The response to the Trump administration's decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal, considered the signature foreign policy achievement of the Obama administration, fell largely along conventional political lines Tuesday.
The announcement triggered strong condemnation from Democrats, with many taking to Twitter to make their frustration known.
Sen Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), who many have tipped as a potential challenger to Trump in 2020, said the decision would diminish America's "credibility" abroad and empower "Iranian hardliners."
"The Obama Administration negotiated a landmark agreement to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. @realDonaldTrump’s decision to withdraw from the deal breaks our word, hurts our credibility with our allies, empowers Iranian hardliners, and doesn’t make us any safer," Warren tweeted.
Even the Trump Administration has conceded that Iran is complying with the deal. Now @realdonaldtrump has pulled out without offering any real alternative to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Creating chaos and confusion isn’t a strategy – it’s a recipe for disaster.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 8, 2018
Warren's sentiment was echoed by many of her Democratic colleagues in Congress.
.@realDonaldTrump’s decision to abdicate American leadership during a critical moment in our effort to advance a denuclearization agreement with North Korea is particularly senseless, disturbing & dangerous.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) May 8, 2018
With this dangerous decision, Pres. Trump is risking US national security, recklessly upending foundational partnerships with key European allies & gambling with Israel’s security
Today’s withdrawal makes it more likely Iran will restart its nuclear weapons program in the future
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) May 8, 2018
Today's decision by @realDonaldTrump allows Iran to get back on track developing nuclear weapons - an entirely unforced error that imperils our global leadership. #IranDeal
— Robin Kelly (@RepRobinKelly) May 8, 2018
President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran Deal is reckless, irresponsible, and was made without an explanation of a realistic alternative or a comprehensive strategy. https://t.co/BHUs24wczm
— Joe Crowley (@JoeCrowleyNY) May 8, 2018
The strongest rebuke, however, came from erstwhile members of the Obama administration, especially those who had played a central role in negotiating the original agreement back in 2015.
Samantha Power, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 - 2017, said Trump has "demolished American's credibility" and has "isolated the US & rallied the world around Iran."
Trump has demolished America’s credibility & paved the way for Iran to re-start its nuclear program. Trump has done the unthinkable: isolated the US & rallied the world around Iran. The costs of using military force have only increased. (2/2)
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) May 8, 2018
Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security advisor from 2009 - 2017, echoed Power's sentiment, saying "Trump's decision is devastating to U.S. credibility globally."
Beyond the potentially catastrophic consequences with Iran, Trump's decision is devastating to U.S. credibility globally. After this, why would anyone trust an international agreement that the U.S. negotiates?
— Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) May 8, 2018
Former Secretary of State John Kerry claimed Trump's decision to scrap U.S. participation in the accord reduced the U.S.'s "global leverage to address Tehran's misbehavior." Kerry recently came under fire for possibly violating the Logan Act by engaging in covert talks with Iranian and European leaders in an attempt to preserve the agreement.
My thoughts on President Trump’s Iran statement: pic.twitter.com/E5A12PKnnx
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) May 8, 2018
Obama himself released a statement in which he said, "The reality is clear. The JCPOA is working ... I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake."
There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Today’s decision to put the JCPOA at risk is a serious mistake. My full statement: https://t.co/4oTdXESbxe
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 8, 2018
Many Republicans, on the other hand, praised the president's decision to withdraw from the accord and reimpose sanctions on Iran.
President Trump is not going to let the Iranians – or the North Koreans – have it both ways.
He certainly isn’t going to repeat President Obama and Secretary Kerry’s mistakes.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) May 8, 2018
From its very inception, the Iran Deal was nothing short of a foreign policy debacle. President Trump is absolutely right to reinstate sanctions and withdraw from the agreement.
The United States can do better—and we will. This is a victory for a safer and more secure America.
— Mark Meadows (@MarkMeadows) May 8, 2018
I have stated time & time again that the loophole-ridden Iran nuclear deal did not go far enough in its efforts to permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, & am encouraged by the President’s decision to withdraw today. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/iGF4hjKUws
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) May 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/TomCottonAR/status/993943586709401601
I support @POTUS's decision to withdraw from the folly that is the #IranDeal. A nation that promotes terror internationally & against its own people has no business increasing its nuclear capabilities. America has no place giving this bad actor legitimacy. https://t.co/7zBOi0yn4f
— Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) May 8, 2018