Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has come out in support of the military coup in Honduras, chastising President Obama in a statement for what he calls "a slap in the face to the people" of that country.
From his statement:
"The people of Honduras have struggled too long to have their hard-won democracy stolen from them by a Chavez-style dictator. The Honduran Congress, the Honduran Supreme Court, and the Honduran military have acted in accordance to the Honduran constitution and the rule of law. [...]
"I am hopeful that as President Obama grows in office, he will eventually turn away from despots like Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, and Zelaya, and give the United States' full-throated support to the people of any country who are fighting for the same values we cherish and defend in America. The people fighting for freedom around the world, in Iran and Honduras, should never have to wonder which side America will choose between freedom and tyranny.
"President Obama's call for the reinstatement of Zelaya is a slap in the face to the people of Honduras. And the resolution written by the Organization of American States tramples over the hopes and dreams of a free and democratic people.
"The rule of law is working in Honduras. President Obama should not undermine the democratic institutions that guarantee freedom by forcing an illegitimate President back into power.
The majority of world leaders have condemned the coup, confirmed by a resolution approved Tuesday approved by the United Nations General Assembly.
President Obama is one of them.
The United States will "stand on the side of democracy," he said, and work with other nations and international groups to resolve the matter peacefully.
"We believe that the coup was not legal and that President Zelaya remains the democratically elected president there," he continued.
"Concerns or doubts about the wisdom of [Zelaya's] actions relating to his proposed non-binding referendum are independent of the unconstitutional act taken against him," an administration official added.
The military overthrow has sparked violence in Honduras, with thousands protesting and pro-Zelaya union leaders announcing a national strike. Clashes Monday near the presidential palace between pro-Zelaya demonstrators and the army left people on both sides injured -- the most serious violence the country has seen in years.