Jamie Metzl, a former National Security Council member under President Clinton, has publicly acknowledged the efficacy of President Trump’s decisive action against Iran’s nuclear program. Despite being a vocal critic of Trump and having supported Kamala Harris, Metzl admitted that Harris would likely have lacked “the courage or fortitude” to take such a bold step against Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Is this the most credit Trump has ever received from Democrats?
Former Clinton Official Praises Trump’s Iran Decision
President Trump’s recent military action against Iranian nuclear facilities has garnered unexpected support from across the political aisle. Jamie Metzl, who served on the National Security Council under President Clinton, acknowledged the effectiveness of Trump’s decision despite being a self-described “vocal critic” of the President.
In a remarkable statement, Metzl admitted, “Although I believe electing Kamala Harris would have been better for our democracy, society, and economy, as well as for helping the most vulnerable people in the United States and around the world, I also believe VP Harris would not have had the courage or fortitude to take such an essential step as the president took last night.” This acknowledgment from a Democratic foreign policy expert represents a significant validation of Trump’s approach to Iranian nuclear containment.
"I believe Kamala Harris … would’ve had a very hard time taking such a bold and decisive decision": @JamieMetzl — who voted for Harris — praises President Trump’s firm action on Iran strikes pic.twitter.com/3dKkoeYp42
— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) June 24, 2025
Strategic NSC Downsizing Supports Decisive Action
President Trump’s decision to reduce the size of the National Security Council staff has faced criticism but may have contributed to his administration’s ability to act decisively on Iran. Historical precedent suggests that a smaller NSC can be more effective when led properly, as demonstrated during George H.W. Bush’s administration with Brent Scowcroft as National Security Advisor.
Critics argue that downsizing the NSC could impair the government’s crisis response capabilities. However, foreign policy experts like Dov S. Zakheim, a former undersecretary of Defense, contend that effectiveness depends more on mission clarity and agency cohesion than staff size.
@JamieMetzl joining @marthamaccallum on @FoxNews to say that “October 7 was certainly the wake up call to Israel” that they can no longer live with the existential threat of Iran & its murderous proxies.
He’s right: campus “protestors” who support Iran/Hamas ARE “lunatics”!! pic.twitter.com/45fvA7ln3G
— Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) June 23, 2025
Implications for Middle East Policy
Trump’s Iran strategy marks a significant departure from previous administrations’ approaches to nuclear containment in the Middle East. The decisive military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities demonstrates the administration’s preference for direct intervention over prolonged negotiations that characterized Democrat-led foreign policy.
This approach has yielded immediate results in diminishing Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The long-term implications may include a potential ceasefire between Iran and Israel, further validating Trump’s Middle East policy and reinforcing his administration’s commitment to supporting American allies in the region while taking firm action against adversaries.