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Donald Trump (left), Proud Boys member (right). Credit: Getty Images
Suffice it to say that Donald Trump has his hands full at the White House.
The attack on Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend opened up a new chapter for his second term as President of the United States, and while many continue to support him, there are those who are more critical. Right-wing extremist group Proud Boys, who have previously been supportive of Trump, recently sent a clear message to the president.
Donald Trump’s attack on Iran’s nuclear sites has left the world in shock. On Saturday evening, the president addressed the American people, describing the launches as a “spectacular military success.”
“The U.S. military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear assemblies in the Iranian regime: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan,” Trump said in a national address from the White House.
“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”
World leaders were quick to respond. On X, the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the attack was “outrageous.”
“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,” Araghchi wrote on X. “Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless, and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.”
World leaders react after the US strikes Iran
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Donald Trump’s move will “change history.”
“President Trump and I often say: ‘Peace through strength.’ First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, Donald Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.”
The Middle East region is in a fragile state. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, warned that the strikes could lead to a dangerous escalation in the area, while China condemned the attack. Moreover, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X that the complicated situation in the Middle East “remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority.”
Donald Trump’s followers on home turf appear to stand by their president following the strike. However, one group threatening to withdraw their support is the right-wing extremist group Proud Boys. Their former leader, Enrique Tarrio, was pardoned by Donald Trump for his conviction connected to the January 6 attack at the Capitol in Washington. Just a few weeks ago, he met with Donald Trump in Florida.
The strike in Iran has stirred strong emotions across the political spectrum. But while Proud Boys might have been somewhat on Trump’s side in the past, now a line has been crossed, they say.
Proud Boys says Trump will lose their support if he engage in Iran war
On social media, the extremist group made a statement saying that they wouldn’t be able to support Donald Trump if the US were to become involved in the Israel-Iran conflict.
“If the United States gets directly involved in the Israel-Iran conflict, the voters that voted for Trump because there was a hope that Trump was America First can no longer support Trump,” the Proud Boys account posted on Telegram on Wednesday last week. “America First does not mean war for Israel. Donald Trump, focus on the health of our nation, period. We are crumbling. We are crippled with debt with no plan for a solution. Be the President you ran as.”
