I have family serving in the United States Navy right now. 

Active duty. Wearing the uniform. Standing watch. Doing the job that most politicians only reference when it’s convenient for a speech.

So, I’m going to say this as plainly as it can be said. If you are in elected office in the United States of America, you do not get to—even for a second—appear to celebrate the success of a regime actively opposing American forces.

You don’t get to. And yet, that is exactly what Democrat Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy did.

When a report circulated claiming that Iranian “shadow fleet” vessels had slipped past a U.S. naval blockade, Murphy responded with one word: “Awesome.” 

Let’s pause right there. Because this matters.

That report—later pushed as Iranian propaganda and denied by U.S. officials—suggested that Iran had outmaneuvered American forces at sea. 

And the reaction from a sitting United States senator was not concern. Not skepticism. Not “let’s verify this.” It was applause.

Now, after the backlash hit—hard and fast—Murphy claimed it was “sarcasm.” Of course it was. It’s always sarcasm after the fact. 

But here’s the problem—and it’s not a small one.

When American sailors are deployed… when a naval blockade is actively being enforced… when tensions are high, and stakes are real…

You don’t get to be “sarcastic” about the enemy winning. You just don’t. Because words matter.

And if you don’t understand that, you don’t belong anywhere near foreign policy.