North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R), who is apparently on the short list for former President Donald Trump's running mate in November, on Thursday accused President Joe Biden of "negotiating for Hamas" to get votes from the pro-Palestinian wing of the Democrat Party.
“I think it’s truly unbelievable,” he said. “We’re in completely new territory here for a president of the United States because we’ve always had a rule, which is don’t negotiate with terrorists, but Joe Biden has gone way beyond that — he’s actually negotiating for the terrorists.”
GOV. DOUG BURGUM: We've always had a rule: don't negotiate with terrorists. Joe Biden has gone way beyond that—he's negotiating *FOR* the terrorists.
None of this would have happened under President Trump. pic.twitter.com/RXrJEOSLmL
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) May 9, 2024
In a post on X, Burgum wrote, "None of this would have happened under President Trump."
Biden is withholding a shipment of weapons from Israel because that nation couldn't show that it had a plan to avoid civilian casualties as it entered Rafah in a ground offensive.
Rafah is the last bastion for Hamas fighters, but up to 1 million refugees are also residing there.
Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas, and it really can't do so without going into Rafah.
Biden is likely objecting to the offensive in order to make it seem like he is listening to pro-Hamas protesters in his party.
He told Erin Burnett on CNN on Thursday, "I hear the message" of the pro-Hamas protesters.
Burgum was himself a candidate for the GOP nomination in 2024, but he dropped out with under 1% of the vote and endorsed Trump.
He introduced Trump at a massive rally in Wildwood, New Jersey on Saturday after flying there with Trump on his private jet.
He criticized Biden for having “put a red line for Israel, for our ally.”
“When you think about that, think of every one of our allies around the world watching this and going, ‘Wow, Israel is supposed to be America’s top ally and the president is threatening them?’” he noted.
“How about Joe Biden saying we’re gonna keep providing weapons until you release the hostages, Hamas?” he suggested. “He should be negotiating alongside of Israel. He’s on the opposite side of the table.”
