Former U.S. Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill, who gained fame for taking credit for killing terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden, urged President Donald Trump to reconsider his recent threatening social media posts about Iran.
In an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, O’Neill expressed concern over Trump’s inflammatory remarks, including a particularly alarming threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight.”
O’Neill Criticizes Trump’s Social Media Posts
O’Neill, who has personal experience with the president, stated that such comments were inappropriate and unpresidential. He mentioned that he visited Truth Social to verify the posts himself and was taken aback by their tone.
“I didn’t think it was presidential,” O’Neill said, acknowledging the difficulty in challenging President Trump directly but emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for such remarks. He continued, “Someone should step up on something like this. The optics are very important, and you really can’t say you’re gonna wipe out an entire civilization.”
Geneva Convention and Military Conduct
O’Neill also highlighted the importance of adhering to international laws like the Geneva Convention, particularly regarding the treatment of civilians in conflict zones. He warned that attacking vital infrastructure critical to civilian survival could violate the Geneva Convention.
“The rules are very clear. If you’re hitting vital infrastructure for civilian survival, that’s against the Geneva Convention. You can’t do it,” O’Neill explained. He noted that military officials would ultimately decide if targets were dual-purpose, but still maintained that the public nature of Trump’s threats was inappropriate.
O’Neill’s Advice to Trump
Drawing on his own experience as a former SEAL and his familiarity with social media, O’Neill advised the president to exercise caution in his online remarks. “He’s angry, he’s mad at NATO, he’s mad at our so-called allies for not helping, and he’s yelling at his phone,” O’Neill said, suggesting that a moment of calm reflection could help Trump avoid making regretful comments.
He encouraged Trump to take a “deep breath” and reminded him of his role as the commander-in-chief and leader of the free world. “You’re the leader of the free world, the most powerful man in the free world. Some things just shouldn’t be said even if you want to,” O’Neill concluded.
The Importance of Thoughtful Communication
O’Neill, who admitted to occasionally having second thoughts after posting on social media himself, recommended that people in positions of power reconsider their statements before sharing them publicly. “If it doesn’t bother you in 24 hours, it shouldn’t be put out to the world,” he said, stressing the need for reflection before making such consequential remarks.
