Khaberni - US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the United States "will no longer help Iraq" if Nuri al-Maliki becomes the prime minister of the upcoming government, considering that his prior leadership brought the country into chaos and poverty.
Trump clarified that his administration clearly opposes Maliki serving a third term, amidst the former Iraqi Prime Minister's efforts to return to the political scene after resigning under pressure in 2014 following the invasion of vast areas of Iraq by the Islamic State.
Trump wrote in a post on the "Truth Social" platform: "I hear that the great country of Iraq might make a very bad choice by reinstating Nuri al-Maliki as prime minister. The last time Maliki was in power, the country descended into complete poverty and chaos. This should not be allowed to happen again."
He added: "Because of his policies and crazy ideologies, if elected, the United States will no longer help Iraq, and if we are not there to assist, Iraq will not have any chance of success or prosperity or freedom. Make Iraq great again!"
Maliki served as prime minister between 2006 and 2014, and led the country during the turbulent period that followed the US invasion that overthrew former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Maliki, now 75, is a divisive figure within Iraq, as he has been accused of stoking sectarian tensions during his rule and allowing Iran to enhance its influence in the country."
The "Coordination Framework," a coalition of Shiite parties that holds a majority of seats in the Iraqi parliament, nominated Maliki on Saturday for the position of prime minister, referring to his "political and administrative experience and his role in running the state."
Victoria Taylor, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran in the administration of former President Joe Biden, commented on Trump's post: "It's not that the United States opposes a third term for Maliki, but that the United States waited too long in this process before announcing its opposition," adding that Iraq "is no longer at the forefront of US policymakers' concerns," suggesting that the Trump administration did not keep up with the growing momentum for Maliki's nomination.
After the election of a new Speaker of the House on December 29, the Iraqi constitution stipulates that the parliament shall elect a president within 30 days, after which the President shall appoint a candidate for the prime minister to form the new government.
A parliamentary session scheduled for Tuesday was postponed to allow more time for the two main Kurdish parties to agree on a candidate for the presidency. According to Iraq's informal power-sharing system, Kurds occupy the presidency, Sunnis hold the speakership of the parliament, and Shiites hold the premiership.
Trump's warning comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with the outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Sunday, warning against forming a "government controlled by Iran."
Earlier on Tuesday, the US Special Envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, wrote on the platform "X" that the administration is prepared to impose sanctions on top Iraqi officials involved in government corruption.
Savaya added: "As our team on the ground in Iraq works to support the formation of a new government and prevent Iran-backed militias from gaining positions of power, it is equally important, if not more so, to be prepared to confront Iraq's corruption crisis."
