Criticism of Biden for Offering Sympathies for Raisi’s Passing

President Joe Biden received criticism from Republican lawmakers and other critics for offering “official condolences” to Iran following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, known as “The Butcher of Tehran.”

The U.S. State Department expressed condolences soon after Raisi’s sudden death in a helicopter crash over the weekend.

Raisi, who played a significant role in a 1988 massacre in Iran that claimed the lives of around 5,000 regime opponents, had publicly criticized the U.S. for supporting “the Zionist regime’s crimes against humanity in Gaza,” as reported by The Washington Free Beacon.

During his tenure as president starting in August 2021, Raisi implemented stricter hijab and chastity laws for women, sanctioned a violent crackdown on anti-government protests, and played an active role in nuclear negotiations.

Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark., criticized the condolence offer, calling it a disgrace to mourn the death of such a monstrous figure.

Representative Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., condemned Biden for appeasing U.S. enemies by offering condolences for Raisi’s death.

Representative Pat Fallon, R-Texas, labeled Raisi as an architect of terrorism and questioned the appropriateness of extending condolences to him.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman also questioned the decision of offering condolences to Iran for Raisi’s death, drawing a comparison with historical events.

Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, criticized Biden for lacking moral clarity in foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding Iran.