News
‘I Don’t Wanna Say That’: Trump Dodges on Boots on the Ground
President Donald Trump sidestepped a question about putting U.S. troops on the ground in Iran when asked by a reporter on Monday morning.
“I don’t wanna say that,” the president told PBS News’ Liz Landers when asked about putting boots on the ground in what has become a nearly three-week war.
Landers reported that when she asked if his thinking had changed, he said, “No it’s not changed,” but he did not want to discuss strategy with a reporter.
Landers also reported that Trump “noted when he answered” the phone that it was not a good time to chat because he was in the middle of a “very important meeting” about Iran, but he took time to answer several questions.
Trump insisted that “we’re doing very well” in the Iran war, although he has recently pressured NATO nations and China to help his efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane.
The president also told Landers that the Iran war is a “very small price to pay” after years of terror from the regime and “the oil prices will drop like a rock as soon as it’s over.”
Landers noted that when she asked for a timeline on oil prices dropping, he said, “Well as soon as the war is over… I don’t believe it will be long.”
On Friday, a national security and defense expert called the president’s decision to send a Marine expeditionary unit and additional warships to the Middle East a “key indicator” of a “possible ground operation.”
The Marine expeditionary unit is expected to consist of several warships and about 5,000 Marines.
Image via Reuters
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |





























