A growing number of Republican elected officials, conservative commentators, and longtime Donald Trump supporters are voicing criticism regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran. However, despite their disapproval, many are avoiding direct blame of the former president, instead seeking alternative explanations for the war’s origins.

Shifting Blame: Israel and Advisors

Rather than holding Trump accountable, some Republican critics are pointing fingers elsewhere. Some accuse Israel of provoking the attacks on the Islamic republic. Others allege that advisors misled Trump with promises of an easy victory. This reluctance to criticize Trump is driven by a desire to maintain loyalty within the right-wing media landscape.

Concerns Over Antisemitic Tropes

While some argue Israel bears responsibility, critics point out this narrative invokes long-standing antisemitic tropes and overlooks the involvement of other regional leaders, such as Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It also ignores Trump’s own agency in the situation, as he could have chosen to reject Israel’s proposals.

Ex-Officials and the Blame Game

Even those who have left the Trump administration are hesitant to directly blame the former president. Joe Kent, former top counterterrorism official, claimed a “misinformation campaign” by Israeli officials and the media “deceived” Trump, but didn’t explain why a “savvy operator” was fooled. Tucker Carlson, while acknowledging Trump could have known better, also largely attributed blame to Israel.

“America First” and Presidential Agency

When pressed on this framing, Zanny Minton Beddoes of the Economist argued that Trump held more responsibility. Carlson conceded the point briefly but quickly reiterated his claim that “Israel pushed him,” ignoring Trump’s long-held views on attacking Iran and reports that he resisted Netanyahu’s urgings.

Blaming the Administration, Not the President

Some Republicans, like Rep. Mike Rogers, criticize the administration’s handling of the war but explicitly state their support for Trump’s overall vision. Rep. Nancy Mace similarly expressed concerns about the “Washington war machine” while praising Trump as “the strongest president in American history.”

Scapegoating Senator Graham

Others have targeted Senator Lindsey Graham, accusing him of influencing Trump. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Kat Cammack called for Graham’s “Oval Office credentials” to be revoked, arguing he was pushing for unnecessary escalation.

A Pattern of Deference

Despite some dissenting voices, the overall trend is to shield Trump from criticism. This pattern extends beyond Iran, with Sen. Thom Tillis recently suggesting Trump receives “bad advice” from advisors, but avoiding blame for his own appointments. Even individuals directly affected by Trump’s policies deflect blame, attributing issues to others within the system.

The Search for Accountability

As the war continues, some are calling for accountability. Megyn Kelly and Laura Ingraham have questioned who advised Trump and whether he was fully informed of the risks. However, the prevailing sentiment remains one of protecting the former president from direct responsibility.