The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the most costly and deadly European war since WWII. Over 1.2 million Russian and 600,000 Ukrainian troops killed or wounded. Ukraine is under constant Russian bombardment, aided by Iranian drones. However, Wisconsin GOP Representative Derrick Van Orden (3rd CD) and Trump oppose helping Ukraine and have surrendered to Putin. Their perfidy will be remembered. There’s more.

The Washington Post reported: “Russia giving Iran targeting data to attack U.S. assets.” Putin is helping Iran to kill and wound Americans. Conservative columnist Jim Geraghty denounced a Trump interview with Fox News Radio where Trump confirmed and blew off the Washington Post scoop. At the same time, Trump has partly lifted sanctions on Russian oil (and Iranian oil) to reduce (delusionally) the price at the gas pump. Russia and Iran get a windfall to kill Ukrainians and Americans. Trump and Secretary of Defense Hegseth are playacting while the Iran War goes on. Two U.S. warplanes shot down by Iran.

Meanwhile, Van Orden helped give a group of U.S.-sanctioned Russian bigwigs a tour of the Capitol. Van Orden pretentiously said he “sat down with the Russian(s) to engage in direct discussions on peace and bilateral relations. … I remain committed to continuing these conversations and supporting President Trump’s commitment towards peace.” Former Illinois GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger responded: “Did you discuss their murder of civilians and kidnapping children?” And, why hasn’t Van Orden condemned Russia’s murderous aid to Iran?

Trump continues talking out of both sides of his mouth as he escalates the Iran War. More U.S. ground troops have arrived, additional warplanes are on the way and U.S. B-52 bombers have begun bombing Iran. Ominously, Trump is talking like a war criminal. Trump tweeted: “we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating plants! … and possibly all desalinization plants!” (drinking water). Trump in an incoherent, rambling prime-time TV address, said: “Over the next two to three weeks, we’re going to bring them back to the Stone Age.” A madman.

Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin is doing everything possible to end the costly, unnecessary Iran War. After all, Trump claimed in June that he had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities. But most congressional Republicans, including all Wisconsin GOP congressional members, don’t take their oath of office seriously. The collateral damage to the U.S. economy is substantial: higher inflation, including soaring gas and oil prices, increased mortgage rates and farmers taking it on the chin.

On top of all the killing and misery, Trump wants $200 billion more for the war. Trump will slash domestic spending to fund the war: “It’s not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare, all of these individual things, they can do it on a state basis. … We have to take care of one thing: military protection.” Will congressional Republicans, including Van Orden, acquiesce?

Van Orden and Trump threaten U.S. security, at home and abroad.

Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.