Rep. Lee Zeldin ripped House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her criticism of President Trump for ordering the drone strike that killed an Iranian terror mastermind.

The New York Republican wondered how many U.S. troops have to be killed or “lose limbs” for the death of General Qassim Soleimani to be considered “proportionate” in the eyes of Pelosi who condemned the airstrike and the president for “engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions.”

Pelosi says killing the officially designated & sanctioned terrorist Qassim Soleimani was “disproportionate”. After killing 500-600+ US troops & wounding thousands more, at what point is taking out the person responsible “proportionate”? How many more US troops would need to die? pic.twitter.com/7hNe4muejs — Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) January 4, 2020

Zeldin spoke out during an interview on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” along with Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, defending the president’s decision while slamming Democrat leaders for their “double standards.”

The targeted Iranian general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the commander of its Quds Force, was reportedly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans as Democrats have repeatedly acknowledged. However, Trump’s decision to order the strike that killed Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Mohandas, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, and others before imminent attacks were launched against more American personnel, was resoundingly condemned by the same lawmakers.

Zeldin pointed to the double standard when comparing the treatment of Trump to that of his predecessor, former President Obama who ordered over 500 drone strikes over his two terms, 10 times as many as President George W. Bush who served during the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. He also slammed Pelosi for her remarks.

American leaders’ highest priority is to protect American lives and interests. But we cannot put the lives of American servicemembers, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions. https://t.co/o0R8YVJMNW — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 3, 2020

“Disproportionate? How many hundreds of more U.S. troops have to be killed Nancy Pelosi before it’s proportionate?” the member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee asked.

“How many more thousands of U.S. troops have to lose limbs before it’s proportionate, Nancy Pelosi?” Zeldin sked. “This was done protect American diplomats and American service members. It was an emergency. It was done effectively. It was appropriate. It was legal. It was proportionate.”

The congressman echoed Trump’s words about desiring to end wars, not start them as he reiterated that the strike against the Iranian military leader was not meant to engage the Islamic nation in a military battle but as an offensive move meant to protect Americans from Soleimani who the Pentagon said was “developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq” and the Middle East region.

Zeldin slammed 2020 Democratic presidential candidates who have been blasting the president’s actions while on the campaign trail and others for accusing Trump of killing Soleimani to distract from his impeachment. Zeldin argued that it seems as if Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and foreign minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, have been “writing the talking points” for the Democrats.

Zeldin continued his defense of the president on Twitter where he offered a clearer picture of the Iranian military leader.

On top of actively planning new attacks, Qassim Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of US servicemen and the injuries of thousands more. Iran shouldn’t be shocked that America took out Soleimani. They should just be shocked it didn’t happen sooner. — Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) January 3, 2020

Many condemning POTUS for taking out Soleimani would go ballistic if POTUS didn’t do what he did & Soleimani’s planned attacks on US troops & diplomats had been allowed to play out. Plus…Soleimani is responsible for killing 600+ US troops & wounding 1000s more. Good riddance! — Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) January 4, 2020

“All I’m upset about is we weren’t able to blow him up twice,” the New York lawmaker tweeted. “Good riddance. The world is a better place without him.”