Dems Try Bullying CENTCOM Commander. It’s Ugly To Watch.

On Tuesday, two Democratic congressmen, one of whom is seeking the U.S. Senate seat in his state, berated CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper in an obvious attempt to make a splash with their constituents and on social media.

Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton, who is seeking the Senate seat currently held by hard-Left Ed Markey, started his attack by consistently insinuating that the US war on Iran was failing.

“You keep using the term ‘significantly degraded,’” he said to Cooper. “Last summer, we were told that Iran’s nuclear weapons program was obliterated. Can you clarify the distinction between obliterated and significantly degraded?”

When Cooper replied regarding the Iranian nuclear program, Moulton said patronizingly, “I’m not asking you to talk about the Iran nuclear program. I’m asking you to talk about the English language.”

Moulton segued to asking Cooper about General William Westmoreland, who was vilified during the Vietnam War for speaking of body counts. “Admiral, are you familiar with General Westmoreland?” Moulton asked snidely.

“I’m very familiar, Congressman,” Cooper replied.

“He’s well known for talking about body counts,” Moulton declared. “Now, when I think about you and this war, I always think about how you always got up there and would say everything’s going according to plan.”

Moulton mocked President Trump’s war effort, saying, “I will actually give you credit for regime change. I know that was part of the plan. You’ve replaced an 86-year-old in failing health with a fatwa against producing nuclear weapons with a more hardline guy in his 50s, who, in case he wasn’t hardline enough, he killed his immediate family. Was that part of the plan? Is that the regime change you wanted?”

“Congressman, we were given very specific military objectives to degrade Iran’s power projection capability. That’s exactly what we did,” Cooper responded.

“On March 5, you talked about how you built the most integrated air missile defense or air defense system in the Middle East. And yet, well into the war, you had to ask Ukraine for help with defenses against drones,” Moulton suggested.

“That’s not accurate,” Cooper said tersely.

Moulton then pirouetted away from that question to ask about oil prices.

“What’s the plan now to actually win this war? Because it feels like we’re losing,” Moulton huffed a bit later.

“We achieved all our military objectives. We’re presently in a ceasefire. We’re executing a blockade, and we’re prepared for a broad range of contingencies,” Cooper answered.

Then Moulton descended into outright and complete malevolence, spitting, “I would like to know how many more Americans we have to ask to die for this mistake. Do you know?”

With dignity, Cooper replied, “I think it’s an entirely inappropriate statement from you, sir, with all due respect. With all due respect.”

Moulton dodged, “It’s not a statement. It’s a question.”

Rep. Seth Moulton spent 5 minutes trying to corner CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper today.

“How many more Americans do we have to ask to die for this mistake?”

“I think that’s an entirely inappropriate statement from you, sir.” pic.twitter.com/OpYR6SiUaG

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 19, 2026

At the same hearing, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow attacked Cooper by consistently asking him if he would ever use the phrase “no quarter will be given,” a phrase formerly used by War Secretary Pete Hegseth when speaking of the military’s campaign against narco-terrorists.

“The U. S. military follows the law,” Cooper replied, adding, “We will follow everything that’s in the law.”

“Answer the question, Admiral Cooper,” Crow said. “You have tens of thousands of service members under your command. I literally just read a provision from the law of war manual, our own manual. Will you not just say what I just read to you?”

When Cooper answered simply, “I will say that we will follow the law of armed conflict to the T,” Crow clutched his pearls, hyperventilating, “This is just unbelievable to me.”

“I find the same thing, sir,” Cooper said calmly.

“This is not leadership,” Crow said, about to evaporate. “This is not leadership.”

Another Congressman trying to corner Admiral Brad Cooper.

Seems they have a new strategy to go after America's non-political military leaders in order to attack President Trump. pic.twitter.com/2ENhlq868w

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 19, 2026

Chairman Mike Rogers pointed out, “I want to make it clear that when a member is recognized, it is the member’s time. They can make a speech with their time if they want to. They can ask a question with their time if they want to. They can do a little of both. They can try to ask the witness leading questions. It does not mean the witness has to answer the way they want. The witness is in charge of their answers. The member may or may not like their answers, but you cannot compel the witness to give the answer you want them to give.”

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), a retired Navy SEAL expressed his fury over the exchanges, saying:

I think it’s wholly inappropriate to ask active duty members of the United States military to answer political questions because that’s not what you are here to do. And when my colleagues berate active duty members of the United States military to try to demand that they answer political questions, it’s wholly inappropriate, and it’s inexcusable. When we are seeking different offices than we are in currently, and we’re trying to make splashes for television, that’s what you get.

Navy SEAL veteran and Rep. Derrick Van Orden blasted Democrat lawmakers for “berating” active-duty military officers during today’s Iran hearing. pic.twitter.com/PmJDSoxVln

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 19, 2026