Several Republican lawmakers publicly criticized President Trump's threat to wipe out Iranian civilization unless the Strait of Hormuz was reopened, marking a rare break from the party's typical unwavering support. Rep. Nathaniel Moran of Texas and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were among the few GOP members to speak out against the president's rhetoric.
Murkowski said Trump's threat "cannot be excused away as an attempt to gain leverage in negotiations with Iran" and called it "an affront to the ideals our nation has sought to uphold." Rep. Kevin Kiley, a Republican-turned Independent from California, stated that "the United States does not destroy civilizations" and should not threaten to do so as a negotiating tactic.