This is our timeline of what Trump administration officials have said about the intelligence assessments behind the U.S. operation to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Trump Administration’s Shifting Statements on Soleimani’s Death
Issues: terrorism
Pelosi Did Not ‘Defend’ Soleimani
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani as “provocative and disproportionate.” But, contrary to the president’s contention, she did not “defend” Soleimani.
Biden’s Position on Osama bin Laden Raid
Former Vice President Joe Biden denied that he told then-President Barack Obama “not to go after [Osama] bin Laden” in what turned out to be a successful mission to kill the 9/11 mastermind. But Biden wasn’t giving the whole story, and has over time given contradictory accounts.
Pence Links Iran’s Soleimani to 9/11 Attacks
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted that Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani “[a]ssisted in the clandestine travel to Afghanistan” of some of the terrorists who executed the 9/11 terrorist attacks. However, that doesn’t mean that Iran, or Soleimani, knowingly aided al Qaeda in carrying out the attacks, which may be the impression some got from Pence’s tweet.
Trump’s ISIS Claim Goes to the Dogs
During a White House event honoring a now-famous military dog, President Donald Trump repeated a false talking point on how much Islamic State-held land had been recaptured under his presidency.
Video: FactChecking Trump’s 9/11 and Iraq Claims
This week, CNN’s Jake Tapper looks at claims President Donald Trump made about Osama bin Laden and the Iraq war during his Oct. 27 press conference announcing the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Meme Falsely Claims Obama Released al-Baghdadi
Various memes circulating online falsely claim that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State leader who recently died after a U.S. raid, had been released from U.S. military custody under President Barack Obama. He was actually released in 2004, under President George W. Bush.
Trump’s False Claims About Rep. Ilhan Omar
President Donald Trump accused Rep. Ilhan Omar of professing a “love” for al Qaeda and talking about “how great” and “how wonderful” al Qaeda is. That is false.
Trump ‘Quote’ Originated as Satire
President Donald Trump didn’t call for the “death penalty” for “suicide bombers,” as social media posts say. That’s a made-up quote from a satirical story published in 2017.
The Facts on White Nationalism
In the wake of the attack on two New Zealand mosques, President Donald Trump said he did not see white nationalism as a rising threat, but rather “a small group of people that have very, very serious problems.” Experts, however, say several indicators suggest white nationalism is on the rise.