It appears from the polls that most Americans are not jonesing for a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024. But if that were to happen, the incumbent president could frame a nifty comparison in the realm of national security, one that contrasts his steadfastness with the former guy’s cluelessness.
Let’s start with the host of the Bone Saw Invitational golf tournament. When questioned the other day about the propriety of hosting an event bankrolled by the Saudis – given their dismemberment of a prominent U.S.-based journalist; and given the longstanding proof that Saudis played a key role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks (15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals) – Trump responded by flashing his Trump University foreign policy creds. He decreed that there’s no proof of Saudi involvement in 9/11, and, besides, “nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately, and they should have.”
I suppose that remark will resonate with America’s sizable idiocracy. Nevertheless, we should contrast it with what has transpired in the real world. We long ago “got to the bottom of 9/11,” courtesy of multiple investigations; as the bipartisan 9/11 Commission pointed out, the plotting was masterminded by the unholy alliance of Osama bin Laden and his chief deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Indeed, when the two terrorists joined forces in 1998, Zawahiri outlined their priorities in a screed: “To kill Americans and their allies – civilian and military – is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in every country in which it is possible to do it.”
Well, guess what. Barack Obama’s hunters took out bin Laden in 2011. And this past weekend, Joe Biden’s hunters took out Zawahiri.
Oh, and remember when Biden critics said that our ’21 boots-on-the ground withdrawal from Afghanistan would make it nigh impossible for the U.S. to conduct “over the horizon” intelligence missions in Afghanistan? Turns out, Zawahiri was zapped on his Kabul balcony by an over the horizon drone strike. Say goodbye to the world’s most wanted terrorist.
And hey, there’s even some bipartisan praise for the Biden team. I kid you not.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, the Trump lickspittle, said in a statement: “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.” And Ted Cruz said: “All Americans will breathe easier today knowing Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda, has been eliminated. This strike should be a message to terrorists near and far: if you conspire to kill Americans, we will find and kill you.”
Granted, this millisecond of unity surely won’t last. Biden is busy with his anti-Putin proxy war in Ukraine (a sore point for Putin fans like Tucker Carlson), and tensions with China are escalating in the wake of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s anticipated trip to Taiwan, the island that China covets as its own. But, for now, in the wake of Zawahiri’s demise, we should prioritize the reactions of Americans who lost loved ones on 9/11. People like Master Sgt. Ron Bucca, whose father died when the towers fell. Bucca said the news about Zawahiri “definitely made my day.”
So, to review: Biden kills a mastermind of 9/11 in the same week that Trump says nobody has gotten to the bottom of 9/11.
And speaking of Trump: Now, with Zawahiri off the grid, we can only hope that the U.S. government will take down our top domestic terrorist. A drone is not necessary. A courtroom will suffice.