Trump scolds Schumer for Iran deal pullout criticism
Jewish Senate minority leader, a frequent target of president’s tweets, shoots back by citing Melania Trump’s anti-bullying campaign
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US President Donald Trump and New York Senator Chuck Schumer traded barbs on Twitter Thursday over the Iran nuclear deal.
Trump, who has made the Senate minority leader a frequent target of his derision, took issue with Schumer’s criticism of his decision to withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear deal, saying the Democrat previously opposed the pact.
“Now he says I should not have terminated the deal – but he doesn’t really believe that,” Trump wrote, reprising his “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer” nickname/insult.
Schumer responded by using the words of first lady Melania Trump, tweeting simply “#BeBest.”
Senator Cryin’ Chuck Schumer fought hard against the Bad Iran Deal, even going at it with President Obama, & then Voted AGAINST it! Now he says I should not have terminated the deal – but he doesn’t really believe that! Same with Comey. Thought he was terrible until I fired him!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2018
#BeBest https://t.co/tJD74gSiin
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 10, 2018
“BeBest” is the name of Melania Trump’s public awareness campaign to help children. She’s focusing on childhood well-being, social media use and opioid abuse. She expressed concern that children can turn to bullying, addiction or suicide when she rolled out the plan this week.
On Tuesday, Schumer responded to Trump’s move by charging that White House appears to have a slogan but no plan.
“This is a little like replace and repeal — they had these words, they used them in the campaign, and they don’t have a real plan here,” Schumer said, referring to the failed GOP effort to undo the Affordable Care Act.
In 2015, Schumer voted against the deal, which trades sanctions relief for Iran’s rollback of its nuclear program. But like virtually every other Democratic opponent at the time, he now adamantly supports preserving it, joining the others in saying the pact remains the best means of building an international alliance to pressure Iran and pulling out of it would damage US credibility.
In October, Trump attacked Schumer, who is Jewish, for not backing his proposal to amend the Iran nuclear deal.
“Dem Senator Schumer hated the Iran deal made by President Obama, but now that I am involved, he is OK with it. Tell that to Israel, Chuck,” Trump wrote on Twitter.
Dem Senator Schumer hated the Iran deal made by President Obama, but now that I am involved, he is OK with it. Tell that to Israel, Chuck!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2017
JTA contributed to this report
The Times of Israel Community.