How the Bombing of Schoolchildren Fits Into Trump's War

"They are among the most evil people ever on Earth. They cut babies' heads off. They chop women in half. Trump appeared to be referring to unverified claims about Hamas's attack on October 7 and Iran's role in funding the group. But his retort, however specious, also reflected an old Washington logic used many times over the past few decades to justify war: that U.S. atrocities are negligible when the broader incursion is justifiable."

"From the beginning of this war, the administration's rationale for attacking the Islamic Republic has been all over the map. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said it was not intended to be a regime-change war - but then again, it isn't not one, either. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has offered increasingly convoluted explanations ranging from, essentially, Israel pulled us into it to No, Israel didn't, because that would look bad."

President Trump dismissed concerns about U.S. bombing of an Iranian water desalination plant by characterizing Iran as evil, referencing unverified claims about Hamas and Iran's funding. This reflects a longstanding Washington pattern of justifying military actions by demonizing adversaries, suggesting normal legal warfare standards don't apply. However, the Trump administration's approach differs significantly by showing minimal interest in justifying the broader military incursion itself. Defense Secretary Hegseth and Secretary of State Rubio have offered contradictory explanations ranging from regime-change objectives to humanitarian concerns, while Trump has shifted between national security and vague humanitarian justifications. The administration's inconsistent messaging represents a cynical approach to military justification.

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