Graham defends Trump on Iran, ‘can’t have 535 commander in chiefs’

Published June 23, 2025 5:42am ET



Congressional Democrats and some Republicans have cried foul over President Donald Trump’s ordered bombing of Iran‘s nuclear facilities on Saturday. Critics of the military operation claim that Trump did not have the constitutional authority to order the bombings and that it was a violation of power. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) argued to the contrary, specifically citing that Article II of the Constitution granted Trump the authority to do so.

Graham justified his decision Sunday in an interview with Kristen Welker on NBC’s Meet the Press. Welker asked the Republican senator if he believed Trump should have received congressional authority before the bombing. Graham responded that Trump is in charge and that the country can’t have “535 commander in chiefs.”

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