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Democratic lawmakers have sounded off after President Trump announced that the United States would move to take over Gaza.

Some shit you should know before you read: During a press conference yesterday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip, clear the war-torn region of unexploded bombs, and spearhead its economic redevelopment. He described a vision of transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” suggesting it could become an international destination rather than being controlled by a specific group. Trump stated that all Palestinians currently living in Gaza would be relocated to other countries where they could have a “beautiful life,” though he did not specify which nations would take them in. When asked about deploying US troops, he said the military would “do what is necessary,” indicating that American forces might be involved in the takeover and reconstruction effort.

What’s going on now: In response to President Trump’s announcement, Democratic lawmakers strongly condemned the proposal, characterizing it as reckless and inhumane. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian American in Congress, accused Trump of “openly calling for ethnic cleansing while sitting next to a genocidal war criminal” and criticized continued US funding to Israel while domestic programs for Americans face cuts. She also urged her colleagues who support a two-state solution to take a stand and said, “Palestinians aren’t going anywhere.” Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) warned that Trump was “throwing a match on an already very volatile situation,” stressing that even Middle Eastern nations rejected the idea of a US takeover of Gaza.

Other Democrats expressed outrage at both the logistical and moral implications of Trump’s proposal. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) called the idea “totally lost,” arguing that “a US invasion of Gaza would lead to the slaughter of thousands of US troops and decades of war in the Middle East.” Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) dismissed Trump as a “warmonger,” pointing out that this was not the first time he had floated territorial ambitions, referencing past suggestions to invade Panama or buy Greenland.

Republican reactions: Most Republicans in Congress have been relatively silent on President Trump’s announcement, though, Senator Rand Paul said, “The pursuit for peace should be that of the Israelis and the Palestinians. I thought we voted for America First. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldier’s blood.”

Senator Josh Hawley said, “I don’t know that I think it’s the best use of United States resources to spend a bunch of money in Gaza, I think maybe I’d prefer that to be spent in the US first, but let’s see what happens.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “The US stands firmly with Israel and the people of the Middle East, which haven’t experienced peace in many, many years. Violence and hatred do not have to define the region’s future. Today, President Trump took bold action in hopes of achieving lasting peace in Gaza. We are hopeful this brings much needed stability and security to the region.”