U.S. Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) was asked on CNN to address President Trump’s social media post on Tuesday, in which the President wrote: “A whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz by 8 pm ET. Trump added, “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
When asked, “Does being reluctant to end a civilization make it ok?”, Lawler, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, replied, “I don’t think we’re talking about ending a civilization.”
Lawler followed up, saying: “The issue at hand is their energy infrastructure and their civilian infrastructure, including roads and bridges. That will cripple the Iranian regime and certainly their economy.”
BERMAN: The president is threatening a whole civilization will die tonight. You say he doesn’t want to do it. Does being reluctant to end a civilization make it ok?
LAWLER: I don’t think we’re talking about ending a civilization–
BERMAN: So you don’t believe the president’s… pic.twitter.com/0Z93e9vBPk
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 7, 2026
Lawler added, “If the president has to take necessary actions to strike their energy and civilian infrastructure that is going to cripple the regime. That is what he is talking about.”
Asked specifically about the line from Trump’s post, “Never to be brought back again,” Lawler repeated that Trump is talking about Iran’s energy and civilian infrastructure, “He’s not talking about obliterating innocent people.” (Lawler did not explain how Iran’s population of 92 million would survive without infrastructure.)
Former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau responded to Lawler’s interview: “I’m going to particularly enjoy watching @lawler4ny lose his seat in November – a truly pathetic excuse for a public servant.”
Speaking of pathetic, Jon constantly assails Israel, excuses Iran’s terroristic regime, actively hopes for American military failures, and helped elevate Hasan Piker during the 2024 Presidential election. Not worried about your judgement, buddy.
You and your gang of Obama bros… https://t.co/xJNR0igvoY
— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) April 7, 2026
Lawler replied to Favreau with a signature MAGA/GOP claim that Democrats “hope for American military failures.”
Lawler wrote: “Not worried about your judgement, buddy. You and your gang of Obama bros haven’t been electorally relevant since 2012. But by all means, keep grifting, coasting off of long-gone wins, and rooting against America. It’s done wonders for you guys thus far.”
It isn’t, however, only “Obama bros” and Democrats who believe following through on Trump’s threats is the wrong move. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), a strong Trump supporter, said: “I am hoping and praying that President Trump is — that this really is bluster. I do not want to see us start blowing up civilian infrastructure. I do not want to see that. We are not at war with the Iranian people. We are trying to liberate them.”