GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Michigan lawmakers are responding to President Donald Trump’s ordered airstrike near Baghdad’s airport that killed Iran’s top general.

The United States killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, in an airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport early on Friday.

As of Friday afternoon, here are the following Michigan lawmakers who have released statements regarding the targeted killing of Soleimani:

Sen. Gary Peters, D-MI

Tonight’s strike took a notorious terrorist off of the battlefield. What comes next is critical for the region and the world. I am focused on ensuring that there is a strategy to protect our citizens, servicemembers, and diplomats, and that advances our national security. — Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) January 3, 2020

Rep. Jack Bergman, R-MI 1st District

Qassem Soleimani was responsible for over 600 American deaths and planning further attacks on Americans. Yesterday, this perpetrator of evil was eliminated thanks to our military strength and President Trump’s decisive action. /1 — Rep. Jack Bergman (@RepJackBergman) January 3, 2020

Enemies of the United States must understand that when lives of Americans and our allies are at risk, we will no longer sit back when a line in the sand is crossed. /Fin — Rep. Jack Bergman (@RepJackBergman) January 3, 2020

Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-MI 2nd District

“This is someone who has been identified as a terrorist with a terrorist organization who has been moving around the Middle East with impunity. There have been media reports indicating that there have been other opportunities to take him out that have been passed up. It was surprising to a lot of people, including me, that it had happened at this timing. Certainly, I think it was the proper response.” Huizenga speaking to News 8 Friday, Jan. 3, 2020.

For years Iran has killed American troops and conducted terror operations throughout the Middle East and beyond. The actions taken by the Administration demonstrate that the United States will hold Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terror, accountable. — Rep. Bill Huizenga (@RepHuizenga) January 3, 2020

Rep. Justin Amash, I-MI 3rd District

There’s a reason our Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war: Every American may be intimately affected by a violent conflict. Soleimani was evil. But our system demands consent for war from the people, acting through their representatives and senators in Congress. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 3, 2020

The president has the power, when seconds matter, to prevent an imminent attack on the United States, but the Pentagon and administration officials have presented contradictory statements about whether this was the justification. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 3, 2020

Rep. John Moolenaar, R-MI 4th District

Rep. Dan Kildee, D-MI 5th District

“Qassim Soleimani was a brutal Iranian military commander who has killed many Americans and orchestrated countless terrorist attacks. Yet many Iranians and Iran’s hardline leaders will see his killing as a serious provocation that could incite additional attacks against American service members, diplomats and citizens abroad. Iran has already vowed ‘harsh revenge’ against the United States and could further escalate violence. It is important to remember that every foreign policy action we take has potential life-and-death consequences, and we must consider the short and long-term repercussions of such actions. “I am concerned that the Trump Administration conducted these air strikes killing high-level Iranian military officials without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. Congress was also not consulted on this military attack. The existing AUMF was authorized by Congress almost two decades ago to hold those responsible for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. I have long asserted, under President Obama and now President Trump, that the commander-in-chief cannot continue to conduct any military actions they see fit under the existing AUMF. “The American people are owed a plan by the administration on how the President plans to deescalate this dangerous situation and prevent this attack from spiraling into greater conflict that could result in more American casualties or troop deployments. The American people do not want war with Iran.”

Rep. Fred Upton, R-MI 6th District

For some time now, Iran has been poking the bear and had to expect that there would be a consequence.



Qassem Soleimani was the ring leader responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. military officials and was likely planning more… — Fred Upton (@RepFredUpton) January 3, 2020

When Teddy Roosevelt was President, he worked to establish respect for the United States and our strength around the world. The world once again witnessed that strength in taking out an evil man. When our people and our interests are attacked, the United States should swat back. — Fred Upton (@RepFredUpton) January 3, 2020

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-MI 8th District

Rep. Andy Levin, D-MI 9th District

There is no question that Qasem Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. I feel no sadness at the news of his death. But I have serious concerns about this President’s execution of a potential act of war without authorization of Congress. https://t.co/B2ZLYikIzh — Rep. Andy Levin (@RepAndyLevin) January 3, 2020

Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-MI 10th District

Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-MI 12th District

“Qasem Soleimani was an evil man responsible for the death of thousands of innocent people. However, I deeply fear the consequences of this action, which was made without consulting Congress, or our allies and partners in the region. Congress must be briefed on the Administration’s strategy, and we must be prepared for an almost certain escalation of activities and conflict in the Mideast, as well as the safety of Americans throughout the world.

“We must act as Americans, not as Democrats and Republicans in understanding the situation, protecting America and safeguarding our national interests, allies and partners. Any escalation of US military involvement requires Congressional authorization, and the Administration must come to Congress for an Authorization for Use of Military Force as required by the Constitution.”

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-MI 13th District