Hasan Piker says ‘pound for pound’ US commits more terrorism than al-Qaeda

Progressive pundit Hasan Piker argued that the U.S. commits more terrorism around the world than the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda , comments that are sparking backlash from both Republicans and Democrats.

“You once said that America is the top dog in terrorism. Do you think American then is worse than al-Qaeda?” journalist Alex Thompson asked Piker during a recent appearance on “The Axios Show.”

“Pound for pound as far as the number of deaths, yes,” Piker responded. “We have caused tremendous terror all around the world.”

The U.S. government is waging terror “not only on regular civilians,” the pundit continued, “but it’s also having consequences on ourselves.”

“One clear example of this is what we did in Minab,” he said, referring to the bombing of a school in Iran earlier this year, which was believed to have been hit by U.S. weapons, but the Pentagon has not taken responsibility for.

“If you’re killing 140 schoolgirls, that is an act of terror,” Piker continued. “That doesn’t mean that all Americans are terrorists, but the reality is we have to create an environment of accountability to ensure things like that never happen again.”

The backlash to his comments has been swift online.

“Comparing America to al-Qaeda wasn’t an accident — Piker has built a brand on anti-American hate,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) wrote on social platform X. “This is a man who said America “deserved” 9/11, who framed a newspaper with the Twin Towers on it for his backdrop, and who has spent years excusing the very terrorists who’ve targeted our country. That’s not edgy commentary.”

The official Republicans X account posted the clip and wrote “every single Democrat who is supported by this garbage can of a human being must condemn him immediately.”

“You could convince me Hasan Piker is a GOP op. He’s an absolute soundbite machine for Republican ads!” wrote Alyssa Farah Griffin, a political strategist and co-host of ABC’s “The View.”

Piker responded to the clip of his remarks that was widely circulating on Thursday writing, “Oh this is why they were farming the interview.”

“I give a nuanced answer about acts of terror this admin has caused and they clickbait it,” he said. “He asked, i gave a nuanced answer. we’ve armed al qaeda since 9/11, we made its former commander the president of syria.”

“Our elites terrorize the entire world while ordinary Americans continue to foot the bill. we spent trillions ‘fighting’ the terror we created to provide cover for our oil barons stealing 3rd world resources,” Piker wrote in another post.

“It only amounted to more death overseas, more poverty at home. all while the MIC ballooned. no houses, no hospitals, no schools-just a growing crisis of homelessness, underemployment and diseases of despair in the wealthiest country on earth,” he wrote.