Senator Jon Ossoff called former president Donald Trump a "draft-dodging, crook president" while defending Senator Mark Kelly at a Georgia campaign event, escalating their public feud. Ossoff accused Trump of recklessly drawing the nation into war and of seeking to punish a decorated veteran. The White House retaliated with personal insults, and Ossoff's comments have drawn widespread attention as he campaigns for re-election and faces speculation about a future presidential bid.
Ossoff Labels Trump a 'Draft-Dodging, Crook President' While Defending Mark Kelly
Jon Ossoff at a rally in Atlanta on Sunday.Photograph: Robin Rayne/Zuma/Shutterstock
Senator Jon Ossoff sharply criticized former president Donald Trump as a "draft-dodging, crook president" while defending Senator Mark Kelly at a Tuesday campaign event in Georgia, intensifying an already public feud between the two politicians.
"I don't think anything illustrates the times more aptly than that the draft-dodging, crook president, who has plunged our nation recklessly into a war he knows not how to end or to win, tried to imprison this man, who embodies American heroism," Ossoff said as he stood alongside Kelly and Kelly's wife, former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Background: Kelly, a former Navy captain, and five other Democratic lawmakers drew the ire of Trump last year after posting a social media video arguing that service members are not required to follow illegal orders. In response, Trump called for their arrests and accused them of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!"
Ossoff — who is seeking re-election to his Senate seat in Georgia and is often mentioned as a possible 2028 presidential contender — has garnered viral attention for his blunt public criticisms of Trump.
At a separate campaign appearance in Atlanta on Sunday, Ossoff again attacked Trump's handling of the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. He invoked the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln and criticized what he described as the president's priorities.
"While the sailors on the Lincoln fight his war, while he fruitlessly drains our munitions and oil reserves, the president sleeps through his meetings. He golfs and trades stocks. See, he doesn't want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the amir of Qatar."
Ossoff appeared to be referring to Natalie Harp, Trump's executive assistant, who has attracted scrutiny for her proximity to the former president.
White House Response: The White House pushed back quickly. Trump mocked Ossoff as "Pee-wee Herman," and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted on social media calling Ossoff "a radical, extremist Dumocrat" (using the original misspelling).
Political Context: The exchange underscores rising tensions between prominent Democrats and Trump as the 2024–2028 political landscape continues to evolve. Ossoff's remarks are likely to energize supporters and critics alike as he campaigns for re-election.
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