Former Republican strategist Scott Jennings sharply rebuked ex-DNC spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa during a CNN “State of the Union” panel, after she claimed no clear evidence showed Iran posed a direct threat to the U.S. Jennings countered with pointed sarcasm: “You’re arguing that after 46 years of the Iranian regime killing Americans, threatening Americans, saying over and over and over again, ‘Death to America,’ that maybe they just didn’t mean it? That they’re fiery but mostly peaceful Iranian butchers? I mean, I don’t understand! This is a righteous strike!”.
Hinojosa had questioned the legality of President Trump’s June 21 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, arguing congressional approval was necessary: “In order for the president to take action without congressional approval, he needed to show a real true threat to the United States and that the strike would not cause escalation—and as of right now, I have not seen that.” Jennings mocked her position and defended the strikes as justified by Iran’s decades-long aggression.
Jennings emphasized that Iran’s hostility—expressed through support for terrorism and chants of “Death to America”—establishes a clear and present danger. He embraced the term “righteous strike” to describe U.S. military action and dismissed calls for additional congressional oversight as obstructing decisive defense measures.
Jennings’ fiery response underscores deep divisions in Washington. Republicans largely back Trump’s unilateral decision on Iran’s nuclear program, citing national security. By contrast, many Democrats, including Hinojosa, argue the strikes violate the War Powers Act and demand congressional review.
