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By Jason Lemon
Deputy News Director
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Representative Lisa McClain, a Michigan Republican, claimed on Saturday that former President Donald Trump "caught" former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S.
McClain, who first entered Congress during the 2020 election with Trump's endorsement, made the comment as she spoke ahead of the former president during a rally in Washington Township, Michigan. The GOP congresswoman lamented how she and many others view the country to be worse off under President Joe Biden than it was under Trump.
"While President Trump was in office, we didn't have a war and I think he made three peace treaties," McClain said during her speech. "Caught Osama bin Laden and Soleimani, al-Baghdadi. And this president is weak. And I'll tell you weakness breeds aggression. We need strength."
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"We need somebody who will stand up for America and put America first again like President Donald J. Trump did when he was in office," she continued, drawing loud cheers and applause from the crowd.
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While Trump did give the orders to successfully take out Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani in early January 2020 and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October 2019—former President Barack Obama gave the order to kill bin Laden in May 2011. Biden was serving as the vice president in the Democratic administration at the time.
Bin Laden, a Saudi Arabian citizen, was killed in Pakistan after the extremist militant group leader had alluded capture by the U.S. for a decade. The Al-Qaeda chief was the alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that flew passenger planes into the former World Trade Center Twin Towers in lower Manhattan, as well as the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and a field in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks.
Obama ordered the special SEAL Team Six operation that killed bin Laden at his compound in Abbottabad.
"For over two decades, bin Laden has been Al-Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat Al-Qaeda," Obama said, announcing the killing in an official address at the time.
Newsweek reached out to McClain's spokesperson for further comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Trump held the Saturday rally at the Michigan Star Sports Center, with thousands showing up to see and cheer for him. The indoor venue reportedly reached its capacity of 5,500 people. Fire chief Brian Tyrell told The Detroit News that a few thousand people also watched the rally from overflow screens outside.
"I'm thrilled to be back with you in your beautiful state with thousands and thousands of hardworking, proud American patriots," Trump told the crowd.
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