ABC News host Jonathan Karl spars with Tim Scott over Biden having ‘blood on his hands’
Sen. Tim Scott defended comments about Biden being "complicit" in Hamas terror attacks on Israel.
ABC News host Jonathan Karl sparred with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on Sunday over whether President Biden is partially to blame for Hamas’ devastating terror attacks on Israel.
Scott previously accused Biden of having "blood on his hands" and argued the president was "complicit" in the terror. He joined ABC’s "This Week" to discuss the ongoing war and essentially refused to walk back his comment.
"You said that Joe Biden had blood on his hands. That didn't really sound like the Tim Scott that I know; the hopeful, optimistic campaign you talked about running," Karl said.
"But sometimes, in the heat of the campaign, you say things that -- that maybe you regret," he continued. "Do you regret saying that, saying that the President of the United States has blood on his hands?"
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ABC News host Jonathan Karl sparred with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on Sunday over whether President Biden is partially to blame for Hamas’ devastating terror attacks on Israel.
Scott, a 2024 GOP presidential hopeful, quickly said he doesn’t regret his words about President Biden.
"I don't, actually. I'm a happy warrior, without any question. But we are now in the midst of a conflict, and so the warrior in me requires responsibility to start at the top," Scott said. "When you think about the fact that the weakness of Joe Biden attracts conflict around this world, and frankly, the negotiations with Iran is -- was specifically I was talking about. Six billion dollars for hostages only creates a bigger market for Americans abroad."
The ABC News anchor interrupted, but Scott insisted on finishing his point.
"Let me finish, Jon. That money, we know Hamas's first thank you was to Iran. Ninety percent of their money comes from Iran. Put those pieces of the puzzle together. That's why this administration froze those dollars just last week," Scott said.
Karl shot back, "I'm glad you mention they froze the money, because none of that money has gone to Iran. None of it," before circling back to Scott’s comments about Biden.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., previously accused President Biden of having "blood on his hands" and argued the president was "complicit" in the Hamas terror attacks. (Robyn Beck)
"You said that he has blood on his hands. I mean, with all due respect, the blood is on the hands of Hamas," Karl said. "And to say that Joe Biden is complicit, which you also said, in the greatest, deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, I mean, that's beyond the pale, isn't it?"
Karl started to ask Scott if he really feels that way, but again Scott continued to make his point.
"Let me finish my thought here because I think it’s important for your viewers to hear the actual truth as I see it. There is no doubt when you have President Biden negotiating with the Iranians for the release of hostages, I said this under President Obama as well, when you pay $400 million for hostages, you are creating a market for American lives to be lost," Scott said. "I'm saying with great clarity that weakness from the American president, plus the negotiations, leading to terrorist attacks by negotiating with the No. 1 state sponsor of terrorism in the world. Yes, it creates complicity."
Karl responded, "I think we can agree that the blood is on the hands of Hamas," to which Scott said the "person who pulls the trigger is primarily responsible, but that does not release the president of our country as being complicit and responsible."
Scott previously criticized Biden's Oval Office address on Thursday, while on "Hannity."
"Our ally, Israel, was bombed by a terrorist organization and tonight’s speech focused more on Ukraine than Israel," the presidential contender said. "That’s unbelievable."
Scott also said Biden should have more clearly sent a message to Iran about the consequences they would face if they continue to back terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
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Fox News' Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.
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