Congressional leaders expressed shock Saturday night time about President Donald Trump’s announcement he had ordered a U.S. attacked on three Iranian nuclear websites, with some Republicans praising the transfer and a few Democrats questioning the president’s authority.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, an Israel hawk, stated in an X put up moments after Trump introduced the assault that it was “the correct name.”
“The regime deserves it. Effectively completed, President @realDonaldTrump,” he stated. “To my fellow residents: We’ve the perfect Air Pressure on the planet. It makes me so proud.”
President Donald Trump factors to the brand new flag on the south garden of the White Home on June 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Photographs
However the prime Democrat within the Home, Hakeem Jeffries, stated Trump had “misled the nation.”
“Donald Trump promised to carry peace to the Center East. He has did not ship on that promise. The chance of battle has now dramatically elevated, and I pray for the protection of our troops within the area who’ve been put in hurt’s approach,” he stated in an announcement.
“President Trump misled the nation about his intentions, failed to hunt congressional authorization for the usage of navy pressure and dangers American entanglement in a doubtlessly disastrous battle within the Center East,” he continued.
“First, the Trump administration bears the heavy burden of explaining to the American folks why this navy motion was undertaken. Second, Congress should be totally and instantly briefed in a categorized setting. Third, Donald Trump shoulders full and complete accountability for any opposed penalties that stream from his unilateral navy motion,” he added.
Impartial Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont was on stage at considered one of his “Battle Oligarchy” occasions in Tulsa, Oklahoma when he learn a portion of President Trump’s put up concerning the strikes to an viewers that instantly started booing.
“Not solely is that this information this that I’ve heard this second alarming — all of you’ve gotten simply heard. However it’s so grossly unconstitutional. All of you recognize that the one entity that may take this nation to battle is the U.S. Congress. the president doesn’t have the correct,” he added.
Rep. Rick Crawford, an Arizona Republican, chair of the Home Intelligence Committee, stated in an announcement that he was in contact with the president earlier than the assault and nonetheless monitoring the state of affairs.
“As I’ve stated a number of instances not too long ago, I remorse that Iran has introduced the world thus far. That stated, I’m grateful President Trump understood that the purple line — articulated by Presidents of each events for many years — was actual,” he stated.
Not less than one Republican within the Home, nonetheless, questioned the president’s motion with out congressional authorization.
“This isn’t constitutional,” GOP Rep. Tom Massie of Kentucky, posted.
Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the highest Democrat on the Home Intelligence Committee, posted on X, “In accordance with the Structure we’re each sworn to defend, my consideration to this matter comes BEFORE bombs fall. Full cease.”
“We have to instantly return to DC and vote on @RepThomasMassie and my Struggle Powers Decision to stop America from being dragged into one other limitless Center East battle,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., stated in an X put up.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to the press outdoors the White Home in Washington, June 9, 2025.
Evan Vucci/AP
Home Speaker Mike Johnson was briefed forward of the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear websites, in line with a supply aware of the matter.
Johnson was imagined to be in Israel Sunday to handle the Knesset, however the journey was scrapped due to the continuing battle.
The speaker additionally put out an announcement endorsing the strikes, calling it a “decisive” motion that forestalls terrorism.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune was additionally briefed forward of the U.S. strikes on Iran, in line with two sources aware of the dialog.
GOP Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming posted, “President @realDonaldTrump’s resolution to strike Iran’s nuclear program is the correct one. The best risk to the protection of america and the world is Iran with a nuclear weapon.God Bless our troops 🇺🇸”
Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn posted, “President Trump made the brave and proper resolution to get rid of the Iranian nuclear risk. God Bless the USA. Thanks to our extraordinary navy and our indomitable @POTUS That is what management on the world stage appears to be like like.”
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman stated on X, “As I’ve lengthy maintained, this was the proper transfer by @POTUS. Iran is the world’s main sponsor of terrorism and can’t have nuclear capabilities. I’m grateful for and salute the best navy on the planet. 🇺🇸”
This can be a growing story. Please test again for updates.
