Congressional leaders on Saturday morning issued a range of reactions to the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, labeled “Operation Epic Fury” by the White House.
Reactions were largely split along party lines, with Democrats questioning the move as a potential abuse of President Donald Trump’s war powers, and Republicans backing the strikes as necessary to target an out-of-control regime hostile to the U.S.
The White House briefed the “Gang of Eight,” the top congressional leaders of both chambers and the intelligence committees, earlier this week and the night of the strikes. Seven of the eight members were informed shortly before strikes commenced, with one being unreachable at the time. The Department of War also provided notification to the Armed Services committees after strikes had taken place on Saturday morning.
US AND ISRAEL LAUNCH ‘PREEMPTIVE’ ATTACK AGAINST IRAN
What is Democratic leadership saying?
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) swiftly condemned the attacks, saying the president overstepped his power in authorizing the strikes without congressional sign-off.
“The Trump administration must explain itself to the American people and Congress immediately, provide an ironclad justification for this act of war, clearly define the national security objective, and articulate a plan to avoid another costly, prolonged military quagmire in the Middle East,” he wrote in a statement.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) echoed Jeffries’ statement.
“When I talked to Secretary Rubio, I implored him to be straight with Congress and the American people about the objectives of these strikes and what comes next,’ Schumer said in a statement. “The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat.”
“Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home,” the New York senator added. “My prayers are with our brave American servicemembers.”
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) also aired concern that the strikes risked pulling the U.S. into “another broad conflict in the Middle East.” Warner said the White House’s move to issue strikes with formal authorization from Congress “raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.”
“Congress must be fully briefed, and the administration must 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,” the Virginia Democrat said.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES ‘MASSIVE AND ONGOING OPERATION’ AGAINST IRAN
What are progressive members saying?
Progressive members of the Democratic caucus came out more forcefully against the White House’s decision to launch Operation Epic Fury.
Sen. Ro Khanna (D-CA) issued a similar reaction. He said that the Trump administration launched an “illegal regime change war,” and called on Congress to hold a vote on the bipartisan War Powers Act, which would restrict the president. “Every member of Congress should go on record this weekend on how they will vote,” Khanna said.
“He doesn’t care about our loved ones in the military. He doesn’t care about the fact that Americans don’t want this war,” Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) wrote on X. “He doesn’t care about the Iranian people. He is corrupted. Don’t fall for the lies.” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) reposted Tlaib’s message.
Fetterman breaks ranks
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), known to often rebel against his caucus, praised the strikes. The senator has long pushed the White House to take a firmer line on Iran.
“Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel,” he said.
What is Republican leadership saying?
Republicans also cheered on the president, with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) saying, “Well done.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said the Trump administration had “exhausted” every possibility to reach a diplomatic resolution to avert the strikes. He said the strikes came after Iran had for decades “defiantly maintained its nuclear program while arming and funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and other internationally recognized terrorist organizations.”
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised the president’s “decisive” action, arguing that “this is a pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests.”
“Without the use of military force against them, Iran’s ayatollahs would simply continue to grow their ability to threaten Americans and our interests, working in concert with the Chinese Communist Party, the Russian dictator Putin, North Korea, and other terrorist allies,” Wicker said.
Graham said he is “confident” the strikes will hold a successful outcome and lead to the liberation of the Iranian people.
“From their liberation, the path toward peace and prosperity for the region and throughout the world will be long and wide,” he said.
Some GOP members oppose the war
Not all Republicans supported the Trump administration’s decision to strike Iran. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) vowed to support Congressional action preventing the White House from continuing Operation Epic Fury.
“I am opposed to this War. This is not ‘America First,'” Massie wrote on X. “When Congress reconvenes, I will work with @RepRoKhanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran. The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) also opposed the operation, while expressing his sympathy for the Iranian people’s plight.
“Like most Americans, I have sympathy for the plight of the Iranian people and all subjected people around the globe, from North Korea to Tibet,” Paul said. “But as Adam’s wrote, America: ‘goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.'”
“As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission. But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war,” Paul continued.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES ‘MASSIVE AND ONGOING OPERATION’ AGAINST IRAN
MAGA voices not in Congress also voiced opposition to the war, including former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
“I did not campaign for this. I did not donate money for this. I did not vote for this, in elections or Congress,” Greene posted on X. “This is heartbreaking and tragic. And how many more innocent will die? What about our own military? This is not what we thought MAGA was supposed to be. Shame!”
