White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticized House Democrats during a Friday appearance on America Reports after 53 Democratic lawmakers voted against a House resolution reaffirming that Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. During the segment, co-host John Roberts noted that a similar measure passed nearly unanimously three years earlier, receiving support from 420 lawmakers with only one vote in opposition. This time, however, the resolution passed 372 to 53, drawing criticism from Republican leaders, including Steve Scalise, who argued that opposing the measure meant rejecting a long-established fact about Iran’s role in global terrorism.
Leavitt said the shift in Democratic support reflected growing political division in Washington. She argued that the resolution simply reaffirmed a long-standing bipartisan U.S. position and noted that many Western allies also recognize Iran as a major sponsor of militant groups. According to Leavitt, opposition to the measure was driven less by disagreement over policy and more by resistance to President Donald Trump and his foreign policy decisions. She also defended Trump’s recent actions in the Middle East, saying his administration’s approach was intended to protect American military personnel, overseas bases, and broader regional stability. Leavitt described the 53 opposing votes as evidence that some lawmakers had become unwilling to publicly condemn Tehran.
The resolution, introduced by Brian Mast, states that Iran continues to provide significant financial and military support to armed groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. It also cites Pentagon estimates that Iranian-backed militias were responsible for at least 603 American military deaths in Iraq. The measure further references concerns raised by International Atomic Energy Agency over Iran’s uranium stockpile and restricted access to undeclared nuclear-related sites. Some Democrats defended their opposition. Representative Lateefah Simon said the resolution contained inaccuracies and accused Republicans of using it to justify Trump’s actions toward Iran, adding that existing U.S. policy already labels Iran a leading sponsor of terrorism. ⚖️📰
