Ossoff Calls Trump 'Draft-Dodging, Crook President' at Georgia Rally

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff called Donald Trump a "draft-dodging, crook president" during a Tuesday campaign appearance in Georgia, escalating his public feud with the president while defending Sen. Mark Kelly.

Speaking alongside Kelly and his wife, former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Ossoff said: "I don't think anything illustrates the times more aptly than that the draft-dodging, crook president, who has plunged our nation recklessly into a war he knows not how to end or to win, tried to imprison this man, who embodies American heroism."

Kelly, a former Navy captain, and five other Democratic lawmakers were attacked by Trump last year after they released a social media video stating that troops are not required to carry out illegal commands. Trump called for the lawmakers' arrests, accusing them of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!"

Ossoff, who is running for re-election to his Senate seat in Georgia and is widely speculated to be considering a 2028 presidential run, has drawn viral attention on social media for his sharp attacks on Trump.

On Sunday, during a campaign appearance in Atlanta, Ossoff criticized Trump's handling of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. "While the sailors on the Lincoln fight his war, while he fruitlessly drains our munitions and oil reserves, the president sleeps through his meetings," Ossoff said. "He golfs and trades stocks. See, he doesn't want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the amir of Qatar."

Ossoff appeared to be referring to Natalie Harp, Trump's executive assistant, who has drawn scrutiny for her closeness to the president.

The White House quickly hit back. Trump called Ossoff "Pee-wee Herman," and White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote on social media that Ossoff is "a radical, extremist Dumocrat."