Republicans slam Trump’s comments on Netanyahu and Hezbollah

The rebukes of Donald Trump from members of his own party, including Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), come after the former president began unexpectedly criticizing Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

Some prominent Republicans are distancing themselves from former President Donald Trump, after the current GOP frontrunner repeatedly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and offered unexpected praise for Hezbollah militants.

“Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, the greatest state sponsor of terrorism, these are states and entities that are focused on wiping Israel off the face of the earth. That is neither smart nor good,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who represents a district that voted for President Joe Biden by double digits, told NBC News’ Kristen Welker on Thursday. “This is a fight of good versus evil.“

In an interview with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto on Thursday, Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said that “Donald Trump has to answer for Donald Trump’s comment,” before adding that “weakness begets conflict. Where people see an opportunity, where they’re looking at ways to harm others, where they don’t see a strong United States, they see opportunity.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican who has often

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