Trump Rattles Global Stage with Nuclear Threat Toward Iran

LAS VEGAS, NV - This morning, President Trump threatened “a whole civilization will die tonight,” ahead of his Iran deadline, which he hopes will lead to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. This comes after Trump threatened to bomb Iran’s railways and bridges. Following this threat, it is being reported that Iran has closed all diplomatic and indirect channels with the United States. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has been silent on these threats and developments despite his ‘tough on crime’ persona. 

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement: 

“President Donald Trump is once again escalating the war of choice he started. Threatening nuclear action is not a strength, but a dangerous step towards mass destruction and global instability. It is not enough that oil prices are staggeringly high or that US soldiers have become casualties of this reckless war. Now, President Trump wants to destroy an entire civilization with no thought to the fallout that will come. Meanwhile, ‘tough on crime’ Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has been silent on these threats, which could lead to mass civilian casualties and violate international law in an effort to secure his political future. Being tough on crime means holding everyone accountable, especially when the stakes are this high.” 

Sue Burtch, Executive Director of NOW Nevada, issued the following statement: 

“At Nevada NOW, our mission is rooted in advancing justice and protecting the dignity and rights of women and families. Threats of nuclear violence run counter to every one of those values, putting innocent people, including women and children, at risk of unimaginable harm. Conflict and war deepen inequality, strip away access to healthcare and safety, and leave lasting trauma on communities. We urge leaders to immediately de-escalate and commit to protecting human rights and dignity. We cannot accept a future where political rhetoric puts millions of lives at risk.” 

Andrew Clarke, Coalition Manager of the Nevada Revenue Coalition, issued the following statement: 

“As President Trump threatens nuclear war abroad, he continues to wage war on people here at home. Dysfunction at the Strait of Hormuz is already taking money straight out of working Nevadans’ pockets. Meanwhile, harsh work requirements have pushed millions off SNAP, leaving vulnerable families without food. And here in Nevada, Governor Lombardo is going along with it—taking food off Nevadans’ plates so Trump can drop bombs on someone else’s.

If there’s $1.5 trillion at stake, let’s put it where it matters: invest in childcare, healthcare, and ensuring Nevadans have food on the table. Our leaders should be more focused on delivering universal pre-k and school lunches – not universal warfare on everyone else.”

Blanca Macias, Deputy Director of Make the Road Action Nevada, issued the following statement: 

"President Trump once said he would not start new wars, but today his words are bringing us closer to escalation. It is ordinary, innocent people who will suffer the most. Innocent families should not have to live in fear of bombs, while also facing repression at home. No one should be forced to live between violence and oppression.

At Make the Road Action Nevada, we hear from families every day who are already struggling to get by. Even a $1 increase in gas prices can cost the average household more than $1,000 a year, making it harder to afford groceries, rent, and the basics. These decisions have real consequences here at home, and Nevadans are the ones paying for them while Governor Lombardo remains silent. We should be choosing a path that protects lives, lowers costs, and puts dignity first.” 

Barbara Hartzell, Executive Director of Native Voters Alliance NV, issued the following statement:

"On Easter Sunday, while families were gathered together, President Donald Trump was online threatening chaos, daring the world to just watch as he pushed us closer to violence. And now he is talking about entire civilizations being wiped out like it is a line in a speech instead of millions of human lives. For Indigenous people, there is nothing hypothetical about that kind of language. We come from Nations that were nearly erased by leaders who thought destruction was a strategy. We carry what happens when power is used that way. We do not get to pretend these are just words.

“And yet, Governor Joe Lombardo has nothing to say. No condemnation. No clarity. Just silence. Let’s be honest about what that means. When you stay quiet while a president threatens devastation on that scale, you are not being careful. You are choosing not to stand in the way. Nevada families are watching a president escalate and a governor say nothing, and they are left to sit with the consequences of both. That is not leadership. That is abandonment.”

Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director, ACLU of Nevada issued the following statement: 

"Any sitting President threatening an entire population with genocide would be cause for alarm, but its grown increasingly clear that President Trump is demonstrating degeneration in his mental health and cognition. Nevada’s elected leaders across the political spectrum have an obligation to condemn his insane threats as the consequences of his deadly war impact all Nevadans. Already, this illegal war has cost the lives of our service members and thousands of civilians in Iran. Normalizing what is occurring diminishes the value of human life and President Trump’s rhetoric and actions demonstrate he is seemingly incapable of processing the consequences of his own actions.” 

Dawn Etcheverry, President, Nevada State Education Association issued the following statement:

"Public education is built on trust, truth, and consistency. Our students are watching, and they deserve leaders who model the same values we work every day to instill in our classrooms.

In our schools, we don’t make exceptions, especially for those in power. We teach right from wrong, respect for human rights, and that the rule of law applies to everyone. That’s why it’s deeply concerning to see Governor Lombardo remain silent once again while Donald Trump threatens to commit human rights abuses.

Selective accountability sends a dangerous message to our students that the rules don’t apply equally. Nevada public schools are already underfunded, and educators are working overtime to prepare students to be thoughtful, informed citizens. The least our leaders can do is demonstrate consistency, integrity, and respect for the law.

Our students are paying attention. They deserve better than selective accountability and political loyalty over principle.”

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About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages, and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media.