'Make America Pillage Again': Trump slammed for suggesting US should ‘keep the oil’ if it enters Iraq

DES MOINES, IOWA: Former President Donald Trump suggested the US should "keep the oil" if they ever enter Iraq again, reported Rolling Stone.

Speaking to his supporters in a telerally in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, January 13, the Republican frontrunner underscored his opinion against going into Iraq.

Answering a question on the "big hot button issue on the campaign trail," Trump brought up Russia to China and, finally, Iraq and its oil wealth.

"I used to say and I think you remember this, when I was a civilian — in the true sense — but I got, I was somehow, I got a lot of press, but I'd say, 'Don't ever go into Iraq, but if you do go in, keep the oil,'" he said.

Implying the US committed a mistake of not doing the same the first time, he added, "Remember that? 'Keep the oil. if you go in, but don't do it but if you do keep the oil.' They didn't keep the oil. We're the only country where we go in, we obliterate somebody, we never keep anything - we just get stuck in these endless wars."

With around 24 hours left for the Iowa caucus on January 15, the state has been under a cold spell, leading presidential candidates to cancel in-person events due to bad weather conditions.

However, Trump has promised he would be with the voters on the day kickstarting the election year despite the death of his mother-in-law.

An eventful week for Donald Trump ahead of Iowa caucus

Trump has boosted his campaigns expecting success in the Hawkeye state and a potential rematch with President Joe Biden in November. Nevertheless, the former President's week was rather eventful due to his ongoing legal struggles.

Hopes of a positive result in the  $370 million New York civil fraud trial are on the verge of dying down as the judge is expected to give the final ruling by January 31. Besides the financial loss, Trump could face a potential lifetime ban from the New York real estate industry, where he has built his empire, including the famous Trump Tower.

Adding to this, a federal judge denied his request to delay the defamation trial against him, filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump cited the funeral of his mother-in-law to postpone the hearing by a week.

However, the GOP frontrunner has used the legal battles to mobilize his voter support.

Following the Iowa caucus, Trump will move to New Hampshire ahead of the primary scheduled on January 23, according to The Hill.

Internet reacts to Trump's remarks

Outraged netizens slammed the former President for suggesting they commit war crimes by taking Iraq's oil.

One user remarked, "Make America Pillage Again?"

Another user stated, "Our military is comprised of soldiers not pirates. We can’t start a war to steal another country’s oil and resources. He has said this many times and has been schooled on it."

"So we've reached the stage of Trump campaigning to commit war crimes," a third response read.

A fourth user added, "Because we’re a country, not a pirate ship."

"He always see's the criminal aspect of everything," said one user. Another response read, "So, he is talking about colonialism."

Someone else noted, "This is a war crime. I know we are all numb to the constant stream of despotism coming out of his mouth, but he is demanding we commit a war crime here."

"Imperialism. Pillaging. War crime," wrote one user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.