Ciattarelli, Sherrill disagree on U.S. strike on Iran

Two candidates for governor of New Jersey voiced different opinions on President Donald Trump’s decision to launch an attack on Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity on Saturday evening.

Republican Jack Ciattarelli voiced support for Trump’s decision, while Democrat Mikie Sherrill slammed Trump for bypassing Congress and ordering strikes on Iran, instead urging a diplomatic approach to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“President Trump’s decision to destroy Iran’s nuclear program was the right move. A nuclear Iran would be a grave threat to Israel and could further destabilize the Middle East,” said Ciattarelli, who son, a U.S. Marine, is currently on deployment overseas.   “God bless our American military personnel for their skill and courage in carrying out this mission.”

Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman and former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, said she was “grateful to learn of reports that no U.S. service members were harmed during tonight’s operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities.”

“Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon and its support for terrorism across the region poses a grave threat to the United States, our ally Israel, and our partners throughout the Middle East,” stated Sherrill.  “However, I am deeply concerned by President Trump’s decision to order these strikes tonight without first seeking legal authorization from Congress, as required by the Constitution.”

Sherrill maintains that the Constitution allows Congress “to weigh the proposed plan, the potential cost and danger to service members, and whether it is the best path forward to achieve our long-term goals.”

“This is especially important given the poor decision-making that led to twenty years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan without advancing the goals of the United States and our allies,” Sherrill said.  “I urge all sides to return to the negotiating table, stop this conflict, and diplomatically ensure that Iran will not be able to acquire a nuclear weapon.”

It’s too early to say if the events in Iran will impact the New Jersey governor’s race.

The two Democratic leaders in Congress, Charles Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, said that the attacks on Iran might put the U.S. at risk of becoming involved in a “potentially disastrous war in the Middle East.”

In a statement, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) supported the military action aimed at Iran.

“The United States took critical and decisive action to protect America, and freedom, and democracy at home and around the world — stopping Iran’s nuclear program in its tracks,” he said.  “The destruction of Iran’s nuclear program is essential to ultimate peace in the Middle East. “This is not a Democratic or Republican issue — dealing with the Iranian threat is central to America’s national security. The world is safer because of the actions of our brave service members.”