Well, here’s a political endorsement that’s bound to turn some heads: Peter Deutsch, a former Democratic congressman from Florida, just threw his support behind Donald Trump for the 2024 election. That’s right, a longtime Democrat is crossing the aisle, citing concerns over Israel’s security and what he sees as a troubling approach from the Biden administration toward Iran.
Deutsch, who has deep ties to both Israel and the U.S.—splitting his time between the two—made his endorsement during a press call hosted by the Trump campaign and the RNC. The timing was no accident, as it came on the anniversary of the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. For Deutsch, the key issue is Trump’s willingness to take a tougher stance on Iran, which he believes is vital for Israel’s security and, by extension, for America’s. Trump has been vocal lately about his belief that Israel should directly target Iran’s nuclear facilities, a stance that Deutsch clearly finds reassuring.
Former Congressman Peter Deutsch, a “very brave” Democrat, has endorsed Donald Trump for President.
The driving force of his decision is, in his words, “world peace”, and that the policies of Kamala Harris make the world “dramatically less safe”.https://t.co/CyuelvsLxN— The Sardonic Patriot (@Mayflower_21) October 8, 2024
Meanwhile, Deutsch isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He accuses them of emboldening Iran through their policies, especially in the wake of recent escalations, including a ballistic missile strike on Israel. He went so far as to compare their approach to appeasement, saying, “Their policies towards Iran make the world a dramatically less safe place… It’s not just about what is happening in the Middle East. It’s literally about the homeland.”
He didn’t mince words when he called the Biden-Harris approach something that “would make Neville Chamberlain proud,” referencing the infamous British Prime Minister known for his failed appeasement strategy with Nazi Germany. Deutsch made it clear that he sees world peace and stability as the most crucial responsibility of the U.S. president, and he believes Trump’s approach aligns far more with that goal than Biden’s.
This endorsement is significant not just for what Deutsch said but for what it represents in the bigger political picture. While a handful of Republicans have signaled their willingness to back Kamala Harris in the general election, seeing a former Democratic congressman openly endorse Trump is far more unusual. It reflects some of the shifting dynamics in the Democratic party, particularly when it comes to their approach toward Israel and how the far-left’s stance has left some Jewish voters feeling disillusioned.
News: Former Rep. Peter Deutsch, a Democrat from Florida, is officially endorsing Trump on an RNC-Trump campaign press call happening now, says Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
— Matthew Kassel (@matthewkassel) October 7, 2024
Deutsch has been critical of Trump’s style in the past—referring to his “erratic nature”—but has long given credit where he believes it’s due, particularly when it comes to Trump’s achievements in Middle East policy, like the Abraham Accords. For him, this endorsement isn’t about party loyalty; it’s about the security of Israel and the safety of the United States.
In his own words, Deutsch “takes this decision very, very seriously” and feels “100% comfortable” with backing Trump for president. That might not sit well with his old party, but it’s a clear indication of where he believes the stakes are highest in the upcoming election. And for those who see the Biden administration’s Iran policy as a major liability, it’s a message that might resonate far beyond the Sunshine State.