Trump White House tried to play down US injuries in attack by Iran, says ex-official
Source: The Guardian
Trump White House tried to play down US injuries in attack by Iran, says ex-official
Alyssa Farah says she was pressured to delay reporting of injuries to more than 100 US troops in Iraq from attack avenging Qassem Suleimani
Julian Borger in Washington
Thu 9 Sep 2021 05.00 BST
Donald Trumps White House asked the Pentagon to play down and delay reports of brain injuries suffered by US troops from an Iranian missile attack on Iraq last year, according to a former defense spokeswoman.
Alyssa Farah said she fended off the pressure from the White House, which came after Trump had first claimed there had been no casualties and then dismissed the injuries as headaches and not very serious.
More than 100 US troops were ultimately diagnosed as having suffered traumatic brain injuries in the missile attack on two bases in Iraq housing US troops on 8 January 2020, launched by Tehran in retaliation for the US drone killing of Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Suleimani five days earlier.
Roughly 80% of the American casualties from the missile attack were able to return to duty within days, but dozens had to be evacuated to Germany and then the US for treatment.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/09/trump-white-house-tried-to-play-down-us-injuries-in-iran-attack-suleimani-former-official
Grokenstein
(5,707 posts)Grins
(7,134 posts)So NBD
twodogsbarking
(9,302 posts)Know the signs.
keithbvadu2
(36,362 posts)First on CNN: 50 US service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after Iranian missile st
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212921990
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TBIs effects are not always immediate.
Former Army officer:
Tom Cotton defends Trump referring to soldiers traumatic brain injuries as headaches and not very serious
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2020/01/27/tom-cotton-defends-trump-referring-to-soldiers-traumatic-brain-injuries-as-headaches-and-not-very-serious
The VFW expects an apology from the president to our service men and women for his misguided remarks. And, we ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to educate Americans of the dangers TBI has on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times. Our warriors require our full support more than ever in this challenging environment. William Doc Schmitz, VFW National Commander
calimary
(80,693 posts)Pretty doggone callous, dude. These are NOT "headaches."
YOU, on the other hand, ARE.
keithbvadu2
(36,362 posts)Cotton is a veteran which deserves respect in itself but that was not good enough for him.
He falsely claimed to be a Ranger which was a lie.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214997074
Tom Cotton Blasted for Claims About Being an Army Ranger by Lawmaker Who Was One