Arizona’s politicos offered mixed reactions to news from the Trump administration that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed during a Sunday raid by U.S. special forces.
The US military operation that killed al-Baghdadi was named after the late Kayla Mueller, from Prescott, who was held hostage by ISIS.
Democrat politicians were largely silent on the matter on Sunday, while Republicans and the parents of Kayla Mueller, expressed gratitude.
Al-Baghdadi reportedly raped and tortured Kayla, a Christian aide worker, who was taken hostage in 2013. Kayla’s family said they were thankful for the Trump administration’s swift action.
“We were deeply touched by what he (Trump) said. We were grateful that they didn’t mess around and went right in,” Kayla’s mother Marsha told CNN.
Kayla father, Carl, told The Arizona Republic on Sunday that his daughter “was held in solitary confinement. She was tortured. She was intimidated. She was ultimately raped by al-Baghdadi himself.” It is believed that Kayla was eventually killed in 2015.
“I still say Kayla should be here, and if Obama had been as decisive as President Trump, maybe she would have been,” Marsha told The Arizona Republic.
Arizona remembers today and always Kayla Mueller, for whom the raid that killed al-Baghdadi was named after. Kayla was a selfless humanitarian from Prescott, AZ. Her compassion and courage will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/Wcf0UvW9Hl
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) October 27, 2019
I thank our brave military and praise the leadership of the Commander in Chief, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, in the elimination of one of the world’s worst terrorists. https://t.co/aAdTgewjk4
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) October 27, 2019
Consistent with this obituary: “Noted Cambodian agrarian reformer, Pol Pot, who revolutionized low calorie prison work, dies peacefully of heart attack” https://t.co/RhnZGcDzJw
— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) October 27, 2019
Incredibly grateful to the special forces team who carried out the raid in Syria against the dangerous and well-known leader of ISIS. The world is a safer place because of the bravery of our special forces.
— Martha McSally (@SenMcSallyAZ) October 27, 2019
“Al-Baghdadi, the most wanted man in the world is dead, and it’s a tribute to the courage of our Armed Forces, special forces that executed the raid on the compound last night, but it’s also a tribute to the decisiveness of President @realDonaldTrump.” –@VP pic.twitter.com/h48qZHf34M
— GOP (@GOP) October 27, 2019
Arizona knows the pain ISIS terrorists have caused. Thank you @POTUS for remembering Kayla Mueller during the raid last night that kill al-Baghdadi. The Mueller family and Kayla will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
— Rep David Schweikert (@RepDavid) October 27, 2019
Thank you to the brave Special Forces members who brought justice to her and her family. pic.twitter.com/44TGB7OgH7
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) October 27, 2019
Good! I wouldn’t give Nancy Pelosi the combination to my bicycle lock! Unless of course I wanted it stolen……. https://t.co/RohTRPvD2k
— Travis Grantham (@TravisGrantham) October 27, 2019