Anti-War GOP Silent About Bin Laden Death

Written by Tim Mak on Monday May 2, 2011

There's still been no comment yet from Rep. Ron Paul on the killing of Osama bin Laden, and many other anti-war Republicans have chosen to stay silent as well.

No comment yet from Rep. Ron Paul, a libertarian Republican and likely 2012 presidential contender, on the killing of Osama bin Laden. But one can imagine that he would likely disapprove of the method in which bin Laden was brought to justice.

"What have we allowed ourselves to become? Are we no longer a nation of laws?" said Rep. Ron Paul in a speech on the House floor last year he titled 'Now It's Assassinations'. "Now we're told that assassination of foreigners... is legitimate and necessary to provide security for our people. It is my firm opinion that nothing could be further from the truth."

"The latest outrage is the current administration's acknowledgement that we now have a policy that permits assassination, not only of foreign suspects, but of American citizens as well," Paul said at the time.

Other anti-war Republicans are also staying silent in the wake of this historic event. Freshman Rep. Justin Amash (MI-3), who like Ron Paul has developed a reputation of being a ‘Mr. No’ and is for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, has yet to release a statement, unlike most of his freshmen colleagues.

Of the ten Republicans who voted against a spending increase for the war in Afghanistan back in July 2010 and are still in office, five have yet to release statements on the bin Laden killing.

The other five Republicans, however, have joined in the celebrations and commendations.

“I am elated to learn that Osama bin Laden, an enemy with so much blood on his hands, has finally been brought to justice,” said Congressman Paul Broun (GA-10).

“Tonight, America is celebrating while Osama bin Laden burns in hell,” said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (CA-46).


Update: It's been pointed out that although Rep. Justin Amash did not issue a press release on Osama bin Laden, he did comment on Facebook: "Justice has been done. Let's remember those who lost their lives. And let's pray for a more peaceful future."

FrumForum checked for a press release, but did not find one on Amash's page. To be fair, Amash is known for his use of Facebook as a method for speaking to constituents.

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