundamentally hate President Trump."
"They want President Trump to lose more than they might even want America to win on something," the Florida Congressman continued. "That is more important to those individuals; That President Trump loses than America be successful at things, even to the point of protecting Americans."
Mast pointed out that Trump's strikes were well within his authority as President, pointing to the deaths of servicemembers at the hands of the Iranians and continued Houthi attacks on the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.
"That is the cost of allowing Iran to go unchecked," Mast concluded. "[Trump] is taking care of this for America so that whenever Iran does respond with something, it is not measured in kilotons and megatons."
