Lindsey Graham’s comments calling for the assassination of Russian President Vladimir Putin was so bad that it drew condemnation even from the fringes of the Republican Party, from the likes of Ted Cruz (R-Tx.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)
“Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military? The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country — and the world — a great service,” Graham said in a tweet.
“The only people who can fix this are the Russian people. Easy to say, hard to do,” he continued. “Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in abject poverty, and live in darkness you need to step up to the plate.”
Cruz immediately criticized Graham in a tweet writing: “This is an exceptionally bad idea. Use massive economic sanctions; BOYCOTT Russian oil & gas; and provide military aid so the Ukrainians can defend themselves. But we should not be calling for the assassination of heads of state.”
Controversial congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also knocked Graham for his comments.
“While we are all praying for peace & for the people of Ukraine, this is irresponsible, dangerous & unhinged,” Greene said in a tweet. “We need leaders with calm minds & steady wisdom. Not blood thirsty warmongering politicians trying to tweet tough by demanding assassinations. Americans don’t want war.”
Embattled Florida Republican congressman Matt Gaetz piled on, sarcastically asking: “When has Sen. Graham encouraging regime change ever ended badly?”
Graham’s comment came at a time when global leaders have grown increasingly concerned about Putin’s state of mind and conduct amid his unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
