Pence pushes back on Trump: ‘Hezbollah aren’t smart, they’re evil’

Former Vice President Mike Pence pushed back on former President Trump’s labelling of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as “very smart,” arguing instead that the group is “evil.”

“Hezbollah aren’t smart, they’re evil,” Pence said Thursday in an interview with WGIR radio in New Hampshire.

“This is no time for the former president, or any other American leader to be sending any message other than America stands with Israel,” Pence continued. “And look, I know the former president was frustrated with [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu; he’s been critical over the last two years … I consider him a friend, and I’m proud of the relationship that America had under our administration with Israel.”

During a speech Wednesday night, Trump railed against Israel’s lack of preparation for the surprise attack over the weekend by Palestinian militant group Hamas. He’s also taken aim at the Biden administration and Israeli’s defense minister for discussing Israel’s vulnerabilities. Trump suggested these public discussions may have helped Hezbollah plan further attacks against Israel, calling the militant group “very smart.”

The comment came under harsh scrutiny from some of Trump’s political opponents, including President Biden, who wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Our nation’s support for Israel is resolute and unwavering. And the right time to praise the terrorists who seek to destroy them is never.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running in the Republican presidential primary against Trump, Pence and others, called Trump’s comments “absurd” and vowed to stand with Israel and “treat terrorists like the scum that they are.”

Trump’s presidential campaign responded to the backlash later Thursday, arguing “smart does not equal good.”

“President Trump was clearly pointing out how incompetent Biden and his administration were by telegraphing to the terrorists an area that is susceptible to an attack. Smart does not equal good,” according to a tweet from the campaign’s War Room account. 

“It just proves Biden is stupid. And now you look stupid, Ron,” the tweet continued, in reference to the president and DeSantis.

In a separate post on X, Trump senior adviser Jason Miller said the Biden administration continually “highlight[s] weaknesses and project[s] incompetence.” He included a quote from a senior Defense official from a briefing Monday in which they said, “We are deeply concerned about Hezbollah making the wrong decision and choosing to open a second front to this conflict.” 

Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged fire in recent days in the wake of Israel’s separate front against Palestinian militant group Hamas, which launched a multi-pronged surprise attack against Israel over the weekend. 

U.S. officials and leaders across the globe have voiced concerns over Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict, which has already claimed more than 2,500 lives from both sides, including at least 27 Americans citizens.

Hamas has also taken dozens of people hostage, including some Americans. The White House has not determined how many Americans are being held hostage but said the number is believed to be “less than a handful.”

National security spokesmen John Kirby said Thursday the number of Americans unaccounted for is 14, a drop from the 17 unaccounted for Wednesday.