Burchett calls Republicans advocating US intervention in Iran ‘war pimps'

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) called Republicans pushing for U.S. involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict 'war pimps,' in an interview Wednesday.
CNN's John Berman asked Burchett about the growing divide in the party between the anti-interventionists like Tucker Carlson and folks like Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who advocated unequivocal support for Israel's campaign against Iran.
'Congressman, where do you come down on this?' Berman asked. 'Tucker Carlson has called some members of your own party 'warmongers.''
'Yeah, well, I call them war pimps,' Burchett responded. 'You know, Lindsey Graham's a friend of mine. Ted Cruz is a friend of mine. I just — look, I got a daughter who just turned 18 last week, on the same day as the president did and the United States Army. I don't want to see her go to war,' he continued, referring to the Army's 250th anniversary that coincided with President Trump's 79th birthday Saturday.
Burchett said he thinks the matter should be left to the Israelis, saying there's no 'just cause' to warrant further escalation.
'My daddy fought in the Second World War. Hell, my mama flew an airplane during the Second World War. She lost her brother. To the day she died, every time they unfurled that flag, she would tear up. And that was for a just cause,' Burchett said.
'I just don't see American boys and girls going to a faraway land that many of us couldn't even find on a map,' he continued. 'Again, the Israelis can handle this thing. Let's let them handle it.'
Burchett said he supports letting Trump continue trying to negotiate with the Iranians for a nuclear deal, saying that's why the president earned his vote in November.
'We do not need a three-front war in our lifetime right now. I just don't think that's the route to go. There'll be room for debate, but I think we ought to let the president do his negotiating skills. That's what I elected him to do,' Burchett said.
The remarks come as Trump weighs whether to up U.S. involvement in Israel's war with Iran. Trump said he gave Iran the 'ultimate ultimatum' Wednesday and called for the country's 'unconditional surrender.'
'I may do it, I may not do it,' Trump said earlier in the day. 'I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble. And they want to negotiate. And I say why didn't you negotiate with me before all this death and destruction.'
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