Ex-Trump Aide Blasts Past Presidents on Iran Terrorism

Ex-Trump Policy Chief Criticizes Decades of Inaction on Iran

A former key policy advisor to President Donald Trump has sharply criticized a long-standing pattern of U.S. administrations, dating back to the Carter era, for allegedly “turning a blind eye” to Iran’s state-sponsored terrorism and its impact on American lives. Joe Grogan, who served as Director of the U.S. Domestic Policy Council and as an Assistant to the President under Trump, made these remarks in a recent interview following President Trump’s State of the Union address.

State of the Union Address: Economy and Patriotism Take Center Stage

The discussion began by addressing President Trump’s lengthy State of the Union address, which was noted as the longest in history. Grogan acknowledged that while he did not watch the speech live due to time differences, he caught up on key segments the following morning. He suggested that the central themes were not solely the economy and immigration, as some suggested, but rather a broader message of American pride and patriotism. Grogan pointed to instances like the honoring of the U.S. Women’s Hockey team and a pilot involved in a significant capture operation as examples of this focus.

“I think a key theme throughout was pride in the United States and patriotism,” Grogan stated. He also noted that President Trump appeared “very relaxed, at times funny,” projecting a “calm and positive” message. While acknowledging economic concerns among the populace, particularly regarding inflation, Grogan argued that the administration understood these challenges and was actively addressing them through policy proposals. These included promoting energy development, reducing wasteful spending, and addressing healthcare and drug prices.

Economic Messaging and Affordability Concerns

The interview touched upon the President’s framing of the economy, with Grogan defending the assertion that the economy was performing strongly. He countered concerns that focusing on broad economic indicators might overlook the everyday cost of living for Americans, stating that some prices, such as for energy and eggs, had indeed moderated from their peaks. He attributed higher prices in some regions to restrictive energy policies enacted by Democratic-led states.

Grogan elaborated on the administration’s proposed solutions for cost of living issues, emphasizing policies such as pro-energy development, a departure from what he termed “green energy, wasteful spending,” and initiatives to restrict private equity firms from purchasing homes. He also mentioned a federal program aimed at enhancing retirement benefits for working individuals.

Debate Over Tariffs and Tax Policy

A point of discussion that drew a mixed reaction was President Trump’s repeated assertion that tariffs could potentially replace income tax. Grogan acknowledged this as a reframing of conventional economic views, contrasting it with the pre-Trump era’s emphasis on cheap goods over American manufacturing jobs. He predicted that pro-tariff policies would continue to be embraced in the U.S. after Trump leaves office.

When pressed on the revenue generated by tariffs compared to income taxes ($167 billion from tariffs versus $2.4 trillion from federal income taxes), Grogan conceded that the statement was likely a form of signaling rather than a direct policy proposal. However, he added, “I do think there needs to be a recognition the United States is spending way too much money on a whole host of things that are wasteful and we need to re- we cannot raise income taxes to get ourselves out of this out of this debt and we need a more rational income tax system and tariffs would could be a significant part of that solution moving forward.”

Focus on Iran: State-Sponsored Terrorism and Geopolitical Stance

The conversation then shifted to Iran, a topic particularly relevant given perceived looming conflicts in the region. Grogan vehemently rejected any notion that the U.S. military buildup was aimed at facilities that Trump had already declared non-existent, or to force Iran into a renegotiated deal similar to the one Trump had previously withdrawn from. He characterized the Iranian regime as the “chief sponsor of terrorism throughout the world,” citing a history of killing Americans since 1979 and ongoing efforts to destabilize the Middle East.

“The Iranian regime is the chief sponsor of terrorism throughout the world. They’ve killed a number of Americans going back since 1979 and they have designs to continue to destabilize the Middle East and kill Americans. It’s not just about their nuclear program.”

Grogan expressed a belief that the world would be a safer place once the current Iranian regime was no longer in power. He suggested that President Trump’s preference would be for a domestic uprising within Iran, but that Trump was addressing long-standing problems ignored by previous administrations, such as in Venezuela and against drug cartels, with Iran falling squarely into that category.

“This is a problem that’s been lingering since the Carter administration and too many presidents have turned a blind eye while the Iranians have sponsored terrorism and killed Americans,” Grogan asserted, highlighting the persistent nature of the issue.

Midterm Elections and the Political Landscape

The interview also delved into the upcoming midterm elections and their potential impact on President Trump’s agenda. Grogan acknowledged the challenging map for the Republican party but stressed that they were taking the elections very seriously and anticipated a close contest. He expressed concern that a Democratic takeover of Congress could lead to a return to what he described as an “unproductive, venomous Democratic party that hates Trump so much they won’t cooperate on any policy.”

Target Audience of the Speech

Concluding the discussion, Grogan was asked about the intended audience for the State of the Union address. He suggested it was a broad appeal, designed to resonate with a wide range of viewers through its “patriotic and uplifting themes.” He acknowledged that while some on the left might remain unconvinced, the speech aimed to “juice enthusiasm moving into the midterms and finish out this term strong.”

Source: Too Many Presidents ‘Turned A Blind Eye’ To Iran’s State-Sponsored Terrorism | Ex-Trump Policy Chief (YouTube)