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Republicans are conspicuously leaving the door open to boots on the ground in Iran

By Kevin Frey and Syedah Ashgar

Republicans are conspicuously leaving the door open to boots on the ground in Iran

By Kevin Frey and Syedah Ashgar

As the U.S. builds up its military presence in the Middle East — including at least 1,000 troops with the 82nd Airborne Division — many Republicans on Capitol Hill are leaving the door open to potential ground operations in Iran while deferring to President Donald Trump on the details.

Several Republicans this week said they’d support boots on the ground under certain conditions, while others sidestepped questions about whether Trump would need congressional approval for such an operation, offering some version of the same answer: It depends.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., made it clear he wants the president to press forward. “I think the worst possible outcome at this point in time is to leave the job unfinished and leave a regime in there that is dedicated to death of America,” Johnson said, adding he wants Trump to “finish the job.”

Others struck a more cautious but flexible tone. But even among Republicans open to military escalation, support often came with some caveats.

 

This is a preview of Kevin Frey and Syedah Ashgar’s latest article. Read the full article here.

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