Joe Wilson, a Republican U.S. lawmaker, reacted on Saturday, February 11, to a post on the social media platform X regarding the growing possibility of Nouri al-Maliki becoming prime minister of Iraq. He directed his remarks at al-Maliki and groups close to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Addressing what he called “Iran’s puppets in Iraq,” and specifically Nouri al-Maliki, Wilson wrote: “You are insulting President Trump. Try it. Test your luck and see what happens.”
The U.S. congressman, who is known as a supporter of increasing pressure on the Islamic Republic, went on to write: “Free Iraq from Iran” and “Free Iran.”
This reaction came in response to a post by Steven Nabil, who announced on Saturday that Iraq’s so-called “Coordination Framework” had decided to challenge the message of U.S. President Donald Trump by pushing Nouri al-Maliki forward as a candidate for prime minister.
President Trump had previously warned against the return of Nouri al-Maliki to power in Iraq. According to Reuters, the Shiite political alliance in Iraq known as the “Coordination Framework” reiterated its support on Saturday for Nouri al-Maliki, the former prime minister, to form the next government. The U.S. president had earlier warned that if Maliki returned to power, Washington would cut its aid to Iraq.
Nouri al-Maliki is known for having close ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On Tuesday, the U.S. president wrote on the social media platform Truth Social: “I hear that the great country of Iraq may make a very bad choice by bringing Nouri al-Maliki back as prime minister.”
Trump added: “The last time Maliki was in power, the country fell into complete poverty and chaos. This must not be allowed to happen again.”
In this warning, the U.S. president said that due to “the crazy policies and ideologies” of Nouri al-Maliki, “if he is chosen, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq, and if we are not there to help, Iraq will have no chance for success, prosperity, or freedom. Make Iraq great again.”
