Democratic Socialist Milot Kiros has defeated incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in the Denver primary, a victory that has drawn sharp criticism due to Kiros's past remarks on the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Kiros, who is 29 and Ethiopian-born, stated in a recent interview that the attacks were an "inevitable" consequence of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
In the unearthed video, Kiros was asked if 9/11 was an inevitable result of American actions abroad. She responded, "Inevitable in the sense that we destabilized a lot of the Middle East, which led people to believe that another act of violence was the only response. Our responsibility is to get rid of those conditions that lead to violence in the first place."
These statements have been interpreted by some as a justification for the attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people. Critics argue that by calling the events "inevitable," Kiros implies that perpetrators like Osama bin Laden had no other recourse and that the U.S. bears ultimate responsibility.
This framing suggests that if the United States had acted differently in the Middle East, the attacks might have been averted, thereby diminishing blame for the attackers. This perspective has been contrasted with the views of figures like podcaster Hasan Piker, who has been quoted as saying America "deserved" 9/11, a sentiment Kiros's supporters may argue she has not explicitly echoed.
DeGette, first elected to her seat before the 9/11 attacks, was a long-serving incumbent. Kiros's victory signals a shift in the political landscape of the Denver district, with her progressive platform challenging established Democratic leadership.
Detractors contend that framing 9/11 as a consequence of U.S. policy, even if unintended, risks downplaying the agency of the terrorists and the deliberate nature of their violence. They emphasize that America has made efforts towards peace in the region, citing former President Bill Clinton's account of peace negotiations with Yasser Arafat in 2000.
The controversy surrounding Kiros's remarks highlights ongoing debates within the Democratic Party regarding foreign policy and historical interpretations of international conflicts. Her win in the primary is seen by some as part of a broader trend of progressive candidates gaining traction in Democratic primaries.