After President Joe Biden announced the U.S. had killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle praised the White House.
Al-Zawahiri was the successor of Osama bin Laden and played a leadership role in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
He was killed by a drone strike on Saturday (July 30) evening — Sunday morning in Kabul. The White House also confirmed the drone strike on al-Zawahiri didn’t kill or injure any civilians.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA.) commended U.S. “intelligence officers and men and women in uniform for finally – 21 yrs after the horrific 9/11 attacks – bringing one of its last remaining leaders to justice,” after noting that al-Zawahiri “has been responsible for brutal attacks in not only the US, but Asia, Africa, and Europe.”
Democrats and Republicans also commended Biden for taking action against the notorious leader of Al-Qaeda.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (S.C.) released a brief statement saying, “Congratulations to the Biden Administration and all those brave Americans involved in the successful counterterrorism operation against al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. This is a significant event in the War on Terror. All those involved have delivered a strong message that America never forgets.”
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates also released a statement congratulating and expressing “lasting gratitude to our country’s shadow warriors.”
He noted, “The killing of Al-Zawahiri is a vivid reminder to terrorists everywhere that if you kill Americans or attack America, no matter how much time passes, the United States will find you and bring you to justice.”
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) shared a similar sentiment, congratulating the “national security team” and commending Biden for “the successful hit on Ayman al-Zawahiri.”
Slotkin, like many others, noted, “Targeting one senior leader does not end the capacity of an organization to attack, but it does send a message that, while it may take years, we do not forget those who attack us”
