Indiana Lawmakers React to Killing of Iran's Top General Qassam Soleimani

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STATEWIDE -- A top Iranian general is dead.

Gen. Qassam Soleimani was killed by US missile strikes in Iraq against terrorist groups backed by Iran. Soleimani was the leader of the Iranian government's organization that supports militant and terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Many in Washington are criticizing the Trump administration for authorizing the attack without giving a warning to Congress that it would be carried out. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN-03) is praising President Trump for the move adding he had every right to authorize the missile strike.

"This happened in Iraq and it's important to remember we have an authorization of military force for our troops to be in Iraq that dates back to 2003," Banks said. "Over the last few days American lives have been put in danger at the embassy (in Baghdad) and an American contractor was killed. The blood of that contractor and other American troops in on Iranian hands."

Sen. Mike Braun agreed with Banks saying in an emailed statement: "President Trump made the courageous decision to kill Qassam Suleimani."

Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khemenei and President Hassan Rouhani, have vowed revenge for Suleimani's death.

Banks is optimistic this will get the Iranians to stand down and return to the negotiating table in regards to their nuclear weapons program.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants the White House to immediately brief Congress on the airstrike that killed a senior Iranian military leader in Iraq. In a statement, Pelosi said the airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence, warning that the nation and the world can't afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return.

"I would hope the Ayatollah and the leadership of Iran will recognize that, unlike the Obama Administration, the Trump Administration is serious about holding Iran accountable," Banks said. "The activities of Iran have poked the American bear."

Democrat presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, the former Mayor of South Bend, told CNN Sunday just because Soleimani deserved to die, doesn't mean it was the right move.

"No, not until this was a good decision and how this decision was made and the president has failed to demonstrate that," Buttigieg said. "But, Qaasem Soleimani was a bad figure. He has American blood on his hands. No one should shed a tear for his death."

Buttigieg, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, added that President Trump didn't consider the consequences of Friday's airstrike. He did clarify this doesn't mean he won't consider using force if he is elected president in 2020.

"I would never hesitate to use force if it was necessary to protect American lives," said Buttigieg. "The question is: was it necessary and is it better than the alternative?"

Iraqi leaders have voted to expel American troops from the country.