October 22, 2023

Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott said he does not regret claiming President Joe Biden has "blood on his hands" after Hamas attacked Israel.

While appearing on ABC's This Week, host Jonathan Karl pressed Scott on his claim that U.S. "weakness" led to the terrorist attacks.

"That didn't really sound like the Tim Scott that I know, the hopeful, optimistic campaign you talked about running," Karl noted. "But sometimes, in the heat of the campaign, you say things that may be a regret. Do you regret saying that, saying that the President of the United States has blood on his hands?"

"I don't, actually," Scott replied. "I'm a happy warrior without any question, but we are now in the midst of a conflict."

The candidate pointed to the Biden administration's decision to release $6 billion in Iranian funds.

"That money, we know Hamas's first thank you was to Iran," Scott said. "Ninety percent of their money comes from Iran. Put those pieces of the puzzle together."

But Scott also acknowledged that Iran never received any of the money because the Biden administration froze it.

"And you said that he has blood on his hands," Karl reminded Scott. "I mean, with all due respect, the blood is on the hands of Hamas."

"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?" the ABC host asked.

"I think it's important for your viewers to hear the actual truth as I see it," Scott insisted.

"There's no doubt that when you have President Biden negotiating with the Iranians for the release of hostages, I said this under President Obama as well, when we paid 400 million dollars for hostages, you were creating a market for American lives to be lost," Scott opined.

"When you pay six billion dollars, do not be surprised when the result of that six billion dollars leads to more conflict in the Middle East," he added.

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