'War of choice': AOC accuses Trump of 'initiating' Iran conflict, fueling global instability

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the Trump administration’s decision to launch joint strikes with Israel on Iran on February 28, targeting its military and political establishment over concerns about its expanding nuclear enrichment program.

The move has drawn varied justifications from administration officials and triggered political backlash, including concerns over Israel’s influence on the decision-making process.

AOC questions Trump’s rationale and warns of escalation

Responding to a reporter’s question about remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent, Ocasio-Cortez said, “Well, I mean, Marco Rubio said it, you know, said some of this stuff himself."

He continued, "You know, I think that we don't have a doubt that this is a war of choice, that Donald Trump has initiated all of these hostilities, killing American service members and innocent Iranians alike, and for no reason, he has a different reason every day."

She has previously condemned Trump over the strikes, accusing him of “risking world war” to divert attention from the convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein controversy.

Speaking to MeidasTouch in DC, she stated, “He impulsively went in on Venezuela. He impulsively went in on Iran. There was no exit and no endgame for either of these situations. It led to increased global instability everywhere he goes.”

Ocasio-Cortez further argued that Trump’s decisions coincided with developments related to Epstein, saying, “And every time he’s done that, it has been consistent with a spike or a revelation in what is happening with the Epstein files. I don’t think that that coincidence is something to dismiss off the cuff. I think that he feels existentially tied to it.”

She added, “And I actually think that it is one reason that he must be removed from office, because… if the Epstein files have such a hold on President Trump and this administration that they are willing to plunge us and risk world war in order to save themselves politically, that is… the definition of someone that cannot make objective decisions for the American people.”  

Marco Rubio and Joe Kent offer conflicting justifications for Iran strikes

Marco Rubio outlined a preemptive rationale for the strikes, stating that Israel was preparing military action that could provoke Iranian retaliation against US assets.

“We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action,” Rubio said, adding that failure to act first would have resulted in higher American casualties. He also cited Iran’s broader missile and drone capabilities as part of the threat.

However, Trump offered a different explanation, stating he acted because he “thought we were going to have a situation where we were going to be attacked,” adding that Iran was preparing to strike Israel and others.

Meanwhile, Kent resigned as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, asserting that Iran posed “no imminent threat” to the United States. In his resignation letter, he claimed the war was initiated due to “pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” alleging that “high-ranking Israeli officials” and US journalists created an “echo chamber” that misled the president.

“This was a lie,” the letter stated. The White House rejected Kent’s claims, maintaining that Trump had “compelling evidence” of an imminent Iranian attack. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described Kent as a “nice guy” but “weak on security,” adding that his resignation confirmed “it was a good thing that he’s out.”