Jamie Metzl, a former Clinton-era National Security Council staffer, has publicly commended President Donald Trump’s recent decision to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, while expressing doubt about Kamala Harris’ capacity to take similar action as commander-in-chief. In a series of posts on X, Metzl highlighted his appreciation for Trump’s bold move, despite his broader criticisms of the president’s policies. He argued that the strikes were a necessary and courageous step to protect U.S. national interests and counter Iran’s persistent threat.
Metzl, who served on former President Bill Clinton’s NSC and later worked under President Joe Biden, stated that the operation was a critical component in dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities and achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East. He expressed concern that Harris, while a formidable candidate, may lack the courage to make such a decisive choice as president. This sentiment has been echoed by a growing number of Democratic officials who have publicly supported Trump’s decision, underscoring the potential for bipartisan agreement on the importance of countering Iran’s nuclear threat.
The strikes, operationally codenamed ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ were executed without any prior media leaks or public announcements, catching both the international community and potential adversaries off guard. Trump’s address to the nation following the attacks emphasized the mission’s strategic importance, while Pentagon officials lauded the operation’s secrecy and precision, describing it as a historic and unprecedented display of military capability. The strikes followed months of stalled nuclear negotiations and heightened tensions after Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iranian facilities, further escalating the already volatile situation in the region.