Derek Schmidt

U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt stated that President Donald Trump's rhetoric threatening Iran "went too far."

Trump made comments on Truth Social threatening the end of Iranian civilization.

Schmidt expressed concern that the president's language could negatively affect relationships with other countries.

Following the comments, President Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran.

U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt believes President Donald Trump "went too far" when he threatened to end civilization in Iran after threatening to destroy civilian infrastructure.

"I thought that rhetoric went too far," Schmidt, R-Kan., told reporters at an event on April 7 in Topeka when asked about the comment. "I've said from the inception, I think it's important this mission stay focused on its objectives, accomplish the objectives and then end the campaign. I still believe that, and I think it's important to guard against mission creep."

The president's comment was made earlier in the day in a Truth Social post.

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," Trump said. "I don't want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!"

That post came two days after Trump said in an Easter Sunday post: "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F*****' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

When asked whether Trump's rhetoric may simply be a negotiating tactic, Schmidt said he hopes so, but he would have preferred the president take a different approach.

"That may be, and that makes perfect sense," Schmidt said. "I hope that is the case. It's certainly part of the pattern. It's a technique this president likes to use, and he's used it to good effect in many other situations.

"In this case, the reason I say I thought this particular rhetoric went too far, there will be an effect on others, not just the Iranians and ourselves, but on others we have important relationships with around the world. I would have preferred that in this case he stopped a bit short of expressing himself that way."

About an hour and a half after Schmidt's comments to reporters, the president announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran. That came about 10 and a half hours after Trump's post, and less than 2 hours before his self-imposed deadline of 8 p.m. eastern.

"For 47 years, the Iranians have killed Americans in large numbers, more than 1,000 that we can easily document," Schmidt said. "The United States didn't start this war — it just finally joined it. I hope the administration is able to end it rapidly with minimal blood and life loss and get our people home."