President Obama defending the Iran nuclear deal. Photo: Screenshot.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement today after President Obama compared members of Congress to Iranians chanting ‘Death to America’:

I called on President Obama this morning to join members of both parties in approaching this gravely important matter with the reverence and respect it clearly deserves. Members of both parties have serious and heartfelt concerns about the Iran deal. These Democrats and Republicans deserved serious answers today, not some outrageous attempt to equate their search for answers with supporting chants of ‘Death to America.’  I imagine the Democrats who’ve already come out against this agreement will be especially insulted by it. This goes way over the line of civil discourse.  Let me repeat my call for the President to shelve these talking points no one believes and resist these insults no one deserves so we can all aim higher —and rise to the moment together.

The President needs to retract his bizarre and preposterous comments, and both supporters and defenders of the President’s deal with Iran should reject this offensive rhetoric.