Lawrence: Trump failed to explain his war, disgraced military calling it 'a little journey to Iran'

In this episode of *The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell*, the host delivers a scathing critique of Donald Trump’s recent speech announcing the failure of his war to open the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a public surrender marked by lies, contradictions, and a demeaning dismissal of military service. Trump referred to the conflict as a 'little journey to Iran'—a phrase O’Donnell condemns as unprecedented in its disrespect for American troops. The episode dissects Trump’s false claims about Iran’s nuclear progress, his abandonment of key war objectives like securing uranium stockpiles, and his repeated threats of war crimes, all while failing to explain the rationale for the war or offer a coherent exit strategy. O’Donnell contrasts this with the diplomatic success of the Iran nuclear deal under Obama, now abandoned by Trump, and highlights the bipartisan consensus that military force alone cannot ensure non-proliferation. The episode also covers Trump’s failed appearance before the Supreme Court, where his Solicitor General delivered a weak, unprepared argument to overturn birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Tribe condemns the attempt as unconstitutional and politically motivated, emphasizing the enduring nature of the Constitution despite changing times. A chilling federal judge’s order requiring the University of Pennsylvania to compile a list of Jewish employees further underscores the episode’s theme of authoritarian overreach and the erosion of civil liberties. O’Donnell concludes with a call to defend democratic norms and constitutional principles against a president who has repeatedly shown contempt for them.