Congress Divided, Several Lawmakers Condemn Trump’s Iran Strikes as Unauthorized/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Several lawmakers criticized President Trump’s strikes on Iran as unauthorized acts of war. Democrats and some Republicans called for immediate war powers votes. GOP leaders and defense hawks largely backed the joint U.S.-Israel operation.
Quick Look
- Critics call strikes “acts of war” without Congress approval.
- Bipartisan effort underway to force war powers vote.
- Democrats warn of another prolonged Middle East conflict.
- GOP leadership praises operation as necessary and justified.
- Administration notified select lawmakers before strikes.
- Political risks mount ahead of midterm elections.
Deep Look: Congress Divided, Several Lawmakers Condemn Trump’s Iran Strikes as Unauthorized
President Donald Trump’s decision to launch military strikes against Iran early Saturday sparked immediate backlash from several members of Congress, who accused the administration of initiating an act of war without legislative authorization.
Among the first to respond was Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who described the operation on social media as “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.” Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) had planned to force votes next week on legislation aimed at limiting Trump’s authority to take unilateral military action against Iran. The strikes occurred before they could compel a formal war powers debate.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) also criticized the move, arguing that support for Iran’s democracy movement does not require sending American troops into harm’s way. “We can support the democracy movement and the Iranian people without sending our troops to die,” he wrote.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) warned the attacks risk drawing the United States into a broader Middle East conflict, comparing the situation to previous wars launched under disputed intelligence claims.
“The American people have seen this playbook before — claims of urgency, misrepresented intelligence, and military action that pulls the United States into regime change and prolonged, costly nation-building,” Warner said.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, called the action “a war of choice with no strategic endgame” and pledged to support a war powers resolution when it comes to a vote.
Congressional Notification
According to people familiar with the matter, Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacted Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders shortly before the strikes. Democratic leaders and members of the so-called “Gang of Eight” — senior lawmakers with oversight of intelligence matters — were also notified as the operation became imminent.
Despite calls from some Democrats to reconvene immediately, the House is not expected to return until Wednesday. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who had already planned to push for a vote on war powers legislation, urged the Senate to return to session immediately, though GOP leadership is not expected to comply.
“Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action,” Kaine said.
Republican Support
Many Republican leaders quickly rallied behind the president. House Intelligence Committee Chair Rick Crawford said Trump had given Iran ample opportunity to pursue diplomacy. Senate GOP Whip John Barrasso framed the operation as “peace through strength.”
Longtime Iran hawk Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called the strike “necessary and long justified,” predicting it could ultimately bring about the fall of Iran’s government.
“The end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us,” Graham wrote, describing the operation as well-planned and potentially transformative for the region.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) also praised the action, calling it a “pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests.”
In a rare cross-party endorsement, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) expressed support for the operation, writing that Trump was willing “to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.”
Political Stakes
The strike presents political risks for Trump, particularly ahead of midterm elections. He campaigned on avoiding new foreign wars as part of his “America First” agenda. However, polling suggests that a significant portion of his base supports a forceful response to Iran.
Administration officials have argued that Tehran was rebuilding its nuclear program and that the strikes were necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon — a scenario Trump has repeatedly said he would not allow.
Democrats have countered that the White House must publicly present clear justification before the country becomes further entangled in another Middle East conflict.
“This is serious, and the administration has to make its case to the American people,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
Even Senate Majority Leader John Thune had previously stressed that consultation with Congress “needs to happen” before any military action against Iran — a reminder of the constitutional tensions now unfolding on Capitol Hill.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.