Trump finds unlikely Democratic allies on decision to strike Iran
The article reports that President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran has drawn unexpected Democratic support from a small,vocal faction while prompting widespread concerns within the party about bypassing Congress adn risking a broader war in the Middle East. A few Democrats argue the Iranian regime threatens American interests and that targeted military action is necessary to deter further aggression. Notable voices include Rep.Don Landsman, who says the strikes are aimed at military infrastructure with civilian warnings, and Sen. John Fetterman,who publicly backs the operation and even praises Trump,calling it “operation Epic Fury.” Other lawmakers like rep. Josh Gottheimer and Rep. Don Davis stress the need for congressional briefings and adherence to the War Powers Act.
Many Democrats, however, urge more oversight and justification, calling on lawmakers to be fully informed and to authorize or constrain military action. The piece notes calls from figures such as Sen. Tim Kaine and other party leaders for congressional approval and accountability. President Trump announced the strikes in a morning video as a measure to defend American lives, while Iran reportedly retaliated with attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets across the Middle east, including near a U.S. naval base in Bahrain. The story frames the episode as a test of bipartisan support for a hard-line approach to Iran and a debate over oversight and long-term regional stability.
Trump finds unlikely Democratic allies on decision to strike Iran
President Donald Trump is finding allies among Democrats on his decision to strike Iran, even as the majority of the party accuses the White House of ignoring Congress to drag the country towards another open-ended war in the Middle East.
A small but vocal group of Democrats is breaking ranks to back the military action, arguing the Iranian regime posed a threat to American interests and peace in the Middle East.
Rep Landsman (D-OH) told the Washington Examiner via text that he would not support reining in Trump’s war powers as Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) have demanded in the aftermath of the strikes.
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“I don’t support the resolution, which would require us to completely abandon our allies. It calls for the immediate remove of defensive weapons in the region,” said Landsman. “The Administration returned to the practice of notifying Congress of a strike with Rubio briefing the Gang of 8 last week. The strikes are an attempt to prevent further war, not to start one.”
Landsman said earlier Saturday in a statement that the “U.S. is destroying Iran’s missiles and bombs to stop them from taking more lives.
“These strikes are targeting military infrastructure – with warnings to Iranian civilians to take shelter away from these military targets,” Landsman said of Operation Epic Fury, the codename for Saturday’s early morning mission with Israel against Iran. “If it wasn’t for the regime, the region may very well know peace.”
Landsman, whose reelection campaign this November is considered a toss-up by the Cook Political Report, expressed “hope these targeted strikes” bring “lasting peace in the region.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), a staunch proponent of the U.S.-Israel partnership, said he also opposes a similar war powers vote in the Senate demanded by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). Kaine and others have denounced Trump’s operation as unconstitutional because he did not ask for congressional approval first.
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“Committed Democrat here. I’m a hard no. My vote is Operation Epic Fury,” Fetterman wrote on social media.
Fetterman also went further than most Democrats on Saturday by explicitly praising Trump for deciding to strike Iran — not just praising the strikes.
“President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region,” said Fetterman. “God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.”
Several other Democrats took a more cautious tone, but stopped well short of echoing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader (D-NY, who have called on Trump to justify the strikes and request congressional authorization for furthe action.
“We need to stand together to bring an end to terrorism and human rights violations. A regime that supports terror, destabilizes its neighbors, and aims to destroy other nations can’t be trusted,” said Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), whose seat is all considered a toss-up this fall. “Global instability, fueled by extremist proxies, threatens the safety of American citizens and our allies. It’s crucial that the world speaks with a unified voice against terror and proliferation, and Congress is kept informed for oversight.”
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said the strikes were to “defend our national security” and that Iran posed an “existential threat” to the United States. He struck a more nuanced note, however, by also calling for congressional briefings.
“I expect the President to comply with the War Powers Act,” said the New Jersey Democrat. “Congress and the appropriate committees must be fully briefed on the strategy ahead to secure American interests, protect our allies, and create the conditions for a safer and freer future for the Iranian people.”
In an early morning video, Trump announced U.S. participation in the strikes, saying the purpose of the dayslong operation is to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” which he described as “a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”
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“To the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said during the eight-minute video posted on Truth Social. “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.”
Iran’s first response targeted Israeli and U.S. assets across the Middle East, with explosions reported in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, including near the U.S. naval base in Bahrain.
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