The latest joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran have been met in America with bipartisan praise and condemnation.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of America’s most vociferous advocates for regime change in Iran, rushed to celebrate the “historic operation,” noting he is “in awe of President Trump’s determination to be a man of peace but at the end of the day, evil’s worst nightmare.” In one of several emotion-laden commentaries, Graham wrote: “My mind is racing with the thought that the murderous ayatollah’s regime in Iran will soon be no more. The biggest change in the Middle East in a thousand years is upon us.”
Graham was hardly alone in his celebration of the regime-change strikes on the Shiite nation. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (R) provided a laundry list of reasons why this is a “vital mission of vengeance, and justice, and safety,” noting: “Iran has waged war against the U.S. for 47 years: the hostage crisis, the Beirut Marine barracks, Khobar Towers, roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan that killed or maimed thousands of American soldiers, the attempted assassination of President Trump.” Cotton added: “The butcher’s bill has finally come due for the ayatollahs,” signaling appreciation in a separate post for Trump’s speech.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee with Cotton, thanked Trump for his “strong leadership” and characterized Operation Epic Fury as both a demonstration of “peace through strength” and “AMERICA FIRST.”
Democrat Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) joined Graham and other Republicans in lavishing praise on President Donald Trump for attacking Iran, stating: “President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.” Fetterman added: “God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.”
Several of Fetterman’s Democrat colleagues condemned the attacks and the president’s perceived circumvention of Congress, which retains the authority to declare war. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) claimed that “single-handedly starting another war with Iran is dangerous and illegal” and expressed doubt about whether “America first” meant another foreign entanglement.
Democrat Sen. Mark Warner (Va.) raised concerns about the constitutionality of the strikes, noting: “The Constitution is clear: the decision to take this nation to war rests with Congress, and launching large-scale military operations—particularly in the absence of an imminent threat to the United States—raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.” Warner demanded that the administration “come forward with a clear legal justification, a defined end state, and a plan that avoids dragging the United States into yet another costly and unnecessary war.”
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who recently filed a Senate resolution with Republican Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) to block a war against Iran unless approved by Congress, was less restrained than Warner in his criticism. Kaine accused Trump of waging an “illegal war,” called the strikes a “colossal mistake,” and implored colleagues to “go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action” and vote on his war powers resolution.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a critic of the president who has similarly attempted to prevent Trump from going to war with Iran without congressional approval, referred to the attacks as “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.” In a subsequent post, Massie stated: “I am opposed to this War. This is not ‘America First.’” When Congress reconvenes, Massie vowed to work with Rep. Ro Khanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran, adding: “The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war.”
While Congress was not formally briefed on the strikes, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with and briefed the Gang of Eight—comprising Democratic and Republican leaders from both chambers. Sources also indicated Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Sen. Warner, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), and Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) were notified.
