Here are the reasons President Trump had Gen. Qassem Soleimani assassinated:
1. A politically convenient moment presented itself when Soleimani was at the Baghdad airport.
2. That moment was just several days before the Congress was scheduled to come back to Washington, D.C., and the shape of Trump’s impeachment trial had to be considered. The assassination and its repercussions would provide a significant distraction.
3. Since President Obama had Osama Bin Laden assassinated, Trump was absolutely compelled to take an action that either competed with that or temporarily obliterated it.
4. By taking a strident (if a congressionally unconsidered) action as commander in chief, he would place the Senate in a more difficult position to find him guilty of the Impeachment resolutions. How can a Senate separate itself from the president during a so-called military crisis?
5. Whatever the reality of the matter, his base and loyal members of Congress would see him as a decisive military leader and continue their support.
Matt Proser, Salt Lake City
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible